Ride - Saturday 31st October 2015

Up early, life admin out the way and then head out on bike. From home, to Brigsteer, Levens, Undernarrow, Crook, Staveley, bacon & egg roll, Burneside and home. 22.2 miles in the dry. 

Skelwith Run - Friday 30th October 2015

I have a early Physio appointment in Ambleside and then, with a few days leave still available, I take the morning off and meet up with KA for a run......not sure that was a sensible idea after enduring an hour of deep tissue massage !! And it's wet too ! But a chocolate croissant and coffee before setting off always makes for a good start. 

We head out from Skelwith, to Lilly Tarn, Loughrigg Tarn, Neum Crag, Skelwith, Colwith, High Cross, Yew Tree Tarn, Tarn How's, Sunny Brow and back to Skelwith. It does dry up but remains very soggy underfoot. About 12 miles and then a quick shower and into work.....for some more Client Summaries....don't ask !!'

Pilates - 29th October 2015

Catch up session as I couldn't make my usual one on Tuesday. Hard work but very rewarding.

George Fishers / Petzl Night Run - Wednesday 28th October 2015

I skip out of work early and head up to Keswick with KA to take part in the the George Fishers / Petzl night run.  It's a promotion by Petzl, a short run out and the chance to try their various Re-active headlamps (which I already have...and highly recommend, the Nao, less impressed by the fiddly buttons on the Tikka's though).

A steady run out along the shore of Derwent and then a steady climb up through the woods, somewhere below Walla Crag, before heading back to the shop.

One lucky person will win a Petzl Nao, well it wasn't me but the winner was standing not far away from me and spoke non stop about winning all the way home :-)

Anyway after a quick cuppa and change in the Cali, head to The Square Orange Cafe for drink and tapas, and some excellent live music. A good evening out :-)

Edinburgh - Tuesday 27th October 2015

A long day out in Edinburgh on business, the only exercise was running along Princess Street with James as he cut it a bit fine to catch his train !

Scar Run - Monday 26th October 2015

So dark by 5pm.....time to dig out and charge the Petzl Nao....and then up to the Scar for a run. Actually it's close to a full moon and with the clear sky, it's relatively light, mild too. 

A good run, all seems to be going well :-)

Lyth Valley Ride - Sunday 25th October 2015

A busy day, I get up early and the out my clocks back, so rather than an extra hour in bed I get an extra hour to use during the day. 

Some essential home admin to get out the way first and then to Keswick for some essential kit shopping.....well just a new pair of gloves.....because I really don't have enough pairs already !!!

Then up to see wee Barnus, he's ok so then on to Natland for a ride. The usual Lyth Valley route but with a few extra miles, via Viver, added on the way out. I was expecting a dry ride, but that wasn't the case, some cold rain for the last few miles, but I can handle it ! :-)

Tour de Helvellyn....short version - 24th October 2015

A good day, at last.....and my mood is finally lifted :-)

I head out for a run with KA; over to Patterdale in the Cali and then run the TdH route, but only the loop from Patterdale, but that's plenty enough for us both, 17 miles. 

A bit wet, a bit breezy and a bit cloudy, but nothing will bring me down today. We run along to Glenridding, up to Greenside Mines (seeing Charles on the way) and then climb to Swarth Beck and onto Sticks Pass. A bit chilly up here so quickly down to Stannah Bridge and then the long trudge, via Thirlspot, to Dunmail. Then it's up to Grisedale Tarn and the long run down Grisedale Valley back to the Cali....and a very welcome brew. 

Even manage a quick pint in the Watermill on the way home, a top day :-)

Arnside Ride - Friday 23rd October 2015

So I have an early Physio appointment in Ambleside, breakfast at More and a bit late into work. But I manage to head out on bike a bit before 5, I really don't want to get caught in the dark, far too dangerous. 

So usual route from the office, Heverhsam, Viver, Milnthorpe, Dallam, Storth, Arnside, Sandside and back to Levens....but before the light fades. A twitchy ride, the roads were wet and the lanes mucky but at least no idiot white van man ! 

Scar Run - Thursday 22nd October 2015

A bit overcast and breezy but dry and mild, so I head to the Scar for a run at lunchtime. Usual route from Brigsteer Woods, not a bad run. 

Rest day - Wednesday 21st October 2015

So we have a scheduled power cut at the office for most of the day...but we do not go short of tea and coffee, the Jetboil roars again :-) And mince pies too :-)

Had thought about going for a run or ride at lunchtime but with no electricity, that's means no shower and I don't think that's fair on my colleagues ! So I go to the pub for a burger and a pint instead. 

