Big day out in Wales 05/10/2024
Today was a big day out, no less than four Marilyns were in my sights. I started with Moel y Golfa, parking at a convenient car park in Middletown, it was a short walk to the footpath that would lead me up. As soon as I could, Rosie was off the lead and running around exploring. Golfa is steep, very steep and for a first hill of the day, quite a shock to the legs. The path was in general, quite good and I made my way up, eventually onto easier ground and the summit ridge. Whilst the summit has no trig point, it is obvious and nearby there is a monument so difficult to miss! It took me 40 minutes up. The descent was a reverse and I was back at the car after a further 25 minutes. Onto the next one.

Allt y Main 05/10/2024
A small layby functioned as a starting point for this peak. The path started well, but soon deteriorated into a very thin track that made its way steeply up through the forest and bracken. Finally I emerged into a good track which led me up again to the summit area. This time the summit did have a trig point so again, obvious. The views over this part of Wales are very pleasant but largely lower hills rather than big mountains. The descent was a reverse although I think I took a slightly different track down, it emerged at the same point so no worries there. Two down, two to go.

Mynydd-y-briw 05/10/2024
There is the tiniest of pull-ins, just capable of taking two cars. With luck, there was one space. The ascent of this hill is basically through the gate and straight up the tarmac track to the radio mast, through the next gate and onto the summit area. Even so, it was so steep I had to stop for a breather on the way! A quick photo and I was back at the car in just over 15 minutes.

The final peak of the day. 05/10/2024
The walk started slightly earlier than planned. There is a good car park at Moelfre Hall with an honesty box charging a very reasonable £5 for a day. I figured I would be there a couple of hours, so popped £3 in - actually it was all I had! The walk is straightforward on good tracks, but like the others today, very very steep! It zig-zags its way up with a final grassy ascent that seems even steeper and I was glad to be on the summit. Again, the return was a reverse of the ascent and I was back at the car in just over one hour from leaving it. In total, I walked just over 14km with around 1,000m of climbing, bagging four more Marilyns.

Fly, Cycle, Walk 04/10/2024
A new type of triathlon. I flew down to Shoreham, cycled to Brighton, caught the train to Lewes, cycled up a very steep hill to the golf course, then walked to the summit of Cliffe Hill. To get back, I reversed the route. Excellent day out with the sun shining all day. What better way to spend a day than doing all the things I love doing?

UK Mountains Blog 2024

South Wales frustrations 10/09/2024
I'd set out with three walks planned, none of them too long, but together made a fine day out. After some frustrating road works on the Heads of the Valleys, I finally turned off onto quieter roads. With less than two miles to go, the road I needed was closed! There was no alternative so I had to abandon my plans. Quickly checking, there were several other options not too far away so I headed off for about twenty minutes to another walk. Mynydd Drumau was the hill I chose.

Mynydd Drumau 10/09/2024

Mynydd Drumau 10/09/2024
I parked near a church - there's always parking near churches, and headed off along some lanes before heading out into the woods that surround the hill. Previous experience has taught me that forest tracks on maps cannot be relied on but these were marked and pretty good. I zig zagged my way up before emerging onto open ground. A short walk across a field and one stone wall and I was on the summit. The views were pretty good and made it all worthwhile. My return was a reverse of the way up and just over an hour and 6km, my first hill was in the bag.

Hills two and three 10/09/2024
A thirty minute drive and I was parking up for the second, and longer walk of the day. I'd only got a rudimentary route planned as I had not planned to be doing it just yet. No matter, I'd figure it out. The first section was along a road, but we soon left that for a steep lane which became a footpath. Higher up, the marked path vanished and I had to make my way around some new houses to gain the route.

On a good path we passed through a farm, then the path became very thin and steep - this was a one direction only path! Up we went to eventually emerge onto a forest track. This wound its way up nicely to within a couple of hundred metres of the summit of Mynydd Dinas, where we had a fight with the undergrowth to get to the Trig point. There was no view, no nothing, so a quick photo and we reversed our route back out and down the forest track to a seat I'd spied. That would be lunch.

From there, we could see our destination hill which had three radio masts on the summit so easy to spot.

While we ate our lunch, we could see over Port Talbot and the M4, pretty nasty! We could also see the rain cloud approaching!

Mynydd Dinas 10/09/2024

Foel Fynyddau 10/09/2024
Lunch done, we set off with some urgency, hoping (in vain) to beat the rain. The route to the final hill was either fight through undergrowth or walk a longer but almost certainly quicker route along a lane. I chose the lane.

