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Hiking, not biking I'm afraid but no doubt I'll still fall over and donate some blood and skin to the local ecology.
This is the first thing I've done that's remotely physically difficult in years and I'm using it to see if I might be able to return to biking soon. After my willy has it's second op at the end of summer anyway. I also just want to enjoy the scenery, the countryside is very important to me, a genuine tonic. Shame I'll be doing it in a heatwave and no doubt scrounging water wherever I can. If it was easy though, What's the point? 😁
Oh, I have a little invention I've brought along, I'll post about that later though. 😉
The route too.
Suffice to say if you see a heavily over loaded light blue Evoc Stages bag that's got stuff strapped all over it to the point of ridiculousness. It's likely me!
- (Is pic hosting from a phone gallery working at the moment by the way?)
Magic - have a great time out there !
Is it a little adventure that gets bigger at the touch of a button?
Good luck & take it easy in the heat.
Have you invented a rucksack that gets bigger at the touch of a button?
Hope you succeed in whatever your secret Mission Impossible is, stay safe in the heat.
Good luck, hope it's a blast. Looking forward to the pics and write up!
I hope you have an adventure hat?
Have a great time.
Heatwave you say?
*looks outside, sees rain, mutters*
Have a great time!
Is pic hosting from a phone gallery working at the moment by the way?
Yep. Dead simple.
Enjoy your adventure. Can't wait to follow along.
How exciting. Hope you have a great time and don't get dehydrated. x
Have fun, don't forget the cart of fluid!
Starting the Ridgeway with a detour to Avebury.
Seemed rude not to go to the pub.
Set to do about 15 miles today.
Not got enough for it water obvs. 😁
Images wrong insert. Any work around guys?
You can literally copy and paste images directly into the edit box now. Try that. Or click the my media link below the edit box, browse and select images then click add to post.
Starting the Ridgeway with a detour to Avebury
excellent idea! one of my favourite parts of the world 🙂
Good Luck Poop. Enjoy being up on the tops and the views. Next time the SDW....... 😉
7.30 and around 6 miles to Ogbourne and rest time in the bivvy. 2 random blokes just passed me on the chalk road here by the white horse and asked if I wanted to go to a BBQ.
Hmmm...
I’m sharing a what3words address to help you find this specific location. Tap to see exactly where it is:
///skip.flows.sheet
https://w3w.co/skip.flows.sheet
Just in case. 😉
Were they Austrian? Is it in a cellar? 🧐
I’m sharing a what3words address to help you find this specific location. Tap to see exactly where it is:
///skip.flows.sheet
Is that just behind the Nationwide in Swindon?
Nice one Poopscoop, I love your adventures and I'm looking forward to reading more. If you walk all the way to the Borders I'll put you up for a couple of nights.
Test of pics.
Nope, I just can't get it to work. Very frustrating.
Test of pics.
Edit. Yay! Anyway that's the view from my bivvy.
Went into Ogbourne (had to really shift to get there before sun down) as there was meant to be a pub there according to my Harvey map.
Nope. Shut down. ☹️
Blagged some water though (after knocking on 4 doors) and got back up onto the Ridgeway. Damp as heck now, midi coming out of my mouth as I breath but it's actually refreshing! Dining on Pepperami, flapjacks and water.
Today was pretty special, the views were stunning, Just stunning. I also walked through the most beautiful hamlet I've ever seen. It was like a dream, my God, to be able to live there. I'll come back to that village later in the posts.
Seen birds I've never seen before, more butterflies than I've seen in years and everyone has just been so cheerful on the trails.
I've taken talking to myself- alot, also singing "They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace" as I find the rhythm really nice to walk to. It helps keep a good pace.
Also been doing a lot of thinking. Today, in the countryside, family and a bit of health to enable you to go to places like this... That's all that's important really. The rest is noise.
More tomorrow, not really talking sense, so tired but I'll upload a few more pics tonight if I can.
I miss my mountain bike but you know what, this is just as good but in another and different way.
very nice. Keep it up. Once you get the hang of the steps for pics its fine.
I've taken talking to myself- alot, also singing "They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace" as I find the rhythm really nice to walk to. It helps keep a good pace.
Try "they're taking the hobbits to Isengard"
How was the bbq? Are you in a Wicker Man now?
Starting the Ridgeway with a detour to Avebury.
