100 %
complete
1,149
miles
1,850
km
2,093,246
steps
345.9
hours
23,592
m climbed
LEJOG BLOG Postscript
A few final thoughts having had a couple of days to think back over the past three months.Thanks to
- Denise (my wife) who, despite thinking I was totally crazy when I said I wanted to walk Land’s End to John O’Groats, supported me throughout this adventure, not only with daily phone calls, but also in taking care of everything at home whilst I was away (the dogs, the garden, the vegetable plot in the field, the things that broke, and much more).
- My (extended) family – my dad (Duncan), Kristian, Emma, Callum, Tegan, Bruce, Stuart who also provided regular phone calls of support and encouragement, and fed me and provided beds.
- The two Kens – Ken M who kindly cut the grass in our field numerous times, and Ken G who was up ladders three times in his bee keepers suit dealing with a wasps nest in the eaves of our house.
- Those who walked bits of the way with me – Kristian, the Alzheimer's Research UK Potteries group fundraiser ladies, John E, John M, Sue F, Chris L, Jan, Andy, Dave, Callum, Neil, and Antoni, you all made the miles pass more quickly.
- All of YOU who have donated well over £5,000 to Young Minds and Alzheimer’s Research UK, and a special thanks to all the recent donors to whom I didn’t give a shout out to in the blog (apologies).
- EVERYONE who has followed this blog and for the many, many messages of support and feedback – I was originally reticent about putting together a blog, however the interest you have shown has made it more than worthwhile.
The best bits
- Finally seeing John O’Groats through the driving raid and mist on Thursday, and even better the welcoming party there to share the final moments of the walk.
- Stepping across the Scottish Border – not (just) because I’m Scottish, but because I really started feeling that I was over half way, that the rest of the walk was manageable, and places were becoming more familiar.
- Completing (the best bits of) the Fife Coastal Path, and walking Jock’s Road – a track that I’ve wanted to cross since my 20s.
The not so best bits
- Learning the hard way the impact of not drinking enough and getting dehydrated – the day I almost staggered into my accommodation and poured the milk into the waste bin instead of my tea such was the state I was in.
- The major charm offensive with the Cornish farmer who insisted I was trespassing if I walked through his farm – it finally worked thankfully.
- The big blister on my heel (not mentioned in the blog) that really flared up between Selkirk and Peebles and resulted in a very painful last 6 miles.
- The episode with the electric fence when the belligerent bullock wasn’t for moving.
The stats
- 83 days in total, of which 69 were walking days, and 14 days were rest days
- Total distance 1,149 miles (1,850 km), an average of 16.7 miles (26.8 km) per day
- 2,093,246 steps, an average of 30,337 steps per day
- Average moving walking speed of 3.3 miles per hour (5.3 km per hour, 11 mins per km)
- 5 days when I arrived at destination very wet (on the outside)
- 1 blister, 2 ticks
- only 2 days did I take pain killers, though quite a bit of deep heat was used
And finally … would I do it again?
- YES, but not for a while 😊
I’ll leave the blog open for a while – feel free to message, ask questions, whatever.
Messages:
- Fantastic performance Keith, well done - and all on schedule.
Have a well-earned rest.....
- Well done! That's an extraordinary accomplishment! Sorry I've not been following for the last little bit but will have a scroll through!
- I'm a little late (story of my life), Keith - but huge congratulations. A huge achievement! It was a pleasure to meet you in Newcastleton (Day 53) - indeed, an honour. Scrolling through, I hope you don't let the record go. At the very least keep a copy somewhere for the family - but you could also turn it into a book and self publish it to inspire and help LEJOG walkers of the future! All the best to you.
- Hi Mike ... great to hear from you, and thanks for the congratulations. I really enjoyed our 'chance encounter' in Newcastleton and our chat over dinner and breakfast. I have been dipping into your "A Bit About Britain", and particularly enjoyed the account of your recent visit to the Solway Aviation Museum (you may have gathered from my LEJOG 'day off' visit to the RAF Cosford museum in my blog that I also have an interest in aviation history). In your blog you wondered if the Solway collection might one day include a Nimrod. This reminded me of a couple I chatted to when on my Anstruther to St. Andrews leg - he was a very sprightly 82 year old and had been based at Kinloss, originally flying Shackletons then moving on to Nimrods. Also brought back childhood holiday memories when we used to holiday at Lossiemouth and frequently saw Shackletons fly overhead. I digress 😄. I wish you all the very best, and keep up the good work with "A Bit About Britain".
