Day 12- Barnstaple to westermill farm, Exmoor 22.5 miles

   Today's route to me along the roads for a mile before dipping into a wooded valley. The path, although muddy in place, is easy and it's not too long before you reach Bratton Fleming. I dropped into a shop and bought myself some snacks and a swirl for breakfast, sat on a grass verge I hate both happily. A lady approached and we began to talk. I asked advice on wild camping on Exmoor. She said she knew there was a campsite somewhere along the way and while we couldn't find it on the map she knew it's name which was enough. Next time I had signal I found it and adjusted my route.

A captive audience

  From the town you wonder up along the road before you begin the real climb through the field and up into the moors. Apart from another field of cows taking a more than healthy interest in me I enjoyed the walk. I think since the cows a week or so ago I've lost my confidence.
  The higher up I got the wetter the soil became and more uni-formal the landscape. My mum and a few friends have described how cleansing they find the sea, I've never understood it. It feels too big and too foreign to me. The moors however seem to give me strength. I love their vastness and inhospitable.


Although by this point I'd climbed a good deal and walked nearly 18 miles my legs remained fresh. My boots however remained rubbish and by this point had absorbed as much as they possibly could of the water around them. It must be nearly a week now since they were dry.
  Past Pinkery Pond the ground gets very wet and treacherous but since my feet were wet anyway there was little need to hop across muddy areas. I did however fall a few times but softly and with no ill affects. Then I had a great time walking along a collapsed wall, the stones serving to create a really firm and flat path. Faced with another field of cows I decided that I couldn't let my fear get the best of me and puffing out my chest literally pushed the cows away from the fence and marched through them. Like the parting of the seas they separated but since my godly powers aren't the greatest they soon regrouped and took up the chase. I managed a calm pase for about a minute and then my nerve failed and I rushed to the nearest fence. I was never this cowardly before but its precisely the wrong season to be trying my luck out.













 After crossing a few more fields I began a decent towards Westermill Farm, a mile along a rather busy road and there was only a field crossing left. This was until I realised I was on the wrong side of the river. It took half an hour to find a way across. The farm seems to be more of a paddock: horse boxes everywhere. I stayed in the nearest of the fields, pitched my tent and dragged myself to the showers. My feet having been wet the entire day were in a poor state but not painful. In all, although the longest day so far, I'd thoroughly enjoyed it. Part of this could be the moors and being away from the coastal path, but I also felt I was beginning to hit my stride.

Gear Review - Black Diamond Trail Women's Trekking Poles - Pair

Last day on the Pennine Way, England, during a 28 Mile stint 2013

Bought: November 2012

Miles Covered: 500+ Miles
My height: 5 foot 5  

My Weight : 15 Stone + backpack

• 3-section poles provide patented FlickLock adjustability and solid, slip-free security
• Simply flick the lock open, set the length and flick the lock closed—a quick, tight, and easily accomplished task, even with gloved hands
• Soft, dual-density foam grips and extensions have padded wrist straps for security
• Poles extend from 23 to 49 in.
• The Black Diamond Trail trekking poles include low profile baskets for general use and powder baskets for use in the snow

 I found the straps annoying so chopped them off in a fit of ultra-lite hiking verve. Apart from that there's nothing negative to say about them, they support my weight reliably and have never let me down. I'm quite a heavy girl, especially while carrying a backpack and not once did the extensions collapse on themselves and I've barely walked a mile without their help. On a number of occasions I've nearly fallen and placed all my weight on one of them, they bent slightly but held. The handles allow you to grip securely and in varied grips while the textured foam handles prevent you from slipping from sweat.The heights are easily adjustable and show no sign of failing, and make it easy to pack them away once they've been used.There is no shock absorption but I've never felt jarred by them, perhaps this would not be the case if I were walking a long distance on tarmac or concrete.
   I bought these poles because a shop keeper had told me they'd be needed in the Blue Mountains. Before I used them I suspected they were either for the wimpy of elderly but not strong hikers such as I'd be...eventually. Within half an hour of been dropped off on Morton Island I'd changed my mind and relied on them on every hike since in England and Australia. They are essential when crossing difficult or slippy land, they are also very useful in relieving you of some of the weight of the rucksack. They can pull you up a hill and assist when your trying to descend one safely. More that that, when your in Australia or anywhere else that's inhabited with poisonous snakes, they provide a barrier and protected obstruction which might make all the difference on either side of your legs.As for picking up a stick from the bush instead...why would you when both poles together weight only 1oz and can be packed away when not needed?

Descending down into the valley in the Blue Mountains 2013

Specification	Description
Best use	Hiking
Shaft material	Aluminum
Grip material	Foam
Adjustable	Yes
Maximum length (in.)	49 inches
Minimum length (in.)	23 inches
Maximum length (cm)	125 centimeters
Minimum length (cm)	59 centimeters
Locking mechanism	External lever lock
Shock absorbing	No
Camera mount	No
Weight per pair	1 lb. 1 oz.
Gender	Women's

Crossing a shallow creeks in the Australian bush 2012