After several false starts from the word go, due to missing students, blocked in buses and a whole list of other micro-problems, we eventually found a parking space in the Ogwen Valley and set off up into the mountains. The hassles of the morning soon faded away as we soaked up the fantastic winter conditions… Read more

In a very last minute change of plan, due to a cancelled course, I was asked to put on a training day for Rock Climbing and Caving Instructors today. With only a few hours notice (and thanks to a  couple of persuasive phone calls), the good people of DMM Climbing (thanks a million Jim!) set the… Read more

As a final lesson in a series of days exploring ‘Spirituality in the Outdoors’, we visited the Cathedral of Liverpool today. Between tours of the two buildings, the students were encouraged to look for the contrasts and similarities of the vast indoor spaces of the cathedrals compared to outdoor spaces in the mountains or wilderness.  Read more

I’ve always wondered if it would be possible to cycle from The Cottage and up the reservoir access road to Marchlyn Mawr. I suppose I’ve always known that it would be possible, but not known how easy or difficult it would be. Today we decided to find out.  There’s not much in the way of a… Read more

One of the best days out that I’ve had here in the ‘hills near home’, was climbing the Crib Lem spur one winter, with a set of skis on my back and then traversing the Carneddau, on said skis, under a deep blue sky, before skiing home. It’s a brilliant little ridge scramble and in… Read more

I’ve been away this weekend, but not far from home. With a group of International students, I’ve been staying in Llanberis (at the excellent Dol Peris Guesthouse) and have been sampling some of the region’s tourist attractions, in between teaching a few little life skills. Spring was in the air when I took a morning run from… Read more