Zack Walk Wales

Zack Walk Wales Walking the length of Wales for Zack Appeal - please pledge! The clear winner was for me to walk the length of Wales!

Walking the length of Wales for Zack Appeal

I asked everyone to vote from various fundraising activities (such as shaving all my hair off and listening to unlistenable music) as a way of raising money for Zack Appeal. Rather unfit, notoriously good at getting lost and currently sporting the whitest legs in the UK, I will start my trek on the 2nd August 2015.

- Wish me luck and pledge Zack some c

ash - now is the best time!
- Follow my, probably very slow, progress here: [facebook link to come]
- If you see me anywhere I shouldn't be, Norwich for example, point me in the right direction and set me off again. Check out Zack website: http://www.zackappeal.co.uk

NB If you would rather pledge annonymously that's no problem, just message me directly or email to [email protected]

18/08/2015

The End!

Dom's update: Day 16 - Cardiff to Rhoose Point.FINISHED!Distance travelled : 200 + milesHeight ascended : equivalent to ...
18/08/2015

Dom's update: Day 16 - Cardiff to Rhoose Point.

FINISHED!

Distance travelled : 200 + miles
Height ascended : equivalent to climbing Everest! (apparently)
Time spent: 392 hrs 11 minutes
£ raised : that's up to you folks now - get your pledges converted to cash for Zack!

Here's how the last day went - feel free to skip and move straight on to a donation!

With my feet in tatters and down to a definite slow hobble rather than anything you'd call an actual walk, I wasn't sure I could make this last leg of Cardiff to Rhoose Point in one day.

Mid-afternoon in Barry I had to stop and took refuge in Morrisons superstore for the worst cup of tea in the world and considered what to do. I think it was the awfulness of the tea combined with the sheer impossibility of even contemplating carrying on another day that gave me the courage to go on.

Besides it was a beautiful day, the sun shining and a fresh breeze flowing over 'Gavin & Stacey" town and the sooner we got those pledges converted to cash for Zack Appeal the better. With a following wind, I could be home tomorrow!

Rhoose Point is a bit rubbish. There's a sign on the cliff top path announcing the most southerly point of mainland Wales backed by a high security fence and warning of imminent death by falling. I had to back track somewhat to find a way down to the pebbly beach where I finally dipped my toes in refreshing end-of-trek salty southerly sea.

Best things about this trip? Some lovely people I met, other walkers or just randomly struck up conversations in towns, villages and mountains passed through.

The visual landscapes have been beautiful and it was wonderful to discover parts of Wales I never knew, or were perhaps just train stop names to me. But, to be honest, I'm spoilt for beautiful and even more dramatic scenery in my home of North Wales anyway.

What I really relished were those initial early morning hours when the world seemed just my own and the sounds and smells of that world appeared new and intense - and made me feel at once entirely insignificant and an integral and natural part of this life.

Still if you asked me right now whether I'd rather go for a nice walk in the country or for a pint and packet of dry roasted peanuts in the pub, you know which one I'd chose!

Finally a big thank you to everyone who's supported me in this malarkey, both en route and remotely - knowing I wasn't entirely alone made a difference. You know who you are.

Now, in the words of Bob Geldof ...

Dom's Update: Day 15 Newport to CardiffSo, in theory this should be fine. But my new "light but quick" policy has worked...
18/08/2015

Dom's Update: Day 15 Newport to Cardiff

So, in theory this should be fine. But my new "light but quick" policy has worked in terms of ground gained but failed miserably where my the state of my feet is concerned.
Still, no choice now.
En route I get the first glimpse of the sea since leaving the north coast over a fortnight ago.
Now without a tent, I stayed in the great luxury and very good company of the Youth Hostel Association, Cardiff.

Dom's Update: Day 14 Abergavenny to Newport.I made a big decision in Abergavenny based on two observations:1. All those ...
17/08/2015

Dom's Update: Day 14 Abergavenny to Newport.

I made a big decision in Abergavenny based on two observations:
1. All those pesky mountains were behind me (a clear flatish run to the coast).
2. Now I'd be basically moving through conurbations (limited camping options).
So I chose to change tack and move quick and light. I ditched the camping gear and upped the mileage stakes.
First off, all the way to Newport in one day.