- ... and Mike, I forgot to say, we'll still have to just disagree about Cragside :-).
- Well done Keith!! Huge achievement and thank you for choosing to raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK! Congratulations!!
Day 83: Wick to John O'Groats, 16.9 miles
Mission Accomplished 😃
The final day .... The forecast was looking mixed, a reasonable start to the day but some light rain in the afternoon. I set off at 9 with the expectation of reaching JoG between 3pm and 4pm. It did stay fair until about noon when it started to rain. Combined with a fairly strong headwind it made the going rather unpleasant, in fact probably the worst rain I’ve walked in during the past three months 🌨️🌨️🌨️. In spite of the weather, or maybe just because I knew I only had a few miles left, I upped the pace and pushed on harder, with the result that I found myself heading downhill towards JoG harbour and the finger post by about 2:30. What I had not expected was a welcoming party – Kristian and his wife Emma, and Callum. Mind you, they were not expecting me quite so early – with it raining I wasn’t wearing my glasses and didn’t see the frantic to-ing and fro-ing in the car park. The banner appeared in time, however Callum hadn’t quite managed to cue up the Chariots of Fire music and the tartan finish ribbon didn’t quite make it out in time. It was great to have the boys and Emma there. I really wasn’t expecting it, I had thoroughly researched the bus times JoG to Wick to Inverness to Aberdeen to home. And suffice to say I now realise that some earlier conversations this week were economical with the truth, misleading, verging on total lies – but all done for the best 😄.
I shall leave it here today. I’ll reflect on the walk over the next couple of days, think about all of you I need to thank for your support, and put together some final words (and some stats for the geeks) in something a bit more structured than my usual stream of consciousness. If you've enjoyed the blog, do check back in a few days.
Messages:
- Congratulations bruv. So proud of you.
- Well done Keith, what a remarkable achievement.
We have loved following your journey daily from our armchairs.
Now for some well deserved rest.
Be proud x
- Awesome achievement- you will always be proud to have completed - and in that time frame too!
- Congratulations, and well done.
Do you fancy a wee walk when you're back? 😀
- Congratulations Keith. Thoroughly enjoyed reading all about it and looking forward to hearing more, here and in person. But not tomorrow, put your feet up and relax - and then get back to the list of jobs Denise has lined up.
Amazing achievement.
- Congratulations, a very impressive achievement. Well done.
- Over and out! So lovely to have been part of your odyssey, very special for us to do Jock's Road. Nice to get to know you better too 🙂 see you soon no doubt.
- Fantastic! Well done Keith, amazing journey!
- What an amazing achievement. So nice that you shared it in your daily reports. Well done.
- Congratulations Keith, definitely a very impressive achievement and I've enjoyed reading your blog each evening.
- Thanks indeed for the opportunity to share this quirky international journey from the southern tip of the island to the northern tip, a phenomenal achievement. I'm really looking forward to the next episode!
- Great work Keith! Congratulations!
- Massive congratulations Keith, your achievement has been amazing 💪🏼Glad I could join you for a minuscule part of your journey. In a strange way you might miss your daily routine but I’m sure Denise will soon get you back into your normal schedule 🤣🤣
Once again, huge congratulations!!
- Superb stuff Keith. Looking forward to a chat about it soon!
- Congratulations Keith - amazing to see you still smiling at the end after so many days! What a fantastic achievement and such a wonderful amount raised - thank you so much for all your hard work, determination and perseverance - looks like the final hurdle gave you the typical Scottish weather! You have been incredible!
