While Nikki’s cousin Mark was visiting, we popped into Chester’s Grosvenor Museum.

Nothing unusual there, we go there all the time, to take part in the Chester Globetrotters meeting.

But that’s in the lecture theatre, and this time we decided to actually peruse the museum itself.

An amazing exhibition called End of the season, talked about North Wales holidays in the late 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s.

All about how they became an institution, but inevitably fell by the wayside.

Most of my childhood holidays were off this kind, so I found it fascinating.

Made me think though. The adventure season is coming to an end.

Pretty much from the beginning of April, until sometime in September each year, I celebrate what I call the UK adventure season.

I still go on overseas trips, but I try to do as many adventure weekends away in the UK as I can to make the most of the UK weather.

And I realise that this years is coming to an end…

So, the final 3 adventures I did, are captured in brief bellow. Have a a look and see what you think.

Remember, April isn’t far away, and its just a question of getting out and doing it.

Return to Hartington Hall YHA and the Peak district.

Earlier in the year, I visited Hartington Hall youth hostel (a solo trip, I walked from Buxton).

At the time I went, while Nikki was Skiing.

I enjoyed it so much, that we decided to visit it together and have a weekend in the lakes.

Most of our weekends, begin with a walk.

The reason for this is simple. Instead of a 2 day weekend break, we normally take the Friday off, get up really early and do the first of 3 walks then.

We found a cracking circular walk on walking world that took in Mam Tor and Castleton among other places.

Reaching the top and catching site of paragliders was pretty amazing.

We leave the walk, and make for Hartington, and our home for the weekend.

The little village is really nice, and on Friday evening has a van which sells chips.

With a bag of chips, I sit by the lake/pond in the centre of town.

After checking into the youth hostel and getting cleaned up, we have dinner and a few drinks in the hostel bar.

Our second day, and we choose a walk called the Hartington Lollipop.

I wasn’t too enthusiastic, and considered it a bit of a “filler in” type of walk.

I couldn’t have been more wrong, we wandered along rivers and meadows, and the weather was fantastic the whole time.

We stopped along the way at this little pub called the Watts Russel Arms (strange name, but brilliant pub).

Inside, the landlord had an extensive book collection for guests to look at, which he talked me through.

It was so nice, that we stayed for a 2nd drink.

Farther along, we reached a spot which seemed vaguely familiar.

Then I remembered. Last year I went to the YHA association AGM and gave a talk on social media for walking groups.

After lunch, we’d gone out on a walk and Graham and I had extended it. I remember realising I’d lost my wallet at a rest stop.

When I came back (to an area packed with walkers) it was still there.

I gave the children who found it £2 (which apart from cards, was all the money that was in it 🙂

Wandering back through open fields, its a perfect day and I’m looking forward to another evening relaxing with Nikki.

Our room was quite cosy, but with central heating and an on-suite bathroom for £32 per night represented amazing value.

It’s one of those things where although the room is really nice, I spend practically no time in it apart from sleeping and getting ready, as I’m always out either walking, dining out or drinking in friendly pubs.

After a quick shower and changing into Rohan Goa’s (well I did anyway) we head into town, have dinner in the Devonshire Arms and a couple of drinks later at the Charles Cotton hotel.

But nothings perfect, and now the disappointing part.

After a fantastic breakfast at the Youth Hostel, we head out for the day.

This time were doing a walk from Monyash. I hadn’t been here, since Frank and I walked the Limeston way all those years ago.

Back then, we’d walked all day and arrived at the campsite. We couldn’t find anywhere to book in, until we found a sign that said “go to pub”.

We found the farmer in the pub, paid him and went back to set up our tent.

Back at the pub, we had dinner. It was so busy that I remember we had to eat it on plates standing up.

In the morning, there was a cafe that served breakfast. With far too many customers to fit inside, I’ll always remember a lovely Sunday morning with perfect sunshine and about 30 people sitting out on the flags drinking tea and eating bacon butty’s 🙂

But in actual fact, the place was rather empty. The circular walk we had planned just involved walking through fields in appalling weather.

So bad in fact that after a drink in the pub at the halfway point, we just walked back along the road to our starting point.

On the way, I saw this, which lifted my spirits.

I dont know if you can see, but its a recycle bin that’s meant to say clothes and shoes.

Instead, someone has rubbed our some letters and the sign now says “clothes and hoes” !

But this kind of mixed fortune is what makes a weekend away that bit more fun.

And as you’ll see from the following section, considering the good look we’ve had throughout the adventure season, we’ve more then compensated for the bad luck we were due.

Lake district Bank holiday.

Our next trip is back to the lake district and the beautifull town of Keswick that Lee Sawbridge introduced me too 25 years ago.

We’ve had some good and bad luck with camping over bank holidays in the lakes previously, but were confident this time it would be ok.

The campsite on the lake at Keswick is without doubt the best one I’ve stayed at in this country.

Up early on Friday, breakfast and coffee in the car, we head for Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England.

We’d had a good crack at it earlier in the year, but the weather had turned us back.

So looking at the weather above, it wasn’t sunny but it was quite nice for the UK.

And it lasted for about the first 20 minutes of the walk, then the heavens opened for the rest of the day.

I like to think I look “windswept” in this photo on the top.

But I’m told by Nikki I just look bedraggled and soaking wet.

I’m not one for standing on top of peaks and chatting so barely a minute later, were off back down the hill.

Back to our camp-site.

We didn’t have the spot we wanted and the ground was soaking.

Like I said, fortune is overdue to give us some bad luck !.

But when the cloud clears, you can see the view from our front porch on the tent.

It’s a lovely site, as you can see, there are quad bikes and boats parked so its all about adventure.

A new restaurant in Keswick sells Mexican and Tapas, (Bar Es) so there was no real question where we were going for dinner.

Couple of pints in the Royal Oak (which for 20 years I’ve known as the Keswick Lodge) for old times sake.

The following day, we head out early and get breakfast at a cafe in the town.

We wander around the shops, and I see a shop selling axes and other bushcraft stuff.

There’s an exhibition on at Keswick museum about Alfred Wainwright, one of my heroes so we spend a couple of hours in there.

In the photo above, you can see Wainwright’s “haversack” and tweed jacket which he wore on his 13 year exploration of the lakes.

If you were seen out in gear like that today, you’d be called a lunatic and told to go home !.

At lunchtime we decide to wander around the lake.

Not exactly Anapurna, but a nice walk all the same, and a stop at the halfway point of the Mary Mount for a drink (a pint obviously).

We head back into town for a treat at the Keswickian chippy (probably the best in-shore chippy in the UK).

Nikki wants to get ready and relax before dinner with a glass of wine in the tent.

I realise there’s an old cinema there, so have other plans.

