Map Man 10/10/2005 (the Devon one)

On 12/10/05 00:54, in article
[email hidden], "Anth"

Quoted message said:

It must be an easy life being a televised hiker. I wish we'd managed
to get a lift across the Taw and Torridge estuaries with the army. It
was a darn long way round via Barnstaple and Bideford, especially with
the Appledore to Instow ferry not running. And what bright spark
decided to tarmac the whole route, making it so hard on the feet?

I once did a wonderful walk around Truro, about 17 miles I think. At the end
of the walk you were supposed to take the Malpas Ferry - just a man and a
rowing boat - over to the pub on the other side of the river. I'd arranged
to meet my friends at the pub. As I strolled into Malpas I could see my
mates in the pub beer garden. I knocked on the ferrryman's door - the ferry
has apparently been there since the days of Tristan and Isolde! A nice bloke
came to the door and explained that he had - only that morning - come out of
hospital after having heart surgery! There was no alternative but to walk
back 17 miles, up and around the estuary.

Moral of the story? Don't get too taken in by the romantic notions in some
walking guides!

--
Andy Howell
Birmingham, UK

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