Day 82: Occumster (near Lybster) to Wick, 13.2 miles
Today’s walking was very similar to yesterday, following the A99 in preference to the John O’Groats trail. I did however take a small diversion to the Whaligoe Steps – 365 steps down to (and back up from) Whaligoe Haven, a small natural harbour nestled between 250 foot high cliffs on three sides. The harbour had its heyday in the mid nineteenth century landing and processing herring. Various accounts suggest the processed fish was taken to market by boat, but some suggest that the fisher-women carried the processed fish up the steps in baskets then walked the seven or so miles to Wick to sell the fish (but then, why not simply land the fish at Wick?). Since the last boat used the harbour in the 1960s the steps have been maintained by volunteers, particularly Etta Juhle. All current maintenance is undertaken at night to allow daily access to visitors.Tomorrow will be my final day, around 18 miles from Wick to John O’Groats. It hardly feels real that I am now here with over 1100 miles and over 2 million steps behind me. All being well I hope to get to John O’Groats between 3pm and 4pm. I’ll post the mandatory photo by the distance finger post as soon as I can on arrival – the blog text is likely to be quite short 😀.
Messages:
- Enormous respect.
- Amazing what you have done Keith, what an adventure, what an achievement. We have followed your blog with envy and respect. Well done!
Quite a long walk home from JOG.
- I've been following your journey every day! I can't believe that tomorrow is your final day, what an amazing achievement Uncle Keith 🙌🏻 xx
- What a fantastic achievement, only one day's walking to go.....or are they going to make you walk home as well??
- Wonderful Keith. Enjoy the final day. Looking forward to seeing you on Friday at Glen Dye 😉
- Your acrophobia seems to be improving Keith?!
- Well done Keith..! What an adventure and achievement. 👏👏👏👏
- Well done you!
However, I’m going to have to find some other bedtime reading!
- Well done Keith. A great achievement. Enjoy your time with the family the next few days.
Day 81: Helmsdale to Occumster (near Lybster), 23.8 miles
After the minor dalliances with the A9 these last few days, today was a full on commitment with the A9 and it’s sibling the A99. When I planned the walk last December I consciously decided to walk the road rather than attempt to follow the John O’Groats trail which hugs the drama...Messages:
Day 80: Golspie to Helmsdale, 20.0 miles
A couple of days ago I mentioned I had met a fellow LEJOGger, Antoni, and we walked the last part of our route to Dornoch together. Not only was Antoni and his wife Millie staying at the same B&B as I was in Golspie last night, we found we were also staying in the same B&B here i...Messages:
Day 79: Dornoch to Golspie, 12.7 miles
Today I was joined by Neil, one of my regular hill-walking (*) friends from Banchory, who did a 260 mile round trip to be able to join me. As always, it’s great having the company and a chance to catch up on what’s been happening in the past three months, and the 12 miles seemed ...Messages:
Day 78: Alness to Dornoch, 20.7 miles
A very pleasant day’s walking was had today. Firstly the weather forecast was unduly pessimistic and the threatened rain showers did not materialise, it turned into a sunny afternoon with a bit of breeze, ideal walking conditions. The route once again followed minor roads that ra...Messages:
Day 77: Dingwall to Alness, 11.2 miles
The planned less than 11 miles for today’s walk turned out to be just over 11 miles, but still one of the shortest. Like yesterday, all of today’s walking was on tarmac and much of it on what would have been the A9 at some point. The A9 is the longest road in Scotland at 273 mile...Messages:
Day 76: Inverness to Dingwall, 15.6 miles
As can be seen from the photos it has been a rather overcast grey day today – I’m certainly not complaining as the temperature was very pleasant with a gentle breeze throughout. The route started around the Longman industrial area / Inverness docks to get to the Kessock Bridge. W...Messages:
Day 75: Inverness, Rest Day
Firstly, many thanks for all the continued messages of support and encouragement. Just eight days of walking to go, but there are some long days in there, so your support is much appreciated. This has been a pretty relaxed rest day. I spent a good bit of time this morning looking...Messages:
Day 74: Nairn to Inverness, 19.2 miles
This was Callum’s third and final day joining me for the walk before heading back home. After two days getting soaked at some point, today was much drier with only a couple of very brief drizzle showers in the afternoon. Add to that a much more reasonable temperature and a light ...Messages:
Day 73: Forres to Nairn, 13.5 miles
Apologies up front for the lack of photos today. The first photo was taken in Culbin Forest and pretty much depicts 80% of our views for the day. It drizzled much of the day then turned to heavy rain just before Callum and I arrived in Nairn, and given that I hadn’t taken the pre...Messages:
