Category Archives: Walks

Roydon Common

Roydon Common, a magical place I discovered just before COVID 19 and lockdown. 

Disappointing weather over the weekend meant biking plans had to be canceled, so, after a  drive to Thetford to drop off a bike with my son I  made the most of a blowy showery day by getting out for a walk across the common with Sue.

Roydon Common is looking stunning after the rain, So much has grown since the beginning of lockdown and those lonely solo walks, there are so many wildflowers out now with an array of stunning colours, it won’t be long till the heather is in full bloom either

Luckily we got round the 6 miles without getting wet, unfortunately, I arrived home to find my waterbutt had been blown over in the wind but at least it wasn’t me getting blown off my bike!

 

It’s been a while

It’s been a while since I last posted here, 4 months in fact which is far too long.

I have had lots to say but with things going on with my white blood cells, a sore shoulder and back mixed together with menopausal stuff well truthfully I often didn’t want to talk to anyone let alone write my blog

Things are looking up now, my white blood cells are behaving, my shoulder and back improving by the week and the hot flushes that I thought might kill me, seem to be under control with a magic pill from the Doctor!

During all this time I have done some wonderful things with Geoff and my friends ……

I managed to Run the Cambridge half with hardly any training and was very happy with my time

After the long cold winter months I finally got out to do my first Audax of the year with Geoff, it was, in fact, my longest ride to date 142 miles, a permanent route called the Pork Pie and very hilly might I add.

This year we did the Daffodil Dawdle as a run/walk which was amazing we covered the 18 miles in 6 hours about 2 hours quicker than when we just walk

Then I had an awesome week in Mallorca with Geoff and friends from SWNC, I had been worried I would not be able to do the planned rides which included Pug Major, due to my back, but with a few painkillers I achieved all I set out to do

Straight back from Mallorca to run the GEAR 10k an amazing event with all the ladybirds and my Norwich running friends, I was a little slower due to my back but I did it.

Then to celebrate Linda’s birthday we had Chase the Train 10km my back was quite sore for this and if I am honest I hated the first 3/4 miles on a narrow single track but when we switched over to the opposite side of the track the path widened and I enjoyed the final 5 miles but what really made this run special was the ride back to Aylsham on the tiny steam train

Another 200 km Audax enjoyed with Geoff from Long Melford, I really enjoy these longer rides.

And then just for fun, I met up with my lovely Norwich running friends at Debden winery for the wine run, 6 wine tasting stops around a 10 km mainly off road run. I would estimate we drank 30 shots of wine, after crossing the finish line you received a huge glass of wine with your medal, we then enjoyed a really fun happy afternoon with a BBQ and yes you guessed wine !!

I am still having problems with my back when I run but it is much improved, I can only hope it keeps improving so I can start training for Wissey half soon as I miss my running so much …….

Walking in Tenerife (part two )

When we arrived back in Los Cristianos the plan had been to get a bus to Santiago del Teide but in a moment of panic Geoff ended up renting a car !! Which actually made moving around far easier for the rest of our holiday.

Our next walk was down the Masca Gorge Valley, we decided to stay at Santiago del Teide so we could extend the walk by walking over to Masca village. When we set off it was dull and over the top it became very misty but by the time we arrived in the village it was beautiful sunshine.

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The actual walk was amazing and quite tough with lots of boulders to climb over, no path is marked so you just make your own way down, luckily for us there was not many groups about that day as they would hold you up quite a bit !!

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The walk ends in Gigantos bay and the only way out is by boat so we paid our money and off we went, we thought we had made a mistake as the boat was going out to sea…… but then the reason why became apparent, they had taken us out to see the most amazing sight Dolphins !!

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Next it was off to Mount Teide, and I was very lucky to be able to stay at the Teide Parador, in the Teide National park.

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I totally fell in love with this place and the walking was amazing , the volcanic landscape made me feel like I was on the moon 🙂

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First after walking to the cable car from the parador we took the cable car up Teide to explore round all the little paths and decide what other walks we wanted to do.

Unfortunately we were unable to get a permit to allow us to walk right to the Teide peak 🙁

So we made do with Walking all the way back up Teide a route that took us by the Teide eggs also known as volcanic boulders and the Teide refuge which was fully booked for weeks as its the only way to walk to Teide peak with out a permit. A tough walk where the altitude affected me for the first time ever !!

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Other walks included some amazing rock formations known as The Rogues de Garcia and Montana De Guajara the third highest mountain in Tenerife, which was a fantastic climb and a great way to end our stay on Teide, on this walk we had to rescue a german couple who was struggling with fear

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Then by chance we stumbled on another amazing place, I dont usually like beaches they can be flat uninteresting and much the same BUT El Medano had a lovely feel to it and is right next to Montana Roja.

I could of happily have stayed here for a few days, a great place to walk, run and swim , close by the airport too.

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A fabulous holiday but I feel we have unfinished business here and must return sometime !!

Walking in Tenerife (part one)

Our first week in Tenerife was spent on the Island La Gomera.

We based ourselves in San Sebastian, a quiet non touristy town but perfect for the day walking we wanted to do and meant we could do a section of the GR132 and the GR131

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The walking trails were very wild barren and peaceful with the most amazing views and huge Cacti growing along the paths,every now and again we would get a tantalising peek of Mount Teide in the distance, the weather was hot sunny and wonderful making it perfect !!

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One day we did catch the bus over to the very touristy Valley Gran Rey where we enjoyed a great walk but was more than happy to be going back to San sebastian.

