Home | Ancient Feet
...The Coast to Coast Walk is a wonderful experience, so my advice is don't delay, do it now...
Alan Nolan concludes his gloriously entertaining and amusing account of a long walk with his friends.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...I reflected on the events of the last twelve days as we sped along and it dawned on me that I had completed a major walk without too much difficulty and without sustaining any injury. I realised that doing the Coast to Coast Walk successfully is as much about mental strength as physical ability...
Alan Nolan and his mates go there separate ways after completing one of England's classic long-distance walks.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...As we entered the shop, the proprietor, a ruddy-faced chap who looked like he enjoyed his fish and chips as much as the next man, astutely recognised his new bedraggled, bandaged customers as Coast to Coast walkers:
'Just finished the walk, have we?'...
Can a Coast to Coast walker ever say and mean "That's the last time I do it''?
Alan Nolan continues his gloriously humorous account of a long trek.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...The final ritual was the signing of the Coast to Coast book. This is something of which Wainwright was unaware, as the landlord of the Bay Hotel introduced the book in 1991, the very year that the great man passed away...
Alan Nolan and his mates went through the expected rituals after completing one of England's classic long walks.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
Alan Nolan and his hiking mates complete their long hike from England's west coat to its east.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
Alan Nolan and his Coast-to-Coast trekking mates reach journey's end.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...We had set off twelve days earlier from the west coast to travel to the east, but the first part of the walk had taken us west and then north around St Bees Head before finally settling for the correct easterly direction, and this final section was almost a mirror image taking us round another headland, travelling south eastwards at first before turning to the south west and then entering Robin Hood's Bay...
Alan Nolan and his fellow trekkers reach journey's end.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...'I'll be glad when it's Saturday,' the landlord said to me as I was waiting for the others to store their packs in the designated place....
And Alan Nolan is gladder to get away from Grosmont as he and his mates near the end of their Coast to Coast trek.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...After a quick wash, we set off to explore Grosmont or, more precisely, the Station Tavern, and found that a big screen was set up in the bar and that the Test was in its final throes. Pietersen had been magnificent and had scored 158 to make the game safe for England...
During their long trek from one side of England to the other Alan Nolan and his mates had time to pay attention to the serious things in life.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...Paul clearly takes his walking nutrition more seriously. On this occasion, he may have been influenced by the sign in the shop window — Hand-reared Pork Pies. This was an interesting concept. I imagined a clutch of pork pies hatching and being deserted by the parent pies, leaving the defenceless pielings to fend for themselves and the butcher's wife staying up all night to feed them...
Alan Nolan continues his exhilirating account of a Coast to Coast walk with his mates.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
Alan Nolan, continuing his laugh-out-loud account of a long, long walk with his mates, brings a new account of the naming of geographic names.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
A domestic problem is resolved on a long walk from one side of England to the other.
Alan Nolan continues his unmissable account of a coast-to-coast trek with his mates.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
During a long distance walk there's time for a heart-to-heart talk.
Alan Nolan continues his memorable account of a Cost-To-Coast hike with his friends.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
Continue reading "62 - Dusting Off The Counselling Manual" »
...'He looked about thirty years old, with short black hair and a black moustache and I would describe him as looking like someone from the SAS, although I don't think I've ever met anyone from the SAS,' Don said. 'He was wearing army type boots rather than walking boots, and camouflage trousers that made his hips look enormous so that he looked immensely strong...
Don tells of a disturbing experience.
Alan Nolan continues his gloriously humorous account of a Coast to Coast trek with his mates.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...However, one of the main attractions and the main attraction for us was the presence of the Lord Stones Cafe, which is built into the hillside. A pot of tea and a homemade currant scone (with jam and butter) was good value at £2...
Alan Nolan continues his account of a tasty walk with his mates from one side of England to the other.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...Andy was already talking to a female guest and, as their conversation progressed, gradually the rest of us joined in. I became a little concerned when it became apparent that she knew a lot about us and wondered whether she could be some sort of mind reader...
