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Category: Walking

Ridgeway – Day 0 (The Beehive)

[I originally posted this in June 2018, but have reposted it to fix some broken image links]

Second pub was the Beehive, a Greene King pub located on Prospect Hill in Swindon. The welcome was friendly and there were six real ales available, a wide selection for a relatively small pub, although there was nothing which looked particularly interesting for my own preferences. So, it was time for a little cider instead.

There were four rooms in this Victorian pub and a central bar. It had a slightly quirky and interesting interior, and it didn’t feel too mauled about and modernised.

The crisps were three months out of date, but the quality of Monster Munch doesn’t diminish and they tasted fine 🙂 Mind you, we had been tempted to come to this pub by the mention in the Good Beer Guide that they had free crisps, something which wasn’t happening when we got there. If they had been, it is quite possible that we wouldn’t have left….

The cider selection.

Beer notes, which I know Greene King encourage, but many of their pubs don’t provide them so willingly.

Dave and Steve, getting on well with the locals.

Then our quiet was shattered, in marches Bev, complaining that we’re not in the pubs she has gone round looking for us. Before she comes to sit down with us, we discover that she knows half the customers in the bar, reminding us that she used to live down the road.

Actually, this turned into a feature of the whole evening, Bev walking around like she was on a farewell tour of Swindon. Locals fêted her, some confirmed they were related to her and there was a real feel that Bev had made a substantial impact on Swindon during the year which she lived here. If the walls of Swindon could talk, what stories they would tell…

After a second pack of Monster Munch (these ones were in date), it was time to move on to the next pub. Bev had discovered that a former sex shop was now a pub, and that was where she wanted to go.

March 25, 2025
Ridgeway – Day 0 (The Savoy)

[I originally posted this 11 June 2018, but have reposted it to fix some broken image links]

We thought for our pub visits in Swindon that we should rely on the Good Beer Guide, so many thanks to Nathan for sending the details of pubs which were listed.

The Savoy, which is a JD Wetherspoon pub, had made the cut and so we thought we’d go there for a quick drink and small snack.

There was a pleasant external beer garden area, although Bev later complained about the locals when she went to examine the clientele…… This was our last chance to talk about the others before they turned up, so we made sure that we took advantage of that opportunity.

Since the devastating removal of pastrami bagel from the menu, the chicken wrap will have to do….

A lovely pint of Guinness, although perhaps not perfectly poured…

There were nine real ales available, an impressive number, and they were well selected with some interesting options. The stout had a rich and pleasant flavour, with the price of £2.29 being particularly appealing. The service at the bar was also engaging, with the team member being willing to offer samples and she happily discussed the options available.

Interior of the pub, which is a former cinema that originally opened in 1937 for ABC. It was redesigned in 1973 to add a pub at the rear and was taken over by Cannon in 1986, before closing in March 1991. It re-opened as a JD Wetherspoon pub in February 1996.

March 21, 2025
Ridgeway – Day 0 (Watergate)

[I originally posted this in June 2018, but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

So, Steve, Dave and I managed to navigate across London’s underground system, despite the closure of Liverpool Street Underground’s concourse and the closure of the Hammersmith & City Line. We were like a team of Michael Palins as we arrived into Paddington, ready to see if we could get some group saver tickets to Swindon. We could, so delighted at our purchases, we jumped onto the first train to Penzance.

The train to Penzance was fortunately going to Swindon, but it was a bit full. We didn’t want to wait 4 minutes for the next empty train, so we positioned ourselves near to the buffet carriages.

There was free water near to the area that we were standing. Or at least we thought it was free water, since Dave decided to hand some out to nearly the entire train.

Steve also considered walking through the train with a little basket of goods. But Dave was the natural here, tempting customers into taking two bottles of water when they probably only wanted one.

Fortunately, the train restocked at Reading, with the train crew no doubt wondering where their entire stock of sparkling and still water had disappeared to. However, we disembarked at Swindon and there was no British Transport Police, so I’m fairly sure we did nothing wrong 🙂

But in case we did, I’m calling this incident Watergate. Above is Steve monitoring the on-board replacement of water supplies at Reading.

March 21, 2025
Ridgeway – Day 0 (it begins)

[I originally posted this in June 2018 but have reposted it to fix the broken image links]

So, it’s all happening now. Three of us have met at Norwich railway station ready for the big Ridgeway adventure. When I say big adventure, I don’t mean the walk, I mean coping with Bev and her breakfast requirements.

The event has started, with a trip to West Cornwall Pasty at Norwich railway station. I can’t remember whose idea it was.

That’s right, it was Dave’s idea, I remember now.

Well, how delicious. Important to eat healthily on a walking week like this, so this is full of nutrients and tasty pastry.

Lakenheath railway station. I’ve never been on a train that stops here, and apparently it stops on weekends and special days only for the RSPB Lakenheath Fen site.

We’re on the second train of the day, heading towards London Liverpool Street, having changed at Cambridge. Our train into London is running a few minutes later as it’s behind a slightly late Greater Northern service. The conductor announced on our Greater Anglia train “we’re sorry for the inability of Greater Northern to run any service at all”.

From London Liverpool Street we’ll get an underground to London Paddington, and then we get the train to Swindon. There we will meet with the others, who will likely all be drunk already.

March 11, 2025
Ridgeway – Day 0

[I originally posted this in June 2018, but have reposted it to fix a broken image link]

It’s Sunday morning and today is the start of the annual Hike Norfolk attempt to walk a long distance path in its entirety. Last year it was Hadrian’s Wall, this year it’s the Ridgeway. We’re covering the 87 miles in six days, so it’s a leisurely expedition along what is thought to be England’s oldest road.

