London to Istanbul Heritage Walk

Check out the exact route across Europe

2007-11-08T14:05:00.000Z

Here is the link to Google Pedometer.
Note that it underestimates the distance because there is a lack of detail in Eastern Europe meaning that I couldn't trace the exact route.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1439446

Sponsorship update and talk on walk

2007-11-02T16:26:00.000Z

Dear all,

I may be back safely in merry old England, but I haven't stopped updating my weblog.
First of all a sponsorship update:

I have raised £825.60 for the British Heart Foundation and £625 for Europa Nostra. That's a total of £1450.60. Thankyou very much for all your generous donations.
Now that I am only £550 off my target £1000, I am still hoping that more money will come rolling in!

You can still sponsor me:

To make a donation to the The British Heart Foundation please visit:
http://www.bhf.org.uk/sponsor/paulgardner

To make a donation to Europa Nostra please visit:
http://www.justgiving.com/london2istanbul

The second anouncement is that I will be give a presentation on my walk on Friday 9 November at The Queen's College. The details:

Time - 8pm-9pm
Date - Friday 9 November
Place - Back Quad Lecture Theatre, The Queen's College, Oxford

If you're not at Queen's College but you would like to come, you are more than welcome.
Please send me an email me at paul.gardner5@gmail.com and we'll arrange to meet up outside Queen's 15mins before and I'll escort you onto the premises!

Hope to see lots of you there,

Best,

Dr Paul Gardner

A tired and happy traveller arriving in Sultanahmet Square, in front of the Haghia Sofia, on 19 September 2007

2007-10-01T11:12:00.001Z

Broken bridges on the road into Istanbul

2007-10-01T11:09:00.001Z

A proud Paul reaches the Mamara Sea

2007-10-01T11:05:00.000Z

This little chap was going even slower that me on the road to Istanbul

2007-10-01T11:03:00.001Z

The lasses from Luleburgaz. Many thanks for looking after me.

2007-10-01T10:59:00.001Z

The boys from Babaeski! Thanks to Babaeski municipality to giving me food, shelter and company.

2007-10-01T10:56:00.000Z

From heaven to hell: ripped T-shirt after being attacked in Edirne

2007-10-01T10:53:00.001Z

Inside the Selimiye Mosque

2007-10-01T10:51:00.000Z

Minaret detail, Selimiye Mosque

2007-10-01T10:49:00.001Z

The exquisite Selimiye Mosque, Edirne, Turkey

2007-10-01T10:44:00.001Z

A 16th century Ottoman bridge in the border town of Svilengrad

2007-10-01T10:43:00.001Z

Skirting the Greek border on the way to Svilengrad, Bulgaria

2007-10-01T10:38:00.000Z

Little donkey blocking my path on the main road through Bulgarian Thrace

2007-10-01T10:36:00.001Z

Stuffed animals outside a shop in Bulgaria

2007-10-01T10:31:00.000Z

Fishermen on the Marmara with the minarets rising up in the background

2007-09-21T09:06:00.000Z

Blog: I've arrıved ın Istanbul!

2007-09-20T08:40:00.000Z

Hooray!

Yesterday evenıng at around 6pm local tıme I clımbed up the steep slope from the Bosporus coast ınto Sultanahmet. After negotıatıng the Ramadan faır, I fınally reached the Haghıa Sophıa and had a couple of wonderful photos taken of me ın front of thıs marvellous monument.
I found a fanastıc hostel where I met a couple of cyclısts who are cylıng all across Asıa.

The last stretch across Turkey was fast but not too tough. The gently rollıng hılls of Thrace almost remınded me of the Kent Downs whıle I was spurred on my several glasses of tea offered to me by the hospıtable Turks. I also got a couple of free hotel stays from the munıcpalıltıes of Babaeskı and Luleburgaz. I learnt a lot about Turkısh culture, relıgıon and lıfe from talkıng to the locals ın thıs Thracıan towns. The walk ınto Istanbul was pure chaos, untıl I found a sıde road that ran along the coast towards the centre. Thıs was a hıghlıght of my journey, walkıng along the sea front as the Byzantıne cıty walls and the spırallıng mınarets of Istanbul's mosques rose up before me.

Now I have a whole week to explore the cıty before flyıng home. Thanks to everyone for supportıng me. All the lıttle messages and notes of support have really helped to carry me on.
Keep watchıng the blog; I'll try and post some photos ın the next couple of days.

