Journeys by hiking, running, cycling and touring
I've been lucky with the amount of time I've been able to take since the summer as a break from working, but it can't last for ever, and soon work will press on me again. With this in mind, and knowing that one of the ways I keep sane when working is by doing some … Continue reading A New Series of Urban Walks
I threw my rucksack in the boot and sat in the car with a sense of increasing urgency. It was 3:45 and the first signs of sunset were beginning to appear. A decision as to what to do next was needed straight away. A final weather check showed no change in the forecast, and so … Continue reading New Year, New Dartmoor – Part 6: The Camp
I was up in good time today, as I wanted to maximise my options. The forecast remained steady from 24 hours ago and I could see that the wild camp that eluded me last time (well, strictly speaking I couldn't be bothered), wouldn't this time. Equally, if I got a move on with today's walk, … Continue reading New Year, New Dartmoor – Part 5: Some Sun at Last
“It will be quite mild”, said the weather girl on the local news, stood there in her overly fancy dress at 7:30 in the morning. Her colleague, Carol Kirkwood, on the national programme concurred, although being Scottish I imagine anything above about -10C is mild to her. But let me make one thing clear - it … Continue reading New Year, New Dartmoor – Part 4: Brass Monkeys
"Ah, this is more like it. This is what I expect from Dartmoor", were my main thoughts as I trudged across a soggy, bumpy but otherwise featureless landscape through a blanket of fog. It seemed that today was the day of the test - could I handle "proper" Dartmoor ? Sunday 4 January 2014 For … Continue reading New Year, New Dartmoor – Part 3: Bogs and Fogs
“Turned out nice again”, quipped one of the group of 5 guys as they passed a dozen or so yards parallel to me, heading up into the clag for the dubious delights of the top of the hill. I continued my squelch downhill to the dry sanctuary of the car. Today really hadn’t turned out … Continue reading New Year, New Dartmoor – Part 2: Turned Out Nice Again
It’s a long drive down to Dartmoor, but today it flew by, helped by the fact that most of the traffic was heading the other way, leaving the south west in the post-New Year reluctant crawl back to work. Almost before I knew it, the distances to Exeter were falling into single digits, and the … Continue reading New Year, New Dartmoor – Part 1: Back on the Moor
I suppose, having looked back at 2014, I ought to do a post looking forward to 2015. I usually try to avoid posts like this as writing down plans here is usually the kiss of death to them. So I'm going to keep this as brief as I can and try not to over-commit. 1. … Continue reading 2015 Plans
For January to June, see the previous post. July Having already been to the Lakes four times in the year, a record for me, I deliberately switched my attention elsewhere, and resumed my assault on the Cambrian Way. Just as the first time, my plan was a little too ambitious and I so burnt myself … Continue reading The Ploddies 2014 – Part 2: July to December
In my last post, I introduced the idea of the hillplodder.com awards aka The Ploddies. It's now time to get down to business and look at the things and experiences that have made the year and are worthy of special mention. I was going to do this as a list of awards, but have changed … Continue reading The Ploddies 2014 – Part 1: January to June
Awards have been very much in the limelight in the outdoors blogging world recently, with controversy surrounding at least one prominent award for Outdoor Blog of the Year (note, not necessarily "Best" given that the shortlist itself is more of a popularity and "who has more friends" contest - a better description would be "Most … Continue reading Yet More Awards – Plus Introducing Even More Awards
I'm up and raring to go today, my last full day for this trip. The forecast is good and I've deliberately saved this walk for today because of it. The bus whisks me out to Hawkshead Hill and I jump out at High Cross - strategically chosen because it's the nearest point to my target … Continue reading Autumn in the Lakes: Stragglers and Shadows
Having been spoilt by a couple of days of great weather and some delightful colours on the fells, the forecast for today wasn't looking so good - clearly I've used up my quota of decent conditions. Either that or nature has decided that as it is now December, it ought to get on with winter … Continue reading Autumn in the Lakes: Business as Usual
It's really rather nice sitting here by Derwentwater taking in the views and attempting to transfer them to paper, and I don't regret the way today's plans have worked out at all. Never has a walk plan changed so much as today's has. Having made sketchy arrangements to meet up with Paul (@paulgbuck) for a … Continue reading Autumn in the Lakes: Arty Stuff
All is dark when I finally arrive in Windermere, after some nail-biting moments on the train journey up, wondering if I would make my connections at Preston and Oxenholme. Not wanting to wait for the bus, when there's a taxi right here, I hop in the car and minutes later am at Ambleside youth hostel, … Continue reading Autumn in the Lakes: Nature’s Palette