Alan Nolan continues his sparkling account of a long-distance trek with his mates.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...After a while, we decided to move on to the youth hostel and, as Andy made his way to his car, I noticed that he seemed to be checking the back seats of all the parked cars along the way. Old habits die hard!...
Alan Nolan continues his ebullient account of a Coast to Coast walk with his mates.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...'When I visited my brother, George, in Oregon a few months ago,' he said, 'we went in a bar one day to sample the beer. George recommended the local brew, which is Weinhard's, and he went to the bar for the first round but brought back two cocktails.''
'What are they?' I asked.
'Duckfarts,' George said, 'they're cocktails.'...
Alan Nolan and his hiking mates sample an English version of an American cocktail.
To purchase a copy of Alan's book Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...Paul and I reached the village of Brompton and stopped to let Tom and Joe catch up again and, fortuitously, found that we were waiting outside a pub, so forced ourselves to help the landlord meet his overheads by having a drink...
Alan Nolan continues his hilariously entertaining account of a coast-to-coast walk with his mates.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...What the map didn't show us was the herd of excited heifers milling about in the corner of the field on the other side of the gate. They showed little sign of wanting to move to the other side of the field to let us through but, being four strong, brave men, unperturbed by the threat posed by several tons of agitated beefsteak, we opened the gate and strode through, waving our arms around to find a passage between them and the hedge marking the limit of the field. Didn't they know that this was a public footpath and that we were the public? I was leading the way and had gone only a few yards when I heard Tom's voice behind me.
'There's a bull,' he whispered, hoarsely...
Alan Nolan continues his gloriously readable account of a coast-to-coast walk with his mates.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...There was only one thing for it. I lay flat on my stomach on the carpet (hoping that the landlady had done a thorough hoovering that day), with my legs out of the doorway and my hands out in front of me trying to find the key. The towel protecting my modesty came loose and there I was, completely naked, stretched out on the floor with my feet sticking out on the landing...
Now what was Alan Nolan up to in the middle of the night?
Do read this latest episode of his account of a Coast to Coast trek with his mates.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...We were welcomed by the landlady and, as we walked down the tiled hall, I could see a newspaper spread out on the floor below a sign on the wall which said PLEASE LEAVE YOUR BOOTS HERE. However, it was not necessary to read the sign as the landlady stopped next to the newspaper and said 'leave your boots here please' pointing to the newspaper...
Alan Nolan continues his hugely entertaining account of a Coast to Coast walk with his mates.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan
http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...So, we set off from the hostel in the pouring rain and walked up the road for half a mile or so and then turned left onto the moorland in poor visibility. We seemed to make reasonable progress, although I was a bit surprised when, after about forty minutes, we had seen no sign of the river, and even more surprised when we spotted the youth hostel through the mist no more than fifty yards to our left. We had come round in a complete circle!...
England's northern hills get more than their share of rain as Alan Nolan reveals, continuing his laugh-out-loud account of a Coast to Coast trek with his mates.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan
http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
On a long-distance trek with your mates the conversation sometimes turns to serious matters.
Alan Nolan continues his account of a Coast-to-Coast walk.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan
http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
Alan Nolan tells of a lost GPS - or should that be aglobe of positioning cistern.
To purchase of Ancient Feet, Alan's brilliantly funny account of walking Coast to Coast with has pals, vist
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...He was sorting out his rucksack and ut some of the contents on the table while he reorganised his packing and, amongst the items was a boil-in-the-bag meal, which I picked up to read the label and was astonished at the weight of it...
Alan Nolan continuopus his hilarious account of a Coast to Coast walk with his mates - a walk which involved brilliant banter with almost every stride.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
Alan Nolan, continuing his hilarious account of a Coast to Coast walk with his mates, tells of a sign which builds up then dashes the hopes of tired hikers.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
On a days-long trudge through the wilder parts of northern England TV-less Alan Nolan and his mates are still eager to keep up with the most important news events of the day.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
Continue reading "47 - 'Excuse me, can you tell us how England went on last night?'" »
Alan Nolan and his talkative mates reach the half-way point on their Coast to Coast trek.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...I had yet to experience Don's nocturnal noisiness and was not sure what to expect, but had not been in my bunk long enough to fall into a deep sleep before I was shaken by an explosion; no, an earthquake measuring at least twenty-seven on the Richter scale...
