23/09/2009, Wiltshire to Dorset
Since returning from Scotland, we have, as usual, been busy. A couple of weeks back in Bexleyheath, a boat trip from Westinster, down the River Thames as far as the Thames Barrier and back, encompassing Greenwich and Saint Katherine's Dock, and a few curries. Tracey went back up to Esk Valley for a couple of weeks while I embarked on a walk from Bath to Weymouth with Mark T; well, that was the plan.... Day One took us out of Bath along the Kennet and Avon Canal giving us some great scenery and good walking. After 30km, we put the tent up and practically dropped dead! If only we had put some training in for this walk! Day Two and we reached Chew Magna, identified another campsite, and set up, this time realising that foot blisters were becoming particularly bad and of need of some medication. So, Day Three, and alas, my feet had become so badly blistered that I could not put any weight on the right one at all. Regretably, a taxi, two trains and a further taxi, saw us back in Bath via the chemist to top up the first aid kit with some useful items. A few days in Bath recovering was followed by a trip by train to Weymouth so that we could make use of the pre-booked single each from Weymouth to Bath that was supposed to mark the end of our trip! An enjoyable day looking around the old town, fish and chips for lunch, and yes, a curry for dinner, then back to Bath. Tracey and I met up again at mum's in Bexleyheath today, just in time to pack for tomorrow's trip to Cyprus.
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04/09/2009, Somewhere in England....
A busy few weeks have passed since climbing Roseberry Topping in North Yorkshire. After a great time spent in the Dales, we travelled up to Aberdeen by train to meet up with Clare and Donald, our first trip to their house; they have only lived there about 10 years! The view from the train was quite spectacular as we headed up the east coast of England and over the border into Scotland and we really appreciated letting 'the train take the strain' giving us more time to enjoy the trip. Our surprise trip organised by Donald to Braemar, staying in the Invercauld Arms Hotel, was a fantastic location to embark on a number of walks and visits around the area. In addition, we managed to get as far north as Portknockie to see Bow Fiddle Rock, Cullen, and Balmedie, and as far south to Arbroath, the Montrose Basin, and Stonehaven, many of which I passed when sailing around the coast of Britain in the summer of 2007. Time went by all too quickly Up North, and before long, we were on the Megabus for our 14 hour trip from Aberdeen to London (for £15 each!). Back now again at mum's in Bexleyheath, we have been catching up with Aunty Val, Grandad (97 in October!), and a few other friends who live in the local area. Off to London tomorrow with some surprises planned for Tracey's birthday. Luckily, abseiling off Nelson's Column, and bungee jumping off the BT Tower were fully booked, so we shall be staying closer to Earth on this occasion....!
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08/08/2009, Newton-under-Roseberry, North Yorkshire
Time to stretch the legs again today and set off up the 1000 ft hill at Newton-under-Roseberry, North Yorkshire, knowns as 'Roseberry Topping'. The unusual shape of this hill is due to a geological fault and a mining collapse early in the 20th century. With the sun out, lunch packed, and water bottles filled, Tracey, Sara and I set out towards Captain Cook's monument before retracing our footsteps and heading up to the summit of Roseberry Topping. All in all, a swift 2 hour round trip walk which gave us some excellent views across Teeside and the Yorkshire Dales. It also was a great excuse to clear out the cobwebs as we recovered from a very late night in Whitby listening to The Yabbers in The Resolution.....great band!
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