May 2022

25th

I am now at a friend's house, I am going to be updating these pages and happy that I am in a safe environment for at least a few days. Today, withdrawals began from a Vitamin B12 injection I received three months ago. I began vomiting and suffered a quick onset of anaemia until my friend handed me some B12 tincture, which got me back onto my feet within the hour. I can see this maybe a real problem for me in the future.

24th

Woken tent pitched in Charlton king's are of Cheltenham, rolling up the sleeping mat many black bugs appeared, so I scrabbled to pick them up and throw them out of my tent. Happy I am to have found my hat at the bottom of my sleeping bag. Packed up my things and walked the footpath to Leckhampton hill. The walk was shunted by a closed footpath, walkers here are overall friendly, a lady stopped to talk to me, she had settled in Cheltenham from London. The ascent was easy along a rocky road, a tree had fallen down blocking access to the hill.

Verdant hillside, possibly in a rural or woodland setting. The foreground features a tangle of fallen, decaying branches. Beyond, the hillside slopes gently upwards, covered in lush green grass and a variety of trees and shrubs. In the background, a valley or other low-lying area is visible, indicating a relatively open landscape beyond the immediate hillside. The overall impression is one of peaceful natural beauty, possibly taken on an overcast day given the soft, diffused light.
Panoramic view of a verdant landscape under a partly cloudy sky. The foreground is a gently sloping grassy hill with faint paths. The mid-ground and background consist of rolling hills covered in lush green forests and fields, extending to the horizon. The overall atmosphere is serene and peaceful, evoking a sense of tranquillity and the beauty of nature. The lighting suggests it's likely daytime, with sunlight breaking through the clouds.

Three-quarter up the hill, the vista opened up.

Panoramic view of a city nestled in a valley, seen from a vantage point on a hill. In the foreground is a lush green hillside with various trees and shrubs, one prominent bush blossoming with white flowers. The mid-ground displays a dense forest covering the slope of the hill. The background reveals a sprawling cityscape extending to the horizon, with rolling hills and a partly cloudy sky. The overall impression is one of a tranquil, scenic landscape contrasting the vibrancy of nature with the urban expanse.

Joining the Cotswold Way, a rugged golden path became smooth.

Large, light-coloured snail crawling on dry, sandy ground. The snail's shell is predominantly light beige or pinkish-beige with subtle striations. The ground is composed of small, loose rocks and sandy particles, primarily in shades of light brown and tan. The snail's shadow is partially visible on the ground.

The view of Cheltenham was quite something at the top.

Panoramic view from an elevated position, possibly a hilltop. It shows a sprawling landscape with rolling green hills dotted with trees and patches of farmland. In the distance, a large city or town is visible, extending to the horizon. The sky is mostly cloudy with varying degrees of cloud cover. The overall impression is one of a serene, expansive countryside scene contrasting with the urban sprawl in the background.

Look how verdant these tree leaves are.

Cluster of reddish-brown leaves attached to a tree trunk. The leaves are vibrant and appear to be from a deciduous tree, possibly a copper beech, exhibiting autumnal colouring. The background is blurred but shows green grass and other vegetation. The overall impression is one of autumnal beauty and the natural cycle of life.
Gently curving, light-brown gravel path winding through a grassy field. Lush green trees line the path, creating a shaded, natural walkway. The path leads towards a distant view that hints at a town or city in the background, partially obscured by the foliage.
Dirt path forking on a grassy hillside. A small wooden marker post is visible at the beginning of one path. In the distance, a panoramic view of rolling green hills and a valley stretches out under a cloudy sky. A solitary bench sits on the hillside to the right of the path.

The plinth at the summit was painted in different colours.

Grassy hill under a cloudy sky. Atop the hill is a tall, light-colored marker or signpost. In the foreground, there are patches of purple wildflowers and some rocks nestled in the grass. The overall impression is one of a quiet, somewhat desolate, yet naturally beautiful landscape.

It hailed when I arrived at the western face, there is a stack there made by workers at the quarry that was once operating here. The moody grey sky arriving from a south-western direction punched hail stones onto walkers faces.

Vast field of tall, green barley under a dramatic, overcast sky. A small cluster of trees is visible on the horizon line to the right. The overall mood is serene yet slightly ominous due to the heavy clouds.

Leaving the hill, there were many pretty flowers.