Dom's Update: Day 12 & 13 - Y Gelli (Hay on Wye) to Abergavenny.TALLY TO DATE• buzzing insects flying into my hair: 2-3 ...
17/08/2015

Dom's Update: Day 12 & 13 - Y Gelli (Hay on Wye) to Abergavenny.

TALLY TO DATE

• buzzing insects flying into my hair: 2-3 (per day)
• buzzing insects flying into my mouth: 1
• times starting to clean teeth with Savlon instead of toothpaste on the brush: 3
• items of clothing lost: 1
• other items lost: 3

Day 12 started with superb porridge breakfast made by Emma. Then Black Mountains over the Gospel Pass - I'd decided to tramp Tarmac as much as possible in an effort to keep foot dry (in leaking boot).

Chatted to a nice Polish man on the mountain who'd left his wife & kids behind for two years as he sets himself up in UK. Here's me missing my family after just two weeks.

With an over-night camp at peaceful and historic Llanthony, Day 13 was more Tarmac tramping to Abergavenny - finally leaving the shadow of Offa's D**e behind. Abergavenny feels like civilisation now, big enough for the noticeable lack of nods and 'hellos' as strangers pass on the street.

NEW FACTS LEARNT IN ABERGAVENNY

• The double-glazing business is nearly dead. 90% market saturation. Nearly everyone who wants plastic windows has now got them. Get out while you can.
I got out aged 19 - such forward thinking :-)

Dom's Update Day 10 & 11 Kneighton to Hay on WyeWith my notes washed, I can't recall any details now of Day 10! I know I...
16/08/2015

Dom's Update Day 10 & 11 Kneighton to Hay on Wye

With my notes washed, I can't recall any details now of Day 10! I know I got to Kington where I had a welcome rest from camping at the Youth Hostel there. And that the two cafes were closed by the time I arrived. 😞

The next day I set off over Hergest Ridge (of Mike Oldfield fame). I was met on the top by friend Emma with her three lovely kids and a picnic waiting for me!

Emma then took my pack (wahey!) while I carried on to Hay on Wye. After, Emma put me up, fed and entertained me with friends around a bonfire in her garden. Followed by a lovely hot bath while Emma washed the smelliest socks in all of Powys.

Picked up a donation for Zack from Emma's friend Jenny, thank you. Emma herself left me the next day with a white envelope full of a very generous donation. Thank you to Emma for brilliant hospitality, refreshed for the journey the next day.

Dom's Update: Day 9 : Brompton Crossroads to KneightonThis update a little suspect as my notebook got washed with my tro...
15/08/2015

Dom's Update: Day 9 : Brompton Crossroads to Kneighton

This update a little suspect as my notebook got washed with my trousers and turned into a Rachel Whiteread papier mâché cast of the inside of my pocket :-)

I set out from Brompton Crossroads with the sounds of bugles and baying hounds as, somewhere nearby, a troop didn't hunt a fox. Presumably.

I soon forgot them as I concentrated on the 'switchbacks' - a seemingly never ending series of steep accents and descents across the hills. A hard slog of a day.

Today was the day I officially started talking to myself. I'd begun with the occasional salutation to inanimate objects such as "Hello D**e" whenever we met. But today I started a periodic commentary on my progress or lack of it with, for example, "You've gone and put us on the wrong side of the bloody fence, ain'tcha!" delivered in my best Michael Caine. By the time I get to the finish I expect to be in a state of continuous soliloquy.

Camped in a lumpy field at Kneighton right next to the local railway line with a convenient schedule: last train at 10pm (pretty much my bedtime these days) with the first train my alarm in the morning, just right at a quarter to six.

Best thing: met, and shared wine with, Albert and Anke from the Netherlands. Seasoned travellers who've cycled through Napal, travelled in Butan and make adventurous expeditions into the Alps with 40kg backpacks. But they love coming back to Wales every year best of all.

