Each to his own though, and thank goodness we’re not all the same, so we’ll all take away different things from the same walk.

The SUW was mostly excellent, the only downside was the squelch factor on a couple of stages and one or two lengthy stretches of Tarmac. I’m hoping to finish that this year of I can. The foot is healed and the path is laughing at me for quitting!

Thanks for reading and following along

Hmm, funny one this and I guess it just shows how different we all are and how varied our individual experiences are, even on the same walks.
In short, I loved my walk on the Offa’s Dyke route. Intrigued by your written account, I’ve re-read my brother’s and mine own walking journals covering the OD walk (he wrote the first half up to Knighton and I completed the second half to Prestatyn, which I walked the following year). I agree – we all commented on the exasperating amount of stiles along the whole route and there ARE a lot of fields to cross, but I actually enjoyed the fields as they gave us loads of great views around us. I also agree with you that you took too much on with those first two days. You tackled a lot of miles and climbs in that time. We stopped at Redbrook on that first day and even then, we were knackered! The second day ended at Llantilio Crossenny and the third at Llanthony Priory.
Additionally, you were a tad unlucky with the ferocity of the weather. God knows, we all enjoy walking on a fine day, but you were trudging along in fierce heat! I created my own walking route from my front door to the south coast in as due south a line as I could manage (called it ‘Postcode South’) and I also had to abandon my first attempt in June of last year. I walked through the Forest of Dean area during a heat wave and also carrying an insanely heavy backpack (17kgs!) and my feet had blistered and bled me into submission by day three, so that I had to jack it all in just after Chepstow on the old Severn Bridge. A lighter pack (13kgs which got lighter every day, as I posted used OS maps back home – old fashioned, me!) enabled me to complete it on the second attempt last September, although I still got hammered by hot weather during the first two days. Hot weather coupled with miles of 20 plus, as you did, will challenge anybody.
Finally, I’ve hankered to do the Southern Uplands way for a few years and have just read your attempt at it a couple of months back. Damned unlucky with your injuries there – sorry to hear it. Those early paths have dampened my enthusiasm a bit, too! But, when you have another go, I’ll be reading with interest, so be aware that another fellow walker will be following you on Twitter and blog and thanks very much

Colin.

I was slightly confused by the huge variety of models that Inov-8 make, but having looked into it a bit, now that the new 2013 Roclite 295 has less cushioning, I believe the choice is between the Roclite 315 and the Terroc 330 as the models most suitable for lightweight walking shoes. My impression is that the Terroc is a more general-purpose shoe, while the Roclite is better for rough ground. This seems to agree with your comments above.

One question – elsewhere on the web I have seen that Inov-8 shoes tend to be sized a little bit small, so that it is best to get half a size bigger than normal. Do you agree, or do you think I will have to try them on in a shop? I hate doing this when I fully plan to buy them online.