Day 43....Freebird

Just had a killer walk to Clisson - left Nantes at 8 this morning, Walked to Vertou and found the Camino but not for long.....got lost and starting east, at Le Loroux Bourereau, made my way to Vallet and then to Clisson.  I was walking along busy roads - did not enjoy that and then spent an hour walking around the town trying to find a hostel but eventually have found an hotel.  A couchsurfer guy has told me that I will be able to pick up the French Camino from Clisson, tomorrow I will go to the tourist information and hopefully find the French Camino, Viva La France, I will be on the right track at last...

Today's song for me has been Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd - RIP Ronnie Vanzant

Lynyrd Skynyrd-Free bird

Day 42 ...... a rest day in Nantes

I didn't walk today, well not far, just round Nantes, I really like it.  I walked round the Japanese garden on Ile de Versailles, absolutely beautiful - lots of runners and cyclists - lots of fit women - ha ha!  I like it here.  I wanted to rent a canoe but the place was closed - pity it would have great to paddle on the Erdre would be have been good. Went to the Duc of Bretagne Chateau, it is superb. Had a great day but looking to forward to walking again.

Day 41..... Back on the Guinness!

Had a decent night's sleep on a bench last night, wouldn't want to make a habit of it, but I slept fine and wasn't disturbed.   Luckily it was a dry night but I had a plan B if it started to rain, there was a bridge near by. I was determined to get to Nantes as quick as possible and make sure I found a hostel, which I did.  It was very hot and clammy today, not really good walking weather, so I called it a day walking wise after 8 miles. At lunch time I treated myself to omelette and chips with salad, yummy.  I explored Nantes a bit, the cathedral is massive and an amazing building. The hostel opened at half 3 so I got booked in and then came along an Irish Pub called John McByrne and enjoyed chatting to Ross the barman.  Had a pint of Guinness and it tasted great, first one since I'd left Ireland.  Met a lovely couple Martin and Michelle from Jersey and they've paid for my hostel tonight.  I really have been touched by how much kindness I have been shown.  Enjoyed a shower in the hostel, feeling relaxed and clean again.

Day 40... 12 hours walking in 27c.....

This has been a tough day I walked for 12 hours, at least 30 miles but still didn't get to Nantes, and then can't find anywhere to sleep......maybe should have kept the tent a bit longer.  I met Stefan today at Nort sur Erdre who lived out in NZ for a while and has returned to France to live - really enjoyed our chat, you're the top man Stefan, cheers mate!

Day 39....250 miles into France - bon marche!

My rucksack is a bit lighter now, I left my tent with the Bouroux children, it was getting almost impossible to camp, all the sites are closed so I hope my good fortune will continue and I will find a bed for the night. I left Jean Pierre's about 7.30 this morning. Walked first to Fegreac and then along the canal to Guenrouet.  Used my new gas stove today and made soup and ate bread for lunch.  I had to give up the wood burning stove as I couldn't find dry wood to burn, which was a shame as I really enjoyed the wee stove.  I had a phone number for a gite in Blain, but it was closed so I am in a hotel - nothing fancy but more than I should be spending but I couldn't get anything else.  I really enjoyed walking along the canal and was lucky enough to see otters.  I've walked 26 miles today and hope to get to Nantes tomorrow, another 30 miles.  I'm feeling really strong and fit and the walking is no problem to me, only one toe giving me problems and I reckon that nail will come in the next day or so, and then it will feel more comfortable.  I was a bit concerned  when I was camping so much about the condensation in the tent was affecting my chest - anyway I feel fit and well -  Bon Marche!

