August 6 - 7, 2007 Trolls, Nettles, Americans and other Oddities Found Lurking in the English Countryside

Shakespeare's Way is a 146-mile footpath from Stratford-upon-Avon to London. Our friend Andrew Spender decided to hike the entire footpath in 9 days. We wanted to be part of it, so we flew into Heathrow Airport on August 5th and drove (yes, on the left, well mostly) up to a town called Chipping Norton. There, we met Andrew, and the next morning, Richard Hough. Andrew had just completed the first 2 days of hiking - a total of 31 miles. For August 6th we set out to hike to Woodstock - some 16 miles in one day. There would be 4 of us that day - and here we are:

L. to R. Chuck, Steve, Andrew, Richard

Here's a video from early in the hike:



The entire footpath is marked by these little stickers on fenceposts, signs, gates, etc.

Below is Steve and Andrew enjoying lunch at Enstone. Good thing the pub was closed, we probably wouldn't have gone any further.

Below is our fearless leader Mr. Spender with the map, and Richard
Throughout the hike are these gates to keep sheep, cows, and at least some Americans from over-running the place.
On our second day (Andrew's 4th day) Steve, Andrew and I continued from Woodstock toward Oxford. We stopped to visit Winston Churchill's grave.
There are these plants known as Stinging Nettles. Although inocuous-looking little green leafy plants, they sting the hell out of your legs. In the video below, you will hear Spends issue a Nettle Advisory to his American proteges.


Disaster struck midway through this day, as Spender's boots disintegrated for reasons that were not apparent, but likely due to something in the soil. They have been sent in to the manufacturer for lab analysis. In the meantime, he used Chuck's hiking boots to finish the hike from Oxford to London - 88 miles in another man's shoes.

Most of the hike was dry, but there were some famously wet areas, such as this field shown below, in which Tails is seen attempting to traverse without sinking up to his knees.
Once we arrived at the Oxford Canal, it was easy going for a while.
For the Americans, it ended up being a 2-day, 27-mile hike. It was 16 miles the first day, and 11 miles the 2nd day.
In the video below, our mood brightens as we approach Oxford.

Below is our Food and Beverage guy - the so-called F + B guy, none other than Mr. Dave Rock, who offered professional ground support throughout the 2 days. He is pictured below standing outside of Christ Church at Oxford University, where our hike ended, and we sent Spends on his way with a fresh set of boots and a smile. And a beer.