Then a work event on early evening so it has become a day of rest, might do me good.

Lunchtime run - Tuesday 20th October 2015

Another warm and pleasant day, the Indian Summer lasts for one final day. I head out at lunchtime for a run along the river and back along the canal; only a herd of cows hinder progress ! 

Then to Pilates in the evening; after a weeks absence, it's good to be back. Rebecca is on good form... :-)

Run on Scar - Monday 19th October 2015

So back to work today after a week away, never much fun.

Head out after work for a run on Scout Scar, a great place to be and only 5 minute drive from home. I run for almost an hour, Achilles is holding up well. 

Arnside Ride - Sunday 18th October 2015

Well my mood today definitely matches the weather....gloomy. 

Reluctantly I head out on my bike, I know that if I don't I'll feel even worse !

Ride from Natland to Stainton, Viver, Milnthorpe, Dallam, Storth, Silverdale, Arnside, Sandside, Heversham, Hincaster, Sedgwick and back to Natland. A bit over 20 miles, I think. 

Hopefully will feel better tomorrow. 

Fairfield - Saturday 17th October 2015

Yes I know I went here last weekend, but so what, it's my favourite and I'm doing it again today. 

But firstly I need coffee and pastry at More, and then to Rydal. It's a bit chillier down here than in Scotland and there's even some cloud in the sky, not use to either of these. But I can't complain, another dry and clear day. 

So off around the Horseshoe, I want to be somewhere else today but, for three reasons, I can't and won't be (injury, and leading on from that, team selection are two of them !!) so, instead, settle for my default route. I'm still trying to get back my running fitness and recover from injury (and not aggregate it). But all goes well, I'm out for just 2 1/2 hours today and then soak my Achilles in a very chilly stream at Rydal. A good day to be out and sooooo many people compared with what I've got use to !!

A Corbett and then home - Friday 16th October 2015

It's another very chilly night, my Marmot Plasma keeps me warm and use the remote control to active the Cali's heater - I want it to warm up from just 1c inside temperature.....and it quickly does. 

Then I'm up and away early, it's a long drive home from here and I'm keen to tick off another Cornett on route. 

So I park up just beyond the Claunie Inn; usual routine, kettle on and another coffee while I sort (faff) with kit but, so what, it's a fantastic day. All along Glen Sheil it's thick mist, but within 5 minutes of climbing the stalkers path towards Am Bathach (The Byre), 798m, I am in glorious, and very warm sunshine, what a day. 

It's only just over an hour walk to the summit, the views are spectacular but I need to get home. So quickly back down the great grassy ridge to the Cali and then crank up the 180bhp, twin turbo to get to Fort Bill for some lunch. Then the long slog home, via Costa. Back home soon after 6:30, a good journey and despite my not waiting around, manage 32.5 mpg (but who knows what emissions...VW !!) which is an all time best......was 4motion really worth it :-/ 

A Corbett and a Munro - Thursday 15th October 2015

Another cold and clear night - could hear the deer roaring, the joys of the Cali's canvas sides :-)

So I have a plan, walk from base to climb the remote Corbett of Sgurr Gaorsaic (Peak of Horror, I later learn !), 839m. 

I again walk up Gleann Choinneachain, this time to Bealach an Sgairne, and then descend slightly to the loch; I stop here for coffee, the Jetboil is so good (I'm a member of the Jetboil fan club.....:-) !). And then the long plod, following the line of the fence posts to the summit of the Sgurr Gaorsaic; it's another lonely day, it's taken me about 3 hours to get here and not seen a sole.

The descent back together loch and quick and then it's a short climb back up to the Bealach. It's only just after 1pm, so I decide to bag a Munro too; obviously I have already climbed this, but that's not a good enough reason to pass on this opportunity. I reckon on 1 hour to the summit, 1 hour down to the forest track and an hours walk back to base from there. I'm reality, it's about 45 minutes to the summit, and the views were spectacular....out to the Cuillins, and the Skye Bridge, 40 minutes ton the forest track and, as reckoned, close to an hour back to base. 

It was worth it, a great day out in big remote Scottish hills, and I didn't see anyone all day. The Kintail Hotel beckons....good, beer and some company. 

Skye Trail.....completion at last ! - Wednesday 14th October 2015

So the last section of the Skye Trail eluded me when I attempted to walk it all at Easter; it's not quite the same going back to finish just the last section of a walk, a complete end to end is ore satisfying, but it's has felt unfinished business.....and it's not that far from here. 

