Daily distance: 39.81km / 24.7mi
Duration: 09:49hrs
Weather: 11 degrees, cloudy with sunny spells, 4 mph north westerlies
Dove Step 3 bird list: 111
Best Birds: Dipper, Rock Bunting, Coal Tit, Yellowhammer, Rock Sparrow
Cumulative Dove Step 3 distance: 654.2 miles
Another 40km day, with 1317m of straight ascent, the 25th consecutive day of walking and with well over 650mi wallked! I am unashamedly proud of myself today.
The fact that my body could cope with another 40km day over mountains is pleasing! I wasn’t worried as such, but it did cross my mind that the climbs and descents could be the straw that breaks the camels back. There was no straw and no camels – just straight up mile-eating!
The terrain was just like training done last year in both the Cairngorms and Snowdonia. Validation of that effort and other training across the last 18 months.
I wouldn’t have been so confident solo and it was excellent to have Rob here for this section of the trip. It was equally excellent to meet Mal at the end of the day to get off-trail for proper rest and re-fueling.
Although shattered from the exertion I have no prohibitive issues. Just another 50 miles or so to do…
Two milestones to report today. We have entered the very last region of this south – north crossing; Asturias. Whilst the Dove Step 3 JustGiving total is at 94% (which I am delighted about), the total raised across journeys has now exceeded the £10k mark! £10 504.67 to be precise and this is before GiftAid and the significant boost that represents. Another reason to be justifiably proud of the beast that is Dove Step!
Of course this wouldn’t be possible without the interest, support and generously of those following. So thank you all – very much!
Dove Step 3 