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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I have kept going through a fever for a few days, but it has taken a toll and now I have no choice but to stop to try to get over it. It does mess with the timetable, but it can't be helped.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I've reached the brink of 'bloody stupid', and stepped back from it Bryn.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I have written a book about that experience, and the purpose of this walk was (aside from 'because it was there') to refresh my memory of some route features to sharpen it up a bit before trying to get it published. Maybe 'The Great Fever of #Hastings960' would make better reading. Ugh!

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I'm going to hole up and try to sleep & sweat it out, and if I can recover quickly I'll resume further down the route. As some of you know, I did this same walk in 2016 (and it went without a hitch), and have my photos from that I can use to keep up a narrative on here. 2/3 #Hastings960

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Day 6: I had almost zero sleep and couldn't eat, beset by the bloody shivering and sweating. I've not really slept or eaten since Saturday. The bottom line is that I can't walk long distances with full pack in this condition, and trying to would be folly. 1/3 #Hastings960

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

All uphill and into the wind. Generally I consume a lot more calories when doing very long walks: normal evening meals, a light breakfast, and lots and lots of snacking. In this case, I've eaten little, and very little for the past two days, as a fever has done for my appetite.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Including for the #StHelens and #Northwich gigs! Click JW's link to see where to buy them.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

...and sweating a lot for the last couple of days. Let's hope I feel better in the morning. Highlights walking on King Street (this one, anyway) Roman Road for the first time, and seeing Castle Bytham again. Lowlight: feeling rough and having to adapt the plan. #Hastings960

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Day 5 roundup: I was out for 9.5 hours, covering 22 miles, taking the total to 130 I called a halt at Pickworth, just north of Stamford, and about 4 miles short of my intended destination. The bottom line is, I felt bloody rough - heavy fatigue, I'm used to, but I've been shivering... #Hastings960

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

All the best for a swift recovery Ray.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

The view of the socking great earthworks of Castle Bytham, from my bench on the village green. I would have a closer look, but it's a good 30 yards, and I ain't adding an inch to this route. #Hastings960

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

That is very kind of you indeed - I appreciate it.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Thank you Dr. Witts. I'll keep my eye our for them especially.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Roadside rest at Bitchfield. (My head is in that hat.) ##Hastings960

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

The average is about 25, but today is 29.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I'm turning off #ErmineStreet (it isn't safe for walkers here) onto another Roman Road: King Street. #Hastings960

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Day 5 is underway in Ancaster, cheered by a glorious sky. #Hastings960

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I ached in (sort of) peace until just now. Day 4 roundup: out for 7.5 hours, 22 miles waked, taking the total through the 100 mile mark. Highlights: seeing #TimeTeam in action, and the many hues of #ErmineStreet across the heathland south of Waddington. Lowlight: feeling very sluggish. #Hastings960

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I arrived in Ancaster about an hour ago, and reached the digs about 40 minutes after that. It was a tough day, but here I am - with the main objective of getting into the village with some light remaining achieved (and what light). Roundup soon. I need to ache in peace for a bit first #Hastings960

A street sign on a grassy verge. It reads 'ERMINE STREET.

A glorious sunset; above some buildings.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

My family are members of it, but that it was happening whilst I was passing through had slipped us by. It was a treat to see in person, however briefly.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Few updates so far today, as it has been tough. I'm sitting on a bench opposite this pub in Navenby, rehydrating heavily. I'll be moving again soon, and will rejoin the old route ('High Dike' / #ErmineStreet here. Fingers crossed I cab pick up the pace a little. #Hastings960

A brick built pub on a main village street. A sign says 'The Lion and Royal'

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I've just happened upon a dig / shoot by a very famous TV #archaeology team, on #Lincoln South Common. Very sadly, I have no time to have a closer look. Boo! #Hastings960

An aarcheological dig in an open public park.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Day4 begins, at Newport - the surviving north gate to the Roman fortress at #Lincoln. Getting here from the digs was a time consuming faff, due to road closures for a race in and around the city. I started at 11.25, with 21 miles to go

A stone gateway, with two arches - a large one fit for (modest) traffic to the left, and a much smaller one to the right.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

2/2 & Marton, where the ghosts of a once main road are palpable, and North & South Carlton, classic mediaeval villages, ridge & furrow, deserted parts and all. Lowlight: having to hang around in the cold for half an hour to check in to the accommodation. Boo. #Hastings960

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

1/2 Belated Day 3 roundup: 21 miles walked, starting at 09.15 and ending at 18.40, though including a 90 min hiatus in being driven around the 'Trent gap' in the road and having a break with my visiting family. Highlights: (apart from seeing my family & a friend in the eve), seeing Littleborough...