The rain soon caught us, and heavy it was too, my trousers soaked within minutes and as we arrived at the final path up to the summit of Foel Fynyddau, the wind being behind us, soaked my trousers right through. The final section to the summit was shrouded in mist so, on arrival, a quick photo and we headed down.

I'd spied what looked like a good track down the side of the wooded area and we followed it. Nicely downhill but not too steep, we would soon be back at the car. Disaster! The track ended with no onward path. I looked around and tried a couple of thin tracks, but they quickly became a fight. Nothing for it but to walk all the way back up again!

At the top we turned down and picked up another, almost parallel path, this time with more success and we soon came to the outskirts of the village I'd parked my car in. The final walk down the roads seemed to take forever but we finally got to the car, the hills done.

Soaked through, I dried Rosie as best I could, jumped in the car and put the heaters and seat on full to dry out.

In the end, a successful day, with three hills done, but not quite what I had planned.

Foel Fynyddau 10/09/2024

At Toddington 26/08/2024

The Isbourne Way 26/08/2024
I have been thinking of doing this walk for some time now and finally got around to it. It is quite an undertaking, being 25km in a day, but with not much ascent, seemed doable and it was. I elected to walk uphill, so from where the river ends (at the Avon in Evesham) back to the source (on Cleeve Hill). There is a full report with pictures on the Previous Expeds page. Check it out.

Chilterns Finest 06/08/2024
To ascend Wendover Woods is not a great challenge so I tacked on 12 additional miles of the Ridgeway to make it worthwhile.
Wendover Woods is a very pleasant walk from Wendover requiring just a short section of road. I always thought Snowdon would be the only mountain with a cafe on top, but Wendover Woods summit, it you can call it that, features a cafe very close, so close in fact that I had to stop for a coffee and bacon roll.

Wendover Woods 06/08/2024

Rejoining the Ridgeway 06/08/2024
Suitably fed I was off to rejoin the Ridgeway. It had been raining more or less from the get go so I was pleased that a lot of the walk was in the woods, sheltering me from the rain. Eventually of course, I had to break out and soon came to Tring Station which signalled the final section up to Ivinghoe Beacon which is where the Ridgeway ends. My path took me beyond and after a slight detour due to lack of path I finished at the Travellers Rest Inn. 15 Miles of good walking and a fine day out.

Ivinghoe Beacon 06/08/2024

Callow Hill trig and summit 30/07/2024

Flounders Folly 30/07/2024

Back to Shropshire 30/07/2024
I parked at probably the biggest layby in the county on the B4368. It was a short road walk to the footpath. Being summer, of course it was overgrown so I dodged and whimpered my way past the various stinging nettles and thorn bushes to emerge onto a good track.

I followed this for a while steadily upwards until once again the path entered a stinging jungle, thankfully short lived and onto another good track which I followed up past Hill End Farm, through the woods and onto a zig zag path which gained the final height to emerge at Flounders Folly, a tower built on the summmit.

I decided I would have to locate the trig point which I did, in a field, and realised it was not the high point, the tower is.

A short break and I was on my way down, reversing the uphill route and back at the car in just under two hours.

Hailstorm Hill Summit 26/07/2024

View from the summit ridge 26/07/2024

Back to Lancashire 26/07/2024
Waterfoot made a good starting point for the climb of Hail Storm Hill. There’s a bit of road walking but it soon gives way to tracks and paths as it makes its way up and around Cowpe reservoir.

Onto the summit ridge, the path more or less disappears in the direction of the summit. As a summer walk it’s quite easy, as a winter walk it would be tough, muddy and slippy.

Finally the summit arrives, marked by a small pile of stones. The descent was through the Cowpe quarry which was quite interesting. From there I followed the Pennine Bridleway all the way back to Waterfoot on a good track making a really nice circular walk with excellent views on the summit.

Mynydd Machen 19/07/2024

Mynydd y Lan 19/07/2024

Back in the Valleys 19/07/2024
I parked in the Sirhowy Valley Country Park, then headed up Mynydd y Lan, although it took some finding to get onto the hill and I found myself climbing some steep dusty paths crossing forest tracks. Eventually I emerged onto open ground and headed for what seemed to be the summit. The grid reference was not even close so I picked what looked like the high point.

From there I retraced my steps down to the valley and followed tracks and narrow lanes to pick up the Cambrian Way to ascend Mynydd Machen, the summit of which was much more obvious and made a nice lunch stop with views over the Severn Estuary. It also showed me there is a more direct route up y Lan!

