me

Aidan and Heather

Me ,Heather and Flint

Ayrshire

Gary and Di

Trish ,Heather and Marleen the van

Paul Di and Gary

Hughie and Flint

Bangers and Mash

Me Hughie and Flint

Keighley to Keelham lodge

My colleague Stevie Bickerstaff a Mcea engineer joined me and my step son Aidan for this walk from Keighley to to Keelham lodge farm shop,which is mostley up hill,but only about 7 miles . so we did it in a breeze, which means my poor little feet can have a rest tomorow before we do the last 2 miles on saturday morning,
we are leaving Keelham lodge farm shop at 1115 and will arrive at the George the third pub \chappel street Queensbury at 1200, with a band and some scooters I am worried it will fetch a tear to my eye's as it will be truley the end of my Naval Career and the start of my new life.
Shubert thr hoof mechanic is calling in on his way to skegvagas for a stag night ,to render my hooves with some attention thats a good mate for you! and Garry Nic up in Faslane has arranged for the video footage to be played on faslane naval bases Info Tv's.
While I think on I would like to mention the people who have helped out over the last fortnight.
Garry Nicolson who is part of the charity comittee, and did a lot of behind the scene's organisation.and walked with his girl friend Di Smart on day 2.
Heather Stout who walked on days 1,2,and 3 drove the van went shopping organised saturdays party,told me I was a big soft girl when my toes, knees,and anything else was hurting,she also puts up with my snoring and will have to now I am a civvy. (The lucky woman).
Paul Abbey.who watched me leave home to join the Navy 30 years ago and was determined to be there to watch me walk out of the gate for the last time.he walked and drove for days 1,2,and 3 and also his company donated some money to cover diesel and camping costs.
Trish Abbey, walked days 1,2,and 3 made us all laugh and cooked some great food.
Hughie Shuglet Walsh, the hoof doctor ,walker Days 4,5,6,7 and 8 bridged the gap and made me laugh he is a top man for a worm drounder.
Micheal Craddock. who came up after a run of nights and walked with me and Shubert on days 5 and 6,bringing with him some top flap jack made by his girl friend dawn.
My Dad walked and drove on days 7 and 8and took me and Hughie for a quality meal.
My mum walked and drove on days 7,8,and 11, and brought enough food and fruit to feed a battalion.
Clarky and Jenny from Baildon scooter club who walked day 9 and helped our unsuccesful quiz team to 3 place on saturday night, and have raised a boat load of cash.
William Day walked day 9 but had to go home to play cricket for Yorkshire.good effort bonney lad.
His mum Jo Day who drove day 9 and made some stew for us before abandoning her husband.
Gary Day who walked days 9,10,and 11  drove the camper van to Gargrave and then bacame a film star.
Ian Stout days 11,12,13 my brother nuff said.
Caravandy day 12 Mcea colleague and all round good egg.
Uncle John Grainger drove days 11,12,and13, brilliant.
Jessy James day 13 drove from pompey and back
Aidan Warner my son ,nuff said
Stevie Bickerstaff Mate and colleague day 14.
Brilliant all of you fantastic cheers.
and Trish Abbey who walk

Muddy Pergatory wednesday

What a contrast Ian Jess and myself were woken, slightly worse for wear by the hail stones bouncing on the caravan roof. The two not so hardy walkers wrapped them selves in waterproof clothing, and i pulled on my shorts and off we went down the tow path to Skipton.

I have been looking forward to some soft and flat walking ,but the volume of mountain bikes on the path has churned it up into a Somme like substance, so just walking upright was a chore. Anyway we are in Yorkshire and only a spit and a jump from home, I will be home tomorrow as we reached Keighley so will do a short walk and leave a few miles for Friday and a 2 for Saturday.
Heather has done a fantastic job as my Pa and party organiser, I am expecting quite a few people at the George iii and then The night will be a great night with Our Friend Little Gem doing what she doe's best and singing her Motown and soul set,and music provided by Mr and Mrs Algy at breakaway music.

Tuesday 6th March the hills are a -large

A fantastic if not tiring days walking,As I Awoke my caravan was awash with a strange orange glow that I haven't seen for a few months and when I raised my bedside blinds to discover what it was it turned out to be the sun. Fantastic.
My colleague Andy of Caravandy of Hebden Bridge joined us and we jumped into the van and headed to the westerly Settle turn off and started walking. The first four miles was taken at a steady pace culminating with a scone and coffee in the singing kettle,cafe,which we found very reasonable.

