Jeffs 3rd day

 A good night’s sleep and a fine morning was the start we needed for the day ahead 20 miles over the Dark Peak. It becomes apparent to me that the team work I have seen in the last couple of days has become a way of life. Tent down, van packed sandwiches off on time. A steady climb via Jacobs Ladder brings us up to Kinder. There are 12 in the walking party and after some discussion and safety checks we split into 2 groups.

Bright and breezy weather over to Kinder downfall but the recent dry weather has left the river completely dry.

Onwards to Mill Hill before the glowering prospect of Bleaklow appears. Appropriately the sky darkens and as we draw nearer we are hit by wind, rain, hail and thunder. This continues as we trudge up Devils Dyke until we reach Bleaklows forbidding plateau. We are delighted by Curlew and Skylark song as we descend into Crowden. Cara continues to be extraordinarily well behaved despite obvious provocation by the local grouse. We begin to recognise a young Pennine Way walker as our paths cross a number of times. Tent put up and a fine meal in the Crowden Camp site and we are all made welcome by the delightful site manager. The party is now 12 people (Cara is not allowed to the session tonight) and so there are serious logistics to get us the 5 miles plus to the Globe in Glossop; a magnificent brew pub which has drawn a big crowd. North West Clog team outside and a lively session inside. The landlady not only drawing pints but also operating the hobbie hoss (dragon) for the dancers. Another late night and a drive back to the camp site.

Sunday 8th May Jeff's second day

Sunday 8^th May. Jeff’s 2^nd day Up early the next morning, the schedule is no respecter of blisters, aching limbs, injured feet (or hangovers). Complete integration of the team gets the tent packed up, all the gear stowed, packed lunch made, breakfast eaten and on their way on time. Route takes us through undulating country side, in good weather towards the White Peak via the Limestone Way, and the 500 mile point is reached and chalked on a tree.

Leisurely stop in Castleton for ice cream and socks before the steep climb over Hollins Cross to Edale.  Chris’s unwavering navigation becomes apparent he will get the team to John O’Groats. Delightful spot for a camp site made better by the Rambler Pub being 100 yards down the road. The large bar meant we all got a seat this time for the gentle, intimate session. Highlights of the night for me was the delightfully lyrical 'I play the spoons' sung by the spoon player! And my first introduction to Victor Byrnes astonishing singing. Journeyed over from Dublin he is a strong supporter and good friend of the Folktrail, and is driving the support van at present. Only across the road back to the camp site, and so to bed.

Proxi Blog 7th to 11th May (Jeff Button)

Folktrail blog update. All is well and the doughty five continue on schedule. Internet issues have led to a lack of recent updates and so I have been given the privilege to update the blog by proxy. I joined the team at Ilam on Saturday 7^th May after their first rest day!!! Precision van packing skills were clearly evident and as a consequence my camping sack and trombone were squeezed in. Set off in the first real rain the team had seen on the journey. A wonderful trek through Dovedale and my audio début in Dove Holes (see twitter link to audio boo).

 We  moved on to the Tissington trail, an old railway route which made for a speedy middle section despite dodging speeding cyclists. Then via scenic routes to the camp site at Blackwell. Well oiled team has tent up in no time. They have been sharing the bell tent for some time as proving to be more efficient and communal than individual tents. No time for a meal before we are off in the van, 5 miles to The Three Stags’ Heads, Wardlow, Tideswell for my first session with the folktrail. What a night!!!Team fed by the redoubtable landlord Geoff, recording gear set up and into a closely packed wild night. (It is worth travelling a long way for this pub, it is special). Left very late in torrential rain back to the camp site.

A stolen evening with the Folk Trail...

'tis a long walk from Lands End to Uttoxeter. 500 miles covered already, I am told.
I was working along way from home in Devon, so met up again with the group that I had last walked with in Alternun and met again in Pennymoor.
They are faring well, in the circumstances - by the inspection of their feet when I arrived in the Racecourse campsite !
Ok, Moira was mentioning ankle damage, and "morris dancer toe" and Naomi was tending blisters. Chris has walked through his, but Clare - well, no blisters with the same trusty boots. Hardy stock !
They are all such lovely people, and have an easy and welcoming style. A range of conversation topics as they tidied the camp and relaxed. "How the tent now feels like home ! How dry and dusty the countryside is becoming !" How the adventure is excluding them from media "news". In a world of their own, they are ! But a very happy and friendly world.
And still 10 days before they get half way !!

