Yesterday, the time had finally come for the final stage of our adventure. Our Walking the Wall for Daina challenge was almost complete. We wanted to complete it before the kids return to school in September, and also before my younger son turns eight on Sunday! A long way to get started The main difficulty... Continue Reading →
WTWFD Stage 12: Carlisle to Burgh by Sands
With only two stages remaining in our Walking the Wall for Daina challenge, it was high time to board a train and head for Carlisle to continue the walk. Yesterday saw me return to my native town, which is also where Daina lived, and where many of my family members are based, so this walk... Continue Reading →
WTWFD Stage 11: Walton to Carlisle
After several weeks' break from the trail, my sons and I were keen to continue our Walking the Wall for Daina challenge yesterday. We set off early, driving the peaceful Sunday morning roads to our previous end-point of Walton, Cumbria. Long road ahead The day's destination was to be my native town of Carlisle, some... Continue Reading →
WTWFD Stage 10: Gilsland to Walton
Although yesterday started off cloudy, the forecast was for clear skies over Cumbria, so we set off early in order to continue our Walking the Wall for Daina challenge. We have moved beyond the bounds of public transport. Luckily, the roads were fairly quiet, and there is ample free parking in the village of Gilsland.... Continue Reading →
WTWFD Stage 9: Cawfields to Gilsland
My kids and I hit the trail again yesterday, continuing our Walking the Wall for Daina challenge. As we walk further from home, the journey time to get to the start of the walk increases, so we had an early start, catching our train at 7:48 am. Still yawning, we arrived in the pleasant market... Continue Reading →
Walking to Holy Island, the Pilgrim’s Way
Situated on the Northumberland coast close to Bamburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed, Holy Island, or Lindisfarne, is a place you should go out of your way to visit, if you are ever in the area. It was here that St Cuthbert (634-687 A.D.) presided over the monastery that would go on to produce the breathtakingly beautiful Lindisfarne... Continue Reading →
WTWFD Stage 8: Housesteads to Cawfields
Yesterday marked the start of the Easter holidays, and a fine weather day it was too, so my sons and I once again hit the trail to continue Walking the Wall for Daina. Having learned the downsides of driving to our destination last week, we caught the train as far as Hexham, then the trusty... Continue Reading →
WTWFD Stage 7: Brocolitia to Housesteads
After more than a month waiting for a break in the weather, yesterday seemed like the perfect day to continue our Walking the Wall for Daina challenge, with high cloud set to break into glorious sunshine by the afternoon. In a change from our usual practice of taking public transport, I drove to the start... Continue Reading →
Slender Novels by cassettes — Out Now!
Today sees the launch of the album Slender Novels, which is a retrospective of Nick Reeves' solo work with his band, cassettes, from 1998 to 2024. It is to be followed by the forthcoming Fancy Models, which will feature cassettes' full band line-up. A Modern Classic All songs are written, performed and produced by Reeves,... Continue Reading →
WTWFD: Stage 6, Chesters to Brocolitia
Yesterday saw a return to the trail for my youngest son and me, continuing our Walking the Wall for Daina challenge. The weather forecast was fair, and it is half-term, so it seemed like a good way to get the holiday off to a fun start. We travelled by train and bus once again to... Continue Reading →