With the Man from Uncle showing 20 mins later, I take my leave off Nikki and head off to watch the film (its a small place, and after paying my money, I’m given something that looks like a bus ticket 🙂

Film was quite good, and all the better for being shown in a traditional cinema atmosphere.

I head back, get cleaned up, and this time, its Italian for dinner and a few drinks around the town.

Up early, we have breakfast on the hill, as we head for the peak of Skiddaw. A cracking mountain that overlooks Keswick.

I’m really looking forward to it, as last time I was hear, I met Sir Chris Bonnington (one of my personal heroes and one of the proudest moments of my life).

A lot steeper than I remember (but last time we broke the trip up with an overnight at Skiddaw house).

Another foul day, but ultimately, we reach the top.

Dinner and drinks again in the town, up early the next morning (thanks to the numb skull we were camped next too), we pack our gear and head for home.

Long weekend in Anglesy and Snowdonia.

I honestly think that if my brother lived in France, I’d see more of him.

It’s one of those classic situations, where my home town of Manchester is so “near” that something comes up and I can always go “next week”.

In fairness though, I also think the pace of life, is much faster now (or feels that way) than its ever been. I finish work for the weekend on Friday evening sometimes, and in a blink its Sunday morning !.

Brilliant news, was that David and his lovely wife Leigh had got a cottage in Anglesey for a week, and invited us to join them for the weekend.

Not wanting to wast a single minute of the weekend, we once again took Friday off work, had toast and coffee in the car, and headed straight to North Wales for an exciting day walk.

On the way, we stop at Fitzpatricks cafe in Bethesda which along with its amazing food and atmosphere, was really popular with bikers, as it had a motorbike in the window.

From here, we continue to the Ogwen valley but the cloud cover is really bad, so we decide on a low level walk, around some lakes.

Our first circuit was around Cwm Idwal, where we spotted a woman in a bathing costume swimming in the lake (I thought for a moment that we might have to rescue here, and wasn’t really sure how we would do it 🙂

We move to our 2nd lake, Llyn Ogwen with superb views of the Ogwen valley and Treffan where there are superb hills, which I’m determined to return and climb (so much so, that I bought a special map from Fitzpatricks).

We briefly make a stop off in Bangor and have a revelation.

Most of the places I go back to and visit, are much more run down than they were when I was last there x years ago.

In this case, the whole town has been done up, and the grim pub I remember visiting is now an up market shop !.

With the days adventures complete, we drive across to Anglesey to meet up with Dave and Leigh. The cottage can only be described as superb, with en-suit rooms, massive tv, opulent kitchen, and an amazing view across the straits back to Bangor.

We get showered and changed in our beautiful room, then spend an hour catching up with David & Leigh.

There’s a nice pub nearby on the waterfront, so we head to the Gazzelle for dinner.

After an amazing chilli and brilliant company we head back to the cottage. Everyone is going to bed, but I realise that the original Fast and the furious film is on ITV, so I decide to stay up and watch it.

It’s been that long since I watched normal tv, that I’d forgotten, its stops every 25 mins, for the adverts.

I just couldn’t deal with that, so I went to bed !.

I get up bright and early, and start work on various projects on my laptop (the wifi coverage was superb).

A bit of a lazy morning, we decide were going to visit South Stack lighthouse (a favourite venue of my mother when she was alive).

The first leg, was arriving at the RSPB sanctuary on the top, overlooking the lighthouse (we had some really nice coffee).

The place has special meaning for Nikki and I. We came here 3 years ago with the walking group.

I think its the first time’s we realised we were fond of each other.

When we walked down to the lighthouse, and crossed the bridge onto the Island, I saw this spectacular view back across the cliffs.

I get a bit sick of constantly being charged to visit National Trust sites (I know they cost money and all the rest of it, but sometimes I’ve paid £5 to visit a farmyard and get a cup of coffee).

When I was told there was an entrance fee for the lighthouse I wasn’t impressed.

But I thought it was just to be allowed on the Island. I didn’t realise you got a tour of the whole facility (including a walk to the top of the lighthouse), and they had a really good museum as well.

On the way back, we nip to the supermarket to get supplies for the evening.

Dave and Leigh are here for a whole week, but we’ve only got one day, so we leave them to go back, so we can continue exploring.

We find a nice pub and have a couple of drinks, then since were on holiday, visit the town of Menai bridge and get some chips.

We follow a path through some woods to the coastline of Anglesey.

Years ago, I camped out between the 2 bridges for nearly a week with a budget of £15. All the memories come flooding back.

As we continue along, we pass under the Menai bridge, and I get the photo I’m delighted with.

Back to the cottage, we cook dinner and have a relaxing evening.

In the morning, its breakfast on the terrace, and up early for me and Nikki.

Dave and Leigh are going to get the train up to the top of Snowdon.

Nikki and I area going to walk up, using a route we’ve not used before (well, we’ve walked down it, but never up).

From here, we’ll all meet up at the cafe on the top. Quite an exciting co-ordinated plan, and I’m really looking forward to it.

We were worried about congestion, as the tour of Britain would be passing through here on the same day, but needn’t have worried.

We park up in Llanberis and hit the trail.

I’ve given us two and a half hours to get to to the top, and I realise three and a half would have been better.

Like the Para’s marching to Goose Green, we blast off up the hill (well, kind off. I was puffing and panting for most off it).

Cloud cover is very low that day, and within an hour, it looks like this.

It’s all very nice when mountaineers answer the question “why do you climb” with “because its there” but the reality is its nice to have something to look at as well, and this wasn’t doing much for me.

Anyway, we have a date with destiny (well, David and Leigh actually) so no time for contemplation.

Then Nikki mentions that the trains have been going up every half hour at first, but we haven’t heard one in over an hour.

And then, 150 metres from the top, I get a text from Dave.

The f***ing train has broken down (my words, not his) and his train (behind it) has been cancelled.

Back down the hill we go at a much faster pace.

We get back to Llanberris, and I get to see the the ramblers bar at the Padern lake hotel, the mountain photograph ship and Pete’s Eats.

All the things I remember from my youth.

The end of a brilliant weekend, and the end of another fantastic UK adventure season.

Near and far, the search for adventure continues…

Ok, so I haven’t updated the blog in a while.

As most of you know, it’s what I call adventure season at the moment (and about to come to an end).

Basically, adventure season, is the time between the beginning of April and the end of August.

I still do adventures outside this time, but for the last 5 years (and mainly the last 3) I try and get away on as many weekends for trips away in the UK, to make the most of the weather.

I’ve been on about 13 weekends away this year, and it’s been fantastic.

Just for a change though, I’ve decided to talk about the adventures I do at home. This is a list of some of the things I’ve done in the last 6 weeks.

Like everything else on this site, I don’t say this to brag, it’s put up here sincerely, in the hope it may provide inspiration.

Music Train.

Glenn organised an evening on the Chester music train.

