Journeys by hiking, running, cycling and touring
The Grisedale Horseshoe I awoke to lowish cloud over Causey Pike, which I can see from my bedroom window, and whose nobbles have intrigued me since I first saw them yesterday afternoon. I had second thoughts about my planned walk as the last thing I wanted was to bail out part-way through, especially now that … Continue reading A Lakeland Round 2007: Day 6 – Saturday 21 April
Buttermere to Little Town Today's plan, formed in the pub last night and refined as I lay awake listening to the wind and rain, was to have the easiest possible walk over into the Newlands Valley, whilst still gaining some summits. Â So it was quite obvious to pick Robinson and Hindscarth, but I made the … Continue reading A Lakeland Round 2007: Day 5 – Friday 20 April
The Crummock Horseshoe It was quite windy last night, but somehow I slept better than Monday night. Â I lay awake listening to the wind and wondering if the tent would stand up to it. Â Which it did. Â When daylight came, I fell asleep and later after a lingering breakfast I found myself running for the … Continue reading A Lakeland Round 2007: Day 4 – Thursday 19 April
Buttermere I went to bed last night clean, refreshed and with a new plan formed, that would see me claim 21 peaks between now and Sunday. Â So I woke in a more positive frame of mind and set out round the shops first thing to secure the kit that the whole plan relied upon - … Continue reading A Lakeland Round 2007: Day 3 – Wednesday 18 April
Let's start by adding a 5th lesson to last night's list: don't expect a good night's sleep in a tent. Â I know the first night in a strange bed isn't usually great, but you can multiply that by 10 when sleeping in a tent and on a very (too) thin mat. Â I probably did sleep … Continue reading A Lakeland Round 2007: Day 2 – Tuesday 17 April
I woke at sunrise which I considered good as that's what is probably going to happen whilst I'm sleeping in the tent. Â After final checks and packing of last minute items I set off. Â The first thing I noticed as I walked down the road to the station was that I somehow must have left … Continue reading A Lakeland Round 2007: Day 1 – Monday 16 April
After the week in the Peak District, I've spent the last few days having a "normal" family weekend and spent some time planning my Lake District trip, which starts tomorrow. I made an overall map to chart all 114 peaks so that I can visualise the route and plan accommodation etc. Â But having done this, … Continue reading A Lakeland Round 2007: Planning
A tale of butchery, outer space and gritstone. Friday 30 March - Sunday 1 April 2007 I woke to a sense of freedom and a burning lip. The sense of freedom arising from having left work for a three month sabattical, made all the more stark by a frantic last minute rush to get things … Continue reading A week in the Peak District
This was my first solo trip to the Lake District and little did I realise how significant it would be or how many subsequent trips would follow. It's only in hindsight that these things come into perspective.The PlanThe previous weekend I was sitting at home, my parents were around and I'd just had a really … Continue reading Ambleside Ambles
I rose early, for a Sunday, to make sure that I got to the start point in good time, as getting there involved a train into London, a walk across London and a train out the other side. Â But just my luck that engineering works mean the first train from home I can get is … Continue reading North Downs Way 2: Guildford to Westhumble
With walking now firmly established as my main hobby, I wanted a project that could keep me ready for the hills inbetween trips, and I settled on the North Downs Way. Â It's an obvious choice really as I live just over the Thames in Thurrock, and so is relatively easy to get to. Â Also having … Continue reading North Downs Way 1: Farnham to Guildford
Friday 28 October 2005 - Skiddaw Yesterday was such a frantic day, that it was good to finally get out into the hills today, even though it certainly wasn’t the weather we would have wished for.  At least I took a day off work to prepare – I hate to think how bad it would … Continue reading A Wet Weekend in the Lakes
Somehow I made it down to breakfast the next morning, although my thighs were on fire and from the waist down I felt like a combination of John Wayne and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Â And then the journey home in the minibus went by in a blur. Â I braved the strange looks again on the tube as … Continue reading UK Three Peaks (2005): The Aftermath
Sunday 17 July 14:00ish What a way to spend my wedding anniversary. Â Dave is thrashing the van down the M6 in a desperate battle to get to Llanberis and avoid being pulled out of the challenge. Â It feels strangely motivating. Â Dave also seems to take a proactive approach to sheep on the road and seems … Continue reading UK Three Peaks (2005): Snowdon
Sunday 17 July 03:50 Â We arrive at Southwaite Services on the M6 for our Scafell Pike briefing. Â It's annoying to see people in sleeping bags, indicating that there's a fair chance they've had some sleep. Â I take the opportunity for a wash, a fry-up and, most importantly a cup of tea. 04:32 We set-off for … Continue reading UK Three Peaks (2005): Scafell Pike