Paul,
Istanbul

This is Turkey

2007-09-12T15:26:00.000Z

Greetings,

Please excuse the lack of dots over the "i"s. The turkısh dotless ı, pronounces "eur" - or somethıng that that - ıs where the Englısh i should be on thıs keyboard...
Anyway, I have reached my 10th and fınal country of my travels, and I have to admıt that at fırst glance ıt doesn't seem very European at all. The cultural dıfference upon crossıng the border between Bulgarıa and Turkey ıs the greatess I have yet experıenced.However, though dıfferent, at least somethıng has arısen to replace the dull, emptıness of the entraıls of Bulgarıa as the transEuropean hıghway headed south east from Plovdıv. The last stage has been perhaps the least eventful wıth very lıttle of cultural ınterest to dıstract me from the joy of walkıng 35 km a day.
Stıll, my fırst few days ın Turkey have not been easy. I have been sufferıng from a very bad case of Bulgarıan Belly after I ate some very dodgy Baklava that had been sıttıng ın a supermarket shelf ın Harmanlı for several weeks. The dogs are also much worse here. The strays are bıgger and more ıntımdatıng and the guard dogs ın factorıes at the outskırts of the towns come rıght up to your feet to growl and bark.
I also had a very very unpleasant encounter wıth some kıds ın front of a Mosque ın the suburbs of Edırne. They trapped me and attacked me, rıppıng my clothes and demanded food. They scratched me and threw slabs at me. I managed to escape somehow, and ran to the closed gate, opened ıt and fled as a huge stone hıt me ın the back. I'm OK now, but at the tıme I was really shaken. Luckıly I had a contact ın Edırne - Demır - who came by to help me. The tourıst ınformatıon have also been fanastıc and encouraged me to wrıte a letter to the town's government descırbıng the event and askıng for more offıcıal presence on the sıte.
The negatıves asıde, Edırne really ıs an AMAZING cıty. Havıng never vısıted a Mosque before, ıt was an awesome prıvıledge to arrıve ın a cıty wıth one of the oldest mosques ın the country: the Eski Cami, as well as the wonderful contructıon of the great Ottoman archıtect, Mımar Sınan's fınest work: the Selimiye Mosque, whıch truely ıs nothıng short of a wonder of the world. You are completely free to walk around the carpeted ınterıor and gallerıes, takıng photos and marvellıng at the ıntrıcatly patterns undersıde of the enormous Dome - whıch ıs an ınch bıgger than the Hagia Sophia ın Istanbul.

I have a few hotels booked for the next few days, and then I reach the Sea of Marmara whıch ıs very developed, very tourısty, safe and full of campsıtes, so I should be OK.

I'm not postıng any photos thıs tıme, but I wıll wrıte a lıttle remınder that ıf you haven't yet sponsored me, please do so soon because I thınk the JustGıvıng sıte ıs beıng wrapped up shortly.

To make a donation to the The British Heart Foundation please visit:
http://www.bhf.org.uk/sponsor/paulgardner
To make a donation to Europa Nostra please visit:
http://www.justgiving.com/london2istanbul

Many thanks,

Embattled traveller only 220k from Constantınople

Blog: Pictures from Plovdiv.

2007-09-05T15:23:00.000Z

Dear all,

Having arrived in a fantastic hostel in the wonderful city of Plovdiv, with free internet access, I've managed to post loads of pictures from Serbia and Bulgaria. So enjoy.
If I sound a little over the top, it's because this place is so friendly and restful after a very tough four days of walking along main roads. I've also booked my ticket home. I plan to arrive in Istanbul on the 21 September so if anyone wants to come and meet me, I will be there until the 27th.

I'm getting used to Bulgaria now. Although the language is similar to Serbian, the prounciation and some of the vocab is different and I've had to relearn key phrases. Bulgarians shake their heads for "no" and nod for "yes" which is also very confusing. Most Bulgarians are helpful and polite, some are grumpy and rude, but some Bulgarians are amazingly friendly, welcoming and kind.
I'm getting a little sick of the food - endless reconstituted meat patties in various shapes, cucumbers and tomatoes galore, and foul tripe soup.
But in Plovidiv there's a great restaurant where you can see you dish before you pick it - hooray Kavarma stew and rice with vegetables!

Next blog from Turkey!

A couple of horse and carts on the road to Plovdiv.

2007-09-05T15:19:00.000Z

This scrawny stray dog followed me for 5k before I managed to loose him to lunchers in a roadside restaurant

2007-09-05T15:18:00.001Z

A fanastic crowd of Bulgarian friends at the Kostenec hostel

2007-09-05T15:15:00.000Z

The state of my feet after walking 33 miles from Sofia to Ihtiman

2007-09-05T15:12:00.000Z

Sarah, my sister, very pleased to see me in front of Boyana Church, near Sofia

2007-09-05T15:10:00.000Z

Lizard somewhere near the Bulgaria-Serbia border

2007-09-05T15:07:00.000Z

Get refreshed on top of a hill pass in Southern Serbia

2007-09-05T15:05:00.000Z

Fellow walker Mohammed, who I walked with from Alexsinac to Bela Palanka

2007-09-05T15:03:00.000Z

Three walkers: Mohammed, walking from London to the Persian Gulf; Jose from Basque to Alexandria and myself.

2007-09-05T15:00:00.001Z

Me with Turkish friends who I met in Nis. See you in Edirne guys!

2007-09-05T14:58:00.001Z

Me in the fruit and vegetable market in Nis, Serbia

2007-09-05T14:54:00.000Z

Resting in front of a typical Orthodox church in central Serbia

2007-08-27T16:56:00.001Z

"Black George" in the royal memorial church in Topola. Founder of a Serbia Royal Dynasty at the beginning of the 19thc

2007-08-27T16:54:00.000Z

Serbian smile outside a typical village shop in Vojvodina, Serbia

2007-08-27T16:53:00.001Z

A view from my tent on the first night of rough camping in Serbia

2007-08-27T16:51:00.002Z

Crossing the Danube in Hungary

2007-08-27T16:51:00.001Z

Mohacs memorial ground. The battle of Mohacs marks the conquest of Hungary by the Ottoman Turks

2007-08-27T16:49:00.001Z

A typical beautiful house in poor decay in Hungary, on the path to Pecs

2007-08-27T16:47:00.000Z

Thankyou to these Hungarian hosts and their barking dog Rex!

