Saturday 24 December 2016

Last trip of the year. December on the Thames

Put in to the deserted river at Wallingford early afternoon.  
approaching Goring as a light mist preceded evening



Through the lock

The bright lights of Pangbourne 

The river perfectly calm

Practicing firelighting using the 'intense stare' method...

.....Carl wins!


A great overnight Canoe trip.  Atmospheric in the dark on a flat, mist shrouded river.  Great way to end the year.

Thursday 27 October 2016

A weekend without 'Hurry up and wait!'

With the nights starting to draw in and weather being a bit variable I was keen not to over commit for my October Microadventure.
The Brecon Beacons has been my destination of choice this year and I found a couple of good day walks in TGO magazine close to Crickhowell.
This worked for my mate Steve who was keen to join me but not so keen on yomping miles in the rain!  As he rightly highlighted 'weve spent too many days hurrying up, waiting and being uncomfortable'.
So, we set our sights deliberately low and planned for comfort, sensible walking and the option of being able to get out of the rain.
Of course, the weather turned out to be great but a more relaxed approach made for a great, laid back weekend.



Base Camp


A climb up Sugar Loaf for a view over the Usk valley
More from Sugar Loaf
The stroll down from Sugar Loaf 

The Usk - Dinner awaits!
Crickhowell Bridge - Dinner next door at the Bridge Inn.
Full moon and a fire - enough said!


Morning brew

A stroll up Table Mountain with views of Sugar Loaf from yesterday


Superb weather


And back in Autumn sunshine


Sunday 11 September 2016

September 2016. Changed plans doesn't have to mean less fun....

After a weekend canoeing the River Dart was cut short due to other commitments we still managed a (very wet) day out exploring the Swiift Ditch near Abingdon.

Just off the Thames but could have been the rainforest!
Sometimes it pays to be the team photographer.....



...and then how it should be done.


..and the winner of the 2016 canoe limbo championships is....

Rain.....

Pokemon Go! live.

Not sure this re wilding lark has me convinced...

Sunday 14 August 2016

August 2016 Microadventure - unfinished business

Julys walk in the Brecon Beacons changed thanks to the complete lack of visibility on my intended route. 
So, with Augusts weather looking better I snuck away to finish what I'd started with a walk from Llanthony Priory to Grynne Fawr.  A climb up Waun Fach (highest point in the Black Mountains), back through Mynydd Du forest and return over Bal Bach to camp.
About 14 miles in gorgeous summer weather which set the hills off to perfection.

Bit hot after the initial climb from Llanthony to the saddle at Bal Bach

Over Bal Mawr heading North East

Ridge walking towards....

...the reservoir in the distance

Wild ponies for company

The reservoir...

..which apparently is dangerous!...



lunch with a friend!

a hard climb cross country to Waun Fach ...

..and over Pen y Gadair Fawr

test of navigation through the forest and then up towards Bal Bach again, couldn't find a path!

Rewarded with another fine view of the priory


Monday 11 July 2016

July 2016 Microadventure - Return to Brecon

Sometimes inspiration for a Microadventure can come from something as simple as someone simply asking you to join them.  Last months paddle on the canal in the Brecon Beacons was that simple.  Thanks Carl!
That trip really whetted my appetite to explore the Eastern Beacons further.
By the first week in July however the phone hadn't rung so I was looking for some inspiration for myself.  It started with simply looking at the Ordnance Survey map.  Initially looking to see what other camp sites there were to use as a base with safe parking and a tap.  I found a couple and idly looked them up on Google.  One, Llanthony Priory caught my eye thanks to its price (£3) and its apparently beautiful location right next to a ruined priory.
Funny how things slowly build.  I pulled out the map again and slowly opportunities started to present.  The Priory is in the Vale of Ewyas.  Offas Dyke long distance path runs along a ridge on the North East side of the valley and another good looking ridge parallels it to the South West.  In seconds two good days walking leapt out.  The site was also close to Waun Fach and Grwyne Fawr reservoir.  Both places I had a yearning to overnight at.
Having started with not much in mind I had swiftly found a weekends exploring to do with the opportunity to scout out places for the future.

Setting off on Friday morning the weekend forecast looked poor with the best of the weather likely to be that afternoon.  I made good time and decided to bring the days ridge walk I'd planned for Saturday to the Friday afternoon and evening.  The long, light summer evenings give that flexibility.
Climbing out of the Valley on to Offas Dyke gave a stunning view of the priory and campsite field.


The weather was fine and clear giving glorious views in to England.


Arriving at Hay Bluff in the early evening I was reminded that I was following the national border!




The walk out had been accompanied by a constant and strong wind that was bringing the weather front in.  Rather than stay exposed I opted to walk back from Gospel Pass (I love place names like this) down the valley.  Out of the wind and with the evening sun out I had a carefree couple of hours walk back to camp arriving just as the sun was setting for a late dinner.














Day 2 was a poor excuse for a July day with low cloud and squalls of rain.  My plan was to follow the ridge on the other side of the valley North West to check out the reservoir and high ground I wanted to visit later in the year.  However, coming out of the valley the wind got stronger and the rain got harder. Coming to the ridge I looked towards my intended route to see the high ground obscured by racing, claggy fog.  A soaking pair of walkers approached and gave their opinion - 'It will be horrible mate!'.  I was not going to see much of anything going that way so followed the ridge line South past a high Cairn and wind break towards Cwyn y Gaer an ancient hill fort marked on the map. With the weather still pretty grim I opted to drop down in to the Valley for my return trip.


Day 3 dawned with the weather brightening.  I took advantage of an early start to check out the priory ruins before anyone arrived.
















I took my time packing to give everything a chance to dry out.  With a long drive home I took a quick detour to check out The Skirrid.  A lump of a hill standing alone which gave yet more glorious views.


So,  in the absence of any other inspiration an hour with a map and a willingness to be flexible and just have a nose about can deliver a cracking weekend.