After hearing all about Zack and the walk, they made me a gift of some very rare and special Dutch foot paste and, having finished their hike and being in possession of a car, offered to 'borrow' my rucksack the next day to help the project - lovely people and a big thank you to them.

Dom's Update: Day 8 - Welshpool to Brompton Crossroads.Called in to little town of Montgomery en route today. It's quain...
12/08/2015

Dom's Update: Day 8 - Welshpool to Brompton Crossroads.

Called in to little town of Montgomery en route today. It's quaint and sleepy Sunday exterior belied an raucous underbelly of boisterous brummie bicyclists. Montgomery also hosts a model car museum which I didn't have time to check out.

Camping on a perfect lawn of someone's house. Worrying that I'm not going fast enough and should have covered a lot more miles in past two days. Owls for company during the night.

Dom's Update: Days 6&7 Four Crosses to WelshpoolAfter a great walk along the Montgomery Canal (no mountains!) encounteri...
12/08/2015

Dom's Update: Days 6&7 Four Crosses to Welshpool

After a great walk along the Montgomery Canal (no mountains!) encountering few people but plenty of swan families, I stayed in Welshpool for a day re-stocking supplies, charging, washing and doing research on routes in the lovely Welshpool Public Library (I have a dilemma on which route to take after Hay on Wye...).
Thanks to farm campsite owner Mr Alun Jones who waived his fee asking me to donate it to Zack Appeal instead.

Day 5: Dom's UpdateCARREG-Y-ATEB to FOUR CROSSESEven though now reunited with my rucksack, this should have been not too...
09/08/2015

Day 5: Dom's Update
CARREG-Y-ATEB to FOUR CROSSES

Even though now reunited with my rucksack, this should have been not too long a day. However, I got very lost for a few hours, until saved by the wonderful GPS thingy that Diane Lee lent me the night before I left (thank you Diane) - but not before a very narrow escape with a herd of frisky bullocks.

Spent the evening chatting with the landlord of The Golden Lion pub in whose garden I pitched my tent. Just me and him and a scrumptious egg omelette made by his wife.

I lost a pair of underpants at The Golden Lion. If anyone passes, they're drying on the car park fence. Only two left now...

Day 4: Dom's Update - Llangollen to Carreg-y-BigDay 4 started with more kindness from Simon & Jen - two (!) breakfasts c...
09/08/2015

Day 4: Dom's Update - Llangollen to Carreg-y-Big

Day 4 started with more kindness from Simon & Jen - two (!) breakfasts cooked for me by Jen plus the offer to relieve me of my rucksack for the day. I nearly cried.

So I really enjoyed my walking on day 4. Though the prospect Tea Rooms was, of course, closed.

Bumped into Llanrwst Del and had a chat about shoes. Had my heart in my mouth going over the viaduct in TREVOR.

Stayed that night camping on the lawn in an isolated livery at CARREG-Y-BIG. But not before being reunited with my rucksack and a chat over "tea with coffee mate" with Simon & Jen who also helped me put the tent up before it really chucked it down all night.

(Sorry, I never know whether Facebook will publish my post as Dominic or the Page - this is Dominic anyway).DAY 2&3 Dom'...
08/08/2015

(Sorry, I never know whether Facebook will publish my post as Dominic or the Page - this is Dominic anyway).

DAY 2&3 Dom's Update

The best thing about Day 2 : I miscalculated and stopped at LLANGYNHAFAL when I should have continued much further. Actually, that wasn't the best thing. The best thing was an elderly man from Llangynhafal with the coolest of droopy moustaches gave Zack Appeal a donation and gave me free sandwiches to further the walk.

DAY 3
The worst thing about Day 3 was that I'd finished too early on Day 2. This meant I had a lot of ground to catch up. The journey to LLANGOLLEN was a bit of an endurance test for me, very painful feet, a heavy pack and steep ascents took their toll. But then the best thing about all the days so far happened when I finally collapsed in the front garden of Llangollen friends Simon & Jen. I was taken in and treated royally - tucked up in a blissfully hot bath and put in a comfy double bed. Thank you Simon and Jen! And their kindness continued on day 4...

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