We then started walking up and up and more up,the sun was beating down and the view of the world bellow was fantastic, as we carried on up and up.exactly 3 miles further on at an average of about 1.5 mph we found the van and stocked up on water before walking along the top of the world and then a very painful descent bringing us out at the camp site.
Ian and myself thanked Andy and went for a sauna and swim at Skiptons excellent pool. On our return my old ship mate Jessy James had arrived after a long drive from Pompey, so we adjourned to the pub for tea, which turned into a party with the landlord and landlady of the Old Swan inn a Fantastic pub with a good atmosphere and friendly locals,give them a visit next time you're in Gargrave. We were also informed that my tv debute was complete so check it out on you tube Dave Stouts "Long Walk Home" - Faslane to Bradford

A new influx of personnel this morning with My Mum , Uncle John and brother Ian joining Happy ,Flint and me  on this fantastic weather day, Even though we walked through Lancashire for the first hour and half it was very pretty , Unfortunately when we crossed the border into gods own county we were in the van due to the road being too dangerous to walk along at that point (we then make up the miles on better roads) so didn't get a phot.

A promotional film maker came along this morning, to make a film of us . he interviewed me just as an aeroplane flew over our heads, but we think we got some footage in the can(check me out). Watch this space for the results.

Sunday 4th march

Moved HQ to Sunny Yorkshire. Quality!!
Just me and Happy so we started to walk ,but my toes are bleeding so we decided to cut things short, as we are slightly ahead of schedule. We went to Skipton and bought some feet repair kit.

We came back to soak my feet and we've just been out to the local curry house as a good by to happy and i am ready if not a bit worried for tomorrows walk which should bring us into Yorkshire.

Saturday 3rd feb more a6

We set of promptly this morning with clarky and mrs clarcky happy and Mrs Happy and Happy Jr,me and Flint.
Jo offered to drive so we set of up hill all the way to Shap and beyond, it was pissing it down ,but that didn't last too long and spirits were high, There wasn't as much pavement to walk on but the road wasn't too busy and the weather improved. so a good day.
It was good to catch up with Happy who I served with on the Ark with as I havn't seen him for ages.
All in all a good day and we move the HQ into Yorkshire tomorrow.
No photo today as I forgot to take any sorry.

Carlisle to Penrith

Good day today, We walked straight down the very tidy,A6 which had footpaths nearly all the way,. The weather was good culminating with Hugh and me sitting out side the caravans as if it was summer.
Flint is still going strong and he seems to get more excited day by day.
My Mum and Dad left for home and then Hoof doctor Hughie taped my tattered footsies and toesies up before I dropped him off at the motorway services to get picked up by Di who walked last weekend.
I then went down the local to meet the clarkies and the days who are here to keep me company this weekend.The locals in the pub were fantastic and donated some money as they had overheard us talking.

I am doing 15 mile stretches now and the weather is forcasted to be kack this weekend.

England oh England

Early start in Annan, mainly because we both woke up early to the most fantastic sunrise,over the distant M6.Hughie had to drive as there was just me and him until my Mum and Dad arrived at dinner time.
We arrived at the border and took this phot at a moment of supreme anti climax,as you can see the sign is the most under rated bit of tin,with a bloody pac man sticker on it.
Any way I set off for long town whilst Hughie went and picked my Parents up.who then bought us lunch.
My Mum drove the van and me ,Dad, Flint and the hughster walked the first 3 mile stint of the afternoon and then Mum and Dad swapped and we did the next session.Today's flotsam and jetsam was 2 cards. one Halifax credit card and one nectar card in the name of Mr R sole. which made us giggle.
My knee is holding up ,and the blisters are knacking.
I came back to HQ ,had a shower and hoovered up .then Hughie decided to fill his water tank and empty his waste, so i needed to move the van. which I immediately ran of the raised concrete and got stuck.he then proceeded to get the camper stuck in the mud ,so we had to be rescued by the farmers 15 year old son.embarrassing.
tonight my Mum and Dad took us for a meal which was quality and now we are back looking at the route for stage 2 of this mammoth trek.

