A Viking Way double

I have completed the Viking Way twice; first solo, south to north, in 1979/1980 as a then relatively young 26-year-old; and secondly when 50, in the opposite direction north-south, in 2003/2004, with my walking companion neighbour, John.

My first completion, originally intended to be a continuous journey along the entire route over 7 days during May 1979, was abandoned at the approximate half-way point in Lincoln, after walking for three days in almost continuously very wet, drab, and muddy conditions.

Hoping for better weather, I went on to complete the Way over four further days on the same week of the following year (1980), but unfortunately the heavens opened again for much of the time!

I am not quite sure where my first finishing of the Way sits in the history of successful solo completions, but I guess it may well have been one of the earlier ones.

My stand-out memories of the First completion (South-North; 1979/1980): -

The Leicestershire section from Whitwell to Thistleton, at that time still awaiting signposting with the Viking Helmet logo, and using a single sheet sketch map of the route supplied on request from Leicestershire County Council, which steadily turned into a rain-soaked, virtually illegible soggy mush by the time I reached the Lincolnshire border.

Deviating a short distance off route at Cribb's Meadow, to take the opportunity to visit the source of the infant River Witham.

Not meeting another living soul, and enjoying the tranquillity and fauna and flora along the section of the Way which follows the prehistoric trackway of Sewstern Lane, then untargeted by 4x4 enthusiasts and scrambling bikes.

The unnerving experience of crossing both carriageways of a very fast, 70mph, section of the A1 road near Foston, while at the same time witnessing the horror in the faces of passing motorists seeing this pedestrian paused in the central reservation, waiting to dash over the other half of the road.

Briefly straying off route at Normanby Top to take advantage of visiting the Triangulation Point plinth marking the 551 feet above sea-level highest point in Lincolnshire - where it is reputed that if you face due East, the next place of greater height are the Ural mountains in Russia.

Finally making it in the rain on another soggy day to the finish beneath, at the time, the still under-construction Humber Bridge.

Second completion (North-South; 2003/2004): -

The second completion with my neighbour was carried out in a slightly more leisurely fashion, over a series of 9 separate walks.

Welcome improvements to the Way since my first completion included the re-routed section between Bardney and Lincoln, avoiding the earlier, seemingly never-ending, 7-mile straight line slog along the banks of the River Witham; the bridge crossing at Long Bennington, avoiding the previous terrifying sprint across the A1 duel carriageway; and the relocation of the route along a section of path next to Rutland Water, significantly reducing the time and distance spent walking along the busy A606 Whitwell to Oakham road.

Unfortunately, arguably the least inviting and scenic section of the Way between South Ferriby and Barnetby Top remained unchanged, and I personally continue to feel it is a pity a more interesting and route couldn’t be found along the scarp edge of the west Wolds, via the villages of Horkstow, Saxby All Saints, Bonby & Worlaby

One of our most endearing wildlife memories was along the beck in Nettleton Valley, where we witnessed four, very small fledging Moorhen chicks being lured by the calling mother bird, leaping out and bouncing through branches down to earth from a nest located, very unusually, some 10 feet up in a hawthorn bush, rather than more typically at ground level

Postscript: -

After my first completion of the Way I acquired a cloth Viking Way badge, which I attached prominently on my trusty, well-used rucksack.

The badge remained proudly on show throughout the course of subsequently completing the Wolds Way between Hessle and Filey (after first walking across the Humber Bridge to unite it with the Viking Way); various challenge walks in Lincolnshire - including the Lindsey Loop, the Danelaw Way and the Plogsland Round; as well as while walking the whole of the Cornish section of the South West Way coastal path plus mountain walking holidays in the Alps.