Walking

I’m to Boncath at the end of September if anyone could recommend some good walks near or around there I’d appreciate it.

The Wales coastal path around that stretch is stunning. Great mix of cliffs and dramatic bays.

Any shops in London that have a decent selection of hiking shoes, trail shoes, trail running shoes, etc

Wore the FiveTens for another 20k or so yesterday and have another big toe blister for my troubles. I also want to see if I can find some thicker merino socks that are ankle length - I've either got thin cycling stuff or massive thick, long stuff. Nothing in between.

I've tried Runner's Need and Decathlon.

The ones from Decathlon have ended up working better for me, had to give the quite expensive ones from RN to one of my kids as after walking for several hours in them, it becomes obvious that they weren't going to work out.

I am back to using my trusty old decathlon boots having recently had a disastrous run in with Hoka boots and their trail shoes too. Whenever the wife wants new boots (she is not as tight-fisted as me) we just go around the outdoor suppliers in Covent Garden - Ellis Brigham iirc.

I'd pop down to Covent Garden and check all the outdoor/camping/hiking shops on Southampton St. Ellis Brigham usually has a good selection.

Thanks all. The only place I could think of was the running shop in the City. Runners Need? Will try the others.

Merrell Crosslander in 47 for £69 at Decathlon

Not heaps around my size (local to me anyway).

~400g per shoe (200g lighter than my FiveTens)

Quechua MH100 are half the Merrell's price but don't have my size local. Could be a good start point though if I can find a pair.

https://www.theonegoodroad.com/2021/05/quechua-mh100-best-budget-hiking-shoes.html

810g (Size 42) is 200g heavier than my FiveTens which is quite hefty

There’s one just of Piccadilly Circus not far from the BAFTA place, got my shoes there and they had a little incline thing to walk up/down, had some decent advice as to what shoes I needed.

Lillywhites?

Runners Need or Cotswold Outdoor (they seem to use the same cookie screen so I'm going to assume they're the same company) ?

When I bought my boots in the City I remember the place had an incline ramp.

Cotswold outdoor

That's probably where I got my boots. I'll check 'em out. Ta

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/the-north-face-mens-vectiv-fastpack-futurelight-shoes-B22AAA0086.html

"These shoes are engineered to maximize energy return through the innovative Vectiv technology. This technology combines a rocker midsole with a lightweight plate, providing an exceptionally responsive energy return and ensuring excellent stability with every step you take."

Well, I'm sold

Just back from a long weekend walking along the GR-3 route in the Loire valley, from Amboise to Chinon. Just under 100km in three days/two nights (Tours, Azay-le-Rideau). That section doesn't actually do much of the Loire but does take in the Cher, the Indre and the Vienne and, as a result, wasn't as flat as I'd planned. Largely great walking and good signage, but if I were doing any forest areas again, I'd wear long trousers and a mosquito net hood thingy. Bug pressure was ridiculous through the Foret Nationale de Chinon and at one point pretty much all you could hear in the vast woodland were cries of 'fuck off you fucking cunts' as I tried in vain to fend off their relentless attacks. Bailed and headed for the safety of the D road in the end - less pleasant but no flying insects.

Seem to have picked up some annoying heel pain, though. Thought it might be plantar fasciitis but the pain is mainly towards the rear of the heel bone rather than just in front of it.

This looks great
https://www.peakwaywalk.com/

@hippy https://www.scarpa.co.uk/products/rush-2-mid-gtx
£90 off
Would an EU47 work for you?

Cheers. Sorry, should've said I ended up going into my local Decathlon because we ran out of time for the shops in town and trying on some pairs there. Ended up with a pair of Merrell for ~£70

Which bits in particular did were particular bad, planning to do this over 4 days in mid september - unless it does rain quite heavily.

any campsites you would recommend?

This is my current plan. I am meeting some near Uckfield and a blank area of good campsites.

1 Croydon Marsh Green 34km
2 Marsh Green Burnt Oak 30.2km
3 Burnt Oak Arlington 29.1km
4 Arlington Newhaven 21.7km

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48056182

Worst bits for us were just before we crossed the M25, which was almost impassable due to bramble overgrowth, coming into Edenbridge - again, brambles and unavoidable mud. There was a bit coming into Forest Row that was pretty bad too but by that point we just waded through it. And about 500m from Chiddingly, there was an impassable swamp with brambles either side (pictured) and we had to go via the road. Not too much of a diversion, but by that point we were fed up. Worth bearing in mind it rained quite a bit in the lead-up to our attempt and absolutely shat it down towards the end of the second day. It's probably fine at the moment, but might get difficult if we have a lot of rain again. The brambles may well be pretty bad, however.

Can't help you on the campsite front as we stayed in pubs. There aren't many around that area either, but we stayed at the Blackboys Inn. Also had a pint in the Buxted Arms, which I think has rooms too.

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That's two pairs of shoes I've killed this year.

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