Alan Nolan and his hiking matges are troubled by noises in the night.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...At lunchtime, we found shelter behind a wall and had a break. As usual, Don produced his Ryvita and cheese spread and, although we were now almost halfway through the journey, I could see that the Ryvitas were still plentiful and almost no impression had been made on the spread. As I watched, Don began to pull from his pack a string bag and...oh, no, it contained two complete onions...
Alan Nolan continues his good-humoured account of a walk with his mates from one side of England to the other.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan
http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...It continued to rain heavily throughout the night so that, by morning, all the paths were doing an imitation of the Mississippi in flood...
Alan Nolan and his mates spend another soggy night at the remote Black Sail Hut.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...The warden had agreed to them sleeping on the floor of the common room and we now had another five sets of wet clothes and boots to cope with, let alone the wet sleeping bags and enormous backpacks. But of most significance was the extra five bodies in the small room. Five seventeen year old youths take up a lot of space, particularly when they are all seven feet tall! Have you noticed that teenage boys these days are enormous? They seem to come in two varieties. Either they are built like poles so I half expect to see a belisha beacon on the top, or they are extremely broad with no necks...
Alan Nolan and his Coast-to-Coast walking mates stay in a remote hostel.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...'We could divert and take in Grisedale Pike after Crag Hill and before we go on to Grasmoor,'Tom suggested 'but that would make it a very long day and I think we should leave it for another time.'
'Well I don't agree,' Andy demurred 'I think we should do them all in one foul sweep.'
'I think the expression is one fell swoop,' Paul murmured....
Alan Nolan continues his hilarious account of walking from one side of England to the other with a bunch of mates.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...We approached Blencathra from the east which meant we had to negotiate the notorious Sharp Edge which would be difficult enough in dry, calm weather with good visibility, but which was extremely hazardous in the wet conditions and with visibility down to no more than a few yards. Perhaps we should have been grateful that we could not see how far we would fall if we lost our footing...
Alan Nolan continues his memorable account of a trek with his mates from one side of England to the other.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
Continue reading "40 - "I Wouldn't Do That With Anyone I Love''" »
Alan Nolan and his mates arrive in Kirkby Stephen on their long coast to coast trek.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...I couldn't think of anything else to say, so left it at that but it made me realise that there are a lot of very troubled people around us and we have no idea what's going on in their minds...
Alan Nolan hears of domestic discontent while trekking towards Kirkby Stephen on the Coast to Coast walk.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...I have yet to see a group of walkers with whom I'd want to be associated. They all look so weird.'
'It's because of the way they dress,'Tom surmised,'it's impossible to look smart in walking gear.'
'Yes,'Joe agreed,'in the winter, they're all muffled up in fleeces and waterproofs and wearing a silly hat.'
'And even in the summer, the combination of shorts and hiking boots doesn't make them look exactly sexy,' Tom added...
Alan Nolan continues his hilarious account of a trek from one side of England to the other.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
Alan Nolan and his mates stop off for a cup of tea in Orton on their long trek from one side of England to the other.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
Alan Nolan's mates on the Coast to Coast walk are confrontED by a bull - and the even more dangerous owner of the bull.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
Continue reading "33 - Geographic Howlers" »
...I had not walked far before I felt a rush of air above my head and heard a 'whoosh' as the buzzard swooped from behind and must have missed the top of my head by no more than a whisker...
Alan Nolan, continuing his highly entertaining account of walking from one side of England to the other with his mates, tells of close encounters with a large bird of prey.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...'Have you been on holiday yet?'
'Yes, I've just had a few days in the Lake District.'
'Ooh lovely. That's where I want to go — Scotland.'..
