Scotland to Australia – by Bicycle!

At the instigation of a good friend, I’ve been looking at a web site that is effectively the blog of Val Hadden and Merv Savage as they cycle from Scotland, to visit Merv’s son in Australia.

They should by now have reached India, though their journal currently ends in Dubai.

My correspondent observes: “Makes my walks seem like Sunday strolls in the park.”  Mine likewise!

I’ve dipped into the entries and like Val’s style, so I look forward to making time to enjoy a good long read to catch up with these two adventurers and then follow them all the way to Australia.

Their introductory page is here (also on my ‘Some Outdoors Bloggers’ links list); I commend you to take a look.

Here they are on the Neufenen Pass in Switzerland.

A Timperley Mystery

Here's our neighbour, Barney, admiring what appear to be the bits the thieves left behind.

What has happened to the rest of his vintage BMW?

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4 May 2003 – Canadian Canoe on the River Derwent near Hollows Farm

It’s raining in Timperley today, and there’s little prospect of gaining an interesting image on tonight’s walk up Shutlingsloe with Andrew (and anyone else who may be interested – 7.30 from Trentabank Car Park), so I’ve delved randomly into the archives for this snap of a couple of folk heading towards Derwent Water in the rain.

Hollows Farm always brings back happy memories of my first camping trip to the Lakes, with Geoff and Mike, and with ICI fertiliser bags as waterproofs.  (Long before the days of Gore-tex.)

Similarly, I hope Mick relished the reminiscences of his and Gayle’s more recent LEJOG walk, which he so capably presented to about 25 folk from Stockport Walking Group last night.  Thanks, Mick, we very much enjoyed it.

Does Your Memory Serve You Well?

Thanks go to The Solitary Walker for another reminder of some Happy Teenage Days!

[I have a well trained memory!]

Night Tennis in Rain on a Flooded Court with Lighting provided by a Fireworks Display

Yes, it has to be our annual visit to Center Parcs.

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Snow in the Peak District

A strip of broken white slashes of snow lurked under the mist that embraced Kinder Scout as I passed by Hayfield this morning.

So I continued on towards Buxton. Then the Peak Forest turn beckoned, and, being averse to fog, I stormed ahead until I spotted the crooked spire at Chesterfield.

A few miles further on I received a text message:

"Facilities available, two miles ahead, in exchange for puddings and a slide show."

Luckily, I had some puddings and a laptop on board, so was suitably qualified to join eight sporty types for a few games of pool (with a happy backdrop of English cricketers handing out a thrashing to some Africans) before enjoying a bit of warm water relaxation (see picture).

This afternoon is rather more energetic and not at all good for the health of my poorly shoulder. Not quite so poorly as to be completely whitewashed at squash though .... thanks Stuart!

Ha ha, the puddings beckon....

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