Our expedition begins today for three of us on the train and four others who are making their own way there (I think secretly it’s so they can spend more time in the pub). So for three of us we have the excitement of the railways today to get to the tourist mecca that is Swindon, the Las Vegas of the West Country. I’m aware that we might have to fight off holiday makers flocking to Swindon today, but hopefully we’ll get there safely.

There will be several, perhaps hundreds, of posts throughout the week. So many questions, who will win bravest walker of the week? Who will be the most unhappy at their breakfast? What will be the best pub of the week?

March 11, 2025
Coast to Coast 2 [2018] : Day 6+1 – Getting Back to Norwich

[originally posted in 2018, I’m reposting these posts in August 2024 with the broken image links fixed]

The walk is now over, so back to Scarborough via Leeds. Well, and via Greggs in Morecambe. From there we go back by car to Norwich where we can recover a bit.

First project though was for Liam to put down the rock he’s been carrying for most of the trip, one that was created by a child and the aim is to keep the rock moving. Personally I think he’s mad to carry extra weight, but I didn’t like to say anything.

Last thing to do in Morecambe was to visit Greggs for a healthy chicken bake and latte. This is the same outlet we visited at the beginning of our previous coast to coast, where we started the expedition the other way round. Staff in the shop were exceptionally friendly, a most lovely end to the expedition.

We got to the railway station and then realised that there was no ticket collection machine and we had advance purchase tickets. Fortunately the helpful conductor mentioned we could collect them in Lancaster, and I volunteered Liam to run to the ticket machine there to get them. He was successful 🙂

And that is the end of the blog for coast to coast 2, or what we’re calling the Tapestry Walk (it’s a long story). Been a great week and can’t wait for the next adventure!

August 16, 2024
Coast to Coast 2 [2018] : Day 6 – Final Day

[originally posted in 2018, I’m reposting these posts in August 2024 with the broken image links fixed]

DAY SIX – Ingleton to Morecambe

We enjoyed the luxury camping experience at Meadow Falls and started the walk back into Ingleton. Liam bought a bacon roll whilst I went to buy chocolate in the Co-op, which had a wooden door and window because of a ram raid incident that took place just a few weeks ago. Due to our not doing a technical coast to coast we completed part of the route by bus, and instead walked for longer around the Morecambe area.

It’s been a lovely week, a lot of very challenging walking and we’re probably now done with these type of coast to coast walks. Next time a more moderate long distance trail walk or a week of hill walking awaits!

The final comment is that we’ve encountered lots of acts of kindness from people over the last week. Liam has recognised that my navigation and strategic planning is simply better than his and I’ve realised that walking 30 miles per day is too far.

Here’s to the next challenge!

August 16, 2024
Coast to Coast 2 [2018] : Day 6 – Ingleton Ram Raid

[originally posted in 2018, I’m reposting these posts in August 2024 with the broken image links fixed]

We started off our final day walking into the centre of Ingleton, with the main shop being the Co-op. Unfortunately a few weeks ago the shop was ram raided in an attempt to steal the ATM (story at https://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/thieves-flee-scene-after-failed-bid-to-steal-cash-machine-from-ingleton-co-op-1-9079378). The above photo shows the state that it was in when I visited.

What’s a real shame is that the ATM isn’t being replaced, so another community asset has been lost. So many people are working hard for the community in Ingleton, so it must be galling for people to do so much damage. All so pointless….

On the bright side the shop had six fudge bars for £1, so I left pleased.

August 16, 2024
Coast to Coast 2 [2018] : Day 6 – Ingleton Railway Station (Julian’s history detour)

[originally posted in 2018, I’m reposting these posts in August 2024 with the broken image links fixed]

We had a quick look at Ingleton Railway station before setting off on our last day of travel, and the railway bridge that goes across is an impressive piece of engineering. It’s a shame that walkers can’t cross the former railway line as the bridge would have been a short-cut to the campsite, but it’s now heavily fenced off at both ends.

The story of Ingleton’s station is quite ridiculous as the two rail companies didn’t talk to each other and passengers couldn’t use the bridge for many years. It meant that they’d have to walk over one mile around the bridge to use the service operated by the other rail company and there was no attempt to get the timetables to interact. Further information about the debacle is at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingleton_(Midland)_railway_station.

August 16, 2024
Coast to Coast 2 [2018] : Day 5 – Marton Arms

[originally posted in 2018, I’m reposting these posts in August 2024 with the broken image links fixed]

When we last visited the wonderful Meadow Falls campsite near Ingleton the neighbouring pub was shut. That was when the equally wonderful campsite owner Dave offered to drive us to another nearby pub instead.

This time though the pub by the campsite, the Marton Arms was open.

The first impressions were positive, there were some interesting beers available, including some from local breweries.

I had a dark beer and Liam ordered one randomly like normal.

There weren’t many tables free, so we decided to seat ourselves and I was hopeful that there would be fish and chips on the menu. I haven’t had enough of those this week and I was delighted to see that they were on the menu here 🙂

Liam went for pie and I was more than delighted with the fish and chips. Big chunks of fish like that can often be watery and bland inside, but this had a pleasant taste and was cooked perfectly. The batter had lots of flavour, the tartare sauce seemed homemade and the portion size was generous. Perfectly decent main course meals, with the service being warm and friendly, although sometimes just a little slow.

I’m not normally one for desserts, but I thought that the Eton berry mess sounded tempting, and Liam went for his usual favourite of sticky toffee pudding.

The mist had started to come down when we left the pub, making it looking rather atmospheric. Another day of walking done and then back to the campsite, but no blasted tent to deal with this time…..

August 16, 2024