2007-08-27T16:45:00.000Z

The bar come mini shop where I spent my first night in Hungary

2007-08-27T16:44:00.001Z

Storks on telegraph poles in Slovenia

2007-08-27T16:42:00.001Z

Blog: Welcome to Bulgaria

2007-08-27T16:19:00.000Z

Despite being told that "it can't be done", I managed to walk through the
wild terrain that spans the over 100 mile distance from Nis to Sofia in record time of 4 days.
It was one of the toughest sections with several hours walking in the hot sun alongside the transit road from Europe to Asia, with very few shops and cafes.
The day's walk into Sofia was the longest yet. I walked 31 miles or 50 km, from Dragoman to the Capital of Bulgaria where I met mum and my sister, Sarah. So far impressions of Bulgaria are positive. We've been nearly cheated a few times in restaurants in Sofia (something that never happened in Serbia), but people are generally kind and very helpful.
My walk is on temporary pause while I gather energy on the Black Sea before returning to Sofia to complete the last fifth of my walk to Istanbul.
Serbia was a great country all in all. Some of the people are a little upset - understandably - about the NATO bombing in 1999 but that doesn't stop them from being welcomnig to Westerners. The city of Novi Sad has an unrivalled beautiful position on the banks of the Danube, and the countryside of southern Serbia is wild like a fantasy land, full of forests, mountains and hidden monastries.
I was interviewed twice in Serbia by the local media - the first time I've had a camera pointing in my face! I also met other walkers. One going from London to Persia - good luck Mohammed - and another walking from the Basque country to Alexandria via Jerusalem - keep going Jose!
Accessing external files seems to be almost impossible south of Alps. Sorry about lack of photos. I will keep trying.
Walk begins again on 1 September.

Surviving Serbia

2007-08-19T12:44:00.000Z

Greetings from Nis, in south east Serbia. My trip is going well and I found the strength to carry on. The section in Serbia has been easily the most adventurous so far. I have been interviwed by local TV stations and the local press, I have met a range of Serbians - all of whom are friendly and welcoming, and I have met an Iranian who is walking from London to the Persian Gulf for peace. There seems to be a problem with this blog account, but I'll try and post this and some pictures.

Blog: Belgrade...Belgrade...Belgrade...Belgrade

2007-08-08T14:11:00.000Z

I think that you can guess from the title where I am?
After three months of my journey, I have enterred the capital of the former Yugoslavia.
Beograd is bustling, busy, lively and loud. It has some incredibly ugly parts but also some overwhelmingly beautiful bits - like the views across the Sava and Danube rivers and the glimpses you get of the orthodox churches lit up as you walk around the city at night.

Serbia has been tough, but I'm slowly getting to understand and appreciate its charm. Like Hungary, it is a country of contrasts, but the contrasts are perhaps even more pronounced here.
In the centre of a village on the way into Belgrade - the equivalent location of Chelmsford or Guildford in England - my path was stopped by a flood of cattle pourring out of a farmstead. These were accompanied by a number of yapping dogs; I was unsure whether they were strays or farmdogs herding the cattle. This was looked on by an old woman dressed in a colourful shawl leaning on a wooden stick, who looked as old as time itself. A Mercedes Benz drew up beeping at the cattle to get out of its way so it could rush on towards the capital. All this, just after I passed a posh cafe terrace laid out on the dirty pavement with reclining seats with huge cushions, and shiny menus and umbrella shading.

It was images like this that have made me determined to carry on. Between Novi Sad and Belgrade as I walked parallel with the Danube, I sufferred a crisis of confidence. Some of the road walking has been so terrible, always dodging oncoming lorries and streams of Yugos that I was close to giving up and taking the bus. But, now I determine to carry on and search out country roads even if it is a longer way round.

I think the USB port works here, so here are the Hungarian smiles I promised you.

Paul

Blog: Hello from Hungary

2007-07-25T07:34:00.000Z

As I expected, things have got much tougher now that I'm in Eastern Europe. Planning ahead and booking ahead is virtually impossible because there aren't any youth hostels, I can't speak the language and the few tourist information centres that exist are normally closed by the time I arrive. I've been staying in a mixture of guesthouses and cheap hotels - and everything is much cheaper in Hungary, especially the food. You can get a really good feed for 4 or 5 pounds. Actually, the food is one of my favourite things about the country. They excel in stews here which is one of my favourite dishes. Everything is with sauce (not vinegar like in Austria) and is pleasantly spicey. One of my favourites is the "Vitaminsalad". For Hungarians, this is a super healthy choice: cold diced carrots, peas and sweetcorns garnished with a heap of mayonaise and a sprikling of paprika.
Hungarians are friendly and helpful. I've been offered food a couple of times: a bag full of pale peppers, pork snitchel in KFC flavoured batter and pancakes galore. The main problem has been the heat. It has been topping the high 30s, and reached a new July record for Hungary, at 42 celcius in the south and east of the country. I'm now in Pecs, a beautiful historic city. The main square is adorned with a massive mosque, which has been converted into a church. It signals to me that I am enterring Ottoman Europe: the territory fought over between Christians and Muslims for centuries.
Hopefully, I'll find a proper internet cafe later and can post some photos. I'm getting better at asking people if I can photograph them, so expect some Hungarian smiles.

