Today we realised that we have walked more than 500 miles! We moved from Staffordshire into Derbyshire – several times, as the River Dove is the boundary between the two counties and our route crossed the river several times! After leaving Uttoxeter we were back on the Staffordshire Way (with all the stiles again) and then we walked on the Limestone Way to our destination.

It was very hot and we were looking forward to stopping at a pub in Rocester for cold drinks, but were disappointed to find it has closed down. However three miles later we found the lovely Duncombe Arms in Ellacombe, where we enjoyed a ploughman’s lunch. The final part of our walk was a long, hot climb to our destination, reminding us what is ahead of us, as we enter the Peak District tomorrow.

A Backward Glance

Well, here we go again. More fields, more woods, more mumbling to myself as Carol marches at pace under the hypnotic control of Komoot’s monosyllabic instructions. My role has been reduced to performing the tasks Komoot struggles with: opening gates, shooing cows and procuring pints of orange juice and lemonade refreshments at rest stations enroute. Every night, after planning next day’s route, Carol puts her phone down by the side of the bed then says “good night Darling”. I don’t know anymore if Carol’s talking to me or Mr Komoot. Still, if our roles were reversed we’d be in a right pickle, somewhere in St Ives by now, so mustn’t grumble too much. Today’s walk took us through a ‘Clay Shooting’ club out in the middle of the countryside. It was like being at a major firework display with all the noise and none of the sparkle. Now, I believe it’s possible to put a ‘silencer’ on any fire arm including shotguns, but I didn’t see any on the guns I saw being carried. Why suppressors aren’t used beats me, they reduce noise pollution, eliminate need to protect ears, reduce recoil, help concentration, don’t reduce power, range or accuracy – it only makes sense. I would have discussed the matter with them, but arguing the point with blokes all holding the ultimate silencer over their shoulders may have been a tad too zealous. We walked through and past many fields of sheep and lambs today, which was a perfect contrast to the shooting range. In the natural world all sounds are drenched in meaning and not at all a violation to the ear drums (except my snoring by all accounts).
And I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles
To fall down at your door (knackered)
“Good night Darling”
No answer, but Carol’s phone just blinked on and off for a second – blinking Komoot!