 | Crewkerne Running club organise a great cross country race. Apparently it is around the grounds of Montecute House but because of the thick freezing fog on Sunday I did not catch a glimpse of the house. I even managed to not spot one of the trees on Ham Hill and ran into it, but that is another story. The 10 mile race consists of 10 hills, some of them requiring the use of hands and feet to get up, separated by muddy and icy paths. My time was 1 hr 58 mins which considering how many hills I had to walk up I am pleased with. The winners time was 1 hr 11 mins which is amazing thinking about the hills. That's it no more running (till next year). That is me on the far left trying not to fall down the first hill. Photo gratefully taken from gallery link on website. Full Monty Cute Website |
6 Dec 2010
The Full Monty Cute
25 Nov 2010
Book review : The Natural Navigator
I came across this book after reading a review on the Skills for wild lives site.
The blurb on the back of the book says "Put away your map and look up from your GPS". Navigating without a map and compass is not really what this book is about for me. It is about appreciate more of your surroundings. There are lots of interesting practical facts and tips about navigating using the environment around you. Where does the sunrise through the year, how the stars rotate on the celestial sphere.
This is not just a manual. The information is also combined with history and folklore. Lots of research has gone into navigation techniques used by older cultures. I won't be giving up the map and compass, in fact I have still got a lot to learn but I will try and be a bit more observant. I will probably reread some of the sections but this more a comment on the reader rather than the writer.
There is a link to the book on amazon on Nicks Skills for wild lives site
The blurb on the back of the book says "Put away your map and look up from your GPS". Navigating without a map and compass is not really what this book is about for me. It is about appreciate more of your surroundings. There are lots of interesting practical facts and tips about navigating using the environment around you. Where does the sunrise through the year, how the stars rotate on the celestial sphere.
This is not just a manual. The information is also combined with history and folklore. Lots of research has gone into navigation techniques used by older cultures. I won't be giving up the map and compass, in fact I have still got a lot to learn but I will try and be a bit more observant. I will probably reread some of the sections but this more a comment on the reader rather than the writer.
There is a link to the book on amazon on Nicks Skills for wild lives site
17 Nov 2010
Short trip around the Mynydd Du (Black Mountain)
We set off early for a much anticipated thrip to the Brecon Beacons, this meant that by the time we reached Neath we were ready for breakfast. This was to set the tone for the rest of the trip as you will see. The first cafe we came to was called "Nu cafe" and it was marvellous.
The camp site at Dan-yr-Ogof caves was closed for the winter but walked though to the path that leads up the Afon Haffes and then up on to the ridge which leads to Fan Hir. The only rain shower of the day blew over us as we reached the ridge.
After lunch over looking Llyn y Fan Fawr we continued along the ridge before turning south above Llyn y Fan Fach.
We camped near the river Afron Twrch (SN801196). One of the ground rules for the trip was that we all had to bring our Argos Hike-lite tents. In the night we had some heavy rain for a few hours and the tents stood up very well to it. Luckily it was not very windy as I am not too confident in the poles but for £20 and 2kg it is a great buy.
For supper we had "Look what we found" Chilli con carne and Smash followed by cake and custard and mulled wine. Louis has recently bought an Eydon Kettle which he was keen to try. We had a cannister stove for the food and the kettle for drinks. The Eydon kettle boils water so quickly that we could hardly keep up with the coffee consumption.
In the night the rain stopped and the skies cleared. A cold start was improved by cinnamon porridge and too much coffee. We followed the track through Carreg Goch, a collapsed landscape of shake holes and crags. All too soon we were heading downhill to the road.
The camp site at Dan-yr-Ogof caves was closed for the winter but walked though to the path that leads up the Afon Haffes and then up on to the ridge which leads to Fan Hir. The only rain shower of the day blew over us as we reached the ridge.
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| Fan Foel |
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| Llyn Fan Fach |
We camped near the river Afron Twrch (SN801196). One of the ground rules for the trip was that we all had to bring our Argos Hike-lite tents. In the night we had some heavy rain for a few hours and the tents stood up very well to it. Luckily it was not very windy as I am not too confident in the poles but for £20 and 2kg it is a great buy.
For supper we had "Look what we found" Chilli con carne and Smash followed by cake and custard and mulled wine. Louis has recently bought an Eydon Kettle which he was keen to try. We had a cannister stove for the food and the kettle for drinks. The Eydon kettle boils water so quickly that we could hardly keep up with the coffee consumption.
In the night the rain stopped and the skies cleared. A cold start was improved by cinnamon porridge and too much coffee. We followed the track through Carreg Goch, a collapsed landscape of shake holes and crags. All too soon we were heading downhill to the road.
4 Nov 2010
Feels like -10
We have got a trip to the Brecon Beacons planned next weekend. However I am beginning to hate metcheck.com. It may not be entirely their fault.
Update the next day : Now it says Sunny 8 deg C. Lesson learnt don't look at long term forecast.
28 Sept 2010
11 Sept 2010
Across Wales Walk Sept 2010
5 o'clock on the border of England and Wales, surrounded by head-torches and anticipation. Simon and I set off down the road to start the Across Wales Walk.