Not exactly as fun as it looks on this picture on their website, but certainly not a dull evening.

The basic idea, is that you get on a train, and some folk musicians “entertain” you.

Its a normal running train (so basically a bit uncomfortable, and doesn’t have a buffet trolley) that goes from Chester to Plumley.

When it arrives in Plumley, we get off and have a couple of hours in the Golden Pheasant pub, where the musicians perform.

We have a few drinks and a nice meal, then its back on the train and more hi-jinx as we thunder back towards Chester.

Overall, a pretty interesting evening with good company (including Glenn).

If you go yourself, take some drinks for the train.

Trip to the Theatre.

Known locally as a man of the arts, I’m sometimes frustrated that my home – Chester (that quaint British city/village) has no theatre (and that the new one has cost £40,000,000 so far !).

So I usually end up going to the theatre either in Wrexham or Liverpool.

I saw an advert for a play called “The curious incident of the dog in the night time“.

Nikki and I went to the Liverpool Empire to watch it (earlier in the year, we’d been to see 3 other plays in Liverpool so I’d grown to like it there).

I won’t spoil it, but the story was really engaging, and they had amazing visual effects using among other things, 6 light projectors.

Specialist catered Barbecue.

There used to be an advert for cigars some years ago. The slogan went “Castella for the man that thinks that little bit bigger”.

Nikki and I were invited to her friends Barbecue. When we got there, I expected Derrick to be flipping burgers and Marie to be tossing salad with wooden spoons.

Instead, they were socializing with everyone, and had hired Big 5 catering, to do their barbecue.

Big 5 were courteous and professional the whole time, the food was delicious and they cleared everything up afterwards.

Brilliant weather and a fantastic afternoon.

* Big 5 is just their name. They don’t actually make Lion burgers or anything like that.

Noel performing at Alexander’s open mike night.

It’s important to have friends (I’m incredibly popular, so I have hundreds).

A friend from work called Noel (a front end developer) owns a Guitar and likes to play at venues.

Since he was playing at Alexander’s, on the open mike night, I decided to go over and hear him perform.

He turned out to be really good, and while there I realised 2 other friends from work had turned up with the same idea.

Wine tasting at Urbano32.

Most Sunday evenings (as the weekends drawing to a close and work/the need to wash clothes/putting train sets away, hovers on the imminent horizon) we go out for a drink and something nice to eat.

Our 2 favourite venue’s for this are Artichoke or Urbano32.

While out in Urbano32, the manager there (Claire who I’ve known for years and previously worked at BT with Dan and his henchmen) mentioned they were doing a wine tasting evening.

Cork’s out is our normal wine tasting venue of choice, with the excellent Tom. But why not try something different we thought, so immediately signed up.

On the evening, there was a 2 course meal and 2 white’s 2 red’s and a sparkling wine. All for £20 each, which I thought was superb value.

Their director of wine talked us through the different wines, and when the tasting glasses were empty, we bought a bottle of one of them, they were that good.

They’re doing another one on the 10th of September and were looking forward to that already.

Boat trip and my first Hen do.

My friend Lisa from Phonak was getting married.

Lyndsay Lomax, my friend who now lives in Switzerland was coming over for the Hen do, so I arranged to meet her for an hour before the Hen (which would be a cruise on the Princess Diana boat along the river Dee in Chester).

Nikki joined us later, then the fun really started.

Turned out, 2 of Lisa’s guests had been forced to cancel. There were 2 tickets going to this great event, and she asked if Nikki and I would like to go.

I was a bit nervous as I’d be the only man (and I was dressed for an afternoon around Chester, not a special occasion).

But these people are friends I’ve know for years I reasoned, and although I’ve been on the boat before, I’ve never been to a party on 1.

As it was, a fantastic night out, with really good food, brilliant company and the Phonak girls even brought a selfie stick with them.

Lisa and Phil got married yesterday. Due to family commitments, I wasn’t able to attend but I sincerely wish them every happiness in the future.

Lunch in West Kirby and live Comedy evening.

Nikki’s cousin Mark comes up to Chester to see her every now and then, and we’ve become firm friends.

Couple of weeks ago, we took him to the Wro in West Kirby for lunch, then walked over to Hilbre Island.

Afterwards we had coffee at a small place there, and I realised it was right next to Sarah’s Mum’s old house (I place I spent many happy times, in a previous life).

From here, we came home and got ready then back to Alexander’s.

£10 seems a lot, but the 3 comedians are on for 3 hours and its hilarious.

“When my girlfriend moved in with me, there were so many shoes lined up, it looked like the outside of a mosque”

“Why do people criticise David Beckham because he’s thick !. Nobody criticises Stephen Hawking because he can’t play football”

Chez Jules film & dinner.

In addition to not having a theatre, Chester doesn’t have a cinema either.

But as the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention.

Those cool guys at the very authentic French restaurant Chez Jules have started to do a dinner and film evening in the upstairs of their establishment.

Nikki and I had never seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s so decided to go.

2 course dinner then they turned the lights down and the film began (which was good, as I had been concerned about the clinking of cutlery).

During the performance, they discreetly refilled drinks so nobody got thirsty.

I’m still not sure if I liked the film or I didn’t (although Audrey Hepburn was incredible).

I really enjoyed the subtle combination of food, drink and film all put together though.

Take the stairs by Rory Vaden.

I always try and read on the train to work and coming home each day.

I remember reading somewhere, that what we call a PHD is basically knowing the general details of what’s accumulated in about 50 books.

An average book can be read in 5 – 7 hours. So, at 1 hour a day, that’s a book a week.

So, imagine your a van driver and want to get a job in a music shop selling violins and pianos. Your fascinated by it, but just dont know much about it.

We’ll, in 1 year, you could accumulate a man-in-the-street PHD on musical instruments.

The most recent book I’ve read is called Take the stairs by Rory Vaden.

His basic premise. Success is never owned, its only rented. Self discipline and doing some things you dont really want to do, is the only key to real success.

I thought it was fantastic, I’ve learned loads from it and now I’ve read it, I gave it away to someone at work, with instructions its to be given away again, each time its read.

Theatre in the park.

Ok, ok, so enough moaning about not having a theatre or cinema.

Well, each year they do theatre in the park and this year, we decided to go.

I took this photo early on before it got dark, but later, it was completely packed.

We had good seats that were under cover, but it didn’t rain much anyway. We also took a picnic and a bottle of wine.

The production was the Merry wives of Windsor. It had been made with a 70’s theme which was really stylish (at the end in the “countryside scene” they even had Pifco torches).

Although 500 years old, you could really connect with the story (the guy who worries if his wife still loves him, the old night, who’s the oldest swinger in town).

Expensive but highly recommended.

Ex Machina, Automata, The Machine.

 Speaking of things that are highly recommended, my old lodger Nathan came around and we had a couple of pints.

