“Never go into the hills alone”, so say the sages. Now, I think a sage is best taken with a pinch of salt(especially good on tomatoes and new potatoes). I also think solo, self-supported is the best way to play in the hills. Ooh, such a rebel am I. A Read more…
FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT: I use a fair bit of Inov-8 kit. It’s simple, it fits, and it works well in the UK hills. I have neither been paid for this review, nor been given the shoes by either Inov-8 or Accelerate. Okay, so what am I reviewing here? The shiny new Inov-8 X-Talon Read more…
I’m not one of those folk who ascribe motives or emotions to mountains. A mountain, whether Kinder or K2, is just a lump of rock, maybe covered with slippery and/or squelchy bits. Any treachery, cruelty, intimidation, or indeed welcoming friendliness, is our human projection; nothing more, nothing less. A mountain Read more…
Rest day baking recipe: crispy crunchy oat biscuits(cookies if you’re US). A recipe easily made vegan, lots of fibre, lots of calories & very good on yoghurt. Of course it’s good running, climbing, cycling food. As with many of my recipes, it’s basic & adaptable; have a play. Maybe add some cinnamon Read more…
Ah, Easter break last weekend; you enjoyed longer days and longer runs. And a realisation about socks. You need some new ones. You’ve time before May Day weekend though; but there are so many socks … So how about trying Injinji toe socks? Odd things. Odd, but comfortable and effective. Read more…
Pan Speziale di Certosino. Basically a solid, rich Italian Christmas cake, reputedly originating from the monks of Certosino. It’s full of delicious stuff and calorie dense with a mix of carbs, fat and protein. A bonus is it keeps well(allegedly, it’s delicious and moreish) and survives battering in running/climbing/cycling bags. Read more…
April, the clocks have shifted. The weather is warming, feeling a little more friendly. Buds are bursting and the world is greening. Time to ramp things up, to remember dreams of long laid plans. Perhaps finesse them, perhaps make some more. Time now for long days over the hills; days Read more…
A literal hack this. Modern plastic whistles are great; light, loud and kind to your lips in cold weather. They are however, difficult to keep hold of, and have a bizarrely useless clip on the back. Solution? Chop the clip off, smooth the burr (a flame helps, plastic is difficult Read more…
It’s pancake day, so here goes with some robust & filling oat pancakes, tasty hot or cold. These are orange & ginger, but it’s a basic mix; have a play. These are very good with warm fruit & yoghurt. Of course, these can be made as savoury pancakes too. Read more…
Late November, the dark peak.
Winter is home again on these high moors,
mewling in with chill-lash days of sleet and gale.
With fellhard testing days of hail obscured horizons and roaring, bed broaching brooks.