Close-up view of several Aquilegia flowers, commonly known as Columbines. The flowers are a deep purple and appear to be wet with raindrops. They are in various stages of bloom, with some fully open and others beginning to wilt. The background is soft-focus greenery, suggesting a garden setting. The overall impression is one of natural beauty and the fleeting nature of blossoms.
Single white flower, possibly a type of campion, in bloom. The flower is delicate and slightly droopy. It's surrounded by tall, slender green grasses and other vegetation, suggesting a field or meadow setting. The background is blurred, focusing attention on the flower itself.
Dense cluster of white Clematis flowers. The flowers are in various stages of bloom, some fully open, others partially closed, and some showing signs of ageing.

I entered Crickley hill. Hungry, I rested and had lunch at Crickley hill's Wildlife trust café; the food was delicious.

Simple café scene. A wooden table holds a black tray with a mug of tea, a pastry (possibly a Cornish pasty), a small spoon, and cutlery. Salt and pepper shakers and a small vase of purple flowers are also visible at the edge of the table. In the background, a cafe sign says Cafe Open for... and a partially visible outdoor seating area is visible through a window. The overall mood is peaceful and suggests a relaxing break.

I knocked the milk jar over because often I miss coordinate my hands, these accidents happen often due to suffering so much trauma.

Chalkboard sign listing recent wildlife sightings at a nature reserve, likely in Gloucestershire, England. The sign is mounted on a wooden wall. The sightings include various butterflies, adders, bluebells, orchids, birds (such as peregrine falcons, woodpeckers, and various tit species), and other animals. A small illustration of a rabbit and some plants is at the bottom. The text emphasises the importance of staying on paths to protect the delicate plants. The overall impression is one of promoting awareness of local biodiversity and responsible nature viewing.

Recent sightings = Adders :) and a cuckoo, :( how ironic. There was also an insect hotel they'd named Bugingham Palace.

Multi-level insect hotel, resembling a small house, constructed from natural materials like wood, stones, and twigs. It's situated outdoors next to some greenery and a gravel path, with a small sign identifying it as Buckingham Palace, playfully referencing its function as a luxury lodging for insects. The design is whimsical and functional, catering to various insect species.

The view from Crickley hill is quite something.

Panoramic view of a sprawling countryside landscape, taken from an elevated vantage point. Rolling green hills dotted with patches of yellow flowers dominate the foreground, leading the eye to a distant cityscape visible on the horizon. Two individuals are seen walking along a dirt path that winds through the hills. The sky is partly cloudy, adding depth and texture to the scene. The overall impression is one of vastness and the beauty of the natural world contrasted with human settlement in the distance.
Panoramic view of a verdant valley, captured from an elevated vantage point on a grassy hillside. The valley is a patchwork of rolling green hills, dotted with trees and what appear to be agricultural fields. A lone, slender coniferous tree stands prominently near the foreground on the grassy slope. The sky is mostly clear with fluffy white clouds, suggesting a bright, sunny day.

And a view of Crickley hill.

Panoramic view of a lush green hilly landscape under a partly cloudy sky. The foreground is filled with dense, leafy trees and shrubs. The mid-ground reveals rolling hills dotted with more trees and a few small buildings or houses, suggesting a rural or semi-rural setting. In the far background, a flat expanse of land stretches to the horizon, hinting at a wider countryside.

The walk past the Air Balloon pub was chocking with heavy traffic, I'm surprised the business manages to remain open; if it were not for the cranky clientele that frequent it. I took the path along the hillside to avoid Barrow Wake viewpoint, subjected to anti-social use by doggers and other creepy perverts.

Sun-dappled path winding through a lush, green forest. Tall, slender trees with bright green leaves create a canopy overhead, casting shadows on the ground. The path is dirt or gravel and appears well-trodden.
Dirt path winding through a sun-dappled forest. The path is bordered by steep banks covered in lush green vegetation and a layer of brown leaves. Tall, slender trees with dense canopies create a canopy overhead, filtering the sunlight. The path could be interpreted as a metaphor for a journey or a passage through life.

The Cotswold way became awesome once more as I entered some woodland.

Something disturbing was going off in Buckholt woodland, but I found a pretty flower and took a photograph of it.

A few miles along the national footpath, I arrived at Painswick Beacon, which is the highest point in Gloucestershire; the Wysis Way crosses the Cotswold Way here also. Some person, probably local, had been severely offended by the dropping of litter.