Day 72: Grantown-on-Spey to Forres, 24.5 miles
Today was my longest day distance wise, 24.5 miles, but having Callum along really did make the miles pass more quickly. We left Grantown at 08:30 and joined the Dava Way which would take us all the way to Forres. The Dava Way follows the trackbed of t...Messages:
Day 71: Tomintoul to Grantown-on-Spey, 13.5 miles
First thing today was to choose which route to take. The two options were basically follow the A939, more direct but mostly on road, or go via Dorback and Nethy Bridge, more scenic but longer. I opted for the former having had a long day yesterday, having an even longer day tomor...Messages:
Day 70: Invercauld Bridge to Tomintoul, 20.8 miles
Back walking today, almost as far and as much climbing as Tuesday, but just myself for company. It was an earlier rise than usual as I had to catch the first Aberdeen to Braemar bus of the day from the end of our road to Invercauld Bridge. The forecast was a bit mixed so I starte...Messages:
Days 68 and 69: Bridge of Canny, Rest Days
Rest days at home 😊.Messages:
Day 67: Clova to Invercauld Bridge, 22.3 miles
Today’s walk took me from Clova on the southern flank of the Cairngorms, over Jock’s Road, to Braemar in the heart of the Cairngorms, and on to Invercauld Bridge which will be my starting point on Friday after having two rest days at home. I was joined today by two near neighbour...Messages:
Day 66: Kirriemuir to Clova, 15.8 miles
Firstly more thanks for generous donations. This time to John Embrey part of the Orienteering World Championships IT team who, along with his wife Jacky, kindly put me up in Kendal. Thankyou John for your donation today. Having now more than exceeded my original target by a facto...Messages:
Day 65: Dundee to Kirriemuir, 19.2 miles
Despite the forecast that temperatures were going to drop a bit today it really didn’t feel like that – it was an energy sapping walk. I was joined today by Chris, one of my close neighbours back home at Bridge of Canny, who drove down to walk with me for the day. Thanks for the ...Messages:
Day 64: Dundee, Rest Day
Today has been a rest day, very welcome given the current “heatwave” we are enjoying, though it is thankfully a little cooler than yesterday. Fingers crossed that tomorrow will be cooler still for the walk from Dundee, over the Sidlaw Hills, to Kirriemuir (or simply “Kirrie” arou...Messages:
Day 63: St. Andrews to Dundee, 20.0 miles
Today must have been the hottest day yet during my perambulations, it was at least 26 °C in the afternoon. Additionally there was no shade – I had hoped for shade through Tentsmuir forest however the sun was shining right down the track I took through the forest. I left the home ...Messages:
Day 62: Anstruther to St. Andrews, 19.0 miles
I’ll start with a huge thanks to Sue who joined me for a big part of my walk yesterday. She did say she had still to donate, and she certainly did that, a very generous donation to each charity. I promise there was no coercion – if you know Sue you’d know that wouldn’t be advisab...Messages:
Day 61: Leven to Anstruther, 15.9 miles
Another great day! Firstly many thanks to Dave, Audrey, and Ann Guthrie whose generous donations popped up on my email just as I was about to set off from Leven – a great start to the day. The weather was great, sunshine with a bit of wind, almost getting uncomfortably hot for wa...Messages:
Day 60: Burntisland to Leven, 16.0 miles
As mentioned yesterday, I am following part of the Fife Coastal Path from the Forth Road Bridge (North Queensferry) to the Tay Road Bridge (Newport). The bit I did yesterday was mostly on tarmac, whereas today it tended to be gravel with the occasional stretch along the beach. Th...Messages:
Day 59: Ingliston to Burntisland, 19.3 miles
It was great seeing the sun again today, T shirt and shorts all day. The second and third photos may bring back memories to the World Orienteering Championships IT team members who lurk around here. It’s a year next week that we were all in Edinburgh staging the world championshi...Messages:
Day 58: Edinburgh, Rest Day
Rest day today, and it has been very relaxing. I didn’t wake up until 8:45 which is by far the latest on this trip! Then we went off to North Berwick for a spot of lunch. I haven’t been to North Berwick for over 50 years – last time I was there I insisted on going for a swim in t...Messages:
Day 57: Carlops to Ingliston, 14.5 miles
Yesterday, today, and tomorrow I’m staying over with my brother and his partner in Edinburgh. Little bruv Bruce kindly offered to drop me off this morning back at Carlops where I finished yesterday. The route took me almost due north past the North Esk reservoir, first photo, ove...Messages:
Day 56: Peebles to Carlops, 16.3 miles
Today had a pleasant start when I checked my email to find that a fellow walker I had chatted with yesterday on Minch Moor had kindly donated to Alzheimer’s Research. David, many thanks not only for the donation but also the words of encouragement on JustGiving.My continued rou...