He advised me to watch a film called Ex Machina. It was science fiction, featured Robots and drew heavily on Alan Turing’s – artificial intelligence test.

There’s 3 good reasons to start with. I watched it and thought it was excellent.

One thing I’ve started to do now, is put the films I like into the Internet Move Database. It will recommend other films you might like.

Completely different, but on the same theme, it advised Automata and The Machine.

I watched them both and I enjoyed them as well. 3 cracking films, 3 great evenings.

Moonlight Flicks, outdoor cinema.

Sometimes you try things and they’re a bit crap.

Drive is a film I’ve wanted to see for a while, and it was showing as an outdoor event at Chester Roman baths.

When we got there, it had just started raining, so loads of people put up umbrella’s.

We were given headset so we could hear the film and the screen was ok.

The actual film itself was quite good. A modern slant on the getaway driver with a conscience and Brian Cranston from breaking bad was in it.

The problem was, the other people. There were people taking pictures with flash, talking loudly, just getting up and wandering off, then coming back 10 minutes later and having a stand up conversation and blocking the film.

When I watch a film, its not for an evening out, its to immerse myself in the film.

The other people were dis respecting the film in my view, if they just went because all their friends were going, stay at home next time.

I know I will be.

Eating out.

Well, in the last 8 weeks, I’ve had 3 Italians, 2 Curry’s, 2 Mexican meals, 7 traditional meals in pubs and 3 steaks.

Oh and I’ve been to the chippy twice.

Nikki’s sister Lyn came over to visit with her husband Vick (were all going to Japan together in about 2 months).

We took them to Koconut Grove, El Gato Negro and Artichoke for Nikki’s mums birthday.

Oh, and after we all did the Baker way, we took them for coffee to Joseph Benjamine.

Koconut Grove is my favourite curry house in Chester, since the sad demise of India Flava and Asia Fusion. However, somebody needs to talk to the owners. As good as the place is, it has a daft name.

El Gato Negro is based in the Bluebell, the first restaurant I ever visited in Chester. I like it there as they do traditional, Italian, Tapas and Mexican so there’s something for everyone.

Artichoke. What’s to say, its excellent in every way I can think off.

Good Cinema.

I don’t go to the cinema as often as I used to ( I watch a lot of stuff, but usually at home).

Sometimes though, there’s a film I really want to see. At that point, there’s really only 1 way to watch it.

On the cinema, as god intended.

Went with Dave E and Glenn to see Mission Impossible 5. It must be hard to make 5 films and each one is even better than the other 1 but that’s what they’ve managed to do.

The opening scene hanging of the plane was incredible and the motorbike chase in the top 10 action sequences I’ve seen since my first trip to the cinema.

While on a trip to Keswick, I realised they had a cinema there.

While Nikki went back to our tent to read, before we went out for the evening, I nipped into the cinema to watch Man from Uncle.

Really stylish and filmed in an authentic 60’s style (a bit like watching Life on Mars where you really feel like you’re in dreary Manchester of the 70’s.

Bad Cinema.

Terminator Genisys delivers 2 amazing feats of cinema.

Make Emilia Clarke (brilliant in Game of thrones) look bored through a whole film.

Make Jason Clarke (no relation and fantastic in the Chicago code, the best Police series I’ve ever seen) give a poor on screen performance.

Both of these 2 are naturally gifted performers. To get them to under achieve must take some really hard work from the director.

Arnie could never act, but now someone decided he should try really hard.

Oh, and if you build up a tense moment, then crack a joke, its funny.

If you fail at this and the tension doesn’t happen, the audience just feel sorry for the poor bugger that’s got to crack the joke.

The picture above captures superbly how I was feeling while watching the film. Best forgotten about.

Work on the house.

 On top of all this, I’ve been continuing with the renovation of my house.

Phase 2 is almost complete (there are 3 phases altogether), and the loft/spare room on the 3rd floor should be complete in a few days.

One small addition I’ve made, is a “retro” corner. It has a black book case and black chair in a corner by the window where I sit and read.

Most of the furniture in my first house when I was 25 was black, and this is a tip of the cap to that.

I’ve also got a new futon, a comfortable “creative desk” to work on and I should be able to put up my train set permanently.

Both at home and away, the search for adventure continues…

In December last year, I wrote about a couple of the goals I’d set myself for the year, and whether I’d completed them.

I failed on the 6 routes up Snowdon, but completed that earlier this year.

My attempt to do all the “Julia’s” was still outstanding. Nikki and I get away as much as we can during the summer and the lake district was calling us once again.

However, I can’s push my own projects onto other people (well not too much) so I hoped that while we were away, we’d get chance to visit Castle Crag, along with our other adventures.

We had a packed program of interesting walks and nice places to eat and drink in the evening.

Doing something like that with a special friend or someone you love, is, to me, about as good as life gets.

As I’ve said before, if I won £10,000,000 tomorrow, I dont know what I’d be doing. But the day after that I’d be out hill walking . So off we go.

We had bad experiences last year in summer at some camp sites in the lakes.

One who’s name won’t be mentioned was like a refugee camp, and hopelessly over booked.

However, they’d taken our booking (and our money) and when we arrived, just basically told us to “find somewhere” without the least concern.

There were tents 3 feet from ours on 3 sides and people having party’s into the night. But, we turned that trip around, and did some of our most ambitious walking routes.

This year, we’ve tried to learn from that experience.

I’ve always believed that most people say they want “cheap”. But what they really want is “right”, and if its cheap, then that’s nice, but its most important is that the object/experience/employee etc, is above all “right”.

There’s a camp-site in the centre of Keswick. I’ve passed on it before as its quite expensive, but considering our experiences, I thought it was worth a try.

It’s quiet (strict rules on the camp-site that are enforced. A refreshing change). A measured out pitch and space for the car (you have to tell them the dimension when you book, and they pick the perfect spot).

A short walk into town, on the bank of the Derwent lake, and enough showers so nobody has to queue.

We’re delighted.

So once the tents pitched, the beds inflated and sleeping bags out, were off into town for some nice dinner and a few drinks.

After a great nights sleep and a quick breakfast in our tent, were off out for the day.

It’s our first walk of the weekend and we’ve decided on Scafell from Seatoller.

We arrive at Seathwait farm and park the car.

It never stops amazing me, that some of the oldest hobby’s in the world (walking and camping were practised by the Romans and the Greeks) are still susceptible to fads.

Camping “pods” were hot for a time.

Pretty much a garden shed, with a radiator and plug to charge your mobile. But it meant you could “camp” without having to put up a tent, and knowing that no matter how bad the weather got, none of it would effect you.

For full transparency, I stayed in one about 6 years ago, with the famous Dizzy-Dave and it was fab.

On close inspection of the camp-site, it appears that Yurts, the private jet of glamping world and favourite of Ray Mears and thousands of Mongol’s are taking over the lake district.