Descending back down was frustrating as the path I took past a farm came to a dead end - no choice but to climb the fence, then the tracks that were meant to lead to the valley didn't exist so I had a long out and back following forest tracks.

It was a super hot day and the distance on OS maps was not even close to the actual distance. It claimed 8km whereas it was 15km, it claimed 600m of ascent, it was over 900m!

Lambrigg Fell 05/07/2024

Cheeky peak 05/07/2024
I couldn't resist a final Marilyn on the way home, so stopped off to climb Lambrigg Fell. At only 340 metres it isn't much and the way I did it, the ascent was much less, but it is done and a fitting end to a great weeks climbing which saw me conquer no less than 13 peaks, roughly half Nuttalls and half Marilyns, although High Stile counted in both categories.

Pillar Rock 04/07/2024

Final mountain 04/07/2024
Well, after many many years of climbing mountains, I finally conquered the final Nuttall! It was Pillar Rock in Ennerdale. We walked over from Borrowdale via Scarth Gap, descended into Ennerdale and then made the big climb up to the base of Pillar Rock. From there, it was a multi-pitch rock climb right to the summit. The weather was dreadful with driving rain, wind and cold temperatures. I think it was the first time I'd rock climbed in full waterproof gear!

Of course, that is only half the battle and we needed a two pitch abseil followed by some tricky walking across and back down to Ennerdale, followed by another ascent of Scarth Gap and finally back into Borrowdale. In total I ascended over 1,500 metres which is actually about double the height of Pillar Rock!

Watch Hill 03/07/2024

Binsey 03/07/2024
Binsey

Another two bite the dust 03/07/2024
Another two Marilyns today. First off was the highest: Binsey at 447m. Good parking just off the main road then after crossing, a good path all the way to the summit. Quite steep towards the end but it was short lived. There is a shelter and trig point on the top, so a proper hill. Descent was the reverse. Then onto Watch Hill, which at 254m was much lower although there was 220m of ascent compared to Binsey at 287m of ascent so not much in it. A straightforward ascent following a good path right to the end. There are a few undulations on the last section but nothing to worry about. This summit is marked by a few small boulders. Again, return was retracing the way up.

Swinside 01/07/2024

Lords Seat 01/07/2024

Back to the Marilyns 01/07/2024
Two Marilyns today and very different experiences they were too! Starting in Powter How I headed more or less directly uphill to ascent Lords Seat. The weather was particularly inclement with rain right from the get go. As I ascended I headed into cloud which of course meant high humidity which meant my waterproofs became nothing more than something to keep me warm rather than dry. The path is relentless and steep almost right to the summit. From there, it heads down into the woods and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the paths on the map actually existed!

Into and out of Thornthwaite in a flash my route took me South to Braithwaite then onwards to the foot of Swinside. There is no obvious path from the road below so I headed across a field hoping to find a gate but instead a section of broken fence allowed me access onto Swinside. A brief battle with the undergrowth and I was onto a forest track. The hill is a mere 244m high but it is steep, and I was well pleased to be on the summit. Some views across to Cat Bells and Causty Pike made it worthwhile. Following a forest track I soon emerged onto the road where I saw a sign claiming private land! Ho Hum. A short distance later I was at the pub and the finish.

Rock Climbing 30/06/2024

Today was a rock climbing day 30/06/2024
I've not rock climbed for many years but I fancied a day out on the crags so booked Mountain Journeys, a Lake District guiding company for a days climbing on a crag. ( mountain-journeys.co.uk )

We went to Shepherds Crag near Keswick and managed to ascent no less than four routes: Brown Crag Arete (Diff), Little Chamonix (HS) , Donkey Ears (VDiff) and Brown Crag (Diff). The grades were at the lower end but they made a superb day out, all bar Brown Crag being multi-pitch which made them even better.

The weather was kind to us with no rain all day, unlike yesterday and probably unlike tomorrow, so the day choice was inspired. Most enjoyable day out but my toes hurt (tight rock shoes), my arms hurt (pumped) and for some reason, my back also hurts!

Crummock Water 29/06/2024

Red Pike 29/06/2024

High Crag 29/06/2024

Nuttall bagging 29/06/2024
With seven Nuttalls to go, today was a big day, I ticked off another six! From Buttermere I climbed High Crag (744m), High Stile (807m), Dodd (641m), Red Pike (755m), Starling Dodd (633m), Great Borne (616m) in a big 23km day out. The weather was pretty awful with rain and low cloud all day, but the peaks were done. I might return in the summer and do them again as the view must be spectacular.

The final peak is booked for Thursday. What could possibly go wrong?