A beautiful view over the valley as I climb to Gaberl (1551), the highest place where I've slept

2007-07-12T10:25:00.001Z

Snow-capped Mountains

2007-07-12T10:23:00.001Z

Freezing cold and exhausted at the highest point of my walk

2007-07-12T10:22:00.001Z

Mountains south of Donnersbachwald

2007-07-12T10:20:00.001Z

Wonderful view from a lunchtime picnic spot in the Salzkammergut

2007-07-12T10:17:00.001Z

These cute water troughs are common across Austrian highlands

2007-07-12T10:15:00.000Z

Painted skulls in Hallstatt

2007-07-12T10:14:00.001Z

Motor show in Bad Ischl- the place from where Emperor Franz I declared war on Serbia, thus starting WW1

2007-07-12T10:11:00.001Z

Wolfgangsee, Salzkammergut, Austria.

2007-07-12T10:10:00.001Z

A stone cut tunnel in Austria, together with the newest addition to my equipment: my hiking sticks

2007-07-12T10:08:00.001Z

Approaching the Alps. This is where my tent nearly got blown away in the storm

2007-07-12T10:05:00.000Z

The standards of various villages in Upper Bavaria

2007-07-12T10:04:00.000Z

Traditional parade in Halfing. The standard bearers twirled their heavy flags for applause

2007-07-12T10:02:00.001Z

Me in the farmhouse in Stöbersberg, Bavaria, where a lovely family let me camp in their backgarden and cooked me a delicious BBQ

2007-07-12T09:56:00.001Z

The extraordinary view of the Olympic complex in Munich from the top of the Olympic tower

2007-07-12T09:54:00.001Z

This is the direction in which I need to head! View from the top of the Olymipic tower in Munich

2007-07-12T09:53:00.001Z

John and Dave in the Nymphemberg Gardens in Munich.

2007-07-12T09:48:00.000Z

Blog: Nearly Halfway!

2007-07-12T09:47:00.000Z

Dear all,

I am now in Graz, the capital of Styria- almost at the half way point in my voyage.
I have walked well over a thousand miles so far, and it has taken
me just over two months to get to this stage. I am averaging around 16 miles a day.
It has been tough going over the Alps. I didn't rest properly after the epic crossing at
nearly 2000km at Glattjoch and I had a couple of feverish nights, tormented by nightmares of travelling up and down and
around hills and valleys.
There are some lovely people in Austria, without whom I would have got lost many times in the mountains. What seems a short distance
on the map is a long way when you have to climb up a steep slope!

I enormously enjoyed the fantastic walking and stunning views that I've had over the last few days. It's been unseasonally cold in
Austria lately, which meant that when I was crossing my second range of Alps, reaching a height of 1700m, the rain was actually turning to sleet. As you will see in the pictures, some mountains are snow capped.

Physically, I'm OK, if generally tired and weary. My feet are hardened and my legs are strong, but my stomach is having some trouble with the vinegar soaked food in Austria.
In a few days time I'll be passing into Slovenia and then Hungary, with different cuisine and culture. With these new languages, my
fanastic German won't be such a great help there but hopefully I'll be able to communicate enough to carry on.

Hope you are all well, and don't forget to visit the website to see the photos.

http://london2istanbul.blogspot.com/

You can still sponsor me, if you haven't done so already- I still have over 1000 miles to go, with a range
of different (linguistic and canine) challenges.

You can chose which charity you would like to support.

To make a donation to the The British Heart Foundation please visit:

http://www.bhf.org.uk/sponsor/paulgardner

To make a donation to Europa Nostra please visit:

http://www.justgiving.com/london2istanbul

All the best,

Paul

Blog: Grüss Gott from the top of the world

2007-07-05T18:47:00.000Z

Although I'm dead on my feet, I had to taken advantage of the internet access in the very modern youth hostel in Oberwölz. Today, I reached the highest point of my walk: 1,988 metres. It was a long hard climb to the top of Glattjoch, not helped by the fact that I took the wrong turning at the beginning. At the top of the Alps, it was freezing cold, and snow covered some of the neighbouring peaks.
I'm enjoying the Austrian scenery immensely. It is amazing walking country, that anyone would enjoy. The walks along the river valleys are virtually flat but very picturesque. Austrians are friendly and many speak really good English. The ones that don't wear silly hats with feathers in them.
No USB technology in JHAs, but in Graz I'll download all the latest pictures of me and mountains.

all the best,

Paul in Oberwolz, Stiermark, Austria.

Blog: Greetings from Ostereich

2007-06-30T15:36:00.000Z

I've arrived in Bad Ischl, thus completing 40% of my walk.
Having enterred the Alps, the scenery has picked up significantly. I am in the region called the Salzkammergut. It is a national park with lakes and mountains. It is still too early to make comments about Austrian people, they are helpful but perhaps not quite as friendly as the people in Bavaria. The section between Munich and Salzburg was one of the best simply because the people were so kind and generous. I got invited to camp in someone's back garden and had a BBQ of various kinds of "wurst"and some fish. I was sad to leave the next day but I know that if I don't keep going I'll never arrive in Istanbul.
Then in the village of Halfing, I was greeted by a myriad of locals in traditional costume: liederhosen for the men and pretty dresses and blouses for the ladies. I asked someone where I could get some bread and we started talking and he invited me to some chicken and a Radler in the beer tent. The villages were celebrating the 100th anniverary of Halfing's brotherhood(?) - an organisation originally set up to help people who were too ill, or unable to work and earn their own living.

