Saturday 26th May

I slept well but woke to the sound of rain drops. but they quickly stopped so I began to pack up as my water boiled
I also had instant oats. I was just finishing up when handstand and her crew came by. I drained my tea then set off.
I liked the way my vest fitted after surgery to the arms.
I set off at a good pace it was overcast and, in the forest, quite steamy. some breeze please.

It wasn’t long until I was climbing. and climbing in fact I was climbing for most of the morning. then it began to drizzle so I stopped and put my pack cover on.

then back to the trail. but then the sky opened, and it really began to rain. Being in the forest I was sheltered but then I emerged into an open meadow and so soon was soaked. but I pushed on I seemed to be crossing meadow after meadow. until I arrived at the road. There was a sign for a hostel I thought about it briefly but then crossed the road and headed back to the trail. and another field.
This is when the trail really annoys me as it seemed to do a figure of eight through the field. Arrrh…. I then moved into the forest but to get in I had to climb a huge stile and would climb another to get out.
as I dropped down in the distance I could see the river. It began to get closer the lower I travelled. I then followed it along for a while. There had been a recent tree fall and so the river looked swollen.
I crossed the bridge and began to climb eventually coming to the first shelter.
There were two hikers there. Preacher and Fish. I signed the book saw that Bob had been there.
I began to leave. The two hikers asked where I was going

The second shelter came my reply.
May see you their snail they both said. Your both pass me I laughed.

I set off down the trail following another creek. I followed it for ages. Until I began to climb. On this part of the trail there were numerous trees down across the trail. Some were quite difficult to get over or around.
I pushed on and the sun came out making the forests steamy again. I stopped to check my maps for water. As I did fish came past. caught you Snail.

Fish soon disappeared up the trail. I set off After him and began to drop down into a road.
Again as I got nearer I could see people. There was a white van dishing out trail magic.
Cold soda and ice cream my fav. I was handed a lemon soda and a Ice cream Lilly I woofed both.
They also had a huge Black Labrador who was fetching trees from. The forest like my dog.

I thanked them both for my treats and headed back to the trail. This last 5 miles was up and bloody tough after an hour I passed a bunch of tents. That seemed a good idea. but I pushed on. The switchbacks started gentle but quickly became insanely steep.

Omg I said as I chugged up this bloody mountain. I paused at a tent spot but carried on. god this is steep. Then I emerged into more meadows that carried on forever. with nowhere to tent. I passed by a group of girls resting I said hi and pushed on several hours later j was still crossing more meadows but wow the view was amazing, but I was tired.
This meadow seamed endless. I had had enough but there was nowhere to stop. then I saw au tent it was fish who had squeezed his in a small clearing.

Snail water is down there.
I went and got water. It was good. then it was my .1 mile to the shelter.

hurrah I’m here. I expected it to be full and it was. but there were faces I knew. 3 socks and Bob.
I got my tent up then went to the shelter to cook. my first cuppa tasted fab. I then make supper and more tea before heading to my tent. I hung my food then chilled

They also had a huge Black Labrador who was fetching trees from.the forest like my dog .

I thanked them both for my treats and headed back to the trail. This last 5 miles was up and bloody tough after an hour I passed a bunch of tents. That seemed a good idea. but

hurrah I’m here. I expected it to be full and it was . but there were faces I knew. 3 socks and Bob.

I got my tent up then went to the shelter to cook . my first cuppa tasted fab .I then make supper and more tea before heading to my tent. I hung my food then chilled.