Hutton Roof Crags 28/06/2024

Here we go again 28/06/2024
Heading off to the Lake District to hopefully mop up the remaining Nuttalls ( nuttalls.com ) and bag a few Marilyns along the way, today we stopped off at Hutton Roof to climb Hutton Roof Crags. A reasonable car park and the entrance to the woods led to a very pleasant walk up through the woods to the summit. It doesn't appear right until the end which is slightly disconcerting. Excellent views all around made it worthwhile.

Wapley Hill 24/06/2024

Shobdon Hill 24/06/2024

Worcestershire complete 24/06/2024
Bagged two more Marilyns in a combined walk/bike ride. I managed to cycle most of the way up Shobdon Hill, although there was a steep section that required walking up and down. The summit was in the midst of ferns, nettles and undergrowth which was not much fun. I then cycled over to Wapley Hill, parking the bike in the car park and walking up. This time, the summit was easier, being on a mound on the earthworks. Nothing marks it so it was bagged by eye.

Wentwood Forest 21/06/2024

Wentwood Forest 21/06/2024
I decided to combine a days motorbiking with an objective so rode down to Wentwood near Usk in South Wales, parked up in the forest and took a scenic route around to the highest point. At just 309 metres, it was a little contrived to find a suitable walk and the OS map is massively out of date as regards the footpaths, so quite a bit of lane walking was required. Also the trig point is well hidden down a tiny track. The weather was excellent all day.

St Boniface Down 20/06/2024

Highest peak on the IoW 20/06/2024
Not too much of a challenge to be fair, but St Boniface Down at 242 metres wins. I cycled from the airport to the base of the hill, stashed my bike and headed up. To be fair, it's quite a climb onto the summit area but the true summit is behind fences that guard the radio station so we have to be satisfied with the path to one side which will be within a metre or so. Actually, the trig point is well down from the summit so doesn't count either. Pleasant walk and good views. Back at the bike I headed to the seaside for a well-earned lunch.

Bardon Hill 14/06/2024

Leicestershires highest 14/06/2024
The competition is not all that high, but today I made an ascent of Bardon Hill via Birra Birra Hill. It is a nice walk, apart from crossing a very busy A road. The final ascent has been changed due to quarrying in the area and the alternative footpath soon deteriorates into a fight near the top. Good views but I didn't stay long due to the approaching rain storm. As it turned out, I just caught the edge of it.

Robin Hoods Bay 11/06/2024

Yorkshire Coast bimble 11/06/2024
I parked at the radio mast near Ravenscar and made my way down to the old railway line which is now a very pleasant track leading in a roundabout sort of way to Robin Hoods Bay where I had lunch. My return route followed the Cleveland Way along the coastline to Boggle Hole and beyond, although there was a footpath diversion for a short way. As I approched the radio mast, it was clear that the entire climbing of the day would be right at the end with over 200 metres in the final couple of kilometres but it was easy ground and soon done. Fifteen kilometres made a very pleasant day out.

Guisborough Moor 06/06/2024

North Yorkshire Moors done 06/06/2024
The highest point on the North Yorkshire Moors is Guisborough Moor. I parked in a convenient car park not far from Great Ayton and headed off. There are a lot of tracks going in lots of directions but I got the one I wanted and headed off. It was a good track which eventually bought me to a road. My original intention was to follow the road for a while then pick up another path. Rather than do that, I took a direct line across the moors. The going was mostly okay and I soon found myself at the Sleddale Farm. There is no choice at this point but to follow the path through the farmland, then up and around to the summit. Of course, being a moorland, there were two choices. The furthest one turned out to be the high point and it had a nice shelter for lunch. From there, back across and I followed the line of the woodland to join the Cleveland Way, then headed across more open land to pick up the path down to the car. 15km walked and 419m of height gained.

Bishop Wilton Wold 05/06/2024

Possibly the easiest one 05/06/2024
Bishop Wilton Wold (248m)

Barely worth it, but as I was passing. Parked the car and walked across the road to the trig point. Well, I would haver but it was inside a locked water treatment site so not accessible. Some websites claim a tumulus as being the true summit but surely that is man-made so doesn't count? Either way I'm counting it and not planning to return anytime soon.

Pendle Hill 05/06/2024

Where the witches go 05/06/2024
Pendle Hill (557m)

Downham is the perfect place to park for Pendle Hill. There is a free car park and the walk out to the base of the climb is a very pleasant meander through fields on dedicated paths. Once on the hill it is relentless upwards. I'd been walking in shorts an T-Shirts but about one third of the way up the waterproofs came out in defence of a hailstorm! It continued to rain for much of the way up and when that passed over, I had to keep the waterproofs in to combat the cold wind.