Day 38....I was born under a Wandering Star

Lee Marvin - wandering star has been in my head today, I'm back walking!   I left the Bouroux cabin this morning at 7.30 am and got going.  However, again I got lost on the 'camino' paths but I arrived in Redon at 12 o'clock.  Enjoyed a lovely baguette for lunch.  Then I walked along the canal to Fegreac, I felt really hungry and bought lots of vittles and stuffed my face whilst sitting in a churchyard.  Again I couldn't find anywhere to stay, I asked in a local bar but there was nothing available.  Then JeanPierre and Annmarie kindly offered me a room in their house and made me my dinner.....no more wandering tonight... walked about 25 miles today.
Lee Marvin - Wandering Star     

Day 37....The wonderful Boureux family

Had a different day today, the Boureux lifestyle and generosity is wonderful and I decided not to walk today and help with sorting out some drainage problems round a little chapel they are building.  They are a lovely family - five children and have an 18 year old german girl staying with them.  I've really enjoyed today but it wasn't easy digging ditches in the heat, but after lunch with the family, I had a nap in the 'cabin' which is just perfect for me. However, I vowed to keep walking so tomorrow I am back walking and hot to trot, the rest today was just what I needed. Thank you Marie Flore for introducing me to the wonderful Boureux family.  It has been a great pleasure meeting them and their kindness is inspiring. I hope I will get a chance to return their hospitality in Scotland.

Day 36 ..... My accommodation tonight - a wattle and daub!

Felt good this morning, looking forward to walking - only one toe is bothering me now.  Keep seeing bikes everywhere, I'm really missing my bikes - would love a spin up the Dukes Pass on my drifter right now.  Sacre bleu, very hot today - about 24c and I found some shade and rested in a field.  Walked from Quesembert to Malansac.  Stopped and had a cola (no  guinness  here!) and was chatting to some really friendly locals, great fun. Now stopped up for the night at St Jacut Les Pins and have got great accommodation for the night.  A wattle and daub round shed - which is a shed made from a frame of sticks and branches and then covered with mud, it's great, I want to build one when I get back to Scotland - I've taken loads of photos but I have no way of sharing them on my blog yet.  It belongs to Adeline Boureux and I'm sharing a garden with donkeys and goats and a fantastic fruit and vegetable garden, they grow all their own - this is the real 'Good Life'.  I walked 20 miles today.  I'm meeting some great people but would love someone to come walk a bit with me - everyone is welcome.

Day 35... met some lovely folk today

Slept well and decided to get walking, using compeed plasters on my toes and they felt fine. Walked to Treix where I met Anne and her husband who were cycling, they offered me a bed for the night but I had to say no, as I hadn't walked that far and wanted to get to Questembert. Met another couple - Don and Ellen in Gorvello cafe and Don said he knew a woman called Marie Flore who runs a great hostel in her home in St Jacque. That is where I am staying tonight.  She made a great dinner and I enjoyed chatting to her, she has walked many caminos. It is a pleasure to stay here, thanks Don and Ellen and of course Marie Flore for your wonderful hospitality.  Really enjoyed today even though I managed to take a few detours to get here, reckon I walked about 22 miles today.  That's me walking now for 5 weeks and despite a few setbacks, I'm pleased with the mileage covered so far...

Day 34 ....Not the best pitch I have ever chosen, thanks to another dog!

Rubbish night, didn't sleep much, must have pitched the tent on dog mess....my tent is absolutely stinking!  My airbed went down and the tent was saturated with condensation, there was no wind last night and everything felt wet in the morning.  Left Brech and walked to St Anne D' Auray.  Went into a big church with a basilica and the priest stamped my passport  - don't know if he noticed the smell which must have been coming off me, he never said. It felt hot today and it must have been in the low 20's.  Arrived in Vannes at 3.30, but unfortunately all the hostels were full and I really needed proper accommodation so I walked to the outskirts and found an hotel - 41 euros, well over my budget  but I had to have a decent wash and get my tent and stuff dry, I don't think I have ever needed soap and water so much..  My feet are sore again, I have lost 3 toenails and two of my toes are hurting now.  I walked 16 miles today, may need to rest up tomorrow...... 