Seemed rude not to go to the pub.
Isn’t it the law?
Up and at 'em.😁
Between the damp and laying on a slight slope... The bag kept sliding off the mat. Most inconvenient but got some sleep in the end and another lesson learnt!lol
More flapjacks for breakfast. They are really stodgy. Meaning bloody lovely!
Down to 10 degs last night but the sun is already powerful and warm today at 7.22 am.
Pics from yesterday.
Great thread. Keep going.
I'm loving this, keep inspiring us
Nice one, lovely thread 👍
Getting to Ashbury folly to day at least. Only 8.5m but I'm taking it easier today. I ache all over.
No rush to a village, that hasn't got a pub, to get a Guinness for some reason.
Really feel like having a Guinness for reasons unknown! 😁
Could we have some pics of your "heavily over loaded" bag please? And whatever set-up you are sleeping in.
I've often considered doing something like this, but never quite got around to it.
Having a sit down in the middle of nowhere. Using the walking poles today. I'm a convert, they give you a little boost of speed and seem to help with my very sore feet too. They genuinely increase my walking speed. They have little springs in them to take out the shock when they hit the ground. Works well but noisy. Need to fill the tube with thick grease.
I'm still a biker first and foremost! 👍😁
Going to find a place before sunset this time, that's was no fun hunting for a decent place with a head torch. I found somewhere but it was on a slight slope... That together with the dew meant my bag kept on slipping down the mat. Driving me mad so had to move a little. I'll be more prepared tonight!
Couple of miles away from Liddington Hill Fort.
@easily sure mate, when I taken it off later I'll take a pic and post it. 👍
Sitting looking at this at the moment. That poor guy, dying in his thirties. I said thanks for the seat and bid him well. 
- Some of the views are very SDW. Just walked through a track of very long grass... Then discovered that's because I am on a track parallel to the actual Ridgeway. Others must make the same mistake as there was a defined trail there
Just 
about to head to to the hill fort.
Took a detour to the hill fort. The wrong detour of course. That ended with me climbing over a very well made barbed wire fence and putting a new ventilation hole in my shorts. Nice.
The amount of soil moved to make these ramparts and the ditches on these old forts. Incredible, utterly incredible.
@easy, here a pic. I use the helmet holder to carry the thermarest and sleeping bag. The inside in rammed, I have a real battle getting the bladder back in once it's filled, even after sucking the air out of it to compress it a little.
On the top, that's a power bank and solar charger. The white bag is rubbish, not passed a bin yet.
First town I've spotted since I began and that's the M4 in the distance. I'm crossing that on the bridge later.
Hardly seen a living sole today. A dog walker and a young couple that have hiked from Goring.
I'm tired and my feet are aching like mad but I love this. I want to ride it one day, as much of it as you are allowed to anyway.
^^Thanks, I'll try that!
Got to detour into Bishopstone or Wanborough. There's a tap later but sod all places doing food and I ate my emergency flapjack at breakfast. I'm ok for Easter though! Miracle.
Popped in from my new life to see how things are going. This thread made me happy. All change, but not too much. Looking forward to the next update, Poops.
Love this area - being going there since very young. 20 years ago me and my then g/f ran from the White Horse to Goring as part of a sponsored walk. 20 miles.
Found a pub, found a pub! 3 mile diversion but I found a pub... That also does food...
So in total:
4 points of Guinness zero.
2 packets of salt and vinegar crisps.
A cottage pie with trimmings.
Cheesy chips.
2 slices of lemon cheesecake (they took pity on the state of me and gave me the last slice they had for free.
Camelback topped up and 5 packets of scampi fries to take away. For breakfast. I can't smell any worse to be honest, so scampi breath isn't an issue.
Oh, their toilet had Pure air freshener spray on top of the cistern. So I 
freshened up a bit with some of that under my pits and cybernetically enhanced crotch area.
Jobs a goodun but I might actually have to change clothing tomorrow. I'm attracting flies.
Fantastic adventure, keep posting. I love these threads, even with the absence of wheels!
This is just so excellent. This and northwind’s upside down forks, are just the kind of unexplainable bollocks we all fondly love. And Hannah checking in just proves it.
Crack on Mr PS ❤️
Getting ready for bed.
