Journeys by hiking, running, cycling and touring
Just as I arrived at Paul's, he had the news on and a general election had been called. I took this as an omen that there could be no better time to lose myself for 3-4 days in the middle of nowhere. Day 1: Tuesday We bundled in the car and made for the Forest … Continue reading The Quest for a Furthest South
Our annual Easter break saw us head to Northumberland this year, our choice of cottage heavily restricted by the requirement to fit in 3 families and 3 enormous dogs. We headed there with a plan to spend a couple of days walking in the Cheviots - enough to bag all 6 Nuttalls, and fill the … Continue reading The Grim and Distant North
What little fitness had been instilled in my legs in Wales already felt like it was ebbing, and so it was time to top them up. The aim was simply to do a long walk and carry a decent load - and to have a bit of up and down. That ruled out staying my … Continue reading Making it up as I go
The euphoria of knocking off 15 miles and nearly 1000m of ascent on a day when I was feeling sluggish soon wore off. The wind picked up in the night and was really pressing on the tent. Again I had bits of cheap Chinese inner in my face. I was glad to get up, but … Continue reading Cambrian Way #9: Bryn y Fedwen to Mallwyd (Days 20-21)
The need to get in some serious backpacking practice before the Big One in Scotland in May saw me heading back to Ponterwyd a bit sooner than I'd expected. I'd decided that the Cambrian Way would be a suitable training ground for the TGO. Furthermore, in a moment of madness I had the idea of … Continue reading Cambrian Way #8: Ponterwyd to Bryn y Fedwen (Days 18-19)
I’m getting rid of my Golite Jam 50L, bought in 2012. It’s used (obviously), but still got many years of life left in it. For most of my backpacking needs I use a Gossamer Gear Mariposa which suits me fine for multi-day treks. I’ve only tended to use the Jam for short overnight camps, or on … Continue reading Golite Jam For Sale
I'm getting rid of my Gossamer Gear Gorilla pack, dyneema version, bought in 2015 just as the new robic packs were being brought in. It's used (obviously), but not that much. For most of my backpacking needs I use a Gossamer Gear Mariposa which suits me fine for multi-day treks. I've only tended to use … Continue reading Gossamer Gear Gorilla For Sale
The Mardyke is my local river (ignoring the fact that the Thames is actually nearer), and I've done many walks along and around it. This time last year I even took Little Miss Hillplodder for her inaugural wild camp in its environs. It's about as close to wild land as its possible to get in … Continue reading The Mardyke Bivvy
Some sad news from home had greeted me at the hostel, and it was in reflective mood that I set off for the last full day of the trip. After 15 miles of walking the previous day, I decreed that today would be a gentler one, a series of shorter walks, and spending some time … Continue reading March in the Lakes – Part 4: Reflections
When I was deep into my carless Wainwright round, the Far Eastern fells presented something of a problem. The only useful bus route runs along the western edge of the area, making the fells to the far east of the far east virtually inaccessible on a day walk. The need to pick off these fells … Continue reading March in the Lakes – Part 3: “Close” to home
Somehow, in a little over 24 hours, I'd broken Cath. We'd done no strenuous walking, beer intake had been modest, we hadn't even carried heavy packs. All I could ascribe her ailment to was some sort of allergic reaction to paintbrushes (it certainly wasn't the cookies as in a huge act of self-sacrifice, I pigged … Continue reading March in the Lakes – Part 2: A Sunday Stroll
The date was in the diary, the pre-order had been made, the accommodation had been booked. Then the unthinkable happened - Andy Beck's book launch was pushed back from the weekend of 4-5 March to the equivalent weekend in May. Issues with the colour reproduction in the printing process necessitated this delay, and one I … Continue reading March in the Lakes – Part 1: Viewpoints
In my quest to make a dehydrated meal that isn't bovine in origin, I finally got around to it, and set about a lamb dish we eat every so often at home. I was particularly drawn to this one because the grain this would be served with would be cous cous. Since the cooking method … Continue reading Tales from the Dehydrator: No 5 Lamb Tagine
I'm desperate to increase the variety in my dehydrated meals, as everything so far seems to be beef based, but recent attempts to introduce lamb have been thwarted. The meals I dehydrate are chosen to fit in with the household menu for the week, and as luck would have it last minute hiccups have prevented … Continue reading Tales from the Dehydrator: No. 4 Pasta Bolognese
I hadn't heard anything back about my amended TGO route sheet for the best part of a month, so I chased it up. No news turned out to be good news, and HQ confirmed it was signed off. So here it is in all its glory. The accommodation is all booked, so now all I … Continue reading Done and Dusted