The White Room:
Crampons disappear into the mist;
Follow on into a sea of vapour;
Pearlescent features;
Relief arriving at the top;
Frozen gear stuffed into a rucksack;
Compass bearings heading into the mist;
Character building;
Unadulterated pleasure;
Is not something you tell your mum about.
I think we have to differentiate between photography and ‘taking photos’. I tend to class myself as a someone who takes photos, a record of a events or activities
I will go to my grave never needing a dishwasher…
I’ve reviewed my own predictions from gone by 2050 to gone by 2040. Climate Change is all exponential now…
Nice wander from home along the High Peak trail to Cromford
Autumn, Tarn Hows
A wander down the Goyt Valley and up over Windgather. The reservoir is so low it’s inaccessible to sailing boats now
It would have to be the off road sections in the forest
That’s some effort to get set up
Yes a great cross country ride though the cascade was quite small so not the spectacle we expected
I’ve always used Silva compasses, probably because they’re readily available in UK outdoor shops, and my expedition 4 has romer scales for different map scales on the side and a handy magnifying glass too. They have always been reliable
It’s a pleasure leaving the van at the campsite when, as here in Saastal, the post buses and cable cars are included in your daily tourist tax. We got the bus up to Saas Almagell and walked up to a Swiss alpine village, Furggstalden, then up an exposed path around the hillside to Almagelleralp
Vézeley, Parc natural régional du Morvan. The lovely Basilica of Sainte Marie-Madeleine, reputed to have once been on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, sits in a fine position on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside
A 19km pedal through the Morvan Forest and some surrounding French villages with some rocky and muddy trails and one hike a bike steep section thankfully in the shaded forest. We included a lunch stop at a brasserie on route for some charcuterie and a visit to the Cascade du Saut de Gouloux
A lovely wander from the campsite at Chamboeuf through the woods down the Combe de Fixin and through the Brochon vineyards of Burgundy taking in the obligatory café stop in Gevrey-Chambertin, with a nice return over the limestone cliffs of Combe Lavaux-Jean Roland
Rain stopped play so a visit to a French chateau with a twist. Chateau de Savigny-les Beaune also has a display of jet airplanes, classic motorcycles (including six Vincent motorcycles in mint condition) and an Abarth racing car museum.
Good morning, enjoy your day, hopefully it’s dry enough for a walk
The rain is coming, hopefully it makes it far enough east for you
The NW highlands have long captivated hill walkers and when it also gets you away from the madding crowd on the NC500 it really feels great. This is on Cul Mor (849m) with views of Canisp, Quinag, Suilven, Stac Pollaidh, Ben More Coigach, Ben More Assynt and across the Minch to the outer Hebrides
You and me both then, including cars right behind while I’m busy staying below 30mph where required
Almost nobody who drives a car sticks to those stopping distances when behind other cars
Onwards north on the west coast from Mull of Kintyre to Lochgilphead via Tarbet. Spectacular weather with which to enjoy the fine west coast views out towards Islay and Jura then around the small port of Tarbet. Only 25C today 😎
A trip down to the Mull of Kintyre with a wee wonder on the headland taking in the views. County Antrim across the sea is easily visible at on just over 20 kilometres away
We are enjoying our break on Arran currently, maybe Islay next, weather is glorious
Carn Mor (685m), Caisteal Abhail (859m), Ceum na Caillich aka The Witches Step (759m), Suidhe Fearghas (655m). Around 10km and around 900 metres of ascent. A lovely horseshoe ridge walk with some scrambling in places, fabulous weather here on Arran.
On a wonder around Ayr yesterday went to the cenotaph and it was a privilege to stand among giants. Now we’re off to Arran able to enjoy the freedom they all sacrificed for us. We will never ever forget that
Over here it’s one day later this week, you gotta know the important stuff in life
Yes, this is the best case scenario too, more likely that we’ve underestimated the impact of climate change, are we now on the exponential curve for warming and associated extreme weather?
This isn’t Ogwen, where you couldn’t park this morning at 8am, but a small hill, Yr Eifl 564m, on the north coast of the Llyn Peninsula. Redefine your aspirations and put quiet walks ahead of over crowded places. Seek out the alternative and you will be rewarded
Rhinog Fawr (720m) above Harlech. Sunny, dry, rough upland walking devoid of crowds - what’s not to like?