Day five at the big brother camp

Weather. Overcast but very warm,We walked from Thornhill to Collin 20 miles and on schedual  just south of Dumfries .Hue and my old mate Mick Cradock with me today and a good walk which took in some lovely scenery and Dunfries town centre.we finnished at the 100 mile point.
Body problems . I have a few small blisters my knee is hurting a bit and I have some groin chappage. so all in all not too bad. todays road was the A76 which is mostly quite busy, but with quite a lot of pavements so a nice walk.
Hue is now cooking bangers and mash Flint is asleep , we have all had a shower and tomorrow we move sites to Penrith.
fan bloody tastic

Day 6 wed 29th

It is a land mark day today everyone. We moved HQ from Scotland to Penrith, we started early , decamped and drove to a prearranged drop off point at the Collin premier inn where we left the Caravan and Camper .
Hughie a Naval Paramedic spent 1/2 an hour sorting my blistered feet out before we drove to Annan and walked North for 15 miles to make a change.
We were supposed to finnish in an Ice cream parlour, to send Mick off in style but it was shut. So it was hand shakes and Man Hugs all round and we drove into England and pitched up.
Hughie cooked us Salmon and new potatoes which he as ordered me to tell you was very very nice(it was by the way) and then doctored my toes which was painful but no anesthesia was needed as he bored me to sleep with tales of blisters past.
Big day tomorrow,as we cross the 1/2 way mark and the Scotland - England border.Bring it on.
As we go to bed the show cows in the stables are mooing .The dairy show of Cumbria is on tomorrow, so maybe there will be some prize winning steak for tea on saturday.

Day 5

Weather was over cast this morning, but very mild. So as we only had about 10 miles to the start point we got an early start, at the nice little town of Thornhill where we spotted a couple of butchers to supply our bangers and mash for tonight's tea.
We walked along the A76 then through Dunfries city centre to the village of Collin.The road was fairly straight and mostly flat, and for once there wasn't much rubbish on the road side, though me and mick did contemplate sticking a couple of road kill pheasant in our bag, for Hughie to cook instead of the  Steak bangers that Thornhill's prize winning butchers eventually supplied us.
We all sadly missed having a packet of crisps at our morning break due to Heather the Healthy, confiscating them and any left over chocolate so we are forced to eat healthy this week.
Micks girlfriend Dawn sent us some home made flap jack,which we had at this afternoons stop.(I only had 7 slices darling honest.) to celebrate micks good news that his daughter Martha had used her potty on her own for the first time. (engagements and weddings just around the corner mate)
Any way HQ move tomorrow so a short 15 miles and a move to England.

Well here we are 3 days later we've had some connectivity problems ,that were only partially caused by alcohol intake.
Anyway we have had some laughs and the weekend was great with Paul and Trish  Abbey, Gary and Di and my lovely wife.walking or driving the support van in turn. we have found some crap on the road side , ranging from furry hand cuffs,to positive pregnancy test kits.
We saw the England boys push Wales to the post whilst having a few beers kindly donated to us by my friend Jill who works at woodford's Norfolk beers, We got lost in kilmarnock,circumnavigated Irvine A place I didn't ever intend to go near and walked down a lovely river bank.The blog should now be kept up to date as we are organised .so here's to 2 more weeks.

Well here it is, we are sitting in a static caravan in sanquahar just north of Dunfries after leaving the Navy.Handing my Id card to commadore Wareham I walked out of the gate and set off on the 250 mile walk home.
We have had a good laugh and made 20 miles or so.finnishing at Largs .
The first mishap was Paul and I arrived in Helensburgh and the support waggon crew Trish and Heather were still in morrisons stuffing their faces. still its been great and the desision not to walk through Glasgow was fantasticly astute .Thankyou Mr Terry Heany.
Gary nicolson and his girlfriend Di have just arrived with Faslanes camper van. and we have just aten some quality scran,a stew made my own fair hands.