I knew something on my left foot was up but ignored it. Turns out there's a pretty big blister. Not sure what to do about it so I'll carry on ignoring it.😁
I brought one pair of spare socks with me (intending washing them as I go) to save room. Well one pair now has holes in both of them so not sure how well they will hold up for the full journey. Getting through sun block rapidly too which is a big concern. Upto 32 deg down here for a couple of days. Trouble is, there's just no shops to speak of so I'll be door knocking offering to buy some sun block from a total stranger if it comes to it. Oh, and some water too, obvs.
Anyway, I'm bedding down a few metres from the trail on a path that leads to a pub. I won't be partaking in that as I've got scampi fries for tomorrow morning at least.
Anyway, my bedroom and a few other shots from near here.
I must tell you lot about my little invention I brought with me. I'll try and do that tomorrow.
Night all. 
5 packets of scampi fries ... For breakfast
😬
Compeed is the thing. Available from outdoor shops or a hydrocolloid dressing from a pharmacist
Also Asda and Tesco and superdrug have their own brand ones
I suspect wearing 2 pairs of socks helps with blisters.
Im off on my own adventure with new boots
I already thought this was a fantastic thread, but '5 packets of Scampi Fries' for breakfast has rocketed it straight into my top 10 threads of all time.
Cheers @tjagain. Not many shops at all, that's taken me by surprise a bit not being from here. I'll keep my eye out.
Hard going today, averaging a mere 2.25mph. Everything below the waist hurts but I'm still plodding away. The heat is brutal but I've managed my water well as I knew it would be hot. The walking poles are a life saver. Being able to use my shoulders and arms to push myself up the hills?... well without them I'd be skrewed.
Had a couple of poos on the way which involved finding a copse somewhere quiet and having off a branch/ barbed wire fence with one hand to get the right angle that I don't do it in my boxers or shorts. How do people just crouch and go? 😁
Got chatting to a few people on the way, one was an archaeologist and really nice bloke. Saw more bikes today, manually gravel and a fair few with panniers that are doing the whole route.
Had a few detours. Got my mobile in the field i bivvied in... That cost me 2 miles. Gutted. Then another detour to find a legendary I've cream van I was told about. It wasn't there today. 😁
Running out of sun block which is a concern as there is likely no where closer I can buy it from till the latter half of the walk.
Sitting under a tree at the moment to get some shade Judy before a climb to a water tap hopefully.
About 6 miles to go to Wantage. That's what I'm aiming for.
You know, I thought I knew "miles". I know what a mile is in a car or on a bike. It's a concept, but a challenge really. Yes, I know miles. Now? Well, *walking* miles are different. They are at least 5 times as long and each mile lost due to mistakes or intentional detours is really impactful. I know miles better now!
Anyway, pics 
!
Given the impending heatmageddon and your distance from supplies, you really need to take care and if necessary have an escape route. Better to use this as a short test rather than have it break you.
How many packets of pork scratchings for tomorrow's breakfast.
Is there a thred about your willy issue poopscoop?
Well, *walking* miles are different.
It's definitely a change of pace on foot, it's more contemplative, easier to stop and look around compared to being on the bike, and more social too for chatting to others out and about.
I have to say I am loving this. Fire up the randomiser and see what happens.
As the Ridgeway crosses a main road to Wantage I got a taxi into town. It was a 6 mile round trip on foot. Not a detour I can handle and hell, it's not part of the Ridgeway. Got a taxi back to exactly the same point as they picked me up.
Had no food left and 2 listed of water in the camelback... it's a bloody long way tomorrow with no water taps or anything else apart from the stunning views.
Tomorrow's going to new a rough one. Wrist words by the way MCTD.👍
But tonight I feast! Chicken and mushroom slices X2, chocolate and for tomorrow good old flapjacks and 2 minced beef and onion slices.
It was the best thing in the world to have a dsit on a proper toilet seat at the Sainsbury's in Wantage. No more hanging onto tree limbs like a really bad and highly niche pole dancer!
Couldn't get Compeed TJ so got something that says it "for feet." Must be the same. 😉
Managed to wear through the feet off my walking poles but luckily brought a bigger set along.
Rims to get socks off
now and get to bed. Not looking forward to seeing my feet.😋 No sleeping bag needed, it's so warm.
Magical.
Chicken kebab anyone? The other foot has 
them now but smaller. For the moment.
That needs proper attention. Even just taping it up would help.