Alan Nolan recalls startling examples of geographic confusion as he plods along England's famous Coast-to-Coast way.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...he asked his landlady for a box, into which he put everything he had decided he would not need and gave the landlady enough money to post the box home for him. Next day, Pam was delighted to receive the parcel, thinking that her loving husband had not forgotten her after all and had sent her a token of his affection to show her how much he was missing her. She tore the box open in great excitement, only to find Tom's dirty washing...
Alan Nolan continues his good-humoured account of a trek from one side of England to the other with his hiking mates.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...he started struggling with a large metal object. After going a full fifteen rounds with his pack, he managed to extricate what appeared to be a small torpedo and, with some satisfaction, began to unscrew the top. When he began pouring water from the torpedo into the unscrewed top, I realised that this must have been the sort of flask that would have been standard issue to the army in World War One, capable of withstanding a direct hit from a German shell. It seemed to be made of cast iron, but with a stainless steel inner which was so much narrower than the outer casing that I could only assume that there was an asbestos lining between the two layers and which left only enough room for a couple of swigs of water...
Alan Nolan continues his generously good-humoured account of a Coast to Coast trek across England with his mates.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
Continue reading "31 - A Full Fifteen Rounds With His Pack" »
Alan Nolan tells of the fuel which supposedly keeps a top athlete on the move.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...Having lost weight, presumably from all over his body, why would he have problems carrying a smaller amount of weight concentrated in a small area, namely his back, when we would have expected it to be the other way round? No doubt when the Department of Health hear of this, they will want to appoint a research group to investigate and report, in no less than ten years, at great expense (ours, of course) but before they do, I can give them a clue. Walking up and down mountains is bloody hard, however the weight is distributed...
Alan Nolan and his mates continue their happy way along England's Coast to Coast walk.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet, Alan's exuberant account of the long walk, please visit visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan
http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...During a short break at a hotel in Great Langdale a few years ago, the guests included two men who were probably in their thirties, and who were in the habit of talking very loudly in the dining room each evening, recounting their exploits of the day so that everyone could hear and, no doubt, would be impressed. I am always a little suspicious of those walkers who seem to know the names of every peak and every little tarn and beck as though they have swallowed the Ordnance Survey map of the area, and these two talked very knowledgably about exactly where they had been and what they had achieved...
Alan Nolan continues his brilliantly entertaining account of a trek from Cumbria to Yorkshire.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
When you are striding our with your mates in the northern hills on a sunny day the conversation naturally turns to medical matters.
Alan Nolan continues his hilarious narrative of a coast-to-coast walk.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...As I approached my digs for the night, I pondered whether there is a regulation requiring all B&B's and youth hostels to allocate the room on the top floor and farthest away from the entrance to any walker who has walked more than fifteen miles and spent all day going up and down mountains. I came to the conclusion that this was a matter governed by one of the many directives issued by the EU, ignored by all members other than the British, most likely entitled the Directive on Regulations for Accommodation for Walkers En Route Standards (DRAWERS)...
Alan Nolan continues his exuberant account of a walk with friends from one side of England to the other.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...The descent was so steep that we had to shuffle down on our backsides for a considerable distance, which may have been one of Wainwright s favourite means of making downhill progress, but is not only very slow but also extremely uncomfortable, not to mention unseemly for respectable elderly gents...
Alan Nolan continues his laugh-out-loud account of a long walk from one side of England to the other.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...It was another glorious day and, after spending about half of the first two days walking on my own, it was great to know that I would have company all day...
But there are worries and concerns when out on the northern fells with you mates.
Alan Nolan continues his highly-entertaining account of a coast-to-coast walk.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
When you set out with five mates to walk from one side of England to the other it's the banter which helps to keep your feet going, as Alan Nolan proves in another hilarious account of an unforgettable walk.
To buy a copy of Alan's book Ancient Feet please click on http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...'No, he wasn't a farmer; Animal Farm was nothing to do with farming,' Paul said, now beginning to lose his rag.
'Sounds a bit of a dickhead to me; he writes a book called The Road to Wigan Pier which has nothing to do with walking to a place that doesn't exist, and writes a book called Animal Farm which has nothing to do with farming! He won't sell many copies, I can tell you.'..