SETTING OFF

Well its here, van is packed , Caravan is ready ,and we are just having a bit of predeployment breakfast. I. As those of you who know me am a finely tuned athelete.and my body is a temple.My wife however ensured that her Vodka supply was the first thing packed this morning.
Bring it on 250 mere miles.

round the top

A beautiful day in Sunny Queensbury, Aidan and I went down to give a motor mover demo to another satisfied customer and then upon our return me and Heather took The Flintster for a 3 miler around the crown of Queensbury Hill.
I can't deny that it wasn't nippy but it was a  fantastic sunny day and you could see for miles, as we passed loads of other people out for a stroll, and nearly as many horses and their riders.
I have had a week off walking ,after a tumble on the ice meant a very sore knee which was badly aggravated after last Saturday's walk.
I don't think we will get out again before Friday's start so that is all the preparation complete.
We are setting off on Friday at 0900 and the commodore is coming to see us off.
So wish us luck and I will see you at the finish line The George III pub Queensbury on the 10th.
don't forget to read the blog though as I will be updating every Day..

Saturday walk with the famaily

Great day on Saturday we had a family 3 mile walk around Queensbury, unfortunately with out our teenage son Aidan who was fulfilling his duties as a teenager and stayed in bed and obviously my daughter who lives in Scotland with her mum,so really it was just Heather,the dog and me.
As we were walking Heather pointed out that all the photos on this blog so far are of the wonderful country side around our house and not of the Victorian mill town village centre that is Queensbury's heart.so here is a less than flattering picture of the high street on a Saturday afternoon.

Anyway the walk went well and we also took some phots out side the George III where we are having the welcome home drinks on Saturday the 10th march.

Press release for Rothwell record

Here's a copy of the press release for the Rothwell record the mag for the village I grew up in

THE LONG WALK HOME

Rothwell born Royal Navy Marine Engineer, David “Yorkie” Stout (47), leaves the navy after 30 years service on February 24^th 2012.  Once he has handed his warrant card in at HMS Neptune, north of Glasgow, he is going to walk home.  Fair enough you might think; if he’s had a wee dram on his last day then leaving the car at home might be sensible.  However, Yorkie lives in Queensbury in West Yorkshire….250 miles away!

David who was born and bred on Styebank Lane, where his parents still live,  acquired his sense of adventure primarily at Rothwell  C of E school and then whilst partaking in Youth Hostelling trips with his class mates at Roddillians School back in the 80’s.

David has chosen the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity to receive his sponsorship and he will be joined by others who will walk shorter distances for an array of charities.  The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity is a national charity which provides a better quality of life for serving and former naval service personnel. 

Hilary Jukes, Fundraising Co-ordinator for The Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity said, “We are delighted that Yorkie has chosen to help the charity. Although he is leaving the Royal Navy, the charity will be there to help him in future (whenever he needs us) and his support will enable us to continue to support the whole naval family whether serving, injured or veterans, as well as supporting the families of the Royal Marines who are killed in action.  For more information on the work of the charity please visit our website www.rnrmc.org.uk.”

David said after a training walk this morning, “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Royal Navy and feel the charity walk is a novel and different way of leaving the service, and making that transition into civvy  street.” David won’t be idle for long as he is setting up a business as a caravan engineer.   To sponsor him please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/YorkieStout. You can follow his progress on his blog at http://yorkiestout.blogspot.com.  If you are interested in joining Yorkie and his friends on part of the walk please contact him via www.westyorkshirecaravanservicing.co.uk.

bit of a Joy

This is the view from the Queensbury High school playing fields, plenty to look at when you're stuck out on the wing

Flint admires the view, or is he looking for the very cold looking fox we had just seen.

I decided to do a short 3 miles this morning, and reverted to one of my original routes. It didn't take as long as it used to, and the litter patrol have been around the school and village, which is looking a bit tidier. Putting a bit of a smile on my face.

We called in at Tesco's to get a paper, and Flint had a run off the lead with my mate Glens dogs ,so now its off to service a twin axle caravan and hope the snow stays away for an hour or 2.