Tomorrow I head south deeper into the Alps and to the World Heritage Site of
prehistoric Hallstatt.
Hopefully I'll get to the museum to see the painted skulls before it closes!

Bagpuss sits in front of the cloth hall in Ypres

2007-06-18T18:04:00.000Z

White Horse on the hillside over looking Folkestone

2007-06-18T18:03:00.000Z

Oh how I miss the English countryside! An old photo from the North Down´s way

2007-06-18T18:01:00.000Z

Onion domes of Bavaria. This is in Burgau just after a meal of local pasta in a cheesy sauce

2007-06-18T17:56:00.000Z

Baroque spendor of the Frauenkirche in Gunzburg. Apparently the columns are not genuine marble, but are painted,

2007-06-18T17:53:00.000Z

Walking along the LimesWeg walking path. The ruins of a Roman watchtower are in the background

2007-06-18T17:50:00.000Z

Me in front of the spectacular medieval skyline of Bad Wimpfen

2007-06-18T17:48:00.000Z

The crazy drivers of Mosbach

2007-06-18T17:47:00.000Z

A now very tanned Paul with the largest bread in the world on the road to Mosbach

2007-06-18T17:44:00.000Z

My handsome Portuguese friend who kindly walked with be through France

2007-06-18T17:41:00.000Z

Into Bavaria

2007-06-17T17:24:00.000Z

Two days ago I crossed a major geographical landmark: the Danube. I was already impressed by its size though in this part of Germany it is still relatively narrow, yet to be swollen by the Lech, Isar, Inn and several other rivers. Anyway, crossing the great European river marked my entrance into Bavaria and the land of onion domed towers and churches.
If my feet - and especially my little toe - have been pained by walking twenty miles (thirty kilometres) a day, I have been rewarded in heritage terms. For one day last week I followed the walking path of the German Limes: the Roman frontier that span the hilly hinterland between the Rhine and the Danube. I saw remains of several Roman watchtowers and had my first close encounter with a tick, which I managed to pick off before it started to bite.
The city of Gunzburg's Frauenkirche is a splender-house of Baroque exurberance. I am now in Augsburg, resting my toe and hoping that it recovers so I can make it to Munich.
The people are very kind here. As in the rest of Southern Germany they are a mixture of Protestant and Catholic, and many villages have two churches side by side to accomodate the two faiths. The food is getting more Italian, with various pasts based Swabian dishes on the menu. Finally, the German accent is softer and reminds me of Irish English!
Hopefully photos and another blog from Munich...

Worms Cathedral

2007-06-06T18:09:00.000Z

Prum church- stopping point on the Jacobsweg pilgrimage route

2007-06-06T18:07:00.000Z

View from my tent in a campsite near Remouchamps, Belgium

2007-06-06T18:06:00.000Z

Me celebrating with a beer after arriving at Beersel castle, next to Brussels

2007-06-06T18:04:00.000Z

Rough camping in Germany: In a "closed" campsite in Bad Kreznach. Look at the sign!

2007-06-06T18:02:00.000Z

Very cool doorway in flat flat Flanders, Belgium

2007-06-06T18:01:00.000Z

My rucksac rests somewhere on the Pilgrim's Way, Kent

2007-06-06T17:57:00.000Z

Hello from Mannheim

2007-06-06T17:47:00.000Z

One month after setting off from London I have reached the great river Rhine.
Yesterday, I was in the old city of Worms with its beautiful Romanesque cathedral built in red
stone. Worms was the seat of Charlemagne's Empire and was a great centre of power throughout the Middle Ages. It's a great city, with large chunks of its city walls in tact. It was also the place where Luther made history by presenting his religious ideas to the Worms Diet or Parliament - an event that lead to the reformation in many German cities.
After history and great architecture yesterday, I passed the BASF industrial centre on the way down the Rhine. Mannheim is my first rest day for 200 miles. Amazingly, my blisters have healed and my feet are much better. The next challenge is going to be the heat.
Anyway, I'm making good progress, telling lots of Germans how I'm walking to Istanbul and
enjoying a great deal of the journey. Now I'll try and download some photos!

Paul

Brussels! Bruxelles!

2007-05-19T19:48:00.000Z

I have arrived in the Belgium capital and can hardly believe that I walked all the way here (except the ferry across the channel ofcourse).
I haven't made up my mind about the city yet. I've only had an afternoon to look around and I'm still in shock for all the people: tourists, and people of so many different colours. It is a truly Cosmopolitan city which is bizarre after being in the white, affluent Flanders countryside for over a week.
The Belgian countryside has become more interesting with hills and forests. This has made walking more enjoyable. It was tough going with the winds that blew across the plains.

Other things I've notices is how house proud the Belgians are - always sweeping, cleaning and
repairing their house and garden. It's weird the way the country operates in two languages, because I've met many people who understand either French or Flemish but not both. What languages are national events broadcast in? Both, I can only assume - like the street signs in Brussels.
Well, I suppose its like Canada (with English and French) :)

Tomorrow is my first full day off from walking. I'll be shopping, sightseeing and resting.

A MASSIVE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS SPONSORED ME.