We set off, on an interesting route from Walking World.

Would have been fab, but in honesty, the weather was appalling and navigation especially difficult.

We get to the top, get back down and relax for the evening.

The following day, breakfast on route, as we head for the honister pass.

In the slate visitor centre, you can do a tour of the mine, enjoy a drink and a cake in the cafe, and see some truly beautiful piece of slate, turned into horrendous tourist tat !.

This time, we headed straight to inominate tarn, the final resting place of Wainwright.

Great to visit it again with Nikki, as it has a special place in the hearts of many hill walkers.

We continue on, and “conquer” haystacks. We did a previous walk from Buttermere a year or 2 ago, where we did 3 fells in order, but failed to complete the 4th, haystacks.

It was nice to put things back in order.

In the evening, were in high spirits.

A place that’s recently opened, eS bar. A mixture of Spanish Tapas and Mexican, which we both really like.

In the morning, we wake and the weather isn’t very good.

We decide to wander around the town and do a bit of exploring (I think its an awful waste, when people visit the lakes, and spend a WHOLE DAY wandering around somewhere like Ambleside or Keswick.

In the daytime, I’m normally in the mountains, and usually spend time in town in the evenings having dinner and drinks (unless I finish a walk early when I might have a pint or 2 before heading back to get showered and changed for the evening).

On this occasion, it seemed okay to indulge for 2 hours, getting breakfast, visiting the Rohan shop and walking to the bank of the lake.

I was surprised when I couldn’t find a cafe I normally visit. There was a building site there, and I realised it had been knocked down and a new one was being built !.

The National Trust were doing trips to the island (only open a few days each year), but were fully booked. At £8 to canoe there yourself it seemed expensive anyway.

in the afternoon, we decided to head for Castle Crag. An easy walk, that seemed suited to the weather.

Setting off on the walk, I see another Yurt. The lakes are being taken over, 1 Yurt at a time :).

A fairly easy walk up to castle crag.

At the top, a sort of graveyard for rocks.

Very atmospheric and almost spooky.

I take a moment and congratulate myself on completing all of the Julia’s.

From the top of Castle crag, you can see Derwent water lake.

We stop off at a cafe on the way back, and then head for home.

Another adventure complete.

A week later, and I’m in Tenby.

I get a lift down with Dave and Sam, and its decided for a change, that instead of having chippy when we arrive, were going to have a barbecue.

On route, I buy some can’s and some Findu’s Chicken burgers, which have defrosted by the time we arrive.

I eat my burgers, have a few cans, and then off for an early night.

What I hadn’t realised was there was a Triathlon going on over the weekend.

At 6am in the morning, the PA system starts blasting from Tenby.

Although were more than a mile away from the town, the wind changed direction, it sounds like a car cd system with the window down, right outside your tent.

I can’t sleep, so I get up for a walk and wander into the town.

I grab a coffee in the town (my favourite place right by the ocean, Dennis cafe is open, but only doing take out, so I get coffee and continue wandering around).

It’s cheesy to say it, but its then that I realise how lucky I am.

This truly beautiful place, the world is just starting to wake up, and there’s practically no-one around and I can enjoy it in peace.

I find out that St Catherine’s (the sort of Island/Fort right next to Tenby) is now open and you can visit it, and go on a guided tour.

As I wander along, I run into Sue, Aled and assorted other friends, setting out on a walk.

The bus has left (he MUST have left early, as we were easily there on time).

Ridiculously, a minibus is hired, and he actually charges less than the bus would have (so we give him the change as a tip).

This time, were walking from Amroth, via Saundersfoot, back to Tenby (I’ve usually done the walk in the other direction, so I’m quite looking forward to this.

Obviously on an arduous walk like this, it was necessary to stop for refreshments (I had a pint).

On the trip, was the famous Christine. As lean as a greyhound, she was in front of me for the whole of the walk.

We continue the walk, the coastal scenery is as fantastic as its been on my 2 previous trips.

Get back, get cleaned up, and its into town for a few pints and something to eat.

I get the chance to peruse Sue and Aled’s new camper van.

I’m pretty inspired. I don’t know quite when exactly, but I’m going to have one of those 🙂

The triathlon is complete for today, so the town is alive with exuberant (and tired) people.

I can never resist fish and chip here, so instead of having dinner in the bar we were in, I nipped out, got a take away, ate it and then went back to the pub.

By 10:30pm, I’ve had a fantastic day, so I head back to my tent.

On Sunday morning, a trip home is imminent.

We know we’ve got a really long way to go, and we’ve got to set off early.

We wander down to the beach, to see the Triathlon competitors preparing for final event of the weekend.

So, its with a heavy heart that I head for the Dennis cafe for the last time.

Cheese on toast and a pot of tea. The company of all my friends, and this years trip is finally over.

But, what a fab weekend. I’ll be back again next year.

The search for adventure continues…

After last years fantastic trip to Cornwall, we decided this year to head down to Devon.

For Christmas we’d received a vineyard tour and wine tasting event, so we used that as a framework for the trip and off we went.

We drove down early and spent the afternoon exploring.

We stayed at a place called Shaldon. I’m sure some tweed wearing  people would describe it as sleepy and quaint.

I thought it was pretentious and expensive and far preferred Teignmouth across the bridge..

Throughout the trip, the weather was either too windy or too wet, but our high spirits made for a fab trip.

The following day, up bright and early and off to the Old Walls Vineyard. We decided to walk the 2 miles from our campsite (it was alcohol based after all, and neither of us wanted to drive).

The owner (a charismatic chap, very comfortable in the countryside and at least in his seventy’s)  told the history of the area and how he’d arrived at the decision to setup a vineyard.

As we wandered around, he explained how a vineyard is constructed and that its 3 years before the “yard” starts to produce anything.

We also saw some “thin” tractors, designed for work on Vineyards.

After a while, we were taken inside and shown how wine is made (they make white, red and sparkling (which to anyone else, would be champagne)).

The grapes are pressed using a sort of air bag. He said you normally just press the automatic setting, and the machine does the rest.

We had a chance to taste all the different wines. I was surprised, as none of the wines seemed to be blended, they just came out as they were, and then bottled.

The and tasting came to and end and  we were taken to the terrace restaurant for out inclusive lunch and a complimentary bottle of wine for each couple.

I thought for the money, a half day activity and everything included, it represented outstanding value for money.

Leaving them with a sincere goodbye, we head on our way.

But the adventure doesn’t end there.

We were in the mood for exploring (and drinking) so we headed back to Teignmouth.

The wind was very strong, and on the front, waves splashed onto the road and pavement.

A few drinks around Teignmouth in some local pubs with friendly people and good atmosphere.

Afterwards, what more appropriate for a seaside town than Fish & Chips, before we head home to our tent.