It's amazing where the conversation leads you when you are out on a long hike.
Alan Nolan continues his hilarious account of a Coast to Coast walk.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...'Funnily enough, they asked me exactly the same question. So I told them. "Reginald Blain" I said.'
'Mr Blain isn't a rapist,' they said.
'Well why have you got him locked up in that room along the corridor?'...
Oh, the misterstandings which arise when you fail to properly read a sign!
Alan Nolan continues his sparkling account of a trek across England.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...On the way down the mountain, I made the mistake of picking up too much speed and I hurtled down the slippery, rock-strewn mountainside, unable to stop. As I gathered pace, I saw vivid images of myself reaching the valley a thousand feet below in record time. My pal stepped aside as I zoomed past him at breakneck speed and, to this day, I can see his face turning white in horror and hear those mumbled words, reflecting his concern: 'You mad bugger!'...
Alan Nolan recalls his first visit to the Lake District as an 18-year-old.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
Blister-popping is the order of the day in this latest episode of Alan Nolan's hilarious account of a long trek from one side of England to the other.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
'Bloody ridiculous. I could have died in there. It was so steep I fell over, got torn to shreds by the gorse, landed on my front and couldn't get up because I was trapped by my pack. I was hidden from view by the bracken and could have been there for weeks without anyone knowing'...
One of Alan Nolan's companions on the long walk across England finds the going tougher than he had anticipated.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...The bad news was that the hospital had told him that his blisters had become infected, put him on a course of antibiotics and told him that he must abandon any walking for the next week or two...
One of the six Old Spice Boys has to abandon the attempt to walk from one side of England to the other.
Alan Nolan continues his hilarious account of a long trek.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...Just before I reached this haven of civilisation, hordes of fell runners began to hurtle past, almost mowing me down in their headlong rush. I am full of admiration for these barmy individuals who move at breakneck speed down impossibly steep terrain as well as managing to keep running when tackling the uphill stretches...
Alan Nolan, continuing his trek across England, is impressed by the runners competing in the Borrowdale Fell Race.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...Eventually, we reached the summit and, boy, was it worthwhile having taken the high route. The views were tremendous, with the lakes of Buttermere, Crummock Water and Loweswater all visible below. Paul allowed me to linger for at least thirty seconds or so, before we resumed our journey...
Alan Nolan continues his achingly exhilirating trek on the Coast to Coast path.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...I stepped over the threshold into a small, stone-floored sitting room and, immediately, she instructed me to remove my boots. Bearing in mind that we were in the middle of a mini-heat wave and I had not seen any running water since I had dipped my toes in the Irish Sea that morning, I was a little taken aback. Not that I had a problem about removing my boots. Indeed it would be a relief to my overworked and overheated feet...
Alan Nolan now realises the test and the delights of walking the width of England through some if its finest countryside.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...Andy decided to rest at the summit and wait for his pal, Joe, so I left him as I began my descent of Dent and I thought what a strange group we were. Things were not looking good. This was only the first day and Paul was already lost, Andy was suffering from blisters, Joe was suffering from cramp, Don was suffering from the weight of his pack (and a bad temper) and Tom was suffering from creaking knees...
Alan Nolan begins to wonder whether he and his five companions will all succeed in walking the breadth of England.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...Reunited for the first time since we left St Bees, all six of us walked on together, now approaching the boundary of the first of the three National Parks through which we would travel, the mountains of the Lake District almost within touching distance.
'It's strange that it should be called the Lake District,' I said 'considering that there is only one lake.'
'But there are lots of lakes,' Andy responded, ready for an argument...
When six fellahs go walking from one side of England to the other. you're in for some lively conversation.
Alan Nolan continues his highly entertaining account of a Coast to Coast walk.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...If they open tea gardens in St Bees, I suggested they could call it Mrs Fee's St Bees Teas, but she didn't seem overly impressed, which I thought was a little ungracious on her part...