Messages:
Day 55: Selkirk to Peebles, 20.3 miles
After a fine evening catching up with my little bruv, I set off from Selkirk heading for Peebles. Little bruv had suggested a change to my route which took me along Ettrick Water where I chanced upon the Murray Cauld Hydro Electric station, first photo, which uses a 180 year old ...Messages:
Day 54: Hawick to Selkirk, 13.4 miles
Today’s walk can pretty well be summarised in one word – Dreich (definition for non Scots dialect speakers). I’m staying over with my little brother Bruce in Selkirk tonight. Looking out the window as I write this it’s sunny and ...Messages:
Day 53: Newcastleton to Hawick, 21.3 miles
Before sharing today’s happenings I’d like to give a mention to Mike who was staying at the same B&B as I was last night. We got chatting over dinner – Mike is passionate about history, making it interesting and relevant. As he says on his website “Occasionally, [A Bit About Brit...Messages:
Day 52: Newcastleton, Rest Day
Not quite a total rest day today as I did a gentle-ish 5 mile walk to (1) give the new boots a quick outing, and (2) to recce a possible alternative route for tomorrow. The good news is that the boots are not showing any sign of the rubber protection coming away 🤞. The alternati...Messages:
Day 51: Longtown to Newcastleton, 15.8 miles
What a weather contrast to yesterday – the sun was back, yesterday’s gortex cocoon was cast asunder, the factor 50 was applied, extra water in the hydration bladder, and off I went. Like yesterday I had done a bit of route replanning as my original intended route took me through ...Messages:
Day 50: Carlisle to Longtown, 10.9 miles
What a grey day! Weather was variable intensities of drizzle, coupled with independent variable intensities of wind. I managed the first couple of miles without waterproofs but then gave in and put the jacket on. Today was a short day pretty much heading north from Carlisle to Lo...Messages:
Day 49: High Hesket to Carlisle, 13.5 miles
First things first I’d like to give a big shout out to Dave and Gill the hosts of the White House B&B at High Hesket where I stayed last night. As well as providing very comfortable self contained accommodation nothing was too much trouble for them. Dave offered to drive me to th...Messages:
Day 48: Penrith to High Hesket, 13.2 miles
Today was never going to make it the A-list of interesting/exciting/photogenic days. The route north was partially on public footpaths and partially on minor roads, but never far away from the drone of the M6 and West Coast Mainline as can be seen on the map. I crossed the M6 fou...Messages:
Day 47: Glenridding to Penrith, 16.8 miles
Most (if not all) readers of this blog know that I’m raising money for Young Minds and Alzheimer’s Research UK. I’ve lost count of how many times people have asked if I have a JustGiving page, scan the QR code, then ..... nothing. A bit disappointing. But just occasionally my fai...Messages:
Day 46: Ambleside to Glenridding, 13.8 miles
Today I had route choices to get to Grasmere village from Ambleside before climbing up to Grisedale tarn then dropping down to Glenridding. If it had been good weather I’d have taken a longer route however given that it was raining when I set off and the forecast was for showers...Messages:
Day 45: Ambleside, Rest Day
Rest day today and my first priority was getting a new pair of boots. I really like the AKU boots I’ve worn so far, however a bit disappointed that the heels have worn down. This time I’ve gone for a pair of Scarpa boots – these were my second choice when I was trying different b...Messages:
Day 44: Kendal to Ambleside, 18.0 miles
After a very pleasant evening spent with John and Jacky, today was a timely reintroduction to walking with a bit more physical and navigational effort than that required following canals! The planned distance for today was just over 16 miles but somehow by the time I arrived at t...Messages:
Day 43: Tewitfield to Kendal, 16.9 miles