We wander back through the banality of Shaldon and relax in our tent.

The following day, we head out walking (after the vineyard, that’s the main reason we’d come).

It was a first for me, as I’d never been walking on Dartmoor.

Using the now famous Walking World, we do a long circular walk around Maldon reservoir and up into the moor.

Windy, but spectacular views, a cracking 12 mile walk, with lunch & coffee on the hill.

Made me sad that we were only there for 3 days. I could have spent weeks exploring the hills around there.

We head back to Longmeadow Farm (the superb campsite where were staying) and the Sun has come out.

After a hard day on the hill, a more localised evening is planned.

There is a caravan park nearby with a sort of Hi Di Hi type social club attached.

I shouldn’t complain, the drinks were very reasonably priced and my curry was delicious.

Just before bed, the heavens open (its at moments like that, you’re glad you paid a bit more for your tent and aside from the sound of rain hitting the ceiling, slept in perfect comfort.

In the morning we pack up and and head out of the campsite to do another walk on our way home.

As we leave, I see the farm animals have found improvised shelter in the picknick area.

This must be where the phrase “acting the goat” comes from.

Another walk suggested by Walking World, is around Haytor rocks.

Only 8 miles this time, but the area is famous for having these stone tracks in the ground for its granite tramway.

I’ve been walking on Dartmoore, and drank British made wine. Result.

Still mad busy, updating about recent trips to Albania and Devon, but for now, some more recent adventures, close to home.

There’s something pretty exciting about walking out of the office on Friday after work, wearing your outdoor gear and carrying a rucksack on your back, knowing your off in search of adventure, that very evening.

So it was last Friday. I was leading a walk on Saturday around Llangollen, so decided to travel over the evening before and camp.

One of our amazing PA’s Hayley lived nearby, so gave me a lift from Wrexham to Llangollen.

Stepping out of her car, I set of up hill to Wern Isaf camp-site, where I’ve spent so many fab weekends in the area before.

With tent pitched, photo posted on twitter, I head back into the town, in search of adventure.

The fact that LLangollen is so close to Chester is a lucky co-incidence.

Honestly, if it was a thousand miles away, it would still be one of my favourite places.

It has a nice town, friendly people, a steam railway, loads of great bars and restaurants, and hills, mountains and forests all around.

With the exception of an Imax cinema, it has everything 🙂

But for all this talk of Indiana Jones style adventuring, its still Friday night and a pint in an nice country pub is calling.

Afterwards I wonder around, and see some of the quirky sites that have had significance over the years.

Years ago, BBC Wales did a piece called “keep a welcome in the hillsides”.

The idea ?. They wanted to see if welsh country people, really were friendly.

As a simple test, they wanted an actor to pose in the doorway of this charity shop.

Holding a horrendous dressing gown, he would stop passers by, tell them he was thinking of buying it for his sister and ask them to try it on so he could see how it looked.

They’d tried it with 2 different actors, and not 1 person had agreed. My friend Frank (a trained actor who now lives in Thailand) got the part.

He got all 3 passers by to try on the dressing gown and even agree to being filmed and shown on TV.

Further along the street, this bank with a sign.

It seems to suggest that if you want to use a WC, you can use this corner next to the cash machine (and even stranger there is a train station and boat harbour there as well 🙂

Wandering around further, I pop into Bensons, where I have a couple of drinks with Sue from the walking group (I don’t go in Gales anymore, after the awful goings on of Easter 2013).

I pop up the road and order a kebab from the shop there with the full intention of walking home.

I’m disturbed that someone’s put up a sign advising customers that using racist language is against the law (I’m a realist, but is this what Britons becoming ?).

Wishing them a pleasant evening, I tuck into my dinner and head for the campsite.

As I cross the road, some young women try to attract my attention.

On closer inspection, I realise its one of our PA teams who are having an evening out in LLangollen.

They invite me to join them, and we have a few drinks, laugh about IT and I admire Bobbi’s boyfriends truck when he arrives to give everyone a lift home 90 mins later.

Wishing everyone goodbye, I head off up the hill and its raining (but thats what outdoor clothes and good quality tents are made for).

Back at the campsite, I don’t stand on ceremony, with my Thermarest NeoAir mat inflated and my Mountain Equipment Xero sleeping bag all fluffed up I drift off to sleep.

To be awoken at 5am by 2 Australians in a tent nearby.

Not content to pack up their stuff with endless faf, they insist on conducting a loud conversation while they do it.

But I’m British so I lie quietly in my tent seething.

After an hour, its over and they leave (if it takes you an hour to pack your stuff, then you’ve brought too much !).

I head over to the cafe next to the canal and meet Nikki for a hearty breakfast.

I meet up with my followers from the walking group and we set off.

Today’s walk is going to be amazing.

Of course it is, I’ve stolen someone else’s hard work. About 3 years ago, my friend Sue lead a fantastic walk around the area, so that’s what were going to do today.

First off, a speedy ascent up Dina’s Bran. Afterwards, a section of Offa’s Dyke and then pass by the Monastery campsite where we rest on a hill side for lunch and a few cold drinks bought from campsite shop (its a baking day).

Continuing up velvet hill, we have spectacular views, then drop down to horseshoe falls.

From here, we carry on along the canal and then pick up the chain bridge, only recently opened.

A few beers in the Bridge end pub then back to Chester to get cleaned up and Urbano 32 for dinner.

During the week I saw this on Facebook.

It reminded me of my mum (a nurse for more than 25 years and sadly no longer with us).

I remember I went to casualty once at 3am with severe toothache (I was telling mum about it, who was always interested in hearing about modern hospital methods and how times had changed).

I explained that the triage nurse asked me a few questions and then told me to sit on a yellow chair.

The place was empty, but there were about 40 yellow chairs with a sign saying Non Serious, next to them. I took my seat and waited quietly to be seen.

I started to look around the room.

There were about 40 blue chairs for Serious patients and another 40 red chairs marked Severe.

When I told mum about the 40 purple chairs labled Life Threatening, she laughed and said patients like that don’t usually sit down in chairs 🙂

 

Weekend before, its a bank holiday.

The picture above, is a lot of peoples idea of an ideal bank holiday, but not mine (nor most of the people I call friends).

Nikki and I decide to explore a bit of Anglesey we’ve not been too before.

We’ve started using a fantastic website called Walking World. You pay a small subscription, and then you put details of where you want to walk, and it gives you simple to follow instructions and photographs.

Best of all, only walks that have been checked in the last year by the author are included, so there’s no “sign blew away” nonsense.

Walking World came up with a walk of 11 miles around Newborough forest.

After a couple of miles, we walked along a beach. Not sunbathing weather, but the beach was empty and you could see for miles.

From here, we continue to Llanddwyn Island.

Well, its not really an Island, more a peninsula, but it had a small museum, an old church and some breathtaking views.