Arriving onto the golf course, an elderly man with his wife approached. He attempted to rub my ego as he approached me, in an exacting same manner a climber approached me on the way to Ben MacDui summit, just a few days ago. He wanted to take some walking poles he'd made out of hazel and offered a lift into Painswick; I declined.

After walking past a quarry my map application on my mobile phone failed to load the Cotswold way after the village of Painswick but I found my way through OK, because I have been to this place before.

As 5pm approached I'd walked over sixteen miles; my feet had become sore from wearing in my new walking boots; I messaged my faery friend and she came and picked me up in her car; a mere 30 or so yards from the village of Edge.

I was glad to arrive at my faery friends house. The hot water of the shower running over my body calmed my quivering and a hot meal helped me rest for the night.

23rd

Last night was hot and muggy, I lay crippled with exhaustion, needing to raise my head and make a pillow but too tired to crunch up my clothes to raise my head. This morning I am very anxious. Packing away my tent, I noticed my hat was missing; I know I was wearing it when I put up my tent, but now I find it has completely disappeared this morning. I am suspecting the hat fell off my head as I was entering the tent, then it was taken during the night.

I found a café where I purchased a substantial vegetarian breakfast for only £5, the owner talked about how him and his partner had invested everything they had into the business. A step into the unknown that had been successful for four years since opening, despite financial anxieties about an uncertain future.

I purchased a ticket at Warwick parkway to Birmingham Moor Street (trains did not go to New Street from this station) for a mere £8. Walking up the stairs onto the platform, a countryside view unfolded.

I caught the train at 9.16am.

Arriving at Moor street, a lanky male Rastafarian, gave me a filthy look whilst stood on the train walkway. He placed his bag to the right of me and, looked as though he was attempting to find a button from the outside of the black canvass bag, was alarming. Still being early, I found a Witherspoon pub (the Square peg) and waited for my twitter friend to arrive.

Insane how many White males are homeless on the streets of Birmingham city centre, absolute disgrace. Most white males on the streets of Birmingham city centre are of white Norse origin. Had a nice day with my Twitter friend Maria, we went to some pubs and experienced Norwegian teenagers enjoying playing a circular chase game outside law courts, their passage circulated my soul and I felt akin to meet them, my people. I searched Birmingham city centre for a camping shop, but could only find Millets.

There were many walking boots for sale, after trying on a couple I settled for a brown pair of Berghuas at £135, that was reduced from £160. I also purchased two pairs of walking socks at £20. I left my old boots and socks in a bag, they smelled foul, the shop attendant offered to bin them for me.

The train arrived in Cheltenham spa in no time at all… Being first and only the train made.

I popped into a shabby pub named “the Midland”; an Asian man walked in, nodded to an overweight (bruiser style) bar maid, then left through a door marked “private”. Here, as I was talking on my phone, the bar maid turned the music up loud when I was on the phone and began speaking in an Irish accent (changing from a thick Gloucestershire accent). The first song that played was an Irish folk song that began with the lyrics “We don't care where you have been or what you have done”. After five minutes I realised they were playing IRA songs, I finished my pint of Coors larger and upon leaving, exiting I was insulted by a publican at the door. Arriving in Montpellier, I found a restaurant (Cote) and enjoyed French onion soup (my favourite) and a fish / potato dish. The waiter held back letting me have a table when I entered, but warmed after knowing there was a table available.

The rain hammered down as I left the restaurant, I walked along the park and entered a bar. The bar had a strange animosity present, and the whiskey (Dalmore) I usually order they claimed to no longer have stocked. Nearing ten o'clock, I exited and walked to Chalton Kings, I searched for a place to pitch my tent. Tired, I settled by the side of a cycleway, Although I can remember pitching my tent in the rain, I cannot remember going to sleep.

22nd

Woken at 6am, light rain moved over my tent, but I am dry. Last night, I pitched on Hartfell mountain because I desperately needed some undisturbed sleep to alleviate severe mental and physical exhaustion.

This morning I am rested, but as anticipated, the dew soaked me feet, socks and walking boots… so need a new pair!

Took a few pictures of the countryside on my way through Moffat towards the M74.

Walked straight through Moffat, and onto the M74 junction. The first lift took me to Penrith and was given by an elderly couple visiting friends in the lake district.