Come on! Join in the fun! Alan Nolan writes about a coast-to-coast hike with such zest and glee that you will immediately begin to lace up your own hiking boots.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...Before we left Sandwith, our attention was attracted by a For Sale sign on a disused yard: Land For Sale with Outline Planning Permission for the Erection of Twenty Dwellings (Six Affordable). Even with over two hundred and forty years of life experience between the four of us, we were baffled...
Launch a bunch of men on a long walk from one side of England to the other, and what do they talk about on the way? Economics!
Alan Nolan continues his good-humoured account of a Coast to Coast walk.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
Alan Nolan and his mate meet a party of "Oh really'' Americans
as they embark on their long walk across England.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...Wainwright described the walk in fourteen stages saying given reasonable weather, the walk can be done in two weeks, not rushing it nor trailing behind schedule, but it can be completed in a longer or shorter period than fourteen days and we had chosen (that is, Tom had chosen on our behalf) to complete the task in twelve days...
Alan Nolan contemplates the "serious walking'' which he and his companions have opted to do.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...Despite the fact that it was a beautiful day, only a handful of spaces were occupied (and I noticed only two primus stoves on the go) as we left the minibus, put on our boots, strapped our packs to our backs and walked on to the beach to dip our toes in the Irish Sea and collect the pebbles which we would carry to the North Sea coast, where we would dip our toes again in twelve days time and throw our pebbles out to sea...
Alan Nolan and his mates take their first strides on the long walk from one side of England to the other.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...Now sixty-nine, it is nearly fifty years since Tom left his Liverpool home but he still retains that unmistakeable scouse accent. At a little over five foot seven, his lack of inches is more than compensated for by the sort of wit for which Liverpudlians are famous. Being the youngest of eight children, he ¦was once asked why he had only had three children himself and, quick as a flash, he replied: 'I was going to have more until I read that every fourth child born in the world is Chinese.'...
Alan Nolan continues his joyous and very funny account of walking with five mates from one side of England to the other.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
Alan Nolan and his hiking mates head for St Bees in a bouncy minibus, and the start of their Coast to Coast hike.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
The Old Spice Boys enjpy lively chat as they head out on the road.
Alan Nolan and four other gents who could be said to be past their sell-by date are embarking on a venture which would give the fittest pause for thought: to walk the breadth of England.
To purchase a copy of Alan's book Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...Don was a different matter. He is one of those people who is always coming up with some sort of madcap project that he cannot find anyone to undertake with him (well, who would want to do the Pennine Way by camel?)...
Alan Nolan tries to assess the endurance levels of his four companions as they head north to begin their attempt to walk the breadth of England.
To purchase a copy of Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...No sooner had I put the phone down than it rang again and it was Tom trying to enlist me for the Coast to Coast Walk. The dates he was talking about were just a couple of weeks after my sixtieth birthday and I had been wondering -what I could do to celebrate the great event. I have to admit that the Coast to Coast Walk had not occurred to me but, what the heck, this was my opportunity to prove that there is life in the old dog yet...
Alan Nolan agrees to take part in the longest walk of his life.
To purchase a copy of Alan’s deliciously humorous book Ancient Feet visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan http://apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
...Okay, I had always enjoyed fell-walking, but the idea of trekking almost two hundred miles across the country, in all weathers, and staying who knows where had never appealed to me. Not that I had given it much thought. I didn't need to. Give me a comfortable hotel bedroom with a nice en-suite bathroom, and I'll walk all day — as long as the weather's fine. So what was I doing here with these five elderly nutters, about to set out on the Coast to Coast Walk?...
Alan Nolan and his four companions are about to launch into one of England's toughest long-distance walks - the width of the country from St Bees Head in Cumbria to Robin Hood's Bay on the Yorkshire coast.
To purchase copy of Alan's book please visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Feet-Alan-Nolan/dp/1906510970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258967135&sr=1-1
Signed copies of the book are available from Alan apn.thelea@yahoo.co.uk
Five good friends decide they are not really as old as their years. Determined to prove that age is all in the mind, they set out to walk from one coast of England to the other.
Open Writing will be serialising the hilarious story of their adventures.
Don't miss the fun!