We visited the light house, which featured in Demi Moore’ film Half Light.

Heading back across the other beach, to finish the triangular walk, we head for home, and finish the Bank Holiday with dinner in Artichoke.

Another Bank Holiday over, another adventure complete.

This website is dedicated to the memory of Alan Matheson Turing.

	It is estimated that every Saturday night, people gamble on the lottery, with 1:14,000,000 chance of winning. During the 2nd world war, the Nazis were able to communicate with their submarines using a code called enigma. The code was based on a key with 1:150,000,000,000,000 possible combinations.
Turing was able to crack the Nazi code, which saved more than a million lives, and is estimated to have ended the war 3 years early. He was persecuted for his sexuality (he was gay) which ultimately caused him to take his own life. Me standing outside Bletchley Park, the centre for code breaking in the UK, during the 2nd world war.
	The re-built colossus computer that Turing created. I read recently that the Turing Bombe had been recreated. You can read about it here.
In Manchester City centre there is a monument to Turing in the gay village (I try to visit it whenever I am in Manchester, I took this picture one lunchtime). There is also a small park on Allan Turing way in In Beswick, where I go whenever I need to think about things or make an important decision. The Government have given a full apology for his treatment, although requests for a posthumous Knighthood have yet to be answered.

Thanks to everyone who came to my birthday yesterday in Chester.

Nice to be back in the Firkin/Frog & Nightingale/Lock keeper again, shame we had to wait so long to be served (I thought Tony and Lorrain showed real discipline by not jumping behind the bar and getting things moving :).

Its nearly a year since I left Phonak, but so nice to see so many old friends from there.

You can see from the picture on the bottom right, I’ve treated myself to a new Rohan Pampas jacket for my birthday.

Five fab days camping in Devon, 2 days back at work, then 9 days in Corfu and Albania.

Mad busy updating js.com (its quite hard to update old stuff to new features, while balancing it with keeping the content up to date).

My main focus at the moment, is my birthday celebration which is only 6 days away.

The fun will begin at 1pm at the Mill hotel next door to my house.

No fixed itinerary this year, once everyone has arrived in the Mill and had a drink, will head off.

If the weathers nice, we’ll just find somewhere by the river or canal otherwise, see what happens.

Hope to see loads of you there.

My birthday, 1pm, Saturday the 23rd of May, The Mill hotel.

John

After 2 consecutive weekends away packed with adventure, I couldn’t decide what to do with myself…

So I decided to do exactly the same for the following 2 weekends 🙂

In 2003 when things were a bit tough, I decided to do a weekend survival course (with the now defunct UK Survival School).

Looking back, I don’t know what I was thinking.

I mean, if life’s getting you down, how can skinning rabbits for food and sleeping in a shelter of your own creation in the driving rain make things better? 🙂

Honestly, I don’t know, but I reckon that when the cut and thrust of daily life hits you (relationship problems, gas bills, Star Trek Voyager ending…) it’s time to head out in search of adventure and clear your head.

As it was, I had a fantastic time, living in the outdoors, learning new skills, and generally turning off my phone and getting away from it all.

Courses were based out of Talybont on Usk, near Brecon. I did 3 seperate courses there and on one section, on mountain survival, we decided to walk up Pen y Fan.

We got near to the top, but severe weather forced us back.

After my evening meal (fish and rice cooked on the fire) I lay in my survival shelter listening to the rain and feeling uncomfortable (which didn’t bother me, as I realised I love doing that stuff).

I remember knowing that I’d return and get to the top of that hill, although I was uncertain when.

I’m the weekend events co-ordinator for CDWG. We try to have a weekend away every 3 months and an annual fixture is the Easter weekend in Llangollen.

But I got to thinking (well, Nikki did !).

Although I love Llangollen and it’s one of my favourite places to visit, 4 consecutive days off is a bit of a wasted opportunity if you visit somewhere you can reach in a short taxi ride from your own home 🙂

So, I moved the venue to the Brecon beacons, as there are loads of cool mountains around there to climb and Brecon itself, is a popular town with lots of good accommodation and nice bars and restaurants for the evening (it’s not all about walking !)

Good Friday is the day we normally travel to our base destination. Nikki and I had arranged to stay at the Castle Hotel so we got there and checked in, then went out to explore the town.

Brecon is the home of the famous Gurkha Company (Mandalay), who are based at the infantry battle school.

The town of Brecon has a long association with the Gurkha regiment, going back to 1974 and it was practically impossible to buy a drink or newspaper without being greeted by a friendly Nepalese woman who was probably related to someone from the regiment.

We never like to miss an oportunity, so we booked a table at the Gurkha Corner restaurant.

Very much in the traditional Rusholme style (basic furnishings, occasional wobbly chair, but genuinely friendly staff and  and breathtaking food).

I ordered Khursani Kukhura (Chilli Chicken). It was offered as medium, hot or extra hot. I ordered hot!

It was delicious, but I had to run to the bar twice while eating it, to resupply the cold beer.

As we left, they asked if I enjoyed the food. I said it was excellent, and that I’d like to shake the hand of anyone who could eat it EXTRA hot 🙂

A few drinks in different pubs around the town, then its off to bed, as we’re up in the mountains tomorrow.

A delicious breakfast (served by lovely Nepalese ladies, who were no doubt the wives and daughters of serving Gurkha soldiers).

The  car was fully loaded the night before with our gear for the day, so all we had to do was procure fresh sandwiches and we were on our way.

We met 4 of our friends at the car park and headed for the hill.

Pen y Fan is internationally famous, as it’s used by the British Special Air Service regiment for selection.

Most details are confidential, but roughly speaking, a person has to carry a rife and a heavy pack over a 42 mile endurance trail, which will see them pass over the mountain and back again 3 times.

We weren’t so ambitious. Our route would be Corn Du, Pen y Fan (from all those years ago) and Cribyn.

Walking up was just as windy as I’d remembered. Corn Du was completed, and we headed for Pen y Fan, which I’d not stood on since 2003.

The top, was like Blackpool; there were so many people there (they had taken the shorter route from the Storey arms), so I’ve put up a photo of it once we’d reached the peak.

An amazing peak, which I’d definitely recommend walking if you’re in the area.

We complete the final peak, Cribyn and the pub is calling, so we head back and I get talking to Sue and Aled.

Albert Einstein said: “Sit with a pretty girl for an hour and it feels like a minute. Put your hand in an oven for a minute and its longer than any hour. That’s relativity. ”

Hill walking is a bit like that. Chatting to good friends, talking about genuinely interesting things and I felt like we were back at the car in 10 minutes (although obviously, my watch said different) 🙂

On the way back, we drive past the White Hart in Talybont on Usk, where we used to go for drinks after survival school courses.

I was delighted to see that Owen still runs it. Took me back, as I’d usually walked into this pub with my rucksack on my back, bedraggled after numerous days in the woods, with my first taste of a pint and a nice piece of steak to bring me back to reality.

