Worst camp of the trip. Hard Km's to Ulm

I got caught out with daylight and had no camping spots, I had to press on in the dark and ended up digging a ditch against a tree on a big slope. It worked but was not my finest camp of the trip. 

The weather moved in and I spent most of the day in gortex so I just got my head down and tried to get some Km done. 

The weather picked up and I was able to follow the Danube into Ulm and enjoy the best beir of the walk so far.

 I have to say one of the great advantages of walking 35km a day is it raises your appreciation for food and drink. The most humble dish tastes like the greatest moment in culinary history. 

I have 130km to go so I can see the finish in 4 days. 

We are flying towards $6000 raised. Keep the support coming in only $25 saves a sight. Think of how that can transform a life. Encourage your friends to get on board. 

Sorry I haven't been able to thank everyone who has supported so far I have got behind on my thankyou emails. 

http://www.everydayhero.com.au/Colditzwalk

http://colditzwalk.blogspot.de

Back to summer

Last night I think I had my favorite camp ever. I was able to set everything up in the daylight and was completely alone in the forest. 

I was greeted by the most fantastic summer day today which meant I could do some swimming and have a really good wash in a lake on the way. 

My walk today was all away from towns so no shops or cafés at all during the day. This meant I was really running low on food supplies by the time I got to dinner. 

I made it past Gienen and am heading for Ulm tomorrow, about 160 km to go to Switzerland so finally feeling like I'm going to make it. 

My legs have been holding up well today with the sticks taking a lot of pressure off feet and knees. Once you are over the feeling that you look like a total pillock. 

I ate dinner tonight restaurant called Hemingway's. I don't think Hemingway would've been seen dead in this place, but they certainly did a really good salmon pasta,  Which fllled me up after a day only eating my emergency rations.

We broke through the $5000 raised and are well on the way to $6000.  If you know someone who could save sight for $25 let them know and share my challenge. 

http://www.everydayhero.com.au/Colditzwalk

http://colditzwalk.blogspot.de

Back on the Road again

7.10.14

Well it's good to be back on the road again. Autumn has moved in now and it's colder which is nice for walking and wetter not so nice. The feet are not 100% yet but my blister recovery ninja skills have improved and I covered 19km this morning without trouble. Another full night and they should be right. 

At the end of today I had done a solid 35km with the feet seeming to survive ok. They will need a lot of ongoing maintenance to get me to Switzerland. It didn't look pretty when the socks came off but after a nights sleep they sorted themselves out and are toughening up. 

The weather finally turned ugly and I had my wettest night yet when it absolutely poured down. I can't complain too much as I have had a miraculous run so far. I set up my tarp and had a totally dry night. My Tarp from DD Hammocks has been a   Priceless piece of kit and paid for its self last night. 

I have made it to Nördlingen and stocked up on ibuprofen to get me to Switzerland. I think I have a solid 6 days walking from here. 

http://www.everydayhero.com.au/Colditzwalk

http://colditzwalk.blogspot.de

Half way and a rest day.

4.10.14

I am at roughly the half way point on the walk. I deliberately set no target today for distance as my feet and legs needed an easier day. I was running out of suppllies as yesterday was a public holiday in Bavaria. I think Bavaria holds the world record for the number of public holidays, it is a wonder they get any BMW's built at all. 

I changed my route and headed for Heroldsberg. This lead me to a fabulous hotel breakfast buffet. The owner was so interested and impressed by my walk that he have me a free breakfast and insisted I take extra with me in a bag. For which I was very grateful. I shall donate the 10€ on his behalf. 

The most direct line was now through Nürnberg city centre so I took a brief walking tour of a beautiful city. 

I left Nürnberg through Stein where they have been making famous pencils since the 1700's apparently. I also found a great Pizza place and ate a colossal pizza. 

After a good sleep I continued south west with increasing blister problems  after 21km I stopped in Windsbach and decided to take a rest day to let my feet sort themselves out so I was in good shape for the rest of the journey. So right now my feet are out of the boots and will be back in action tomorrow. There are no photos of the blisters, as those of you who know me understand my dislike of gratuitous graphic medical pictures. 

I am half way and nearly $5000 raised. I need everyone to get friends involved to support my challenge. Every contribution counts. 

http://www.everydayhero.com.au/Colditzwalk

http://colditzwalk.blogspot.de

Worst day best day.

Today was the hardest so far as I  didn't eat well at the start of the day therefore energy levels and consequently spirits were low. However the restorative peer of a warm gasthof, a cold beir, and a cordon bleu and the world looks a lot better. 

I'm trying not to count but I'm about a third of the way now so still some leg work to do. I'm not focusing on the distance but the serendipity of what each day brings and the ever changing chractor of the towns and dorfs I pass through.  

I managed to waste 20€ on a new lead for my iPhone. Tuns out it was just the classic pocket fluff problem. I wonder how many millions Apple have made from pocket fluff. 

3.10.14

From the hardest day to the best day. After a fantastic 9hr sleep I was able to walk 20km of magical forest trails trough the morning with autumn sun burning away the early mist to reveal the spectacular fall colours.

 I made a record distance and a great sleep. 

http://www.everydayhero.com.au/Colditzwalk

Rain, fog, sun

Well the sun is back at it again and I'm in the process of washing and drying all my gear. I managed to stumble into a beautiful little spa town with leaf strewn well marked trials in the forest.

The legs feeling much stronger today and finished 30 kilometers before dinner with no problems. 

I managed to acquire a tic in my leg and have dealt with him harshly. I think he's regretting trying to camp out in my Marino undies.

I had a really nice campsite in the woods last night but woke up to a bit of fogy walking on the main road which wasn't too much fun. I have made it to Bayreuth now and really feel like getting some distance done. I think it should be about 12 more days from here.

Thanks to all those of you who have been supporting me. we are heading towards $5000 now, please keep spreading the word and encourage all your friends to match your donation, thanks again.

http://www.everydayhero.com.au/Colditzwalk

Day 4-5 crossing into Bavaria

Quite a day today after fresh morning swim I was able to spend the day on some small tracks through beautiful forests and farmland perfect escapist terrain. 

So far I have harvested apples pears and BlackBerries to supplement my food. All foods that would have meant survival to the real escapers. 

My legs and feet a holding out although complaining at the end of the afternoons each day. 

I think the main challenges for the Escaper going cross-country like me would be ; getting sleep, staying dry, eating enough to keep energy levels up and staying clean and presentable. I am trying to sleep next to lakes so I can wash myself and my clothes each day. 

Today I crossed the old border with the DDR, not much left now but still a powerful experience when you think about the restrictions people live from the war until 1989. I know growing up as a Cold War child I never thought I would be able to walk freely across this boarder. 

Last night presented the first poor weather I have experienced. I needed to set up my tarp and was able to stay very dry, quite happy with how my equipment performed. 

I woke up to a very foggy morning which turned into torrential rain, which again tested my gear to the limits. I was very grateful for my Gore-Tex eventually dried out in a little bakery in Gefrees. 

Thanks to everyone who has supported me. We have passed $4000 and on our way to $5000. It only takes $25 dollars to save sight. Just a couple of clicks away. 

http://www.everydayhero.com.au/Colditzwalk