In the distance you can see Queensbury .I took these photo's at what I thought was the half way point of this mornings walk, I was sadly mistaken and continued walking away from Queensbury for another 3/4 of an hour before We turned for home and started heading up hill.
Much to Flints disgust we stopped at our fantastic farm shop where I purchased all the ingredients needed for a bacon and mushroom sarnie,before timing the walk form the Keelham hall farm shop

keelhamfarmshop.co.uk   to the George the third pub BD13 2PR which will be the last stage of my walk finishing with a pint with Tony and Roxy at the George.1200 Saturday 10th march.accompanied by a cavalcade of local scooterists and the revolution show band. should be a site to behold so come along and join me. 

snow is falling

The forcasted snow has started to fall, its 1/4 past 12 I have taken a photo and will add before and after an hour or so

vehicular mayhem

Very cold but dry today which made for some vehicular mayhem, to brighten flint and mine's walk. Queensbury was the cross roads between Halifax and Bradford. and Cleckheaton and Keighley and indeed was named because the pub was the Queens head.

In the 1850's the Foster familly built Black dyke mills and the housing and infrastructure to sustain it which rapidly became Queensbury. Anyway in the 70's some one installed some traffic lights which forced all those transitting between the above towns off the main roads and onto the narrower farm service roads that are around our house in order to get to work quicker thus allowing them an extra 10 mins in bed.

Any way one of the farmers is doing some work on his dry stones and has closed the main rat run off, thus forcing the city dwellers and their low profiles on to even narrower roads.where though the farmers grit them there is still some snow and ice about. one gentle man in a pimped up van went side ways panicked at stopped causing the rat runners of both directions to grind to a halt.

Due to the road width turning around was impossible and the number of school runners made reversing impossible so lots of shouting and pointing ensued.Flint and I gave each of the 20 or so car occupants a big knowing, indeed smug grin and walked through the middle of the bedlam.

as we approached our final leg to home some 20 mins later the van and about 15 cars passed us. a nice stressful start to the day .

I however am heading to service mr taylors caravan in a very chilled out mood.

Todays photo's are of the lanes we walked with fosters mill on the sky line and what I can see from my bedroom the vally towards Elland and the M62.

quick

It was always going to be a short walk today,I had in mind about 3 miles, but just after I stopped to take this photo of where we live from about a 1/8th of the way down the hill. my body decided I needed to go home at the rush. I started walking fast,then jogging and then the neighbours must be wondering what is happening as a fluorescent apparition ran down long lane.

Thankfully I made it and all is well now,and a bit of speed walking wont' do me any harm.

Any way you can't see our house in this photo unless you are a roof spotter,as the previous occupants sold the bottom of our garden to turn it into bungalow's.But you can imagine what the views are like when it is uninterrupted behind me and when I took this photo we had only dropped a short way into the valley.

Porridge for breakfast, but we are going to pizza hut for their special deal so i can treat Aidan for helping to get my approved workshop.

walk wear

A quiet weekend has been great, had a couple of bottles of van rouge to celebrate getting my approved workshop statuson friday night, needless to say I felt pretty groggy when I had to go out to do Marks caravan fridge at luddenden foot, and then this morning A scooter parts fair at the Clive dunn sports centre, which was good to see loads of friends.and discuss the walk and the finnish where we are having a scooter cavalcade to escort me over the last mile or so.

I had Heather the lucky lady, take some photos of what a 46 year old man who has smashed his body about a bit, over the years needs to wear under his walking kit so that he doesn't turn to jelly and collapse.

as you can see I am wearing a large ear warming hat a back support, lycra shorts, knee pads and my faithful salamon walking boots. Flint however is just wearing his collar as usual. .

circumnavigating the crown

Where to start. It had snowed but not much on our side of the hill, however Raggalds side at mountain was quite a bit deeper. The perks of living on the edge of the country side is some of the well to do townies buy old farms out here to give them bragging rights. well how me and Flint giggled watching a bright red Ferrari on low profile tyres speed past us at skiddingly 5 mile an hour and being over taken by the well known master of the snow a 15 year old ford fiesta.

Any way I didn't' walk yesterday or do my stretching so was stiff this morning. I have a routine a bit like Tia chi I call Yorkshire chi which I do every morning obviously better done with no clothes on. (there's one for the paparazzi) .

We decided to circumnavigate the crown of the hill which is 1150 ft above sea level and 700ft above Bradford and is about 5 miles long door to door.

I noticed my favourite farm is for sale , can any one lend me £400000 you will get it back one day honest.

I have lost another 2 1/2 pounds so feeling happy as I enter my working day.

Approved work shop! Yahoo!!!!

