Our Dream Adventure

OUR DREAM ADVENTURE...

In 2014/2015 we are taking some 'Time Out' and planning an adventure trip of a lifetime.

We will start with a six month thru hike of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail or 'AT' for short. A 2186 mile (3500km) trail running along the eastern United States of America.

Next we will be taking a break from daily hiking (there will be some hiking involved though!) and will be going on an amazing three month adventure holiday through South America.

Finally, back to thru hiking again. This time five to six months in New Zealand hiking the Te Araroa - New Zealand's Trail ('TA' for short). A 1865 mile (3000km) trail spanning the whole of New Zealand.

We have set up this Blog so that family, friends and anyone else who is interested, can follow our adventure which will include blogs about our planning and preparation stages as well as our whole amazing trip.

(So not to bore you with too much information, if you wish to read or learn more about what The Appalachian Trail and the Te Araroa Trail are all about see the 'Links' below the three maps in the left hand column.)

Christine & Nigel xxx



Monday, 9 September 2013

Cleveland Way Day 1 - A short evening stroll!


Day 1
Helmsley to Scawton 
Walked 5.7 miles
4.5 CW Miles + 1.2 extra miles to campsite. 

It took us forever to pack, it's not easy trying to be as ultralight as possible! My pack weighed in about 30lbs and Nigel's around 35lbs, which we were quite pleased with as we have only replaced some of our existing gear for ultralight gear and were also carrying 10lbs of food - enough porridge and evening meals for 5 days plus 3-4 days worth of snacks.

We left home after lunch by train from Newark to Northallerton. From Northallerton we got the Moors bus service to Helmsley. The Moors bus operators run a fantastic service ferrying hikers in a 33 seater bus to & from various locations over the North York Moors, Negotiating winding, single track lanes with very few passing places for cars coming in the opposite direction! Great views along the journey though. A service only provided on Sundays & bank holidays sadly. 
We set off walking from Helmsley at 5pm, walking past Rievaulx Abbey ruins. We didn't detour to have a look at it as we saw it quite well going past on the bus. Easy walking down old tracks, through woodland and past pretty fishing ponds. Got to camp site at Bungdale Head Farm for 7pm, nice small site but VERY windy on hilltop. 
We like play a game and score our accommodation on route just for fun - anyone watch 'Four in a bed'?  We are awarding this small basic site 2*, only because there were very few facilities & it lacked stunning views. A very steep long driveway up to the farm was very  character building! owners very friendly.
Supper then in bed by 9pm as have an early start & big mileage day tomorrow. 

Photos from day 1:

Nigel at The Starting Stone.



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