Planning

To date Ian and I have had several planning meetings in the Union Jack Club and the Royal Society of Arts Cafe, both places provide very good refreshment and a relaxing atmosphere to enable us both to put the world to rights and I think at some point we did discuss how the next stage is going to shape up!

Planning usually involves buying the maps as a starting point. The Ordnance Survey 1:25 000 maps are very good with lots of detail without being too cluttered. You can buy them from high street stores or direct from Ordnance survey often with a 3 for 2 offer. I then spend some time with the maps spread out over the lounge floor working out the route and measuring off the distances using the wheel gauge (make sure you use the right scale!). I usually aim for 15 miles a day give or take a few miles as this works out at around 8 hours walking a day at 2 miles an hour.

Once the days walking is determined the hunt is then on for a suitable place to stay. Computers are great for this by using the grid references from the maps and software such as MS Auto route and Google Maps (for example) suitable locations can be established very quickly. It doesn't take long to find suitable accommodation with contact telephone numbers and/or email addresses. In my experience most hostelry's will usually ask for a deposit up front (in some cases but not all). It is usually a good idea to let them know you are walking (muddy boots and sweaty people turning up) and to ask about laundry (a small charge is incurred) as well as checking on the en suite facilities, packed lunches and evening meal availability. Not all places provide evening meals and if you are off the beaten track, you may need to factor in a bit more walking to obtain a well earned evening meal and indeed check that half day closing doesn't apply (yes half day closing still exists in rural areas). Hence why it is a good idea to mention you are walking because you may get the sympathy vote and a lift to the nearest place that serves food or your hosts might even cook a one off meal for you.

The laundry check is mentioned specifically because if you are travelling light (which I hope you are) then you will need to rinse or wash out clothes (smalls and base layers) on a daily basis. I have found that B&Bs and the YHA are very good at catering for walkers in this respect. Hotels are usually less geared up for walkers which results in rinsing out in the sink with travel wash, drip drying the clothes during the next days walk by hanging them on the back of your rucksack (probably a good idea to make sure the smalls are respectable and fashionable!).

Travelling to the start and from the finish is a matter of personal choice. Ian and I have always used the train and then local buses where necessary. By booking the trains through the Internet up to three months in advance you can get some really good deals. Sorting out local buses online is a bit trickier especially in rural areas, so it is probably a good idea to ask advice from the first and last place you are staying at. Finding the right bus stop can be quite a challenge! Although advance tickets are cheaper you are usually tied to a specific train and seat. The pitfalls are that if you miss the train you will pay the full fare for the next one. If you have to cancel your walking you will not a get a refund. If you book over the Internet and make a mistake then ring the company immediately and explain what happened you might get lucky and they may refund you.