New Challenge - England Coast Path

Last October I finished my journey walking the Wales Coast Path.

It started in Chester then round the coast of Anglesey before heading south and finally finishing in Chepstow, a total of 870 miles.

How long did it take? 5 years.

Took a break of 6 months not walking or taking photos to added to my YouTube channel. I had lost my mojo.

Reading a walking magazine I came across an article stating when the England Coast Path opens in 2020 it will be the longest seaside trail on Earth. A total of 2795 miles. I had got my mojo back.

Reading more I discovered that sections of the path are already open, so I began to plan for which sections I could walk now.

So a couple of weekends ago a 3 hour car journey to the North West of England and I'd arrived at Maryport. Short train ride to Workington and my new journey began.

Just under 8 miles and I had begun to slowly chip away at the 2795 miles.

This week I headed to the North East of England planning to walk for 2 days, but due thunderstorms forecast it was cut short just to the one day. We have been experiencing a spell of hot weather in the UK and this has caused problems with signalling on the trains. So instead of catching a train back to Middlesbrough a quick run meant I caught a bus back from Saltburn.

Walking along the River Tees, then amongst the industry I finally hit the coast at Redcar. A cooling sea breeze on the hottest day of the year carried my through the low cliffs passing Marske-by-the-Sea and golden sands before arriving at my destination for the day. Just under 18 miles covered.

Next day I got an early train home, lucky as later in the day more signalling problems this time at York on the way back home.

Pictures and videos of my walks can be found on my YouTube channel, neilrbee. Created two new playlists, England Coast Path and Beaches in England.

How long to complete my new challenge? Reckon 20 to 25 years!

Walked the Wales Coast Path

My journey started in September 2012 and has come to its end in October 2017.

870 miles from Chester, around Anglesey and finishing in Chepstow.

Starting from Chester I used buses to get to the path then moved onto using trains and some lifts by car with friends.

The further south I got meant overnight accommodation and a bit of planning of where I got on and off the path.

Over the years my cameras have changed which I used to take my photos and videos:

• Panasonic waterproof compact
• Fuji bridge camera
• Panasonic zoom compact
• Olympus micro four thirds
• Fuji X70

In the last year I have gone from the automatic mode and used both aperture and shutter modes. Learning to adjust for low light or to freeze water.

Also by processing my photos I have become more happy with what I took.

You can find all my photos of the different day walks on my YouTube channel, neilrbee.

I have done playlists for each of the main sections along with one for some of the beaches I came across.

If you asked me to name my favourite beach I would be hard pushed to name one, however I can name 3 beaches I would like to re-visit.

1. Mwnt, Dyfed
2. Three Cliffs Bay, Gower
3. Barundle Bay, Pembrokeshire

If you are walking the path I would suggest you take a whistle as in very remote parts there is no mobile signal if you injury yourself.

What next?

Well closer to home there is the Sandstone Trail in Cheshire to walk, but other than that shorter walks so I can practice my photography and use my drone more.

Also short circular coast walks on Anglesey.

Along the way I've learned how to prevent blisters, improve my photography and enjoyed sharing my travels with other walkers along the way.

Definitely recommend walking part of the path and you will want to walk more!

Wales Coast Path turns 5

The Wales Coast Path turned 5 years old this week.

I started the path back in September 2012 starting from Chester.

Along my travels I take pictures of the sections walked and videos of things that catch my eye.

I've added the following sections of the path as playlists on my YouTube channel:

• North Wales Coast
• Isle of Anglesey
• Llyn Peninsula
• Cardigan Bay & Ceredigion
• Pembrokeshire
• Carmarthen Bay & Gower
• South Wales Coast

Start the Pembrokeshire coast section at the end of the month so will be adding videos then.

Link below to the sections.

https://www.youtube.com/user/neilrbee/playlists

Half marathon PB

Yesterday was my second attempt at the Brighton Half Marathon.

Last year managed to complete the course in 2 hours 22 and 30 seconds.

Weather was grey and windy so knew it wasn't going to be easy to do better this year.

For the first 7 miles was chatting to a woman who was running her first half. Chatting to her about the course and training soon helped cover the miles.

Mile 2 to 4 was up hill but did have some flat sections. A steel band lightened the spirit before turning back into the drizzle and wind and back towards Brighton.

Had to endure the windy conditions for 6 miles.

At mile 8 not enough water led to a slight bad head and dehydration. Pace slowed and was looking forward to mile 10 for the last water stop before the finish.

Was glad of the wind behind me as Brighton pier in distance seemed ages away.

Predicted finishing time on my watch was 2 minutes slower than last year.

Last year the addreline kicked in at mile 12 and the encouragement of the crowd led to my fastest mile of the run.

This year my legs weren't feeling it. Actual time was getting close to last year's so managed to find the energy and mental will power to sprint close to the finishing line.

I knew I was close to the 2 hours 22 minutes mark but didn't know if I had set a PB.

Glad for the lucozade and food to refuel slowly made my way to the baggage area.

Phone in hand and text received. Double checked the message and I had shaved 7 seconds off by the final sprint.

I now had a PB of 2 hours 22 minutes and 17 seconds.

Will I be running next year?

Definitely.

Been a while

Chatting to a colleague at work about my interests so I mentioned my YouTube channel and how I used to do a blog.

Been a few years since last post.

Time for a few updates I think!

Tomorrow is my second half marathon so will post on how it went.

Wales Coast Path

Well it's been over a month since I was walking in Wales. I cut my previous visit short due to some nasty blisters.

Very fresh in the morning waiting for a pre 6am bus.

Coastal train and bus changes and the walk began  at Trefor. Miles covered today would lead me to Morfa Nefyn. Discovered a Red Rover bus ticket which allows me to travel all over the area using different bus providers.

The path cuts out the summit of Yr Eifl but watching the weather I knew I should be able to get some views from the top! Minimal cloud and light winds.

However I lost the path and ended up following a sheep's trail before traversing deep heather then boulders to reach the trig. Several stops were required as my stamina wasn't quite there.

If you are ever in the area I definitely recommend a walk to the summit to take the coast and surrounding countryside in.

 

Due to lack of buses I was going to take an alternative route avoiding Nant Gwrtheyrn but glad I didn't. Walking down the zigzag of a road you are greated with tremendous rock face. Could of been anywhere in Europe. 

Had a wtf moment and ran down the road trying to video the incline! 

Time was running out so took the road from Nefyn to Morfa Nefyn. By the end I had had enough!

Today's photos were taken on my new iPhone 6s and using iMovie I can put together my YouTube video whilst on the move. Just have to wait for WiFi though to upload in HD!

Refuelled in Pwllheli and the start of a long journey home!

So just two walks left, one short and one long and I can tick off the Lynn Peninsula section of the path.

Wales Coast Path | Porthmadog to Pwllheli