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I think I'll be stiff enough to find Steep Hill a challenge in either direction - but yes, I'd prefer road rash from cheese-rolling down it to lung failure from going up it!

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Thank you Margaret. The Witan (well, the other Ste) has ratified it.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Reached a very good pub in Upper #Lincoln at 6.40. Technically, there is a mile and half to go, but I may be about to make an executive decision to move the finish line - and tomorrow's start line - to exactly here. Thanks to my band mate Ste (yes, another one) for meeting me. #Hastings960

A bright red man sat in a pub holding a pint.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Just entered the northern bit of #Lincoln. They are well prepared, I'll give them that. #Hastings960

Two temporary signs on a bus stop, reading' RETIREE COLLECTION POINT' and FIRST AID AHEAD'

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I've turned off the planned route as I'm sick of being ultra careful on the A1500. I'm heading into Lincoln by way of the Carltons, instead - not to worry, someone has built a replica ancient road for me. About 5 miles to upper Lincoln, and pushing to 7 to day's end. #Hastings960 #Lincolnshire

A long, straight, gravel road, of the kind built to provide access for works vehicles.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

...and the view back across from the #Lincolnshire bank. I'm resuming now after the drive around, and a break with my family. Onward, to Lincoln. #Hastings960

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Apparently - at least in its later years - it was a chain ferry. I imagine the place would feel rather ghostly at dawn and dusk.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

The Trent at Littleborough, where once a 'great causeway' allowed people to ford their way across, Harold - and later William - included. The large Viking encampment at Torksey is just a little upstream (to the right). Time for a break as I'm driven around to the #Lincolnshire bank. #Hastings960

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I'm past Sturton-le-Steeple, heading for the historic river crossing at Littleborough. It has been a genuine dead-end since the ferry ceased, 100+ years ago, and bloody hell it is quiet. #Hastings960

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I resolve to break my 'no pubs until the end of each day' rule today, that's for sure!

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I rejoined the old route at Wheatley, where there is a ruined church dedicated to St. Helen. I brokd my 'no dawdling at old churches' rule. With Sturton-le-Steeple ahead - and I can already see a spectacular tower - I may do so again. #Hastings960

A ruined church tower and now separate arch.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

You will, however, be able to see this: West Burton power station, on the Trent. One of the last survivors from Megawatt Valley, and home of an alarmingly large proportion of our few remains #CoolingTowers #Hastings960 #Nottinghamshire

A large power station, viewed across an arable landscape.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

You won't be able to see it on this, through the haze, but #LincolnCathedral is visible on the horizon. #Hastings960

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Welcome to Day 3 of #Hastings960. I only started at 9.15, with just 22 miles to do today - and what a glorious day. This is looking whence I came, last evening. Updates to follow.

A countryside scene under a blue canopy.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Several - pub/hotels, really. I'm at The Bull. They're all rammed on the weekend of the reenactment every year, and most others for some distance around.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Walking from York to battle, 1-13 Oct, with a day off in London. Apparently, it was a good idea. (I did in 2016, which feels like 30 years ago after two days.)

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

DAY 2 ROUNDUP (words alone, as the signal is rotten): Out for 11 hours 20, 32 miles walked, 64 in total. Highlight: seeing part of the old road beyond Everton for the first time. A beguiling area, with characterful villages. Lowlight: the long slog up the hill out ot Doncaster. Groan! #Hastings960

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Yes, there may be a crucial word missing there. I did consider timing it to arrive for that - by coincidence, when I did this in 2016 the anniversary was on the weekend. This time I stuck with the actual anniversary, with the added bonus of being able to get a hotel in Battle.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Yes they really did. I live within a few hundred meters of a river, with another village on the far bank. I know no one there, yet know plenty scattered around the villages on 'our' bank.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Car - car! Definitely car. I hope so, as my dog is coming.

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