Keep the money rolling in, and don't be shy about posting a message on my blog site.
It's easier for me to read than trawling through emails.

Next blog from Germany...

Paul

2007-05-14T06:36:00.000Z

Hello.

Over a week after I left London, here is my first blog update. It is thanks to a wonderful couple that I am staying with in Poperinge, in the far Western extreme of Belgium. After camping in France it is a welcome treat to stay in the luxurious comfort of a guesthouse.
So far the walk has gone well. There has been up and down moments. But I'm confident that I can make it to Brussels by the end of the week.
That you for all the sponsorships I can see that they are still coming through.
So far, I have crossed the green hills of Kent, stopping at several welcoming pubs along the way.
The last couple of days have been across wind-swept Flanders.
My Portuguese friend Joao has walked with me for a couple of days in France, for which I thank him for enormously. If anyone else fancies coming to join me they are more than welcome!

I've ditched my Pedometer, but the rest of the equipment is good and useful. I've loosened my boots so that I'm not being crippled...
It's grey but cool. Hopefully, next blog from Brussels. Watch this space. Poperinge is a very cute town with a lovely name.

Dag

Paul

I'm Off!

2007-05-05T23:02:00.000Z

I'm shattered after a long weekend of Graduation ceremony and celebration. I should be in bed because I have to get up at 6am to get to London for 8.30am but I've inevitably got the final equipment checks and packing to do.
Anyway, this blog is to confirm that I have booked the taxi to the train station to take me to Trafalgar Square; I am packed and ready to go; and I do intend to walk all the way to the Golden Horn this summer.
If you don't believe me tune into BBC London 94.9FM this Sunday morning, where they might mention me and my endeavour.

Hopefully, I'll be lucky enough to stumble on the internet in a Youth Hostel in Dover, where you can look out for my first travel weblog.

Please Sponsor Me!

2007-04-21T11:12:00.000Z

Electronic sponsorship pages are now open!

I am raising money for two charities:

The British Heart Foundation is the largest independent funder of heart research in the UK. It plays an important role in funding education targeted at both the general public and health professionals. The BHF is also a major provider of life-saving cardiac equipment and support for rehabilitation and patient care. Its overarching aim is to play a leading role in the fight against disease of the heart and circulation so that it is no longer a major cause of disability and premature death.

AND

Europa Nostra is the representative platform of over 200 heritage NGOs active throughout Europe. It serves as the voice of this vast movement of European civil society towards major international bodies, in particular the European Union, the Council of Europe and UNESCO. As well as supporting national and international campaigns for the preservation and rescue of Europe’s heritage at risk, Europa Nostra works to promote high standards in the fields of heritage conservation, architecture, and urban and rural planning.

You can chose which charity you would like to support.

To make a donation to the The British Heart Foundation please visit:

http://www.bhf.org.uk/sponsor/paulgardner

To make a donation to Europa Nostra please visit:

http://www.justgiving.com/london2istanbul

Please give generously; your donations will make all the hard work worthwhile!

Many Thanks

Paul Gardner

Itinerary and Timetable of Walk

2007-04-21T11:08:00.000Z

This is the revised Itinerary for my walk. It is based on a slightly more reasonable walking average of 17-18 miles a day

DAY	DATE	COUNTRY	PLACE (to stay)	Distance to walk each day (miles)	Cumulative distance	Distance between rest points (Av. 120)

