There’s been a bit of a feeling of ‘expedition fatigue’ in the air. After a morning of jobs, a swim across the lake was just what we needed. I met Clare by the pontoon once she’d finished a presentation she was giving. We decided to go for wetsuits and went out to the far side, which was… Read more

Another evening session on Idwal Slabs in Cwm Idwal. We didn’t set off until gone 8pm and weren’t really keeping any track of time. Deep in conversation and chat, we climbed steadily upwards. It’s one of the less popular of the way up the slabs, but the climbing is really good. On the second pitch,… Read more

  Well that’s it done for a while and what a day to finish on! Total contrast to recent conditions in the mountains. The van is yet to be unpacked and the bags full of kit from the last few weeks can be dealt with tomorrow, but I’ll be sleeping in my own bed tonight… Read more

I finished the first aid course on Tuesday evening with another dip in the lake as the temperatures were still sky high. After having had a few gruesome scenarios to deal with, I met with some friends for an ice cream on the way home. Unbelievable heat.  I managed another night at The Cottage before… Read more

When the weather is this good and it’s almost mid-summer, it’s amazing what you can pack into a day! Got back to The Cottage quite late last night and early next morning, I was dealing with this!…. As part of my outdoor qualifications, I have to undergo a two-day First Aid course every three years,… Read more

Gold DofE on the Isle of Man – a bit of rhyming nonsense… Gold DofE? Sounds good to me,  A week away, just wandering free. Lake District? Nah, a better plan, is, Take the ferry to Isle of Man. With all we need upon our back,  All neatly packed in a rucksack. We’ll hike a… Read more