Day 33....met Liam and his Honda 90

A day of mixed fortunes...bad start this morning, could not find the camino -  took me one and an half hours to find, stopped for lunch at 1 o'clock and then lost the camino again, frustrating. However, then I met a great guy Liam who was also lost.  He is riding a Honda 90 around the world, you can check him out at wwwliam and c90. Really interesting....I'm really missing my bikes!  I got going again and made it to Brech and am camping on the loch side, built a great fire and cooked my dinner.  This is a beautiful spot.  Hot and sunny today which made a great change after the recent wet days.  Walked 22 miles today

Day 32....over 500 miles

Had a good night camping, stayed cosy and dry and walked through the forest to Lochrist.  The rain started to get really heavy about 2 in the afternoon so I needed to find somewhere to stay.  I got the wettest I have ever before since I started, even had to put my poncho on - looked like a drowned rat.  Found a great gite to stay in - only 18 euros a night, it's called 'Be at Home' , it is really comfortable and spotless, glad to be here.  Walked 18 miles today - that is over 500 miles in 32 days....Scotland the Brave!

Day 31 .... 'Don't stop walking'

Woke up this morning, determined to cover some decent distance, walked from farmhouse near Gourin and got to Le Faouet at 12.  Had a quick bite to eat and decided to take the main road to Quimperie, I am finding that the Camino route is not clear and seems to take me all over the place, I need to get on to a busier walking route. A lovely day for walking, bright and sunny.  I grabbed a pizza to eat and am now camped in a field on the edge of town. My feet are sore but I am just getting my head down and getting on with it - walked for 10 hours and done an easy 30 miles today. Thanks for all your messages of support, it really helps. 'Don't stop walking'

Day 30....beginning to feel everywhere is closed...

I left Carhaix campsite about 8.30 this morning and found another Lidl stocked up with breakfast and some food for the day and followed what I thought was a path to Gourin - only after 5 miles of walking I realised I was walking in the wrong direction.  Eventually arrived in Gourin at 4.30 only to find there wasn't anywhere  to camp or stay. A girl in a tabac found me a room in a farm 5k away.  It was a hard walk at the end of my day, and it was raining heavily, but it was nice to get a shower and feel clean again.  However, after walking over 25 miles today, I feel I have not covered a lot of distance.  I'm hoping as I travel south, the camino will have more hostels,  finding hostels and campsites that are open is getting really difficult.

Day 29 - walked 33 miles today.

Today has been my longest walking day - left Morlaix at 8.30, found a good path, not many people were on it - only saw two other guys but they were on bicycles.  Found a campsite at Carhaix which is closed but there are other campers here as well.  It's a lovely sunny evening, not cold at all.  My legs feel really sore this evening but I have walked 33 miles today! Let's hope I will be able to move tomorrow....

Day 27/Day 28....been offered a Donkey!

Had good walk yesterday walked 18 miles, Morlaix was not the 10 miles south I was told, I think people tend to think in motorway distance, not the winding paths I'm taking. When I arrived in Morlaix it took me a couple of  hours walking round to find hostel. The hostel is really good after two nights of camping in the wind and the rain. Made my dinner of chorizo n bread and a great cup of tea. Went for walk in town now in a bar great music and good people.  Decided to have a break today and stay here another night, I had hoped my friend Sven from Germany might manage over to see him but no sign of him yet....This is a great place, the people are really friendly, buying me drinks and even an invite to a party.  A local man has just offered me his donkey to carry my rucksack to Santiago.  Would be fantastic but I can't see how I would manage to get it back to him when I finish, just too much hassle - so I probably won't take him up on it.  So all in all a great weekend so far, except I've lost my first toenail, thought you would like to know that!

Day 26 A tough day - even a dog attacked me.

A tough day. Walked from Moguecier to St Pol de Leon.  A vicious looking dog attacked me but I kept him off me with my staff and his owner managed to control him.  Wasn't much fun.  To add to that it has been raining non stop, not met anybody yet who speaks english and even with my French phrase book I not making much sense....I've managed another 16 miles and I am camped 10 miles north of Morlaix tonight.  I haven't met any other walkers on the Camino yet. Had a pint of the local beer, no Guinness here.  Like I said - tough day.  

