I've let myself go a bit!

So somehow it's January 2020 and I've missed a complete year and a half of blogging. The longer I let it go the harder it is to resume - it reminds me of trying to keep a diary when I was a kid.
So, I thought I'd summarise some of my travel and outdoor active highlights to bring things up to date.
In the second half of 2018 I did my usual stints leading holiday walking tours for Explore in Amalfi and the Dolomites. Marion and I also spent some time in Cornwall and then had a two week trip to Poland, beginning in Krakow.

St Mary's Basilica, Krakow

Saint Mary's Basilica, Krakow

In Krakow

In the Jewish Quarter, Krakow

Krakow is a really good city, historic and vibrant, cultured and educated - we loved it. It's Jewish Quarter is a fascinating glimpse into history, but combined with a visit to Auschwitz to pay respects, we were both affected and upset by the holocaust. These words are totally inadequate to describe our response - I could not bring myself to take photographs here.

Sign in Krakow

On other days we wandered the city, visited art galleries and drove our to take a tour at Wieliczka Salt Mine.

Salt Mine church, dug from salt crystals

Salt crystal chandelier

Bas reliefs carved out of salt

For our second week we moved to Zakopane, on the northern edge of the Tatra mountains. We spent most of the week walking the countryside. We had some frustrations as access to the Tatry National Park is regulated to protect the environment. I support this wholeheartedly but signposting to public transport would be welcome for visitors who want to walk here.

Fieldfare

House in Zakopane

Tatry Mountains

I finished this trip with a completely self indulgent day, leaving Marion whilst I went climbing with Jakub, a local climbing guide. We had a 3 hour walk to climb an easy, but aesthetic rock line - 6 pitches of lovely granite, high up in a mountain valley.

Granaty

Czamy Staw Gasienicowy (the lake)

 

On the climb

Climbing above Czamy Staw Gasienicowy (lake)

Climbers on a ridge

That was our Polish trip in August 2018.

Winter Walking Weekend - March 24/25th 2018

This late winter weather in the Peak District has been a mix of cold snaps with snow and generally wet and gloomy intervals between. Saturday on the March Winter Walking Weekend threatened rain, but started off fairly spring-like. We took the train to Edale for a walk up on Kinder Scout. Our path followed the Pennine Way over the low southern shoulder of Grindslow Knoll.

The gentle rise out of Edale

Cresting the rise heading for the distant objective of the Swine's Back on the horizon

We were making for Jacob's Ladder but by the time we reached the top of the packhorse trail it had closed in and we took out our waterproofs.

Leaving Kinder Rocks on the slabby plateau path

Fortunately it wasn't windy so we weren't being battered as we climbed up to Kinder Rocks where we sheltered under the rocky overhangs for a British picnic. From here we turned eastwards to follow the plateau edge to the Woolpacks, an area of curiously sculptural gritstone rocks; natural sculptures standing out from the peat.

In the labyrinth of the Woolpacks

On the edge at Crowden Head

After this we left the main path to experience the plateau properly and were lucky enough to startle an arctic hare, still in its white winter coat. We tracked it for a while and were rewarded with further sightings as it scampered over the hags and groughs of this very special landscape.

Heading for Grindslow Knoll

Descending to Edale

We rejoined the path above Grindsbrook then contoured round to Grindslow Knoll before dropping back to Edale for the train.

Rare have been the days of early springtime but we got lucky on the Sunday. From Bamford station I committed my poor group to the vicious ascent northwards out of the village to reach Bamford Edge, with its lovely views across to Win Hill and the upper Castleton valley.

Passing an old quarry in the way to Bamford Edge

Above the Castleton valley with the distant Mam Tor 

 In sunshine we followed the edge, taking in more fabulous views over Ladybower Reservoir.

Walking Bamford Edge - view over Win Hill

Ladybower Reservoir from Bamford Edge

 The path from here circles towards the east. After crossing the deep Jarvis Clough we walked up to the bronze age Hordron Edge stone circle where we picnicked in nicer conditions than yesterday!

