A long walk…

As a teenager I read a book. The book was Journey through Britain by John Hillaby. Once I had finished it, I read it again. I also read his other books but none had the effect on me that the first did. One day, I told myself, I would do the same as the author had done. I would walk from one end of Britain to the other. The years passed but the ambition never did. I have yet to achieve my aim but I shall. This site records the period leading up to my great adventure. I have a loose set of rules in place. It is a relatively simple premise. To walk from the most southerly point on mainland Great Britain to the most westerly, finishing at the most northerly. In other words, Three Points of the Compass. For good measure I may as well take in Land’s End and John O’Groats too. It shall be a long walk.
Hillaby books

25 thoughts on “A long walk…”

    1. Jools Post author

      Ian
      thank you for your comment. The Land’s-End John o’ Groats Association has been on my radar for some time. As my time for setting off on my Three Points of the Compass walk looms ever nearer, I am, of course, checking up and rechecking those other fool hardy souls that attempt similar challenge. That said, I may be foolish, but never hardy!

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  7. Meagan Michal

    Hi there!

    I would like to know how to get in touch with the owner of this blog. I recently found a photo in a post for which I would like to ask permission to use!

    Please reach out to me as soon as possible. Thank you! meaganmichal@gmail.com

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  9. Justin Brockall

    Great To Bump Into You Between Mawgan Porth and Watergate Bay On The 05/05/18 As I Was On My Section Hike From Minehead To Penzance, Hope You Managed To Find The Wild Camp Spot I Suggested Between Port Isaac And Tintagel And Good Luck For The Rest Of Your Journey

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    1. Jools Post author

      Good to hear from you Justin. Nope, that site didn’t work out. As you said, a lovely spot. So lovely that there must have been 25+ surfers in the water, 10 or so family/friends on the shore, bbq’s on the go. I.was fortunate that it was a still evening, so was able to climb up the side and found a good wild camp on top of the cliffs with just a few sheep to bother me. Hope your section hike went.well. As I write this, two days left on the SWCP before I strike inland

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  10. Sue

    Back home after my week at Tintagel YH and checked your website. It was good to chat to you briefly over coffee/tea as a break from bed making ( and from the rain for you!) Good luck with what lies ahead. I’ll check in from time to time to see your progress…
    I won’t say the best is yet to come, as the SWCP takes some beating!!

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    1. Jools Post author

      Thanks for your hospitality at Tintagel. I am fully aware the door should have been bolted and barred when I came calling for sanctuary… and tea. I enjoyed our chat, and
      such a lovely hostel too.

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  11. John

    Jools, it was a real privilege to have met you on your adventure, thank you for all your advice and you certainly inspired me to keep on hiking, John

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  12. Winnett family

    Hi, we met you today, first in the community veg shop then just on our way back to Ardnamurchan light house on our bikes. You’d had a wee dram at the most westerly point. Well done carry on your travels.

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    1. Jools Post author

      Great to meet you guys. Still think you should try and get that tandem Mountain Bike out to the ‘true’ westerly point. That can be your challenge, there can’t be anyone else that has even attempted it, probably with good reason!

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  13. David Ashford

    Hi Jules, hope you are doing well. We met in A’Chuil bothy, where you helped my friend with a blister. We were wondering whether you completed your journey and did you get over the river at Sourlies?

    Looking forward to hearing your journey.

    David

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    1. Jools Post author

      Hi David, thanks for dropping by the website, and your comment. I think your pal was Grant. We enjoyed a couple of hours drying out with the little wood we could gather that would burn. The two of you made an early escape from the bothy, you certainly left a good deal less to clear up in your wake than the three french lads who were away from the next room even earlier. I followed them hours later and caught up with them at Barisdale (after quite an adventure in Glen Dessary and beyond) eight o’clock that evening. It took me two hours the morning after that to clear up the mess they left. Not a happy bunny. The river crossing was a bit after Sourlies, got across OK. Soulies itself was a lovely and welcome lunch halt, dried out my feet with deer outside the door for company. A wet day indeed. We met at A’Chuil on day 129 of my expedition, I finished on day 152. Scotland was a fitting, and tough, end to my Three Points of the Compass trip

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  14. Sally

    Hi Jules
    We met along the Offas Dyke and enjoyed several conversations (and shared accommodation/meal at Prestatyn.) It has been great reading your blog and learning that you got home to your family safely. I have a question. You mentioned a “lovely pretty walk” in the Dales. Was it the Dales Way or the 3 Dales. It seems there are 2 walks with similar names. Looking for a trail in September so would appreciate your recommendation.
    Best Wishes
    Sally (&Kathy USA)

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    1. Jools Post author

      Hi Sally, I remember well meeting the two of you on Offa’s Dyke. Ran in to any more angry swans recently? It was almost certainly the Dales Way that I referred to, it is a very pretty trail. I did it in the Spring with a myriad of new lambs bouncing around, a lovely time of year to complete the walk. I have no idea what it would be like in September. Best, Jools

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