Just a very brief blog post today confirming I’ve now reached Kendal. I was joined for most of the walk by John Embrey one of my World Orienteering Championships IT team colleagues who lives in Kendal. We had a great catch up as we walked, to the point we missed the turning off t...Messages:
Day 42: Lancaster to Tewitfield, 17.5 miles
Once more to the 82 feet contour and head north. Today’s route took me up through Lancaster, across the impressive 18th century Lune aqueduct, via Bolton-le-Sands, then Carnforth, under a near stationary M6, and finally to Tewitfield where the canal’s adherence to 82 feet comes t...Messages:
Day 41: Garstang to Lancaster, 11.7 miles
Back to my pursuit of the 82 feet contour, today was an easy eleven and a bit miles walking. I left Garstang after 10am, tried to walk at a slower than usual pace, put off time eating lunch, and I was still here at Lancaster Uni before 3pm. Only the temperature added a challenge,...Messages:
Day 40: Preston to Garstang, 16.6 miles
At 09:00 I bade farewell to Preston and headed generally north on the Lancaster canal, built by Scottish engineer John Rennie, and opened in 1797 between Preston and Tewitfield (nr. Carnforth). The canal offers 42 miles of lock f...Messages:
Day 39: Preston, Rest Day
Another rest day, what to do? The B&B I’m staying in is on Blackpool Road, so that prompted the thought I could do a day trip to Blackpool. I was last there when still at university and swam at the British Universities Swimming Championships at the Derby Baths (demolished 1990). ...Messages:
Day 38: Burscough to Preston, 18.7 miles
Today was my seventh day in a row walking, the most days without a break so far. Pleased to say the feet and legs are still not complaining. Tomorrow is a rest day, so they will get a bit of time to recuperate whether they need it or not. Today’s route took me northwards followin...Messages:
Day 37: Wigan to Burscough, 11.2 miles
A relatively short, dry, uneventful walk today continuing towards Liverpool on the Liverpool and Leeds canal. I omitted to mention yesterday that I saw very few boats on the Leigh branch of the canal, though the tow path was being well used by cyclists, runners, and walkers. In c...Messages:
Day 36: Warrington to Wigan, 19.2 miles
The forecast still didn’t look good when I set off for the day, thunderstorms pretty much all day. Fully prepared I set off, only having to shed my jacket after less than a mile as it was so warm. I kept the waterproof overtrousers on, which was a good decision as my route took m...Messages:
Day 35: Hartford (Northwich) to Warrington, 21.1 miles
That was one long hot walk! At 21 miles it’s the longest I’ve done so far (longer yet to come). I set off a little earlier than usual and the temperature was already 17 °C. During the day it rose to the mid twenties. Lashings of factor 50 and sun hat all day. As predicted by John...Messages:
Day 34: Sandbach to Hartford (Northwich), 15.3 miles
Today was planned to be a 12.5 mile walk, however it turned into just over 15 miles. Some of that difference came from actual distances always being a bit longer than the OS Maps app calculates, but most of the difference was as a result of choosing to go south from Sandbach bac...Messages:
Day 33: Stoke-on-Trent to Sandbach, 16.1 miles
This morning I picked up where I left off yesterday in the heart of the potteries. The first photograph shows a bottle kiln at the still operational Middleport Pottery. There are many bottle kilns still standing as a reminder of the scale of the pottery industry in the past. A fe...Messages:
Day 32: Stafford to Stoke-on-Trent, 15.9 miles
I started today with a short history diversion to the site of the Battle of Hopton Heath fought in 1643. This was one of many English Civil War skirmishes between the Royalists and Parliam...Messages:
Days 30 & 31: Rest Days
Enjoying two rest days with Kristian and Emma who recently moved to just north of Stafford. Today Sunday I’ve been helping out a bit as they develop plans for their new back garden. Tomorrow, I may have more to report as another history rich day out is on the cards.Monday ......