Pendle Hill summit is more of a plateau with the trig point being very slightly higher than the surroundings. Clearly popular, there are good stone tracks approaching it from all directions.

The return was the reverse of the way up. I finally took off the waterproofs as I reached the final walk into Downham. There is a small cafe in the village which does an excellent coffee and bisuit.

White Hill 04/06/2024

And another one 04/06/2024
White Hill (544m)

A few miles North of Slaidburn, there is a very small car park. It was from there, that my second walk of the day began. The weather was dreadful, with driving rain, but it had to be done. Initially it is a good track that leads up the hill, but that peters out to almost nothing, so it was a case of make your own route. It was made harder with plenty of peaty groughs and streams requiring dropping down and climbing up. The view was non-existent and I was continually taking bearings to take the best route to the summit. The driving rain into my face didn't help and a couple of times I questioned my sanity! Finally the trig point came in sight and we headed over to it, with a second summit marker a little way away, which of course I had to visit. I stayed long enough to take a couple of photos, then another bearing and I was off back down. My descent route was slightly different to the ascent and I was back forty minutes later. With an ascent time of around one hour and fifteen minutes it was a significantly faster, I guess because the rain and wind were behind me. Seven kilometers, it seemed further, and just over 600 metres of ascent made for a good, but tough walk.

Easington Hill 04/06/2024

More in Bowland 04/06/2024
Easington Hill (396m)

I parked in Slaidburn and headed off through a very wet field to avoid the walk up the road. As a result of following the obvious path, I missed the actual path and emerged onto the road much higher than intended so had to walk back down about as far as I would have walked up!

That little problem solved I headed out in the direction of Easington Hill crossing farming fields, some with sheep and some without. Rosie was very confused, on and off the lead. Eventually I emerged onto open land and headed up on a reasonable track. No sooner had I done that, than the rain started, which would continue for most of the day. I had to choose a jumping off point to get to the actual summit and I was lucky enough to find a thin track which took me very close to the summit. It was then a short distance to the summit, marked by a small pile of stones. From there, across to a path which I followed to the road, then aimed off across more open land, reasonable going but no actual path. After a steep downhill, it was more farmland until I got to the river Hodder which I could follow directly back to Slaidburn. Thirteen kilometres walked with just over 640m of ascent.

Fair Snape Hill 03/06/2024

Bowland Part 2 03/06/2024
After Longridge I drove the seven miles ish around to the foot of Fair Snape Hill (521m), parking in another very small and very popular car park. Initially I skirted around to the East, following a good farmland track. Eventually we started uphill and once on the ridge, followed it on a nice track pretty much right to the summit. Only a short distance on a thin peaty track bought me to the summit, which had a pile of stones and an information board. From there I followed the obvious track to the trig point and shelter, which actually are 10 metres lower but must do for many walkers. Returning, I ascended Parlick (432m) mostly because it was in the way, but I figured it might appear in one of my many lists! The weather was fine, a cool breeze but no rain.

Longridge Fell 03/06/2024

Forest of Bowland 03/06/2024
Another two hill day. First to be ticked off was Longridge Fell (350m), a quick jaunt up a forest track from a handy, though popular small car park on the South Side. Easy walking on a good track led me to the final slightly less good, but still fine track to the summit trig point. From there I could see Fair Snape in the distance. Return was a case of retracing my steps.

Off again 30/05/2024
On my never ending quest to climb all the mountains I am off again, this time to Yorkshire via Lancashire. The North of Manchester is ripe for picking off peaks where I will spent a few days, then off to the Yorkshire Coast via, probably the easiest peak of all, Bishop Wilton Wold which, not only being a mere 248 metres, the only sensible start is the car park across the road! Reports to follow of course.

View Edge 24/05/2024

Final Marilyn of the trip 24/05/2024
I managed a final cheeky climb on the way home from a successful week in the Llyn Peninsula. Parking at Stokesay Castle I headed off on a gentle uphill slope into the woods above. A muddy but good path took me up through the woods towards the summit, but stopped short of the actual summit. A bit of fence crossing and dodgy field walking (no path) bought me to the top of the field and the top of the hill. It's nothing special, just a high point in a field, there seems to be no public access so something of a disappointment, but it's done. The get back to the car was a reverse of the way up.

