Walker: Rebecca
When: July 13th to July 26th 2019
Where: Yatton, Mark, Cossington, Bridgewater, Bishops Lydeard, Clayhanger, Chagford, Tavistock
Pack weight: 1.5 stone (fine)
Distance walked: 115 miles (+++)
No of days: 10
No of Maps: 3 x 1: 50,000
No of Blisters: many, many, due to new boots, bought sandals Chagford, phew, much better from then on
Weight: 1/2 stone lost
Money spent: £400– including 2 x B & B, useless boots, replacement sandals and train fare home
Churches: Weare and Clayhanger
Would I do it again: No
I found my pilgrimage tough this year, maybe it was me, my mood not right. I'd got the weight lower, by using a hammock and changing my coat to a light woolen one I'd made myself, and started at Yatton, knowing the old railway line would be an easy beginning. It was, but once off the cycle track immediately the troubles began of non signed and over grown paths. It continued in this way until my destination of Tavistock, the worst of it being Dartmoor, on the SW side. Luckily the weather was good, as it is difficult to keep the rain out of a hammock. One big problem, and my fault, was walking in new boots. I got dreadful blisters, luckily and extraordinarily at Chagford, there was a fantastic outdoor shop (there since the 1880s apparently) and i was able to buy replacement sandals and things improved in enjoyment terms, but not in the signing or quality of footpaths.
I stayed in two churches, both lovely, providing welcome rest and a place of safety in what felt to me this year, a hostile environment. The paths were more overgrown, bulls more frequent (I had to pass them on three separate occasions) and horrid chicken farms were everywhere in S Somerset, it was mostly not a nice place, but the churches were. Did I get closer to God. I fear not, not this time, or at least not obviously so as yet. I went to one moving service in Bishops Lydeard and was made very welcome, and will not forget that ever.