So I have a plan, but travel logistics are not great, one bus a day from Broadford to Elgol and that's early afternoon; so it's back to the old tried and tested method of hitching a lift. I park at Broadford and start wondering down the road to Torrin and stick my thumb out as the first car approaches (there aren't many on this road !) and it stops; I'm in luck, a young couple from Edinburgh On holiday and hoping to climb Blaven; they drop me in Torrin, exactly where my walk had finished six months ago. I show them the map and talk through the route to climb Blaven, they were a bit apprehensive, the weather is not as good as yesterday, I hope they summited. 

For me, it's simply a case of walking back to Broadford, but the off-road coastal route. It's very windy which makes it a bit unpleasant and I definitely prefer mountain walking to coastal walking but, as I said earlier, it's unfinished business and needs completing.

I see 4 people walking today, it's getting busy up here !! It's an ok walk, and in a little over three hours, I've walked the last 14 miles of the Skye Trail, a tick in the box. 

Beinn Fhada - Tuesday 13th October 2015

Well the good thing about having climbed all of the munros is that I can now been choosy which ones I go back and climb again; and take time to explore without an, self imposed, pressure to push on and maybe 'bag' a second one. But, that having been said, I definitely prepared the travelling than the arriving.....of you know what I mean, just seem to be lacking a bit of motivation and drive......maybe I need to climb them all again, now there's a thought !!

But today it's Beinn Fhada, a stunning and complex mountain, situated above Morvich, so I can walk from the site. The weather is glorious, it was a very cold night and hard frost, but a perfectly blue sky - fabulous. 

The walk takes me up Gleann Choinneachain, it's stunning, as is the wee stalkers path which doubles back right up in to the high corries. It really is a complex mountain, the summit is very flat, almost plateau like whereas it's western fringes are made up of a narrow, serrated and pinnacled ridge....very much a game of two halves.

By standards set so far this week, the walk was a popular one, I see 3 others walkers all day, 3 more than I have seen so far on this trip !! And very limited mobile signal, that's why I always take extra care and go better equipped on Scottish mountains. 

The summit views really were amazing, the Cuillin ridge was crystal clear out to the west, Ben Nevis and a hundred or more summits to the South and way up into Glen Carron and Torridon to the North....wow, wow & more wow. 

Rather than retrace my outward route, I decide to tackle the ridge, it's actually shorter and although this would lead to a very steep and grassy descent to the valley, it looked exciting. And it was, the ridge really was intricate, exposed and a few interesting moves, but great fun. And then the steep descent but only a short wander back along the road to the campsite. A great day exploring. 

Falls of Glomach - Monday 12th October 2015

I am awake early and slept badly, so am up and away early. Fortunately Tesco in Fort William is open at 7:30 so I can grab my supplies and the head North to Morvich. 

My original plan had been to revisit the Munro Beinn Fhada, but the weather is a little dubious I decide to explore and head to the Falls of Glomach. It's not an easy option, a ten mile round trip and plenty of rough ground and ascent too. It is one of the longest single drop waterfalls in Scotland, Russ and I crossed just above them in a LAMM quite a few years ago, but as you would expect in a MM we never had time to look.

Well the weather did improve and I amazed by the several huge herds of deer and the very errie roars of the stags. Well the falls were spectacular and worth the long walk, it was then back the same way and into Morvich Caravan Club site, my home for the next 4 days. 

Oh, and I added in a 4 mile round walk to the Kintail Lodge for dinner - fish & chips, Eaton Mess and two beers, the walk back did me good. 

Heading to Scotland (and a Corbett) - Sunday 11th October 2015

So I'm up and away early, first stop breakfast at Tiso Outdoor Centre in Glasgow, just along from Douglas Park BMW, where my X3 came from !

Breakfast sorted and a bit of essential (!!) kit purchased (Scarpa Zen Pro's.....!!!) and I'm back heading North, next stop Kingshouse Hotel. 

I park on the wee road behind the hotel and my objective for the afternoon is the Corbett, Beinn a' Chrulaiste (Rocky Hill), at 857m. Despite the dry weather that Scotland and Northern have enjoyed for the last month or so, I have wet feet within the first 5 minutes.....the joys of path less meanders in the Highlands. 

But the weather is stunning, I'm in shorts and I even think there are some pesky midges about. I head up into Coire Bhalach and am soon climbing the final ridge to the summit; what a superb viewpoint for the whole of Rannoch and Glencoe, plus so much more, including straight down Glen Etive. 

It's a brisk descent to Altnafeadh and then along the West Highland Way to the waiting Cali.....tea is soon made and I sit back and enjoy. I could have happily stayed here all evening bit I drag myself away and pitch up at Glen Nevis campsite, that's not a bad place to be either. 