Day 25 My first Camino shell

After 17.5 hours on the ferry, felt well rested and ready to get walking. I walked 15 miles from Roscoff to Moguereic in pouring rain - the Dutch guy was right about the weather.  Asked for directions to the Camino way, only to be told it wasn't anywhere near there.  Felt gutted and on a real downer.  Found a campsite and set up tent and made myself a spot of dinner - bread, cheese and chorizo and went a walk around the beach wondering what direction I should go tomorrow to find the Camino.  After only 100 metres from the campsite I found it - a post with a Camino shell on it.....I had found the way! 

Day 24 Leaving Ireland for France

Camped on the beach outside Rosslare, a beautiful clear starry night - could see the Milky way. In the morning, walked the remaining 6 miles to Rosslare harbour.  On my way met an Irish couple staying in a camper van (not as good as a CamperScotland one, haha).  Noreen & Michael recognised the Camino shell on my rucksack and offered me a coffee in the back of their van.
 Ferry left Rosslare at 4 - boat is quite empty and have my wee 4 berth cabin to myself - result!  Was chatting to a Dutch man earlier who has just cycled round Scotland and the west coast of Ireland and will be cycling back across to Holland through France.  He has informed me that the weather is to be atrocious in France tomorrow which made me think how lucky I have been with the weather through Scotland and Ireland - hardly a drop of rain and lots of sunshine.
Well, that's me with over 350 miles under my belt and only another 1000 or so to go.....it's been great so far, I have met lots of lovely and generous people. I would like to thank all my sponsors both in Scotland and Ireland - nearly £1500 so far for Alzheimers, so thank you and if anyone would like to sponsor me and you haven't yet, please go to FrankMcGarryJustGiving - it's easy.

Day 23

Left the hotel and walked into Wexford. We stopped into a coffee shop called Fusion run by Gerry. After a coffee I needed to do a bit of shopping so Gerry kindly allowed us to leave our bags whilst we got some supplies.

We went and got some supplies to take across to France tomorrow, a fleece and some other bits and bobs.

We went back to Fusion to collect our stuff and Nora then jumped on the train back to Dublin to catch her flight back to Edinburgh.

I then set off from Wexford to Rosslare which was 12 miles in total. I was looking for a place to pitch up and spoke to the Garda who informed me I had to camp outside the town limits.

I managed to find a spot on the beach. I set up the tent and made myself some pasta and a coffee on my wood burning stove that Michael made me. Brilliant.

Booked on the 4pm ferry from Rosslare to Roscoff tomorrow. France here I come.

I would just like to say a big thanks to Gerry and her customers at the Fusion coffee shop for supporting the walk.

Day 22, 9th September

Left the hotel in Blackwater and walked to Curracloe. Had a great walk in the sun with blue skies along a long sandy beach. We even seen some seals along the beach.

We had a quick lunch and joined the road again to Wexford. We found a swanky hotel next to the Wexford bridge.

After 14 miles walked today we checked into the hotel and got ready. We went out for an Indian meal which was amazing, probably the last Indian I'll have for a few months at least.

We met Deirdre, an Irish fundraiser who is doing part of the Camino for Alzheimer's later this month. She recommended a good music pub, Loch and the Quay.

We headed there where I finished the night with yet another pint of Guinness. Perfect.

Day 21

Got up and headed off from Gorey to Ballycanew which was 5 miles. We stopped for a coffee then Nora took a taxi to Blackwater 15 miles along the road.

I walked the 15 miles to Blackwater and met up with Nora. Whilst I was walking Nora had managed to find us a good hotel for the night.

We had a great meal and then I had a bath, sheer luxury. Making the most of it as when get into France & Spain it will be hostels and camping all the way.

After the bath I noticed a few blisters and a few dodgy looking toenails, maybe going to fall off soon.

Was going to have a haircut but it was closed!

Day 20

Had a great nights sleep at the Cherrybrook B&B in Avoca.

After breakfast we walked 6 miles from Avoca to Arclow and stopped off for a coffee.

We nipped in to an Internet cafe and managed to get the ferry booked from Cork to Roscoff next wednesday 11th September.

 Once we finished our coffee we walked on from Arclow to Gorey then decided to stop for the day. That was another 12 miles and 18 in total for the day.

