There really were some well placed check points today! I think that the last time I walked through this valley was with Paul on my Gold DofE expedition! I was pleased to find it’s still just as challenging. Stationed with my binoculars, I had a good giggle watching one team deal with a navigational error Read more

I’ve been in the Lake District now for four days and have experienced almost all kinds of weather! I’m assessing some groups who are on a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition. After a travel and acclimatisation the hike got off to a very wet start in torrential rain. We tried to delay departure, but Read more

It’s been a busy week, but for various reasons, one that has been pretty much devoid of photos. I did managed to get a sunset pic down by the river though on one evening. I’ve been paddleboarding at Llyn Mymbr in fantastic conditions – after waving off Clare at the station earlier in the day. Read more

A much improved situation with the weather today meant that I could get out into the local mountains for the first time since arriving back from the Alps.  Llyn Idwal was looking glassy and the clouds were lifting as we hiked past at lunchtime. As we climbed, the blue sky won over and the clouds Read more

A few days of climbing and kayaking work timed nicely with a day off to celebrate my youth! There was no rush to exit The Cottage in the morning, so after waking up to pressies and cards, we had a fantastic brunch of banana and kiwi pancakes. It felt like the first real ‘wet day’ Read more

Getting back into the groove of Cottage life. Between hacking through the jungle of a garden (knee high lawns and double size hedgerows!), we been able to pop out and sample some of the local activities, such as climbing in the Llanberis slate quarry.  And checking the beach on Anglesey. We were led to believe Read more