Yr Eifl 23/05/2024
Yr Eifl

Highest peak of the trip. 23/05/2024
Yr Eifl on the Llyn Peninsula is 561m high so quite a giant by comparison to the others I've done on this trip. Due to some persistent bad weather, it was a very windy and wet walk up and down. The path on the North side is considerably better than the one on the South which made for a much more enjoyable ascent than descent.

On the summit there was zero visibility which was a shame as I am sure there are excellent views on a clear day.

I have to admit to underestimating the Marilyn hills. I'd assumed they would be push overs, completed whilst strolling along enjoying the countryside. Many are anything but, and this was a good example of that. Some serious weather, both rainy and cold made for a tough day out. As a habit I carry extra 'just in case' gear and today I needed it.

Garn Boduan 22/05/2024
I parked in Nefyn almost opposite the start of the walk. It was raining heavily so waterproofs on. Through the gate and across several fields, including one with cattle which of course, freaked Rosie. After that we had about a mile of road work before we came around to the Forestry entrance. After that, it was steadily up on good tracks almost to the summit which is when the tracks vanished and we found ourselves climbing over wet rocks.The summit had a trig point but zero view, coupled with being very windy, we didn't stop, but picked up a good track that took is steadily downwards, eventually popping out onto a lane that led right back to the car park.

Garn Boduan 22/05/2024

Moel y Gest 22/05/2024

Moel y Gest 22/05/2024
We'd finished the previous walk a lot quicker than I'd expected, so decided to pop over to Porthmadog to add another to the bag. Parking at the foot of the hill, it seemed an easy prospect. The walk started a little way down the road on a good wooded path which headed upwards. I followed what seemed to be the most likely path but it started to deteriorate into something of a fight in places, then open up into a better path. I continued along, past an old quarry expecting the final ascent any minute. We then came to a rocky section with a big drop. This looked like the end, but I spied a way down and with some help, Rosie followed - we wouldn't bre coming back this way! Eventually it started to climb and we popped out into a fern forest and shortly afterwards, came to the summit. Despite the rain, the views around were good but it was windy so we headed off, having to ascend the sister peak before locating the downward path. Near the bottom we came to the original path and realised our error. Oh well, it was a good experience.

Mynydd Bodafon 20/05/2024

Mynydd Bodafan 20/05/2024
An easy ascent up a good path. I parked a little way up the road, but there is a reasonable car park at the foot of the ascent which is only about 50 metres of height gain up an easy path. Up and down was less than thirty minutes including photos.

Llyn Peninsula 19/05/2024

Bardsey Island 19/05/2024

Llyn Peninsula Far South West 19/05/2024
Today I travelled just about as far down the peninsula as I could without falling off. I'd got a route planned which would culminate in an ascent of Mynydd Anelog. It's not a high peak, in fact less than 200 metres but an interesting one nevetheless. Parking in the NT Car park in Aberdaron, I headed out along the headland with the sea on my left. It's a lovely walk, following the Welsh Coastal Path, but as with most coastal paths, very undulating. Eventually I could travel South no longer and rounded the headland. It was then that Bardsey Island came into view. There is a Marilyn on that island and today it was standing clear of the clouds. Continuing around the headland I eventually turned North and headed to todays peak. As I approached it looked very imposing, but close up, straightforward. There is a path to the summit starting more or less on the North side, so I had to walk past it and turn back. A few minutes later I was on the top. From there, it was an easy descent through fields to the road and back to the village.

Carn Fadryn direct 19/05/2024
An easy ascent from the car park in the small village to the South of the summit. There is a good path that can be followed right to the top, but it does meander around for a while but is infinitely better than trying a direct approach through the undergrowth. Just under 20 minutes after leaving the car, I was stood on the top of the second Marilyn of the day.

Mynydd Rhiw 18/05/2024

Llyn Peninsula Day 1 18/05/2024
The day started badly when after leaving the cottage in glorious sunshine, I got to my destination in cloud and cold wind. There are a lot of choices in this area so I decided to change my plans and go back to the other side of the peninsula for the first walk. Unfortunately, the entire peninsula was in cloud so I had no choice. First peak to be bagged was Mynydd Rhiw at just 304m high, it was a pleasant walk up from a good car park, but the views were non-existent sadly.

Llyn Peninsula Day 1 part B 18/05/2024
After a nice lunch in a small village I headed off for the second walk of the day. I managed a superb car park spot right by a gate that led onto the hill - Carneddol, this time just 235m high. After seven minutes of hard effort, I stood on the summit, completely enveloped in cloud! Couple of photos and five minutes later I was back at the car, job done.