We found a B&B and had a lovely meal in there.

That's over 300 miles now walked so far. All going well.

Twinned with Oban?

Day 19

The Scenery might be wonderful but my word it was cold up here in the mountain hut last night. After a hard walk yesterday it was the last thing we needed.

Nora thought yesterday was an endurance test.

We got up and walked down to Glenmalure and had a great breakfast. Nora got a lift to Avoca and i walked there to meet her.

We stopped there for the night and Nora had found a lovely B&B the Cherrybank.

Had Fish & Chips for dinner which topped off a good day.

Another 12 miles covered today

Day 18

We had an awesome day today, was great to have Nora alongside me today on the walk.

We set off from the B&B and walked from Roundwood through Glendalough over the mountains. The scenery on the way up here is unbelievable.

Loads of films have been made in this area including Rob Roy and of course Braveheart.

Freedom!

We arrived just as it was getting dark to the mountain shelter and lucky for us an American guy Jeff had organized a great campfire and we made our tea and settled for the night.  It was a long day and we had walked over 20 miles. The shelter we stayed in was like this one we has passed some 17kms earlier in the day.

Day 17

Got up and left knockree hostel. Whilst staying at the lodge I met a Polish guy named Karol. We were both going in the same direction so decided that we would walk together tomorrow.

We set off and walked through the forest and mountains, some cracking view across the Wicklow way.

Managed to get another 20 miles covered today. We arrived at Roundwood village and I said goodbye to Karol.

I made my way to the Ashlawn B&B and met Nora, was great to see her. Had a wee rest then we went into town for a lovely meal followed by a nice walk back to the B&B

Day 16

Up early this morning and really looking forward to the walk today.

No more roads for a while and can't wait. Got on to the wicklow way and walked the trails that run through the mountains. Unbeleivable views and a pleasure to walk through here, hopefully get some photos up on the blog soon. Really is some stunning scenery

After the past 2 days walking this is a welcome relief to walk here, managed to get 18 miles done today and the weather was 24 degrees and sunny. Excellent walk today.

Nora coming out to meet me tomorrow so will probably take it easy for a couple of days and get some pictures sorted to get on the blog.

Over & out

Day 15, 2nd September

Left Skerries and set off on my way to Dublin.

Walked through Swords to Dublin. Roughly 18-20 miles. This was by far the worst part of the walk so far, mainly all on a busy road as there were little or no pavements for walk on, was not an enjoyable walk today, mentally very tough.

After 18 miles i decided to call it a day and found a great hostel called the Citi Hostel in Dublin.

Once i got settled in and after a shower i went to the Temple bar for a few pints of well deserved Guinness and some dinner.

Heading for the Wicklow Way tomorrow and really looking forward to that.

http://www.wicklowway.com/

Day 14

After a good days rest on Saturday I got packed up and left the Spoon & Stars Hostel and said my goodbyes to Hannah & Rory. Thanks you for your hospitality, was great to meet you.

I Set off from Drogheda and walked to Balbriggan. Stopped and had a subway for lunch and had a wee break.

Set back off and walked from Balbriggan to Skerries. Was a hadr walk today, mainly on roads and not many pavements to walk on.

Was a hard walk today and got to a place called Skerries and decided to pitch up for the night. Pitched up on the beach. A beautriful spot to camp out and a beautiful place to be in

Went into a pub for a pint of Guinness and a burger & chips for my dinner.

Day 12 & 13

Woke up and got the tent and everything packed up. After some thinking Kenny decided to go home as could not continue to walk any further due to his feet killing him.

I said goodbye to Kenny and set off from Annagassan and made my way to Drogheda 18 miles along the coast road.

A big thank you to Rob & Henry the 2 lifeguard's i met on the beach, really appreciate your support, was great to meet you.

I found a great hostel called the Spoon and Stars run by Hannah & Rory. After the walk today i decided to stop here for the night.

It has been a long hard week so I've decided to take tomorrow off and just take it easy and have a rest then get back on the walk on Sunday.