I generally have an idea how tough a given day is going to be when I set out, as my maps give me an idea of the distance I have to cover and the terrain. But so much is dependent on the conditions on the ground: whether the ground is muddy, whether there are routefinding problems, whether there are lots of stiles, whether a field is short grass (bliss) or recently ploughed and tough going, and so on. Those are details that only become apparent through the day, but they make a major difference to the overall difficulty.
Today was a pleasant surprise: a day that I expected to be rather hard due to distance turned out to be easier than I had expected. I knew I was in for mostly rolling farmland, and that is what I got.
But the going was mostly on good tracks, the navigation on the ground was mostly straightforward (apart from the need to improvise a route around a field with what looked like a lone bull – a potentially dangerous situation), and I had an easier day than I expected.
Of course, ease is relative. I’ve been going at a quicker pace than I had anticipated, and my feet know it and are protesting – by the end of the day, every footfall hurts. Fortunately, because of the difficulties finding accommodation over the Easter weekend, I have some shorter days coming up. That should let me put my feet up, literally and figuratively, much earlier in the day.
The saving grace on the tough days has been the “full English”, which I’ve been able to get most mornings.
It may be a dietician’s nightmare, but it’s the ideal start for a day’s walk. Helpfully, it takes care of any need to worry about lunch: with a couple of granola bars through the day, it will carry me through to dinnertime. As delicious as it is, I don’t think pain au chocolate will provide quite the same sustenance.
Day 12 Route: Lichfield to Whitacre Heath via Heart of England Way. Terrain: tracks, roads, field paths. Weather: overcast, cool. Daily distance: 30.5 km/18.9 miles. Cumulative distance: 292.9 km/181.6 miles. Accommodation: Langley Cottage B&B, Whitacre Heath.
Come Wind, Come Weather 
That plate makes me happy. The only possible improvement would be a fried tomato.
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Too many calories.
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Hi Simon, I am in awe over your adventure! Your descriptive narrative, combined with the photos, continues to be a truly enjoyable experience and one I will continue to look forward to each day of your walk, through to it’s end. It seems as if you are truly relishing the experience and yet there is so much more to come! Thanks for taking the time to share this with us! Take care my friend, as it does not look like the adventure will be a doddle! Rick
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So glad you are keeping up on your posts! It is a nice treat to read about your adventures from my office. I hope it continues to be a great time for you.
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I guess your flapjack ran out a while back. How lovely to be able to enjoy a breakfast like that each morning and know that you will burn it off. And some.
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I rationed myself to one piece a day, so it lasted me off the Pennines. I still miss it – thank you for that.
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