We decided it was time to do a long hike and start increasing the carrying weight to simulate what we would be doing for real by carrying all our gear. My backpack was probably around 7kgs and Kim had a weighted vest around 4kgs. The new Vango Sherpa backpack I had purchased was actually quiteContinueContinue reading “Long hike with backpacks”
Author Archives: Chris Bristow
First time pitching a tent!
Finally some warm, sunny weather (a bonus for March!) so I decided it was time to get the tent out and set it up. First time ever pitching a tent! I have to say it was all pretty straightforward, although I confess to having watched a few YouTube videos of others putting up the sameContinueContinue reading “First time pitching a tent!”
Circular hike from Hambleden to Henley
Monday March 3rd – the sun has finally got his hat on and there is actually some warmth in the air! I had a nice route planned, starting in Hambleden, over the lock and following the River Thames down to Henley for some lunch. Then looping round the fields above Henley, back to Hambleden lockContinueContinue reading “Circular hike from Hambleden to Henley”
Recce to Winchester
Today we took a trip out to Winchester to do a bit of recconnaisance, checking out some accommodation options, and following the start of the South Downs Way from the start point at National Trust City Mill. As luck would have it, parking is mostly free in Winchester on a Sunday and our car parkContinueContinue reading “Recce to Winchester”
Kit List
A list of all the items we are taking for the hike, all of which we have to carry so weight is always a big factor. Camping Equipment Vango Banshee 300, 3 person tent + pegs Tent groundsheet Tent peg plastic hammer Vango Ultralite Pro 100, 2 season sleeping bag Eurohike Adventurer 300 sleeping bagContinueContinue reading “Kit List”
Accommodation Update
Once the route and trail stages for each day were sorted, we started to look at accommodation options for each night. Where possible we’ve tried to do a mixture of Bed and Breakfast places or a pub, with a bit of camping thrown in here and there. Ideally we have a B & B orContinueContinue reading “Accommodation Update”
More kit purchases
A little trip to Go Outdoors in Basingstoke today to purchase some additional camping supplies was very successful.
5 mile walk around Bourne End
Saturday afternoon we decided to test our legs with a walk around some of the hills in Bourne End and Woburn Green, part of a route we have done several times before. Starts off in Bourne End and head up a small track towards the woods at the top of Flackwell Heath, down through theContinueContinue reading “5 mile walk around Bourne End”
The start of a grand plan….
The author’s interest in hiking the Pennine Way was ignited during a family discussion about a holiday. After researching the route, which spans 268 miles from Derbyshire to Scotland, they realized it might be too challenging. Instead, they opted for the less daunting South Downs Way hike.
