THE DALES WAY

Leeds to Windermere - 108 miles

In walking the Dales Way we finally completed a task that had begun eight years ago, in 2001.

At that time we bought guide books and maps, and had planned an itinerary so we knew where we would stay along the route. We were just about to start booking accommodation when large parts of the country were declared "off bounds" due to the escalating Foot and Mouth outbreak. Our Dales Way plans were scuppered, so we looked closer to home and walked the North Norfolk Coastal Path.

The following year we were 'ready to ramble', but were thwarted in our attempt to secure a room in the middle of The Way where accommodation is very thin-on-the-ground. Disheartened, we booked a holiday walking in the Bulgarian mountains.

In 2003 we tried to book accommodation early ... but obviously not early enough ... so we walked the Weavers Way, another 'local' path in neighbouring Norfolk.

By 2004 we figured that we had now walked approximately 50% of the Norfolk border, so why stop now ? We completed full circle by walking the Iceni Way, and then the Angles Way the following year.

In 2006 we didn't do a long distance walk, opting instead to blow our money and annual leave entitlement on a three week trip to the Huayhuash mountain range in Peru. On that trip we met Harry and Teresa who had never done a long distance walk, but expressed a strong desire to try one ...

... so in 2007 and 2008 we joined forces for expeditions along The Ridgeway and the Coast To Coast respectively.

So, here we are in 2009. The Dales Way has been calling us for a long, long time, and the wait is finally over ....