In Jarvis Clough

Spring Grouse

After this we headed up to Stanage Edge which we followed southwards past Crow Chin. We were joined by a grouse which wandered, clucking and chuntering at our feet. At this time of year they can be incredibly tame.

Descending through woods

The meadows leading to Hathersage

 Our weekend was ended with a stroll down the hill from Dennis Knoll to reach Hathersage.

Aber Falls in the snow

Aber Falls

Back a few weeks ago we had a walk in North Wales after a trip to the theatre in Mold and Saturday night at the wonderful Penmaenmawr B& B on the north coast of Snowdonia. 

We’d been hoping for better weather but the weekend coincided with a cold snap and the snow was falling when we woke on Sunday morning. Expecting our return to Sheffield later might be a bit tricky we opted for a local walk and headed for Aber Falls, just a short haul up a beautiful wooded valley to a spectacular waterfall, which tumbles down from Carnedd Gwenllian (the mountain formerly known as Garnedd Uchaf).

Marion below the waterfall

View towards the mountains

Wonderful birch bark against the snow

The snow fell steadily but there was some good photography light to play with and I loved the sight of some traditional slate slab fences against the snow.

2018 Winter Walking Weekends in the Peak District

Snow squall approaching Mam Tor

 For the second year in succession I will be running some open guided walking weekends. These weekends will be based in Hathersage in the Eastern Peak District and will be accessible using rail transport.

Build some hill-walking fitness and discover the beauty and wildness of the Eastern Peak District in winter - all in the company of some new friends. It’s wonderful walking: the hills rise above the valley shales to crests of dramatic bare gritstone. There is a fantastic network of footpaths woven through the valleys and over the high moors. The views are wide - across to the whale-back of Kinder Scout in the west and over the limestone White Peak, southwards.

All the walks are accessible by public transport from Sheffield.

 I've two weekends on offer:

• 3rd and 4th March
• 24th and 25th March

I'll be happy to organise other weekends if there is a demand for them.

  A sketch map of the relevant area around Hathersage.

The Weekend – Basics:

On Saturday and Sunday we’ll have walks of about 5 hours around Hathersage and the Dark Peak. There will be ups and downs, but the challenge and the pace will be inclusive - group walking, not personal training. In Winter Walking expect all sorts of fun - mud, puddles, rain, snow, blustery winds, etc. These things will not deter us. The choice of route will be made on the day to make the best of the weather conditions.  Sunday’s walk will finish around 15:00hrs to allow people to make rail connections home.

Getting there:

We’ll be based in Hathersage, easily accessible by rail from Sheffield.  The walks are planned to make the weekend accessible via public transport. Often we take a local bus or rail trip to the start of our walk.

What you need:

Most importantly you need a pair of boots with good tread to keep you secure on muddy paths, grass and possibly snow. Wear a waterproof jacket and warm clothing layers. Waterproof overtrousers are important if the weather's wet, hat and gloves if it's cold. Trekking poles can help.

Carry a small rucksack with spare clothing and some warm layers to put on when we stop. I suggest carrying a small flask with a hot drink and food. We'll stop in cafes or pubs, but sometimes there’s nothing en-route and it's good to be able to snack in between stops. It’s possible to buy a packed lunch in Hathersage.

The Nitty-Gritty

Cost:

The cost for guiding is £30 per person for 1 day and £50 for both days. (I'll do well if I have a big group and less well if only one person turns up!) This won't include rail travel or a packed lunch. The maximum number in a group is 16.

Accommodation:

There is a range of  accommodation available in Hathersage and more out of town for those with their own transport. Joe will not book accommodation for you, but will help with suggestions.

Evening meals:

These are not included. There is a range of pubs and restaurants in Hathersage. Those staying on Friday night can make their own arrangements, but Joe will co-ordinate on Saturday and join everyone for the meal.