After a prolonged period of panic that everything might not come together in time to allow me to do anything outdoors this year, and which possibly might have even interfered with my planned PCT thru-hike next year, and beyond, things and have settled down nicely in Tramplite’s world. My original plan had been to rent the house out while away travelling but for various reasons, including talking to others that have done something similar, it was clear that selling would be the best option. Like many places the UK property market isn’t great and a similar house over the road that has been for sale for over 2 years didn’t do much for my confidence. However, amazingly I had 2 excellent offers in the first week of sale! 4 weeks later everything is either in long-term storage or has been sold and I can now relax... Just got to sit out my final couple of months in the office but on 14th Sept I shall go to work for the last time for a while, perhaps ever…
This means I can now fully commit to this years hike. The Coast and Moor route was chosen because it uses an established trail for most of the hike and is very easy to resupply. It was the simple choice that required absolutely no planning and if I was needed back in Scotland at short notice then I could leave the trail for a few days or even abandon without much regret. Because everything has come together quicker than expected it was tempting to take on something more challenging, but with Phil Turners wedding at the end of September and other commitments early next year I shall continue with what will be an excellent UK hike. Train tickets have been booked, along with a hotel for the first night, and I shall setoff from PooleHarbour on the 25 September finishing in Plymouth sometime in early November.
That does mean I have a spare week before the wedding so I shall dust off my touring bike and cycle down from Moray to Edinburgh via an as yet undecided route. I’ve not cycled seriously since touring 4000km around the South Island of New Zealand in 2006 so I’m looking forward to this short tour. I’ve ordered some frame bags from Revelate Designs rather than conventional panniers and rack which I’ve used on previous tours. Spreading the weight over the bike should improve the handling while saving around 1kg in weight. My bike is a heavy, steel framed, Rohloff Speedhub equipped Thorn Raven touring bike that is supremely comfortable and I would never sell it. Jilly Sherlock is currently cycling around the world on a slightly newer version.
This means I can now fully commit to this years hike. The Coast and Moor route was chosen because it uses an established trail for most of the hike and is very easy to resupply. It was the simple choice that required absolutely no planning and if I was needed back in 
