Diary of a genetically unmodified traveller: Pennine Way - Day 1

Setting out on a walk that you know is going to hurt is a momentous occasion - though it didn't feel very momentous at the time for me and my pal, Tim Shaw.

The sun is shining, it's the middle of June, we are fit and we're ready for anything that the Pennine Way can throw at us.

Getting used to a heavy rhucksack takes some doing, but you soon get into it and forget about it. It's there, a slight pain in your shoulders at first but then that goes and you're left with legs that ache a bit after the first few miles up on to Kinder Scout.

Me and Tim know this part well - we should do - we tramp these hills every weekend - but usually with a lighter pack on our backs. Underfoot is the same though - heavy.