That evening, back in Brecon, we all have dinner at the George pub/hotel to celebrate (superb food, but the “band” were just too loud !).

We’d probably have stayed in there all night, but instead, rushed our food and were on our way.

Note to landlords: Yes, a good live band will put people in a good mood and they will drink more. But if they aren’t and they’re too loud, it will just empty your pub.

Our 2nd walk is Fan Brycheiniog the highest peak on the Black mountain (not be be confused with the black mountains, which are also in that area).

In the car park, there seemed to be some sort of company motivational event gearing up.

I was amused by seeing complete strangers, but instantly recognising their “role” in the company (Alan from accounts, the live wire, the pretty receptionist, the 3 times divorced finance manager etc).

Luckily, my distraction is short lived. The excellent Sue P and easily remembered name, Helen H (rhymes with Helly Hansen) were up for adventure. They’re unorthodox walkers.

By that I mean, they bought Nikki a bottle of wine as a thank you for planning and organising the walks. Long may this “unorthodox” practice continue and I hope its spreads.

Another high pass trek, with howling gales.

On the top, we stop for lunch.

A circular dugout, away from the wind has been nabbed by some other walkers, so we find a heath “wall” out of the wind.

An interesting conversation over lunch about women Bishops in the Church of England and then it’s back down the hill, where there are friendly horses all along the trail.

We get back to the car park with pub aspirations.

The spirit of enterprise has left the landlord unfortunately and although it’s a sunny day and the front door’s open, a sign says it won’t officially open for another month. This sets a trend for the next day.

In the evening, with Sue and Aled already gone, Sue and Helen head for home.

We head back to the Castle hotel which has become our home.

Our final evening, we go to the Red Dragon Chinese restaurant.

When I pop in and ask if they have a table free, they explain they are full. Seeing a table in the room, completely unused, I ask if we could have dinner at that table.

A quick conversation in Chinese, and we’re ushered to the free table.

The last evening of our adventure, Nikki and I share an intimate and pleasant meal.

So what to do tomorrow ?

Brecon is famous for the Black Mountains, which is sometimes confused with the Black Mountain.

The previous day, we’d done the highest peak on the Black Mountain and so today, on our way home we decided to walk in the Black Mountains.

Nikki had found an amazing route called the the Dragon’s Back, which involved several peaks in a winding trail and we were lucky with utterly fantastic weather.

A family were doing the same walk. Luckily, I found this spot behind some rocks to have a wee. Perfectly innocent, but with children around, it’s easy to do something like that and end up on the sex offenders register.

More superb “Nikki” sandwiches and we’re off again, and we’ve reached the top in no time.

We get back from an amazing walk and there is a pub next to the car park.

I wander over to get a drink, before our long journey home; a chap cutting grass in the garden explains that the pub is closed today.

I’m not Richard Branson, but I couldn’t help thinking he’d be better serving pints to the 20 other car park customers and paying someone to cut his grass !

We head for home.

Back home, hot bath and then we go to Artichoke for Sunday roast.

I “transition” from my adventure self, back to my normal, pay the bills turn up on time kind of self (both are essential, the 2nd one might not seem that fun, but he pays for the adventure of the first 1).

On my way to work, I took this picture with my phone.

I always say, never waste a pound or a minute. My train to work is 13 – 15 minutes, so I use the time to think of ideas, make lists and plan stuff.

If I need any data (availability of trains, opening times etc) I use my phone, but otherwise, I just use the notebook and pen. I feel like the blank page is calling to me for ideas.

Friday’s here before you know it, and Nikki and I are having dinner, discussing plans for the weekend.

We’ve arranged to meet my brother. Like Nikki and I, he and Leigh (his wife)  make the very most of their free time, so the irony is that we struggle to find a time when we can all meet.

But we’ve finally worked something out, and we’re going over the next day.

Nikki and I decide to make the most of a trip to David’s with a day walk. But where?

Ridiculously, the best expert I know on walking in that area, hasn’t lived permanently in the UK for 10 years. It’s my oldest friend Frank.

Frank suggests Ebden Bridge and we decide to walk the Ebden Bridge round.

We arrive early to find a cafe and consult the map to align it with the walk pdf I’d printed out. The village centre is empty of people and it’s starting to rain.

Otherwise though, I’m delighted to see so many familiar places. Frank used to come here each year for his birthday and I was a regular attendee.

The walk begins at Callis community gardens.

Loads of people seem to live here using primitive technology, and I’m delighted to see a Yurt as I walk along the Canal bank.

There were children’s play areas, wind chimes and all sorts of other hippy shit, in a friendly and harmless setting.

As we continue, the walk pursues a long section of the Pennine Way.

It’s a lot steeper than it looks on the map (perhaps you should have been reading it a bit more closely says Nikki).

We continue around, head over pack horse bridges and the like, then something amazing happens.

We arrive at a place called Gibson Mill.

Looks familiar to me, but I can’t think from where.

Then I realise. When my friend Dave married Jen we arrived by an old bus and walked a mile along an old mill road, before they got married in the old mill.

At the time (since I’d been dropped off) I had no idea where I actually was. But then I realise and it instantly brings back happy memories.

We have a nice ice cream and lolly served by a Polish guy, then head back to Hebden Bridge.

The town centre is transformed now, with a busker and the Shoulder of Mutton pub is packed inside and out. There’s a fab vibe everywhere, so I pop in to the Rohan shop.

Our next stop is David’s house.

Chance to catch up with my brother David ( I haven’t been to David’s house in at least a year and it’s great to catch up with him and Leigh and for them to meet Nikki).

We have coffee from this really cool coffee machine, get settled in and then head to Bella Sera restaurant for dinner.

Superb food and good company, but like so often when life is really good, it flies by and before you know it, it’s practically midnight and time for bed.

I should mention that David isn’t a big fan of photos, so didn’t want to be photographed. The picture above, is the lovely Leigh, during David’s 40th birthday. David would like me to point out that he has a more modern TV now.

In the morning, we get to chat over a delicious breakfast cooked by Dave. But we’re all busy people, so by 11am, Nikki and I are back on the road.

We’d intended to visit the War Museum of the North and the Lowry, but because there was a local derby, we headed for home. Just for a change, we watched Gone girl, which we both enjoyed.

The evening finished with another evening in the superb Artichoke. We’re part of the furniture in there, but the food and service make my normal rule of “never become a regular, you’ll be taken for granted” defunct.

One other fab thing, was Dave had been clearing out his loft.

He gave me this brilliant Robot vacuum cleaner. I haven’t had much chance to try it out, but I’ve got spectacular (lazy) plans.

And with that, 2 more adventure weekends are over. Tired, but I’ve enjoyed the very essence of life.

The search for adventure continues…