2013 Summary

Much of my walking this year was in well-known areas or with Park Rangers from various National Parks. 

I also discovered the forum - lots of like-minded folk scattered around all four corners of the UK who meet up from time to time for a walk.

The Nav Course was a true, liberating eye-opener for me and my deepest thanks has to go to Moby for introducing me to this exhilaratingly exhausting pastime in the first place and then showing me the skills I need to venture further, longer and more remotely without fear (well not much fear!) of getting lost.

I'm really proud of my "Catbells Revisited" adventure.  I never imagined doing my own navigation in the Lake District and I never imagined actually being able to re-visit the walk that started it all off for me.

So what next?  I'm not feeling the urge to "bag Wainwrights" or "Munros". 

I think simply enjoying the newfound freedom of map reading and navigation will do me .... for now!

East Yorkshire: Paull Holme Strays (2.5 miles)

Sunday, 15th December 2013

My favourite local short walk on a reasonable Winter's day.

Looking across to the lighthouses

Moody skies over Immingham

Tide's in!

The never-ending flood embankment

Paull Holme Tower

A quick flash of sunshine

Looking towards Saltend cooling towers

Thanks for looking 😊

WI Walk - Preston Lake (3 miles)

Saturday, 30th November 2013

Due to work commitments, I've not been able to get out with the walking group much this year so I jumped at the chance to revisit this little hidden gem for a lovely autumnal walk in beautiful weather.

We took a few detours to avoid the more squelchy and muddy fields but this resulted in the walk being shorter.  More time in the cake shop then!

Swan

Preston Lake

Toadstools on the wooden path-block

Chatting with the locals!

Thanks for looking 😊

Peak District: DERBYSHIRE - Derwent Edge (10 miles)

Friday, 29th November 2013

A blooming good day's walking with a few people who are on the forum but this meet was arranged through Tracey's Walking Group Facebook Page. It was about 10 miles with 1061ft of up. I was constantly the one at the back as usual.  My lungs were struggling a bit with the damp. Blooming good day's walking though. Ten miles! An achievement :)

At the start at the Fairholmes Visitors Centre

Part of the dam on Derwent Reservoir

Derwent Reservoir

At the summit of Lost Lad

Heading towards Back Tor

Snack stop on a breezy Back Tor

Stone pillars known as "Cakes of Bread"

Derwent Reservoir from Dovestones Tor

Ladybower Reservoir coming into view

Heading down towards Ashopton

Crossing Ladybower Reservoir

View of Derwent Edge - where we've just been

A final view of Derwent Edge

Thanks for looking 😊

West Yorkshire: Wentbridge (7 miles)

Sunday, 24th November 2013

Another walk/pics added some 4+ years after the event....

A little wander just inside the West Yorkshire boundary at a place called Wentbridge which is just south of Pontefract, with Ed and Kerry. A nice autumnal walk of about 7 miles with a pub stop in the Shoulder of Mutton half way round. Cheap tea at 90p a cup and a spot of free lunch from the leftovers from a buffet which was on the bar. Finished off in The Blue Bell pub! And we got a free Yorkshire Pudding :) 

Some pictures:

Funky fungi

Gate overkill!

Feeding time at the ranch

Looking down the Went valley

River Went

Little Donkey

Weir on the Went

Looking back from whence we Went .. well, came

Pointless gate!