We found a great restaurant that served good food and the most amazing locally grown avocado’s , interestingly the guy that served us, Cristofer Clemente was a trail runner who had won many marathons including the 2014 Scafell Pike Trail Marathon.

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Before we left I had to have a run along the sea front but after a mile my achilles started to complain 🙁 so more rest was needed.

We left la Gomera on the early ferry feeling excited about part two of our holiday not quite realising the best was yet to come and how amazing it would be !!!

Biking in Port Pollenca

We had hired our bikes for 3 days biking.

I woke very excited although a strange bike to ride up a big hill left me feeling slightly nervous too !!

After a quick spin round the town  we were off to the light house.

IMG_2867A totally amazing ride with the most fantastic views,half way up we stopped at the view point at ‘Mirador de Sa Creueta’ where you can see the ‘El Colomer’ rock protrude from the water. This climb can be challenging at a few points but we made it without stopping.

Then off to the light house where the road becomes rough and bumpy making it quite an uncomfortable ride but its well worth it just for the views and the amazing climb.

I found the ride down far worse than the climb up, it was fast bendy and there were far too many cars/buses on the road for my liking, in fact the view point was totally blocked with buses totally mayhem !! but we managed to squeeze through on our bikes.

A ride to remember forever 🙂

In the afternoon we biked to Pollenca, on lovely quiet country roads, to rescue my phone charger, which I left behind the day before.

A flat days riding then followed, visiting some of the nearby towns,out as far as Inca, we especially liked Alcudia and the coast road,where we bumped into some kite surfers amazingly from Hunstanton.IMG_2886

On our last day we decided on another climb, back up to Lluc Monastery this was a tough never ending climb which I enjoyed so much , and the down was amazing as it was a smooth road, not too busy with very few bends 🙂

A total of 140 miles biked in 3 days thanks to Caroline at 2GoCycling  for being so helpful and making it possible

One thing you have to remember about riding in Mallorca  there are no hills  just lovely long climbs 🙂

Puig de Maria and Port de Pollenca

A lovely lazy start to the day up at 8am packed our bags and breakfast at 9 am out in the sunshine

1-IMG_2801Then it was off for a stroll up Puig de Maria a small but distinctive hill with a chapel on the top.

Our Paddy Dillon book says bar and restaurant services are available at the top but don’t believe it !!

From the sign it said an hour to the top but we did it in 30 mins though I sweated a lot !!

Back at the bottom I had a coke and ice cream then we set off walking to Port de Pollenca.

As soon as we crossed the highway things changed, no longer was there walking routes and signs it had all become biking routes and signs.

No more walkers were seen just bikers and they were far more friendlier than the walkers we had met.

Once in the port which is very different to old town Pollenca we were drawn to the bike shops.

Pro cycling was too pro for our liking or maybe we weren’t pro enough for them !! so we ended up at 2gocycling and I now have a carbon bike and all the kit for 3 days 🙂

Tomorrow we are biking to the light house, I am told it’s not far but no one will say how bad the hills are … They just smile !!! and then I have to bike back to Pollenca to collect my phone charger 🙁

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Location:Calle de Nanses,Port de Pollença,Spain

Lluc to Pollenca

This morning we were ready to leave Lluc,you can only stay so long in a dark room !!

The book said this would be an easy but long walk,and a pleasant change from Rocky Mountain trails

As we had already walked to Binifaldo along the GR 221 we took another route out of Lluc which re-joined the GR 221 again at Binifaldo.

Then the trail went along the Cami Vell or old road, which has been adopted as part of the GR 221

As promised it was easy walking along wide tracks and cobbled paths through woodland and all down hill.

What made it seem long was the road walking into Pollenca , personally I prefer Rocky Mountain trails !

1-IMG_2779 Today was the last stage of the GR 221 so what to do now ?? well tomorrow we shall walk up Puig de Maria the hill we can see from our room then it’s on to Port Pollenca for our final 4 nights

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Location:Calle del Doctor Fàbregues,Pollença,Spain

Circuit of Puig Roig from Lluc

Puig Roig is the lowest and most northerly of the 1000m summits of Mallorca but also one of the most attractive.

This was a B+ walk from the Paddy Dillion book with a recommended starting point at Mossa gate some 4 miles from Lluc.

It recommends you walk in an anti clockwise direction but to be different we decided to start from Lluc in a clockwise direction.

This way took us down hill into the valley first before becoming  a classic circular walk around the mountain with excellent views round every corner.

The route also passes the interesting old cave houses of Es Cosconar built under overhanging rocks and still in occasional use

Amazingly the book says you can only do this walk on a Sunday as land owners will only allow you through on that day, we did come across signs saying walkers only allowed on Sundays !!

Geoff Jones & Sally Kelly The path around Puig Roig was on a narrow ledge at times giving great views of the coast, we met many other walkers but all going in the opposite direction to us, we did wonder if we would find out why at some point !!

But all went well and we arrived at Mossa quicker than expected then took yesterday’s route back to Lluc

The hardest part was When Geoff had me climbing over a 6 ft gate to avoid some road walking.

Stupidly I have got myself very sunburnt today in the deceiving mountain wind …

If coming to Lluc its definitely worth staying to do this walk as it has the WOW factor But remember to make sure your here on a Sunday, I am so glad we were !!

Tomorrow we walk to Pollencia on the GR221 🙂

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Location:MA-2140,Lluc,Spain