Pilates - Tuesday 29th September 2015

A really good session tonight - I get it and 'engage'.

Swim - Monday 28th September 2015

What a wasted opportunity....I have a client meeting in Pooley Bridge at 3pm, it's a stunning evening and I drive home along the lake and past the fells so that I can do 25 lengths in a chilly pool...bonkers !

Stickle Tarn - Saturday / Sunday 26th & 27th September 2015

Two things have inspired me to wild camp tonight: firstly the stunning weather and, secondly, and more influential, my chat with Kate (Manager in The Epicentre, Ambleside). She's a self-confessed wild camper / bivvy girl, and loves every minute of it. 

So I get my kit sorted, decant my red wine, buy some bait and head off in Cali (not that I'll need my camper tonight but I can have a brew whilst I faff with kit). But where to, had originally thought Styhead Tarn and return walk to Esk Hause and Glaramara but it's a bit later than I had hoped, and although I know the route well and am happy to walk and pitch in the dark, part of the draw was to set-up before the sun sets. So perhaps to the Coniston, yes I have a plan. But as I head out of Ambleside, through Clappersgate to Skelwith I am drawn to the Langdales and soon find myself passing through Elterwater Common and parking at the ODG (feels a bit safer parking here overnight than NDG ??). Anyway, I'm glad I did head this way !

I have a brew and faff with my kit, well I do have a lot of it ! And then head up the left of Stickle Ghyll to the tarn. It must be about 6pm, the weather is stunning and it's a glorious place to be. There are some others already camping, I have a chat and they make me feel welcome; not wanting to encroach, I camp a short distance away but am welcomed into there evening. 

My intended solo, solitude seeking wild camp is in tatters but the warmth of like-minded people far outweighs this; it's a great evening, the wine, the whisky and then the Jagermeister flows and there's even talk of a midnight swim in the tarn....fortunately it doesn't go beyond talk.....of course I was up for it :-) :-). 

The sky is completely clear and the moon is so bright, even have a walk up to the wee tarn above the main tarn, no torch required, and a wander to remember ! :-)

Eventually I hit the sack, it's s chilly night and followed by a fantastic sun rise and cloud inversion....what could be better. Breakfast alfresco and chat with my new friends, then we part company and head in different directions. I head up to Blea Rigg and a steady undulating walk to Silver Howe and back along the valley. 

Well what a fantastic trip, I wanted to connect to the fells again, wild camp as I have in the past, perhaps back to my roots, no running or racing but out walking and enjoying the fells. Friends made and hopefully will meet again sometime....Boxing Day dip in the North Sea, count me in, I'm tough enough !!! :-) 

Mountain Biking - Saturday 26th September 2015

I don't do much serious mountain biking, but having bought myself a new and half decent bike earlier in the year, it's time I did !

I have a couple of books with routes and decide on a loop from Staveley...what a surprise, think More Bakery might have influenced that !

Anyway, it's a good loop, either side of the Kentmere valley and some good, testing for me, single track; great fun and, as expected, lunch in More. Great weather to be out in and think I will do more of this, more appleaing than road biking in the Autumn / Winter.

Ride - Friday 25th September 2015

Head out for the usual Arnside loop at lunchtime; a glorious day and I need to start making plans for the weekend.

Running Technique Coaching - Thursday 24th September 2015

So I meet up with Paul Tierney in Ambleside for some coaching - an interesting and useful evening, a lot of work to be done.

Ride - Wednesday 23rd September 2015

Head out from work for my usual Arnside loop - not as quick today, it's a bit gloomy, and so am I.

Pilates - Tuesday 22nd September 2015

A uneventful session at Pilates, but that's no bad thing.

Swim - Monday 21st September 2015

Head to Leisure Centre for a swim - 20 lengths, that's enough for me.

Hartsop to Kirkstone and back - Sunday 20th September 2015

I meet KA at Kirkstone, she is keen to recce leg 2 of IHR and I have to settle for a walk. We leave the Cali at Kirstone and head down to Hartsop, I set off walking back up the valley and Kath runs over the fells. We meet at Kirkstone have a quick tea and then both walk back down the valley. 

A misty days on the tops but a good day to recce and boost confidence. Then into the Brotherswater Inn on way back for some late lunch. 

Ride with Chris S - Saturday 19th September 2015

Not been out with Chris for a long time and as I'm not running we head out on road bikes. Chris is happy for me to decide on a route so I use the Sportive route from earlier in the year as inspiration. 

Through to Burneside, Skelmergh, Meal Bank, Docker, Firbank, Sedbergh (well close to it), Killington and then Kitridding Farm shop for jam roly poly and custard....how good is that :)

Then back through Old Hutton,  Oxenholme and into town. About 35 miles and a top speed of 43.8mph; all recorded on Strava. 

A good route and good company. 

Staveley Walk - Friday 18th September 2015

Head over to Staveley for just a short circular walk along river towards Bowston and back.

Rydal & Grasmere Waters - Thursday 17th September 2015

Over to Ambleside again and a wander around Rydal and Grasmere Waters, another glorious day.

Derwent Water Walk - Wednesday 16th September 2015

An early Physio appointment, then into Ambleside for breakfast. From there, up to Keswick and a walk around Derwent Water, a glorious day. Then 20 lengths in the pool early evening. 

Ride - Tuesday 15th September 2015

Ride out from Natland on the usual Arnside route, but add in the extra Sandside loop too.