Fairfield - Saturday 10th October 2015

It's gone on long enough and I can't take anymore - I need a run on the fells. So head to my favourite, and default, route - Fairfield Horseshoe. It goes ok, it's a stunning day, much warmer than I anticipated and I take it steady. It's not totally pain free, but perhaps I need to accept and manage that - I really don't know but I do know I miss fell running. 

I just wish I wasn't on my own today.

Lunch run - Friday 9th October 2015

A busy day but manage to get out for a run at lunchtime. Out along canal and back along the river, all ok really !

Rest day - Thursday 8th October 2015

Out for lunch at work and a work related event this evening, so a forced rest day; perhaps no bad thing.

Run - Wednesday 7th October 2015

Head out at lunchtime for a loop of the river / canal; a bit damp to start with but soon clears. I take it steady, am I out too soon......doing too much ?!

Pilates - Tuesday 6th October 2015

Another good class - it's gets better each week and I get more into it each week.

A swim and a run - Monday 5th October 2015

Up and out early this morning, so I take advantage of this and head for a swim.....well that was a flippin mistake, I expect an empty pool at 6:30, but it's the busiest I've ever seen it. And everyone is swimming lengths, all across the pool so no room for a crap swimmer, wanting to swim half lengths with a float ! So I soon give up on that idea and head to Booths for coffee and a pain au chocolat !! Oh, and on the plus side, I win the lottery, but my winnings don't even cover the cost of my swim....maybe next week, there will be a Rangie in my life one day !!

Then a short, steady run on the Scar after work - hopefully I got away with it again :-/

Lingmoor & Side Pike - Sunday 4th October 2015

Had intended to support at the IHR today, but get the feeling that I was not really wanted there :-( So, as I have come to learn over the last few years, a B plan is always useful to have in place. 

I head over to Elterwater, it's a bit misty and cool, perhaps the weeks of good weather are coming to an end. Off for a walk over Lingmoor; up through the quarry and into the fell, not many people about today. I also include Side Pike, might have only climbed this once before. Then drop into Great Langdale and back along valley path to tea and biscuits in the Cali. 

A "tranquil" bivvy :-) - Friday / Saturday 2nd & 3rd October 2015

So I am keen to get out wild camping again and Russ, after his trip to the Langdales last week, is keen to climb Jack's Rake again, so we have a plan.

I leave work early, pick Russ up on the way through and head to ODG; it's another glorious day, a real Indian summer. We are soon heading up to Stickle Tarn, it's hot and hard work, but once there we drop packs and scramble (climb !!) to the start of the Rake. 

It's been a few years since I climbed this, but we make quick progress up the dry Rake and are soon scrambling up the steeper slabs to the summit plateau, and then across to the summit of Pavey Ark; the views are fantastic. But the light will soon fade and the air chill, so we head back down to our packs. It's at this point that I discover that my Five Ten approach shoes, which are fantastically sticky on rock, are useless on steep, damp grass !

Russ had suggested camping at the wee tarn, the one I visited last week, :-), but someone has beaten us to it. But there are masses of places to camp, and we find an excellent little bump which provides us with great views down the valley and all of the surrounding fells.  

Well I say bivvy, does a bivvy bag with a hoop really count - I think yes, but, hardcore Russ has a proper bivvy bag. We are soon set up and cooking, and have some beer too. It's a chilly evening, the stars are amazing but we decide on an early night. I am warm and cosy and sleep very well. 

The sun rise is spectacular and after some breakfast we are soon packed and heading back down, Russ is working but, in some ways, all the more fun to pack in a micro- adventure.  

I even manage to head out late afternoon for a short run on the Scar, just 45 minutes but, again, the Achilles is holding up well. 

Ride - Thursday 1st October 2015

It's October, only 3c this morning (so pleased the X3 has heated seats) and another glorious day.

Head out at lunchtime on bike, same route, different direction - slower, perhaps because there was no idiot today trying to mow me down, or perhaps just harder this way round - but so what, it's good to be out and making the most of this.

And have just planned another wild camp on the fells tomorrow night - I've got the bug !

Ride & Run !!! - Wednesday 30th September 2015

Another glorious day in the Lakes and, although at work, I am keen to make the most of it.

I head out at lunchtime on my bike - some flippin idiot in a white van tries to run me off the road, this shakes me up and and fires me up ! I complete my loop in record time, managing to average 16.3pmh, 0.5mph quicker than my previous PB.

Then after work I have a 45 minute run on the Scar; what an evening to be out, just wish i could have gone further; but I'm being sensible, it's without incident; i need to just keep testing the water and pushing the boundary to see what my Achilles can handle.