Look closely…yes, that really IS a snake…

JJ demonstrates that walking to a gig really does produce experiences that you don’t get in a tour bus…

Just sorted out the food orders for the band, crew and core walkers (thanks to Fran for collecting numbers) for all the various pubs we are stopping at on the Devon walking tour….it came to 182 meals so far, with a  few things still to arrange…If others are joining us at any of the lunch stops or any of the evening venues which serve food, it might be a good idea to book in advance as they will be busy!

The difficult second day! We were joined for the long climb out of Hay up to Hay Bluff by Pete Roberts and his Akita dog, Nina. We are now at 703 metres, the highest point of the whole walk. heading along one of the vast ridges of the Black Mountains. Once you’re up here, the landscape changes dramatically. The path is shale and sometimes sand, very eroded, so you have to watch your feet. In some places we are walking on vast granite slabs, so that it feels like a granite corridor through the grass, with bulruishes coming up through the peat. Cotton grass, bilberries ansd heather are all emerging. This ridge is like walking along the back of a whale. Off to my right the five ridges of the Black Mountains like the fingers of a hand. To my left the ridge known as the Cat’s Back and further east and south the rolling landscape of Herefordshire. The path along this ridge is 12 miles long. I wonder if anyone will meet us in the Pandy Inn this evening? We’ll get there sometime between 5 and 6 o’clock. JJ

Leaving from the car park in Hay at 0930. Big climb up to hay Bluff first. Pack feeling heavier today. I wonder if anyone will meet us in Pandy this evening? JJ

Not content with walking tours with The Reluctant Ramblers, JJ is also walking to the rearranged Oysterband gig in Bristol this week.

He and Colin are setting out for the Offa’s Dyke Path down to Chepstow and on into Bristol for the re-scheduled Oysterband show (cancelled in March due to illness and now taking place this Wednesday 21st May) – JJ says: “Thanks for your understanding previously.. I am in good form now. Whether we meet you in Bristol or at Bollington Festival or Bearded Theory Festival (all Oysterband shows in the coming week) we are really up for it, and hope you are too.

After that: a week today I will be in Devon and The Reluctant Ramblers hit the road for their annual tour. With Rowan with us and Lindsey on double-bass, it’s a full sound and they add some gorgeous singing. Our relationship with our fans and with this incredible landscape is a strong one. In the next two weeks we will celebrate both. See you somewhere along the road. JJ ”

More information for those thinking of joining the Devon walk or gigs.

The first sample of the walking tour t-shirt has arrived from the printer! (Available for sale on tour ONLY)

More details for the walking tour now available, including start times and meeting places for each day: https://jj-rr.org/walks-on-the-two-moors-two-seas-tour-2014/.

If you are thinking of bringing an instrument to any of the sessions on the walking tour later this month, here are some of the tunes we hope to be playing:

Kentish Cricketers / Galopede
Bonny Breast Knot [Devon]
Shepherd’s Jigs
Jacky Daley’s /Salmon Tails
Jack Robinson’s / All A Sidin
Seneca Square Dance
Morpeth Rant / Stephen Baldwins
Roger De Coverley
Redowa Polka / Double Lead Through
3 Around 3
Scan Tester 1 And 2
Durham Rangers / Soldiers Joy
Blue-Eyed Stranger

See here for an article from Spiral Earth!

JJ walks to the re-scheduled Bristol show at St George’s.

Leaving home on Sunday morning 18th May, John and his friend Colin will walk the Offa’s Dyke Path all the way down to Chepstow and across the Severn Bridge in time [he promises] for Oysterband’s gig at Bristol, St George’s.

There will be no gigs / music on this leg [that is saved for Devon] but should you wish to join them on the walk or just for a pint in the evening the itinerary is as follows:

Day 1, Sunday 18th May – Leave Leave Titley 0930 …walk to Kington , then follow OFDP over Hergest Ridge to Gladestry and the on to Hay-on-Wye [17 miles]. Finish Kilvert’s Inn.

Day 2, Monday 19th May – leave Hay 9am. Walk up to Hay Bluff and walk the ridge with great views over Golden Valley…descend to Llanthony Priory lunchtime. Back on ridge and walk to Pandy. Steep climb and high level walking [18 miles]. Finish Park Hotel.

Day 3, Tuesday 20th May – Leave Pandy 0930 on OFDP. low level walking with White Castle the highlight. Mixed pasture/woodland landscape… arrive through arched gateway into Monmouth [16 miles]. Finish, Queen’s Head Hotel.

Day 4, Wednesday 21st May – start 0830. Steep path out of Monmouth then walk along ridge, crossing Wye with beautiful views of Tintern Abbey. Down to Chepstow Castle to complete path at Sedbury cliffs… then across the old Severn Bridge…high winds permitting..to the old Services.. and on into Bristol. Finish.. St George’s Church , Bristol

Oysterband play Bollington Festival, Cheshire [23rd May] and Bearded Theory [24th May] – then JJ and the Ramblers begin walking and gigging again on Sunday 25th on Exmoor – do join us..