Home - Monday 14th September 2015

A very early start and long drive to Toulouse.......then a 3 hour flight delay !

Refuge Pombie & Lac de Peyreget Circuit - Sunday 13th September 2015

I decide to walk on my own today and drive just over the border, at Col El Portalet. It's a cooler day and some cloud cover but could be much worse. I climb steadily to Col de Soum and then descend steadily to Refuge Pombie, in just over an hour. A quick stop for a bowl of hot chocolate and then I climb to Col de Peyreget; from here, an out and back detour to Pic Peyreget, at 2487m. 

 

Back down to the col and descend West to the lac and another col, Col de l'lou. From here it's easy slopes to rejoin the route and head back to car.  

Then an afternoon in the spa 👍

Rest day - Saturday 12th September 2015

The forecast for rain and storms and the only 'guided' walk is not for me. So I have a leisurely morning and short stroll to the next village after lunch. My Achilles is slightly tender, so a sensible day. 

Pena Foratata - Friday 11th September 2015

So 9/11 and 14 years on I can still remember exactly where I was when I heard of the of the unfolding tragedy, as I'm sure you can too. 

Just four of us head out for a walk today, the moderate / hard option, Jayne, Andrew and 'guide', Claire. We drive up to Formigal, a modern ski resort, and walk steadily uphill from there. The sun is beating down and after a climb to the col, we skirt round the back of Pena Foratata onto more exposed and rough terrain.

To a col between the twin summits and we scramble right to the lower summit, exposed and a little technical in places, the view from the summit is stunning. We have much here and watch the vultures circle effortless above us. 

It's then a down-climb / scramble back the way we came and a steady walk back to Formigal. 

 

A grand day out with good company and stunning weather.   

  

Ordesa Canyon - Thursday 10th September 2015

It was many years ago that I climbed to Breche de Roland from Garvanie, on the French side of the Pyrenees, and peered over to Spain and the Ordesa Canyon; roll the clock many years forward, and today I get to walk above and then along the canyon - I have wanted to do this since all that time ago, and it was worth the wait.  

It's a reasonable large group that head over to Torla and the. Get the coach into the Ordesa National Park. Flea (?!) and Dan tell us of the brutal climb out of the valley bottom to the Matador, on the balcony of the canyon. But the climb is worth while, even if my Achilles doesn't agree, and we the walk along the balcony to the cirque at the head of the canyon. 

The walking is relatively easy and the weather far better than forecast. It really is a classic, and we gradually descend to the cirque and the long walk back along the valley bottom. A great day,  and one that I'll remember for a long time. 

Refugio de Los Ibones de Bachimana - Wednesday 9th September 2015

Just a short drive to Banos de Panticiosa today and then a steady walk to the Refugio for coffee. Another glorious day. I walk around the lake, rough underfoot and a few scrambles to an unmanned cabin and then back down the route of ascent. Spectacular scenery and and just a few people out walking on this section of the GR11.

Lacs D'Ayous - Tuesday 8th September 2015

Everyone decides on the same walk, it's only a 'medium' but that's all I need at the moment. 

We head back over the Col du Pourtalet and up a side valley to Lac De Bious-Artigues. It's then a steady walk past the lake and off right for a steady climb through the woods. The weather is stunning, as are the views to Pic Du Midi D'Ossau, one of the Pyrenees most stunning peaks. 

Once out the woods, a further steady climb brings us to the lakes and lunch at Refuge D'Ayous. A warming bowl of hot chocolate is very welcome. Then on a little higher to Lac Bersau, and then back down into the valley and walk out to the cars. 

A stunning walk, very steady, as planned.

To the Pyrenees - Monday 7th September 2015

A very early start to catch an early flight to Toulouse. Then a 4 hour drive along and then over the Pyrenees to the small village of Panticosa, and my hotel, Sabocos. 

The beer is refreshing, the food good and plans made for the next day's walk. 

Walk - Sunday 6th September 2015

So still no running so I head out for a walk. This is becoming my usual route, from Ambleside, round Rydal and Grasmere Water and back along the Coffin Route. A glorious day, the fells look stunning.....how frustrated am I :-(

Ride - Saturday 5th September 2015

An unexpected and early trip over to Grizedale for mountain biking. Really wish I hadn't bothered, think I'll stick to doing my own thing in future. 

And to make it worse, I should have been racing at Ben Nevis - would have been my 6th consecutive year. 

Ride - Friday 4th September 2015

A short ride after work, a shortened route of the Burneside / Staveley route from home. 

Swim - Thursday 3rd September 2015

Home from London at 18:35, at the swimming pool by 18:50 - a bit of a rush. 25 lengths, feel better for that.

London - Wednesday 2nd September 2015

Busy day in London - no time for exercise.

Pilates - Tuesday 1st September 2015

Serious weather tonight - head to Pilates, not much fun with a cracking headache.

Walk & Ride - Monday 31st August 2015

Bank Holiday Monday, so am parked and off walking by 8am. Same route as Saturday, under Loughrigg, around Rydal Water, Grasmere Water and back along Coffin Route. Then into Ambleside for a full English.

Then late afternoon, over to Natland and out on bikes. Into Lyth Valley and then a new route, across to Underbarrow, Crosthwaite, Crook Road and then back to Underbarrow and Brigsteer....then Brigsteer Hill and, Whetstone Lane, Prizet and back to Natland. About 24 miles and 1,700' of ascent....more detail on Strava !