Thames Path
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Make/Modify/Mend Your Own Gear (MYOG)
MYOG is traditionally the acronym for Make Your Own Gear. I’ve expanded it to include modifying and mending. My first modification was removing an unneeded fabric divider in my bumbag. A better way to push tent stakes in.I picked up a tip that using a pop bottle screw-on top was a useful way to save Continue reading
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Accommodation
Camping all the way was the intention. Of the 16 days about a third were in AirBnB and one hotel due to no campsites in London, or chosen campsites were unexpectedly closed. “All Environment Agency campsites are closed at our River Thames lock sites for the remainder of this year”. Drat! I was really looking Continue reading
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Food
I chose to carry a cook system. Was it useful? I need coffee in the morning, though the instant I took was horrible. A passing hiker showed me his coffee bags – like teabags. I bought some and liked them. I even tried making cold soak coffee – pop a bag in a bottle, shake Continue reading
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The Kit
What worked and what didn’t? The list and weights of my stuff I did drink a lot of water, somedays 3.5L. Starting every day with 2L might’ve seemed overkill but in my mind it was essential in the heat. Continue reading
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Distances covered and daily stats
I use an Apple iPhone and Watch. Activity is recorded using the excellent watch app WorkOutDoors. Total distance walked 277.4k out of an anticipated 373k. 74% which is pretty good actually. 95k to finish in the autumn which seems eminently doable, as long as I listen to my body. The screenshots below show total calories Continue reading
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Postmortem
After 5 days at home I can wear shoes again. There was no way that heel blister was going to heal on the trail. Next week I head out for 3 days hiking with friends on Dartmoor, which will be nice to be back in the saddle after enforced RnR. Doing lots of soul searching. Continue reading
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Day 10 Wednesday 28th June 2023
The end was nigh. My heel blister burst while walking yesterday, flooding my shoe with fluid. Hence the taxi last night. I spent the morning hobbling to a chemist for yet more blister care things. I patched myself up and set off, only to come very quickly to grim realisation I’d done myself a serious Continue reading
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Day 9 Tuesday 27th June 2023
Pacing through the hugely important historic Runnymede I omitted to take any photos. It’ll still be there next time! I didn’t know the significance of this sign until tomorrow. I was in so much pain I caught a taxi from here for the final 4 k of the day to Chertsey campsite. It was a Continue reading
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Day 8 Monday 26th June 2023
There was a real buzz in the air at 7.30am. It was exciting walking a couple of days before a big sport and social event. The riverside was beautiful with lovely houses and spectacular specimen tress. Continue reading
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Day 7 Sunday 25th June 2023
Today forecast to be hottest so far, 29C. Apparently there is also a station but I didn’t spy it. More blisters on my toes, count is now 4. The shoes are pinching my toes width wise. I did air and redress at lunchtime, but this heat is making me sweat buckets. Thankfully the infected one Continue reading
About Me
An English walker who sleeps better outdoors.
New Valley Hills 