1	06/05/2007	England	Dartford	17
2	07/05/2007	England	Rochester	14	31
3	08/05/2007	England	Harrietsham	13	44
4	09/05/2007	England	Stowting	18,5	62,5
5	10/05/2007	England/France	Dover/Calais	15,5	78
6	11/05/2007	France	Gravelines	16,75	94,75
7	12/05/2007	France	Wormhout	18	112,75
8	13/05/2007	Belgium	Ypres	18,5	131,25
9	14/05/2007	Belgium	Kortrijk	18	149,25
10	15/05/2007	Belgium	Oudenaarde	17,75	167
11	16/05/2007	Belgium	Ninove	21,5	188,5
12	17/05/2007	Belgium	Brussels	17,25	205,75	205,75
13	18/05/2007	Belgium	Brussels		205,75
14	19/05/2007	Belgium	Huldenburg	12,75	218,5
15	20/05/2007	Belgium	Jodoigne	16	234,5
16	21/05/2007	Belgium	Huy	25,75	260,25
17	22/05/2007	Belgium	Hamoir	17,75	278
18	23/05/2007	Belgium	Trois Ponts	20,25	298,25
19	24/05/2007	Belgium	Saint Vith	16,25	314,5
20	25/05/2007	Germany	Prum	20,25	334,75
21	26/05/2007	Germany	Meisburg	15,5	350,25
22	27/05/2007	Germany	Wittlich	19,25	369,5
23	28/05/2007	Germany	Bernkastel-Kues	11,75	381,25
24	29/05/2007	Germany	Sargenroth	24	405,25
25	30/05/2007	Germany	Bad Kreuznach	26,5	431,75
26	31/05/2007	Germany	Alzey	14,25	446
27	01/06/2007	Germany	Worms	17,5	463,5
28	02/06/2007	Germany	Mannheim	13,5	477	271,25
29	03/06/2007	Germany	Mannheim		477
30	04/06/2007	Germany	Heidelberg	13	490	13
31	05/06/2007	Germany	Heidelberg		490
32	06/06/2007	Germany	Waibstadt	16,5	506,5
33	07/06/2007	Germany	Heilbronn	23,5	530
34	08/06/2007	Germany	Backnang	20,25	550,25
35	09/06/2007	Germany	Welzheim	12	562,25
36	10/06/2007	Germany	Schwabisch Gmund	11,5	573,75
37	11/06/2007	Germany	Heidenheim	20	593,75
38	12/06/2007	Germany	Dillingen	21	614,75
39	13/06/2007	Germany	Emmersacker	11,5	626,25
40	14/06/2007	Germany	Augsburg	14	640,25	150,25
41	15/06/2007	Germany	Augsburg		640,25
42	16/06/2007	Germany	Maisach	23,75	664
43	17/06/2007	Germany	Munich	18	682	41,75
44	18/06/2007	Germany	Munich		682
45	19/06/2007	Germany	Glonn	17,75	699,75
46	20/06/2007	Germany	Rosenheim	18,5	718,25
47	21/06/2007	Germany	Frasdorf	10,25	728,5
48	22/06/2007	Germany	Ruhpolding	17	745,5
49	23/06/2007	Germany	Bad Reichenhall	11,75	757,25
50	24/06/2007	Austria	Salzburg	14	771,25	89,25
51	25/06/2007	Austria	Salzburg		771,25
52	26/06/2007	Austria	St Gilgen	19,25	790,5
53	27/06/2007	Austria	Bad Ischl	14,75	805,25
54	28/06/2007	Austria	Hallstatt	12	817,25
55	29/06/2007	Austria	Bad Aussee	10	827,25
56	30/06/2007	Austria	Stainach	20	847,25
57	01/07/2007	Austria	Planneralm	15,75	863
58	02/07/2007	Austria	Hohentauern	17,75	880,75
59	03/07/2007	Austria	Ingering II	18,5	899,25
60	04/07/2007	Austria	Knittlefeld	11,25	910,5
61	05/07/2007	Austria	Koflach	20,25	930,75
62	06/07/2007	Austria	Voitsberg	7,5	938,25
63	07/07/2007	Austria	Graz	15,75	954	182,75
64	08/07/2007	Austria	Graz		954
65	09/07/2007	Austria	Kirchbach	14,25	968,25
66	10/07/2007	Austria	Saint Peter	13,75	982
67	11/07/2007	Austria	Bad Radkersburg	17,75	999,75
68	12/07/2007	Slovenia	Murska Sobota	11,25	1011
69	13/07/2007	Slovenia	Lendava	16	1027
70	14/07/2007	Hungary	Letenye	15,5	1042,5
71	15/07/2007	Hungary	Nagykanizsa	13,75	1056,25
72	16/07/2007	Hungary	Nagyszakacsi	21	1077,25
73	17/07/2007	Hungary	Somogysard	18,25	1095,5
74	18/07/2007	Hungary	Kaposvar	21,75	1117,25
75	19/07/2007	Hungary	Sasd	20,5	1137,75
76	20/07/2007	Hungary	Pecs	19,25	1157	203
77	21/07/2007	Hungary	Pecs		1157
78	22/07/2007	Hungary	Szederkény	11,75	1168,75
79	23/07/2007	Hungary	Mohacs	14,25	1183
80	24/07/2007	Hungary	Herceg-Szanto	19,75	1202,75
81	25/07/2007	Serbia	Sombor	21,75	1224,5
82	26/07/2007	Serbia	Ruski Krstur	23,5	1248
83	27/07/2007	Serbia	Bad Petrovac	18	1266
84	28/07/2007	Serbia	Novi Sad	16	1282	125
85	29/07/2007	Serbia	Novi Sad		1282
86	30/07/2007	Serbia	Krusedol	14,25	1296,25
87	31/07/2007	Serbia	Nova Pazova	18,75	1315
88	01/08/2007	Serbia	Belgrade	14,25	1329,25	47,25
89	02/08/2007	Serbia	Belgrade		1329,25
90	03/08/2007	Serbia	Ralja	20,5	1349,75
91	04/08/2007	Serbia	Mladenovac	13	1362,75
92	05/08/2007	Serbia	Topola	14,75	1377,5
93	06/08/2007	Serbia	Cumic	8,5	1386
94	07/08/2007	Serbia	Kragujevac	16,25	1402,25
95	08/08/2007	Serbia	Belusic	21,75	1424
96	09/08/2007	Serbia	Krusevac	21,75	1445,75
97	10/08/2007	Serbia	Aleksinac	20,5	1466,25
98	11/08/2007	Serbia	Nis	21	1487,25	158
99	12/08/2007	Serbia	Nis		1487,25
100	13/08/2007	Serbia	Bela Palanka	24,75	1512
101	14/08/2007	Serbia	Pirot	15,5	1527,5
102	15/08/2007	Serbia	Dimitrovgrad/Caribrod	15	1542,5
103	16/08/2007	Bulgaria	Dragoman	11	1553,5
104	17/08/2007	Bulgaria	Slivnica	15,5	1569
105	18/08/2007	Bulgaria	Sofia	19	1588	100,25
106	19/08/2007	Bulgaria	Sofia		1588
107	20/08/2007	Bulgaria	Pancarevo	10,5	1598,5
108	21/08/2007	Bulgaria	Jaz. Iskar	16	1614,5
109	22/08/2007	Bulgaria	Samokov	11,25	1625,75
110	23/08/2007	Bulgaria	Kostenec	23	1648,75
111	24/08/2007	Bulgaria	Belovo	11,75	1660,5
112	25/08/2007	Bulgaria	Pazardzik	16,75	1677,25
113	26/08/2007	Bulgaria	Plovdiv	23	1700,25	112,25
114	27/08/2007	Bulgaria	Plovdiv		1700,25
115	28/08/2007	Bulgaria	Sadovo	14,25	1714,5
116	29/08/2007	Bulgaria	Varbica	22,25	1736,75
117	30/08/2007	Bulgaria	Haskovo	13	1749,75
118	31/08/2007	Bulgaria	Harmanli	20,5	1770,25
119	01/09/2007	Bulgaria	Svilengrad	19,25	1789,5
120	02/09/2007	Turkey	Edirne	22,5	1812	111,75
121	03/09/2007	Turkey	Edirne		1812
122	04/09/2007	Turkey	Havsa	21	1833
123	05/09/2007	Turkey	Babaeski	18	1851
124	06/09/2007	Turkey	Luleburgaz	12	1863
125	07/09/2007	Turkey	Acmetbey	14,25	1877,25
126	08/09/2007	Turkey	Saray	16	1893,25
127	09/09/2007	Turkey	Sayalar	17	1910,25
128	10/09/2007	Turkey	Catalça	24,5	1934,75
129	11/09/2007	Turkey	Boyalik	10,25	1945
130	12/09/2007	Turkey	Istanbul	24,75	1969,75	157,75

