The Plan
There are many ways of walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats, in theory it’s possible to simply pack a rucksack, get the train to Cornwall and start walking, trusting to luck and one’s wits to find accommodation, be it hotels, B&Bs or campsites as they go. This was certainly Hilaby’s method and one I favoured on my early walks.
However the increase in popularity of all the areas I’ll be walking through, coupled with many campsites only accepting visitors if they have pre-booked has resulted in most people having to plan their walks and in particular their accommodation with some degree of rigour.
I must admit I don’t like it, I love the adventure and spontaneity of just walking when I want and stopping where I want, but mostly those days are gone. Consequently I have a plan, crafted and over months of poring over guide books, maps and internet booking forms.
Central to The Plan is Sandra who has kindly agreed to put her life on hold for a few moths and effectively become my support system.
We’ve booked campsites from Land’s End to Chepstow, and she will drive Nigel, the camper van from one location to the next while I walk. However the campsites are quite well spaced and we’ll be at each one for between two and four nights. The idea is that she will walk with me for much of the way, especially on days that we aren’t moving the van between campsites.
Currently The Plan runs to nearly 500 lines and four different sheets of and Excel spread sheet. I know where I should be on any given day and where I can expect to be staying. Or at least I do up to Edale, roughly the halfway point. After that I’ve a daily plan but haven’t booked any accommodation, there are just too many variables and options to justify it.
However, key to the plan is Nigel the Camper Van, our old, chuggy VW T4.
Nigel the Camper Van, key to LEJOG.
Nigel will be the base from which I’ll start walking most days and where I’ll end most evenings. Details will vary, sometimes I’ll walk from Nigel to a particular spot then get the bus or a back to Nigel, sometimes I’ll get the bus from where Nigel is parked or Sandra will drop me off and I‘ll walk until I get a bus back, are picked up or walk to the campsite.
Everyday will be different, a new adventure to a new place.
Click the link below to see a PDF of the route details.