Yeah - that way lies infection and serious issues. Time to stop "manning up" and get them sorted.
That needs proper attention. Even just taping it up would help.
Reminds me of what happened to me on the Camino in 2005, really hot weather and my feet swelled up, bad blisters by the time I reached Burgos, I sought medical attention and my feet were bandaged and I was told by the medic my Camino was over. Next day I got chronic food poisoning so that was that.
Minor injuries, pharmacist, even a GP surgery will probably sort it if you ask nicely
he who fights and runs away. lives to fight another day.
Great Adventure Poops. Look after yourself.
Regarding water, there is a website called findtap.com where you can just stick an address in & it will give you a map with local taps you can use. Some are standpipes, some are shops/cafes that are happy to fill you up.
There's also a similar app called "refill return" that does the same.
Have a good day! Be careful in the sun.
Good advice regarding your feet Poop, Mrs dB proper knackered hers by carrying on regardless & now doesn't do the long hikes we used to enjoy 😕
What's the latest @Poopscoop hope the day's gone well?
- Still here!
Just bedding down. Finally.
Monitoring feet regularly and read given some Compeed pads by a couple of lads hiking the Ridge.
Another family (grandad, soon and granddaughter on a tag along (right name) have me some water and lots of sugary snacks as they were almost home. Awesome family and not just because of the free stuff!
Ultras marathon here tomorrow so hoping to blag some water.
Judy went for a dump and light went flat just as I got to my chosen spot. It's 10.30pm at this point in the middle of no where. Oh, I'm in Bucks now. Anyway, I here a dog bark bit far away. I'm crouched over with just a t shirt on and my shoes. No cacks or shorts. Was taking the opportunity to change my boxers. Leg it back to the sleeping bag and pull it over my middle whilst sitting on grass trying to look casual... I hadn't had a chance to wipe my arse though.
Dog and dog walker never turn up. Whether they back tracked after seeing a half dressed man with his prosthetic third testicle and penis I'll never know.
Let's just say that a big clean up was needed as obviously sitting down with a pooey bot bot is not a good idea.
FFS, 10.30 in the bloody middle of the Amazon and my torch dies, I lay a cable but don't have time to wipe my arse due to a nocturnal dog walker that never even turned up.
Anyway, pics, then bed!😁
🙂 love it you bampot
After that report I was a bit worried about scrolling beyond ‘pics then bed’. Glad you’re still going! My daughter just finished her DofE expedition yesterday and said the sun was brutal and they all look like lobsters.
Only just seen this, i could have brought you stuff out after Wantage and before Goring, heck, i could have put you up for the night and given you a decent meal and some beers too.
Ultras marathon here tomorrow
Blimey, that sounds like a recipe for chaos if anyone gets their hydration wrong.
Quick update. Met lots of ultra runners today. Big event. Don't envy them.
I'm now in Streatley on Thames.
Erm, taking on essential supplies. The Guinness in zero though. Can't cope with alcohol in this heat. 😁
The three kids and their dad were giving free jet washes to ultras and I blagged a proper hosing down which I fully embraced. Had to walk past the ultras and norms literally dripping like id been swimming though.😁
Feet blisters are stable at this point. Got duct tape over one with a wet wipe under it.
Had a poo in the pub.
End.
Edit: the family with the tag along bike had actually ridden into town to meet me and gave me some more food and drinks! Wonderful people, I actually got a bit emotional 
!! People are awesome.
Have I missed your invention reveal?
Absolutely loving the updates and it sounds like a brilliant wee trip/adventure...but what is this invention???
Edit: the family with the tag along bike had actually ridden into town to meet me and gave me some more food and drinks! Wonderful people, I actually got a bit emotional
Thats the sort of stuff that makes adventures like this.
Keep on going you madman
family with the tag along bike had actually ridden into town to meet me and gave me some more food and drinks
great stuff, the kindness of strangers, there are many good people about 👍
There's a great little cafe called the Makers Place about 50m away from the path in Nuffield. Good cake stop especially as you will have been uphill for awhile!
The grimsditch section from Wallingford east is a long time favourite spot for me.
There's a great little cafe called the Makers Place about 50m away from the path in Nuffield. Good cake stop especially as you will have been uphill for awhile!
The grimsditch section from Wallingford east is a long time favourite spot for me.