Letter of Support from John Whittingdale OBE, MP

2007-04-18T07:31:00.000Z

In a letter dated 7 February 2007, John Whittingdale, Member of Parliament for Maldon and East Chelmsford wrote:

"I was interested to hear about your plan to walk from London to Istanbul in order to raise awareness of European heritage. As Chairman of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, I take a close interest on heritage matters and recently initiated a debate in Parliament on this subject.

I am very happy for you to use a quote from me in support of the project - perhaps: "The countries of Europe have an extraordinarily rich and diverse heritage which we often do not appreciate enough. I welcome Paul Gardner's imaginative project to raise awareness and at the same time, to raise money for two very deserving causes. I wish Paul every success."

With best wishes,

Yours Sincerely,

John Whittingdale

Letter of Support from the Council of Europe

2007-04-18T07:17:00.000Z

Dated 10 April 2007,

The Council of Europe has sent me a letter of support:

"Thank you for your letter of 2 March 2007 concerning you proposed walk across Europe in the interest of maximising the sponsorship for your two designated charities - the British Heart Foundation and Europa Nostra.

This is a worthwhile initiative and we would like to wish you every success. It is indeed an interesting project and I hope that it will raise a lot of interest and also help further European cooperation and integration as well as foster a better understanding of the continent's shared history and culture.

With best wishes,

Yours sincerely,

Daniel Thérond,
Deputy Director of Culture and Cultural and Natural Heritage."

Poster of Walk (please click on image to enlarge)

2007-04-17T14:14:00.000Z

Presentation Card of Walk

2007-03-24T15:32:00.000Z

LONDON – ISTANBUL

2,000 miles…10 countries…120 days…On foot!

Between May and September 2007, Paul will travel across Europe from London to Istanbul on foot. His route will pass through some of the continent’s major cities: Brussels, Mannheim, Munich, Salzburg, Belgrade and Sofia. The walk will present a vigorous physical and psychological challenge. Paul will undertake this journey alone, walking twenty miles a day for 6 days of the week and will have to cross a series of mountainous ranges including the Bavarian and Austrian Alps. Not only will this journey be an enormous personal achievement, but also Paul hopes both to raise significant sums of money for his two charities – the British Heart Foundation and Europa Nostra – and to raise public awareness about European cultural heritage.

THE CHARITIES

WHY A EUROPEAN WALK?

By doing this walk, Paul hopes to demonstrate in practical and symbolic terms the importance of promoting unity and harmony throughout the European continent. Alongside ever-progressing political and economic integration, Paul believes that it is important to advance social cohesion and foster a shared sense of cultural identity amongst the European people. This can be done by promoting and celebrating our common heritage.

The walk will demonstrate the wealth, richness and diversity of Europe’s heritage. Along the way, Paul will visit several prehistoric and Roman archaeological sites, medieval fortresses and castles, Second World War cemeteries and a number of World Heritage Cities including London, Graz, Salzburg and Istanbul. The journey reflects one made by Patrick Leigh Fermor, who walked from London to Istanbul in the 1930s, at a time when the continent was on the verge of being changed forever. To celebrate and explore the discoveries and experiences of his walk, Paul will be organising an exhibition in London on his return in September.

London-Istanbul Webblog

2007-03-24T10:29:00.000Z

Welcome to my the London-Istanbul Webblog site. Here you can follow the my progress as
I hike across the European continent.

The 2,000 mile journey will start at 9am in Trafalgar Square, London on 6 May 2007.
From there I will walk in a south-easterly direction, traversing ten countries,
one mountain range, several rivers and hundreds of towns and villages until reaching my
destination of Constantinople.

Look out for the sponsorship launch, coming soonl.

Paul Gardner