High Vinnalls 17/05/2024

Cheeky Marilyn 17/05/2024
En-route to Wales for some Marilyn hunting, I stopped off near Ludlow to bag High Vinnalls. There is a car park in the woodland and it is an enjoyable hours walk up decent forest tracks right to the summit. I wore walking boots, but could have easily got away with trainers. I saw no-one on the way up, but when I got to the summit, there must have been 30 people milling around!

A couple of quick photos and I was on the way back down, retracing my steps. There is a lot of potential here for a longer walk but I was on my way elsewhere.

Northumberland Tour summary 11/05/2024
So, nine days of walking, 5,856 metres climbed, 134 km walked, seven Nuttalls conquered, seven Marilyns and a handful of 500 metre peaks.

Rosie, my faithful Collie probably walked double, spent most of the time off the lead, got mucky, smelt new smells, looked in fascination at the sheep and the lambs and loved every second of being with her Daddy.

Happy with that.

Final Day of the tour 10/05/2024
For the final day, I chose an ascent of Wards Stone from Jubilee Tower in the Forest of Bowland near Lancaster. There is a good sized car park with excellent views. The route was straight up and down on a reasonable gradient and fairly firm underfoot. Finally we had a nice sunny day and even the views from the summit were good. One minor fly in the ointment was being told off by a ranger for having the dog with me. Apparently dogs are not allowed in this area, despite the notice at the car park implying dogs under control were allowed. Oh well, I do not plan to repeat the visit anyway.

Peel Fell 09/05/2024

Deadwater Fell 09/05/2024

Keilder yomp 09/05/2024
I parked just out of Keilder, near Deadwater and followed the forest track up as high as I could before breaking off to make my way through the felled forest area and onto Peel Fell (602m), although not before having to scale a six foot fence! Luckily there was a hole under one section so Rosie could get through, I had to scale a support, then climb down the other side!

Up to Peel Fell was a struggle, no path and thick heather and undergrowth exhausted me and I was pleased to reach the summit. The route across the ridge to Mid Fell (561m), then Deadwater Fell (571m) was pretty straightforward on a good path, marked rather sadistically by low metal stakes - it would be paintful to walk into one! A handy shelter on Deadwater Fell was perfect out of the wind for lunch, then I followed the forest track all the way back down to the car. Two more peaks for the bag, Mid Fell doesn't count in any of the groups!

Shillhope Law 08/05/2024

Tosson Hill 08/05/2024

Final day in the Cheviots 08/05/2024
Two walks today, the first was Shillhope Law (501m) which was a straight up and down from Wedder Leap Car Park. Quite a climb but only 30 minutes up and about the same down. The second walk was Tosson Hill (441m) from the Lime Kiln Car Park. A short road section followed by fields, woodland and open moorland made for a nice varied route. Around 1 1/4 hours up, I arrived in time for an early lunch in the sunshine, followed by a similar time down. Nice views from the top and excellent weather made for a nice end to a few days in the Cheviots.

The Cheviot 07/05/2024

More Cheviots 07/05/2024
Today saw me climb the final three peaks in the Cheviot area: The Cheviot (815m), Comb Fell (652m) and Hedgehope Hill (714m). The weather was dry, the going was, as expected, very wet and muddy and the views were non-existent due to the low cloud. No matter, it's all done now and so there are just seven peaks to climb to complete the Nuttalls which will allow me to join their club.

So far this trip, I've climbed 4,420 metres and there are still three days to go!

Bloodybush Edge 06/05/2024

Cushat Law 06/05/2024

Cheviots 06/05/2024
Today I started on the Cheviot Peaks. Many years ago, I walked the Pennine Way which went over Windy Gyle and optionally the Cheviot. We declined the option at the time! Two peaks added, Bloodybush Edge (610m) which was the lowest of the remaining peaks, and Cushat Law (616m). As a result of the out and back route, I had to climb Bloodybush Edge twice, but hey ho.

Little Fell 05/05/2024

Final Cross Fell peak 05/05/2024
Little Fell at 745m was the final piece of the Cross Fell jigsaw and today it fell into place. The cloud base was low and visibility poor to say the least, plus a non-existent path most of the way up made for a disappointing ascent, but equally exciting that the area is now finished.

Tomorrow I start on the final peaks in the Cheviot area.

Mickle Fell 04/05/2024

Mickle Fell 04/05/2024
Back on the Nuttall bagging with a ascent of Mickle Fell. It was a long walk (13 mile round trip) for one mountain and it was a very overcast day with some light rain but nothing requiring waterproofs other than a thin one as a windstopper. It is an easy track up from the B6276 followed by a nice grassy track to the summit.

