Slow Ways

Slow Ways – How I began

Back in those lockdown days in 2020 – still ‘working’ but dreaming of what I would do when I retire I remember reading an article in the Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/jun/13/how-the-slow-ways-network-could-change-walking-in-britain I had already decided that walking was going to be a big part of my retirement and this idea really intrigued me. Dan Raven-Ellison summed it…

in Slow Ways, Walking
Gatspr One – Gateshead to Springwell

Route Details I walked and reviewed this route in full on January 1st 2022 though parts of this route now form part of my walks to the shops. The route begins at Gateshead Interchange and is a walk up High West Street to the roundabout under the flyover where there is something of a skatepark.…

in Slow Ways, Walking
Waljar one – Jarrow to Wallsend

Whilst this was not strictly walking along the line of Hadrian’s Wall this was my walk underneath the River Tyne to get to Segundunum, Wallened Fort. It was a not unpleasant walk – with some pleasing views in amongst the industrial and post industrial landscape.

in Hadrians Wall, Slow Ways, Walking
Spreas one – Springwell to East Boldon

I think before I started this was I had it in my head that it wasn’t going to be the most scenic or exciting walk I had done. I suppose it was more about ticking off another Slow Ways route review.

in Slow Ways, Walking
A Walk of Witness

Having completed the 790ish km of the Camino Frances across northern Spain I am now planning to walk a mere 600km from London to Gateshead. Glutton for punishment or what? The purpose of this is to support the work of Oasis Community Housing

in London to Gateshead, Slow Ways, Walking
Getting to the Start

Today was the day when the planning and the preparation ended. Today was the day when I woke up both excited and wondering what on earth had I let myself in for. Today was the day I packed my backpack for the final time making last minute decisions to take my small cookset and leave…

in London to Gateshead, Slow Ways, Walking
Well mad

Slow Ways Routes – Lonpec one, Lonmon two, Monliv one, Livdal one, Dalwal one My journey across London on the tube and overground was quite painless even if it was the rush hour, not half as bad as I was expecting. I arrived at Peckham Rye Station and was immediately assaulted by the sights, sounds…

in London to Gateshead, Slow Ways, Walking
The Lee Valley

Slow Ways Routes – Enfiwal one, Enfiwalt two, Cheswal two, Chehod one Waking up to the familiar surroundings of my son’s house in Walthamstow – today felt like a second first day. This was the first solo walk of my journey, the first day I would be camping it was like a fresh start. I…

in London to Gateshead, Slow Ways, Walking
Reality Check

Slow Ways Routes – Herhod two, Wather one The pitch I had chosen for last night’s camp was just by the river and turned out to be shared with a lot of rabbits as i discovered by their plentiful droppings. It had a great view which I saw when I woke up. This was my…

in London to Gateshead, Slow Ways, Walking
Receiving Kindness

Slow Ways Route – Walkwat one I woke early, and watched the sun rise illuminating the little valley stretched out before me. In other circumstances the mist hanging in the valley bottom would have been idyllic but there I was anxious about now being a day behind and with a phone which was about to…

in London to Gateshead, Slow Ways, Walking