Early days

I started writing this entry sitting in a coffee shop in Penzance eking out an Americano until the laptop batteries die.  I’m Callum, the driver for this expedition and I’m going to stay with the walkers until sometime around the 11^th.  On Monday life was good; I spoke to the walkers at about 11:30 and they sounded in good spirits with fresh pasties for lunch.  I had been sitting in the youth hostel working before popping into town for some lunch, shopping, more work and a chance to explore Penzance.  So far the group has had a session in Sennen to kick us off, a very hairy walk back from Sennen (accross a rocky beach in the dark without enough torches), two days of solid walking behind them and a wonderful session with the folk club in the Admiral Benbow, Penzance.  I’ve been stuck under the shelf in the back of the van, climbed over all the luggage in the top of the van and decided that dog beds are too good for dogs (I’m now sleeping on Harry's dog bed).

The view of Hayle Towans heading for Godrevy Head

The session on Sunday night in the Benbow was wonderful; mostly people shared songs, with a few tunes and even a story mixed in. Before we left our hosts presented us with a Cornish flag and a teddy decorated with ribbon and named Ben Bow. Ben now sits proudly on the front seat of the support bus keeping me company as I drive around the interesting roads of Cornwall. After a night at the local YHA hostel the walkers set off on their walk for the day.  They managed to beat me to the hotel we were staying at in St Ives – the Great Western Hotel – probably because they didn’t sit around in Penzance drinking coffee!

In the Great Western followed a very different session – predominantly rock and blues singing.  We were treated to an original composition about the slowness of local decorators (like Gideon) who are coming ‘dreckly’.  Other highlights included Moira’s complete failure to eat a profiterole cleanly (video evidence may be uploaded), some really lovely beer and a welcome from Allan (the hotel owner) and a cooked breakfast from his wife in the morning. The chance to sleep in a proper bed did wonders for those of us who didn’t have to sleep on the floor.

Yesterday gave us much merriment, particularly in Gideon’s rendition of ‘the Spaniard who Blighted my Life,’ complete with audience interaction, vocal backing, prop use (washing up bowl and walking pole) and a complete and utter disregard for his own dignity (and the dignity of those around him).  If anyone knows where Gideon left his dignity, or has some way to get it back to him then please get in contact on twitter (@folktrail) or email (folktrail@gmail.com). Gideon would probably appreciate more really stupid songs.

The road near Chasewater

Now we are sitting in our tent in the campsite near Truro. We have started using the Soul Pad tent – it sleeps 12 at a push so is very comfortable for the 8 of us.  I set it up this afternoon by myself – took slightly more than half an hour to get it all done. Tonight the plan is to have a (quiet) session and get some photos to upload – watch this space! The only slight disadvantage of one big tent is that if the ground is sloped, we all end up sleeping in a pile (like a basket of puppies).

For now I’ll say goodbye – feel free to phone (07867 995027) us about anything at all, but don’t be surprised if no one knows which lottery numbers to pick tomorrow, or where you left the car keys (mine are still on my belt loop where I left them!). We will continue to blog whenever we can – internet connections etc are hard to come by.  Naomi is keeping twitter up to date via her iPhone, but the blog posts need a laptop screen. Thanks for reading; our route and session plans are elsewhere on the site (folktrail.com) and we’d love to see you!

Goodbye for now

Callum (Ducky)

Lastly – our contacts again:

Tel: 07867 995027

Email: folktrail@gmail.com

Twitter: @folktrail

Website: folktrail.com

And we're off...!

Am currently sat in the back of the van with John, Callum, Moira, Clare, Phil and Cara the dog just south of Okehampton. Phil did a great job of organising the packing of the van, despite Moira and myself appearing all the time with random bags and instruments!

The sun has just come out so hopefully we will be able to get the tents up before it rains, but that may be wishful thinking - it is Cornwall after all! Really looking forward to the session at the Old Success in Sennan Cove this evening, the first of many, many more!

Naomi x

Only 3 days to pack

Whad'ya mean - I can't take my arm chair?

Training for the walk

The count down has begun!

I will be glad when the organising work has finished and I can get walking more regularly. Have managed a few long walks in the past 3 weeks, but haven't then put up the tent, had a shower, got a meal and then gone to a session! Went out at the weekend for an easy 20 miles along the tow path from Tiverton, lovely sunny day, took photos of a nesting swan, was pleased to hear a flock of sparrows in a bramble patch and sky larks bringing in the spring.

Moira and I put up the new tents to make sure we could, went shopping for poles and socks and stuff.

We now have 44 sessions fixed with more being set up in Scotland. Made e mail contact with some great people and can't wait to meet them for real.

Volunteer drivers

This is an appeal for volunteer drivers for the support vehicle, whether for a weekend, a week or longer; we really need you! The driver needs to be 25 or older, have the usual clean licence and to have made no claims in the past 3 years. If you don't fit this criteria exactly I am told by the 'insurance man' that people can be 'individually assessed' (which probably just boils down to money) It is insured for any driver fitting this description so you don't have to risk your own 'no claims bonus'.

The vehicle is a Mercedes Benz Vito dual liner which means it has 6 seats plus the storage space for the tents and instruments. It is 2006 reg and in good nick.  It is 17' 6" long and 6' wide excluding the wing mirrors. This compares to a 4x4 at 16' 2" long by 5'6" wide and a Mondeo Estate at 15' 4" long by 5' 6" wide. Obviously anyone who has driven a van or campervan or towed a caravan would find it easy.

If you have only driven a car up to now we are staying on campsites so there will be an opportunity to drive it off road before 'taking it away'. It is fitted with reversing / parking sensors.

We are walking up to 20 miles a day so the driving will be approximately the same, but the van may need to meet us at mid day if walkers need picking up or dropping off.

Apart from that a few pieces of equipment will need to be plugged into the inverter to charge up during the day.(camera / recorder / mobile phones etc.)  (the inverter will run off it's own battery so will not flatten the van battery).

The driver may like to explore the area (we will be walking through some stunning scenery) or just chill out.  They will need to put in extra fuel if they want to use it to explore.

Some evenings we will need to travel in the van a few miles to a campsite or a session.  We will share the driving to and from sessions so the driver will be able to enjoy him / her self (i.e. have a few jars like everyone else)

Please can you help?
As the instigator of the whole enterprise I really do want to walk all the way if possible and not drive it!

Look on the website at the route to see if you fancy making it part of your holiday this year. We are staying on campsites in order to keep down the cost and we can give you full details of these to book in, or find somewhere nearby if you would prefer to B&B it.

Best wishes, Hopefully yours, Clare

Folk Trail 2011

Do you enjoy both Folk Song / Music and Walking?  We are planning to walk from Lands End to John O'Groats on a "Folk Trail" from April 1st to June 30th next year.

On the way for as many nights as we can, we want to meet with the local folk community at pub sessions; the usual club night or festival should it happen to coincide, or anything else the group might like to suggest – but we may not be up to dancing!

Full details are on the Pennymoor website,   http://www.folktrail.com/, but in essence it is the creation of a folk Archive; a snapshot of folk activity in England and Scotland en route.

It has captured the imagination of many  folk communities on the way, and we already have 37 sessions or gatherings set up for April and May - I am currently working on the north of England and Scotland.

5 of us are planning to walk all the way, and in addition others are joining us for anything from a few days to 7 weeks. We have a volunteer to turn the material into cd's and dvd's.

One of the walkers who is also an archeologist is planning to base her master's dissertation on the material collected.