What a day yesterday,after the walk and a fantastic breaky of tomatoes,eggs and mushrooms, me and Aidan went and did a service on a caravan,and on our return I got notification of the award of my Approved workshop status, (scheme for caravan engineers run by the national caravan council ,the caravan club and the caravan and camping club.) so I did a little jig can't drink as Wednesday and Thursday are carb free days,which I am sticking to. Its a mare when Aidan and I are out working, we go to the burger van and he gets a double cheese burger with extra cheese , mushrooms and the works,which I pay for and I have a slim line cuppa soup and a satsuma. brills.
Any way I am megga happy and even smiled when I sent yet another large payment winging its way towards the Ncc.
Also my new inverter arrived today which will help my business as I don't have to cart a big genny everywhere ,but more importantly ,we will be able to flash the electric wok up and have bacon sarnies every 5 miles during the long walk home.It doesn't get better than that.

Damsell in distress

Hooray! a dry walk today, and we took full advantage of the dryness, to bang 8 or 9 miles out. (the Pedometer wrapped after 1 hour 44) which is the longest it has lasted so far.

We got to Tesco's and there was a comunity physio struggling to change a tyre, whilst Queensbury's population walked past.so Flint and I stepped up and changed it for her, before buying some tomatoes and mushrooms for breakfast and carrying on to home.

Another shitty day today but Flint and I did a swift 2 miles. We went to Go out doors last night and forgot to take my rubbish Silva pedometer back. You can only laugh when you look out the window and its foggy,pissing it down and there is what is left of the slushy snow that fell the night before. The dog has taken to trying to walk in the middle of the road so he isn't in the middle of the extremely large puddles that settle on any flat bit there is.

A very tasty breakfast of mushrooms tinned tomatoes and poached eggs set me up for a days admin which i started at 0830 and have just finished now. 1930 still I have achieved loads.

proper pants kit

Wet and drearey 4 mile but it still makes me smile when the light appears and I can see the fantastic scenery in this villiage,I think its great .it has good views 11 pubs and some shops.
I went up a road today which i havn't been up before and found a cricket club . so I will take some trips up there in the summer.
Bad bits :- my silva pedometer didnt work all the way round once more it has now officially achieved proper pants kit status.and is going back. ihad a free one which worked better .

Dawn over Queensbury

It was dark and very cold when i hooked the dog on to his lead and we set of for our training walk, I hadn't decided how far I was going, and as we got to the end of the drive I was thinking if I made a mile I would be happy with that.
However as We made our way around the narrow country roads that were taking us away from home the sun peaked over the horizon, and as we got to the top of gt Horton road dawn was in full swing.
The view from that low wall, over to Thornton on the next hill is fantastic and you would never know we were stood only 6 miles from the hole they call Bradford.
So we continued on as the day turned into a very cold but lovely sunny day, with Chris Evans keeping me entertained it was a great start to the day. So Flint and I carried on walking and achieved a 5 mile total. Quality! you should join me !!!!

mountain

Fantastic,me and Flint the Westy set out to do a long walk this morning, 9 miles or so ,but my pedometer wrapped in, still I enjoyed it, though once again the weather was Pants with some realy pants aspects,
The trouble with living on top of a mountain(large hill) is that if you go any where you always end up having to climb a chuffing hill, and its always raining.
As we walked me and flint discussed the standard of road side rubbish,and what people do to have lost a pillow at the side of the road.still if you look past the crap the scenery is fantastic.
and once again as I got out of the shower the sun came out.

Miles :- 8.75
sore bits:- sole of right foot,(not sure why but still trying to get the lacing correct)
Nads (need Talc)

All in all not too bad, had a mad panic when i thought the battries of my radio had run out with 4 miles still to go, but got it going again with some shaking about.

2012

Welcome to my first 2 followers,mik I saw you scurrying through the food isle at m and s the other day .any way.

Just walked a very short walk ,I intended to do 3 or 4 miles but I got that wet and cold I cut it short and headed home at first opportunity.The pedometer worked today and the boots are definitely waterproof.

As for The weather I have only experienced downfalls like that in the tropics,but As I was in sunny Queensbury it was freezing as well.

I have broken the duck and have recovered from all hangovers and the short bout of man pneumonia i was suffering .bring it on.

Unfortunately nothing funny happened today as I was the only idiot out side in this weather.