Stake Pass

Here is a view of part of my walk: http://www.go4awalk.com/userpics/panoramic-walk-photos.php?first=Wayne&last=Hill&pan=68

Travel

I just finished booking the last of my train travel in the UK.  You can use the National Rail site to book most of your dealings with trains.  http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/  I buy the advance ticket(or an all day ticket if it is cheap enough)then pick up the ticket at the self serve machine.  You need to print out your confirmation so you have your confirmation number, and you need the credit card you booked the trip on.  Easy as can be. 

We also bought an Explorer pass on Scottish Citylink buses. http://www.citylink.co.uk/explorerpass.php

I sent them an email to see if the pass either covers the ferry to Mull or if we get a discount. http://www.calmac.co.uk/

I also downloaded the schedule for the ferry to Iona. http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/iona/ionaferry/index.html

So, I'm packed, but will repack tomorrow just to check off everything.  I have: sleeping bag, two backpacks, walking poles, two pairs of hiking shoes, four pairs of socks, assorted necessities, two pairs of hiking  pants, two pairs of hiking shorts, sandals, hiking tops, regular tops, fleece, rain gear, electronics, snacks, umbrella...all in a very lightweight wheeled duffel.  I will carry my netbook with me in my carry on back pack.

I got a new backpack from Osprey http://www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/ExosSeriesSuperlight/Exos34/   
because it has a way to store my walking pole. 

I will weaar one pair of hiking shoes because I find them to be the most comfortable walking around airports.

I leave on the 2nd.  JetBlue to JFK and Aer Lingus to Dublin, Aer Lingus to Birmingham.  Great deal...kept checking Kayak and Booking Buddy and found RT for $800.00 about a month ago.

The trip is paid for except four nights in Hostels and food/drink.  Oh!  and pressies from St. Andrews!

I am spending these next few days relaxing with Maggie.  More tomorrow!

Stuff to eat

Well, I've been looking into Scottish food and found this website: http://www.scottishrecipes.co.uk/cullenskink.htm

Hmmmmm?????

New Trip

I will be flying to the UK on June 2nd, so this blog will be active again!

June 2nd-fly to Birmingham
June 4th-drive to Keswick  
June 6-11-walk Cumbria Way 
June 12-see parts of Hadrian's Wall 
June 13th-take train to Edinburgh
June 14-15th Edinburgh and St. Andrews
June 16th-17th- Ft. Augustus
June 18th- Tobormory on Mull (check my spelling)
June 19th-21st- Fionnfort on Mull (check my spelling)
June 22-25th- Iona
June 26th- Ballachulish
June 27th-28th- Glencoe
June 29th-30th- Glasgow
July 1st-2nd- Sheffield
July 3rd-6th- Kidderminster

So, this is the schedule.  I will post the names of where I'll be staying.  I got a great deal on Aer Lingus...saved $300. 

2110 Trip

Well, I'm planning this year's trip!  Cumbrian Way, Birmingham, Iona, Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Western Isles.

This trip will happen in June.  I will begin to post soon, but I know we will be going to the youth hostel in Iona.

Day out in Castleton

These are from my day out in Castleton with a friend.  Can't get the slide show to post!

Here is the link:

http://s686.photobucket.com/albums/vv229/tredastrips/?action=view&current=416b2e22.pbw

Trouble posting

Oh my.  I am having trouble posting my slide shows!  So I have posted the links.
http://s686.photobucket.com/albums/vv229/tredastrips/?action=view&current=e76c656a.pbw

These slideshows cover the morning I golfed at the Chirk Golf Course in the pouring rain!  *laughs*  It was the par 3, and the clubs*cough, cough*were free to rent, and it was a lovely little course!  The canal was down below, there were sheep in front of the course and the people were so nice!  I walked the mile to the course, then walked the nine holes, had a cup of tea and walked back to my B&B to take a hot shower.

After that I walked the five miles to Llangollen along the towpath.  Well, I had to cross the Ponthyllite Aqueduct(will check spelling).  This is a famous Aqueduct that is about 100 some feet high.  There is a narrow walkway, the trough for the canal boats, and.....air.  I was fine till I got about halfway across, and...got a little nervous!  I made it across, went to the bathroom(yes!)and continued on.  What a nice walk-saw lots of people along the way and made it to Llangollen in a light rain.  I met my fellow hikers, then Pam and I had fish and chips one last time before we met the others at the pub.  What a great evening.  They were finishing the walk the next day.

Pam and I are going back with Foot-path Holidays next summer to walk the Cumbria Way.  This was a great group of people.  I wish I could post the slide show, but for now you have to click on the link.