The session in the Star was packed. There is a real pleasure in seeing posters displayed, and in the response of local "folkies". The room had connections with the bar, so there were other locals who wanted to know more and to experience the variety of live music on display.

Uttoxeter has some local singer songwriters, but also upholds some traditional songs. It also has a young woman with a lovely voice, snazzy shoes, a pink guitar case and that wonderful confidence to lose words of a song, and then pick em up again.
We met a couple of who had called barn dances, and for this had been invited to call in a number of Far Eastern countries.

How to describe this particular session experience ?
Well, the walkers were recording all the songs and music again so there will be a chance to sample the richness of this session and some of the other folk music which veins through the country ( sorry, 2 Nations and 3 if Cornwall insists !!)

Back in the bell tent with the group, we were joined by Nick - one of the local stars. He knew that such exercise required the best pizzas in town. We talked until 1am, slept surprisingly peacefully - and I left at "crack of sparrows fart" to go back to work and on to Devon.
What a lovely experience !
Do take the chance to join in.

Derek Moore

DRIVERS NEEDED!

We urgently need drivers; could anyone local perhaps help us out with these days?

Thursday May 5th - during the day to take the van from Uttoxeter racecourse caravan site to Ilam Youth Hostel (Ilam Hall) by 5pm.


Friday May 20th - Monday May 23rd inclusive -

Fri- take van from Langdon Beck YHA to Dufton campsite (Edenstone)
Sat- take van from Dufton to Alston (The Firs YHA)
Sun- take van from Alston to Once Brewed YHA (also to pick up walkers at end of day from Gilsland)
Mon- take walkers to Gilsland and return van to Once Brewed YHA

Coming soon...

We have a day off on Friday, so watch this space for reflections on out first month on the trail.

To Join or Not to Join?

It all began last summer when a letter landed at Dursley Session explaining the Folk Trail. We decided it looked like a 'mad', but 'damned good idea', and volunteered to run a session. After an e-mail or two we managed to meet up with Clare for a few minutes at Bampton so that we could put a name to a face.

We thought that if they were mad enough to take on a challenge such as this it would be no hardship for us to give them a little help along the way!

On our first two days of walking, (having sorted our transport logistics), we successfully met up the group and walked most of that day's route. The 15 or so miles passed much easier than expected and we found them all such good company that the miles and time slipped quickly by.

By the time we reached Dursley the following evening, we soon started to realise just how much work went on in the background, eg sorting the route, organising the recording equipment for that night, downloading the previous night's session, charging equipment etc etc. After another late night it was up early again for what was to be our last leg of the journey with them.

There is a point where all good plans go awry! We were enjoying the whole experience, so why not join them for the Bank Holiday Monday as well?

Do you think we could find them that day? We 'intercepted' their route and walked towards them, but there was no sign of them. Surely they couldn't be in front of us?? Fellow Cotswold Way walkers tipped us off that they had spotted the support vehicle. We jumped in the car and found the van complete with sleepy driver. "They'll be along any minute" and we set off to meet them again. Did we find them? No! Did we discover lots of beautiful countryside on our doorstep? Yes!

Eventually phone contact was made (surely the phone hadn't been on silent, had it?!). After realising that we were on completely different routes, all three parties managed to meet up, drink tea, eat sandwiches and progress northwards together!

Leaving on Monday evening, following farewells and milkshakes, we realised that the group of strangers we had met on Friday had now become of group of good folky friends.

It's a shame we couldn't have joined Folk Trail for longer, but are looking forward to catching up with you later in the year for some songs, tunes and a few beers!

If the Folk Trail is still to visit your area, and you are wondering whether to get involved or not, we say do it! You won't regret it!

  

Au revoir!

Anne, John and Murphy Roberts, Dursley