The adventure began the day before as we left the south coast after lunch arriving in Ludlow late afternoon. After a couple of attempts we found a pub serving food and sat down with lasagne and chips to have another look at the map and come up with a realistic finish time. After registering at Clun village hall we spent a slightly nosiy night sleeping on the hall floor until 3:15.
The sun came up as we ran along the Kerry Ridge way, the start of an amazing day. We ran the first couple of sections with a group of runners who had done the route before and enjoyed their company and their help route finding.
After Check Point 1 we reached a high point above Llandinam and ran over 2 km a wide track downhill all the way to the village. We crossed the River Severn for the first time and joined the Severn Way.
After a short road section we reached Check Point 2, otherwise known as Jaffa Cake heaven. Our new friends left us after the check point as the hills started to rise before us with great views over Bryn y Fan.
The route takes you along the side of the Nant Gwestyn with a very steep drop down to the trees and stream below. I tried to point out the view down to his left but Simon seemed focused on looking straight ahead.
As we dropped into the valley of the Severn again we had a new experience. In the past, out running, we have been attacked by dogs, cows and seagulls. In a narrow enclosed lane we were attacked by a sheep which charged at Simon. I decided that cowardice being the better part of valour to leap into the hedge while he defended himself with his Garmin Forerunner.
We followed the long road into the Hafren Forest where we reached Check Point 3. This provides toilets and soup, both greatly appreciated before we started the climb up to Plynlimon. Once you leave the forest the long trudged up the tussocky grass to the first col starts and then on to the summit. The views from the summit cairn were amazing back over the route we had come and over Nant-y-moch (Valley of the pigs) reservoir. We dropped down to the road around the reservoir and on to Check Point 4.
By this stage we had covered about 32 miles and we were now walking and were being caught by the faster walkers. Leaving the road we covered a beautiful section over the scree path and down the Leri valley to Check Point 5.
Here I made a mistake. On offer at Check Point 5 is the famous Bread Pudding, the recipe is available on the acrosswaleswalk.co.uk site. In my confused state I missed it. Simon, who is no fool, had 3 bits and the next morning told me how delicious it was.
The last stretch was 7 road miles to Clarach Bay, to finish in 14 hrs 10mins. A minibus then takes you to Aberystwyth University Halls, where a bath and a massive plate of fish and chips await.
A fantastically organised event which covers the whole weekend. The event is obviously a favourite with a lot of people and I can see why. The route which covers a range of contrasting beautiful country, the friendly participants and the support from marshalls all make it worth coming back.
The adventure began the day before as we left the south coast after lunch arriving in Ludlow late afternoon. After a couple of attempts we found a pub serving food and sat down with lasagne and chips to have another look at the map and come up with a realistic finish time. After registering at Clun village hall we spent a slightly nosiy night sleeping on the hall floor until 3:15.
The sun came up as we ran along the Kerry Ridge way, the start of an amazing day. We ran the first couple of sections with a group of runners who had done the route before and enjoyed their company and their help route finding.
After Check Point 1 we reached a high point above Llandinam and ran over 2 km a wide track downhill all the way to the village. We crossed the River Severn for the first time and joined the Severn Way.
After a short road section we reached Check Point 2, otherwise known as Jaffa Cake heaven. Our new friends left us after the check point as the hills started to rise before us with great views over Bryn y Fan.
The route takes you along the side of the Nant Gwestyn with a very steep drop down to the trees and stream below. I tried to point out the view down to his left but Simon seemed focused on looking straight ahead.
As we dropped into the valley of the Severn again we had a new experience. In the past, out running, we have been attacked by dogs, cows and seagulls. In a narrow enclosed lane we were attacked by a sheep which charged at Simon. I decided that cowardice being the better part of valour to leap into the hedge while he defended himself with his Garmin Forerunner.
We followed the long road into the Hafren Forest where we reached Check Point 3. This provides toilets and soup, both greatly appreciated before we started the climb up to Plynlimon. Once you leave the forest the long trudged up the tussocky grass to the first col starts and then on to the summit. The views from the summit cairn were amazing back over the route we had come and over Nant-y-moch (Valley of the pigs) reservoir. We dropped down to the road around the reservoir and on to Check Point 4.
By this stage we had covered about 32 miles and we were now walking and were being caught by the faster walkers. Leaving the road we covered a beautiful section over the scree path and down the Leri valley to Check Point 5.
Here I made a mistake. On offer at Check Point 5 is the famous Bread Pudding, the recipe is available on the acrosswaleswalk.co.uk site. In my confused state I missed it. Simon, who is no fool, had 3 bits and the next morning told me how delicious it was.
The last stretch was 7 road miles to Clarach Bay, to finish in 14 hrs 10mins. A minibus then takes you to Aberystwyth University Halls, where a bath and a massive plate of fish and chips await.
A fantastically organised event which covers the whole weekend. The event is obviously a favourite with a lot of people and I can see why. The route which covers a range of contrasting beautiful country, the friendly participants and the support from marshalls all make it worth coming back.
8 Sept 2010
At the end of Across Wales Walk
Thanks to everyone for their support and donations. I made it, what a great day. I will be writing up the story of the day and putting up some of the photos I took along the way
At the end, sitting by one of the thousands of caravans in Clarach Bay
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