Aye Gill Pike 03/05/2024
The small village of Dent was the starting point for the climb. The pike is the imposing hill to the North. Paying for the car park proved a challenge, cards could not be used, there was a Ringo code and a bar code, but unfortunately no internet, there was a phone number but no phone signal! I gave up and decided I would pay it once I got a signal (that was 50 minutes later!).

The path goes through farm fields with tiny gates on stone wall stiles, each one seemed to be more of a challenge than the last until finally we got onto open ground and Rosie could run free. Aye Gill is no pushover and took some real effort to gain the ridge, but then it eased dramatically over the last kilometre or so to the summit trig point.

It was a cool day, but no wind so I had lunch on the summit, before packing away and heading down. We took a slightly different and slightly longer way down but were soon back at Dent making use of the small cafe for coffee and carrot cake, an excellent end to a great day out.

Winter Hill 02/05/2024

Winter Hill, a bit misleading 02/05/2024
To climb Winter Hill, I parked in Rivington Estate and made my way in the general direction of up, roughly aiming for the tower on Rivington Pike. It's a lovely walk in the woods before breaking out onto the summit steps. From the top, ther e are views all around, as far as the Bolton Wanderers football ground, the peaks behind and up ahead, the radion towers that marked the summit of Winter Hill seeming to be a short distance across the fell. They are misleading! It is a long way, but on a reasonable path and I was surprised at the time it took.

Once there, I stayed long enough for a few photos then headed off as it was incredibly windy and made my way back down more or less reversing the way I came up. Nice day out and a nice start to the weeks walking that lay ahead of me.

Coety Mountain 23/04/2024

Mynydd Carn-y-cefn 23/04/2024

Brecons day out 23/04/2024
I parked in Blenavon at a very convenient free car park then headed over in the direction of Coety Mountain. It is steep from the get-go but initially on good paths. Despite the weather forecast, it was raining - presumably I was enjoying the 5% predicted! It is steep climb that gets steeper until the final plateau. The summit is nothing special except a mound so I quickly left.
From there is was along a good track, then over the northern end of Mynydd James and it should have been an easy downhill to Blenau except the path vanished in the trees and despite some searching, I ended up having to climb back up and follow another track to the town which was exhausting.
Through the town heading roughly in the right direction I came to the big climb of Mynydd Carn-y-cefn. It started steep and got steeper, so much so that I could touch the ground in front of me! Eventually I got to the ridge and it was an easy walk from there to the summit and lunch. The return journey was via same route but I bypassed Coety. Tough day out with 21km walked and 1,200 metres of climbing, but apart from the damp start, the weather was good all day.

Stroll on Cleeve 16/04/2024
One of my favourite walks is on Cleeve Hill starting from near the Rising Sun and walking over to Belas Knapp, following more or less the Cotswold Way, then return via the Radio masts and a fiendish drop down to the pond followed by an equally fiendish climb back to the main summit and a circuit around to make up 10 miles. Great weather, although windy with the odd shower, but sunny and warm when it was sheltered.

Myarth 09/04/2024
Myarth

Bryn Arw 09/04/2024

Even more Marilyns 09/04/2024
This is becoming a weekly event it seems. Today I climbed another two Marilyns; Myarth (292m) which is actually located on private property belonging to the Glanusk Estate, but an email request was met with a super helpful Estate Manager who granted permission. Parking at the forest entrance, it was thirty minutes up a good track, followed by a few minutes hunting for the summit amongst the brambles, then twenty minutes back down again. As a climb, I probably would not recommend it in summer as it would be a fight once the track is left.

The second hill was Bryn Arw (384m). Llanvihangel was the starting point for this one. Reasonable tracks led to the foot of the mountain. It was then mixed fields, thin tracks and a steep climb onto the summit ridge. I followed the ridge to the end, then dropped down and circled back, picking up the upward path. Interestingly, the big cairn is not the highest point.

Walking

From single day to several weeks, I have walked many of Britains long distance footpaths. Below are some of the more well-known routes.

Route	Distance	Description
Isbourne Way (August 2024)	15 miles	From Cleeve Hill to Evesham.
Shropshire Way (August 2023 onwards)	200 miles	Figure of eight centred on Shrewsbury.
Hadrians Wall (April 2023)	90 miles	From Bowness to Newcastle.
Wysis Way (April 2022)	55 miles	From the Wye to the source of the Thames.
St Kenelms Way (March 2022)	52 miles	Clent Hills to Winchcombe.
The Ridgeway (September 2019)	87 miles	Avebury to Ivinghoe Beacon.
Three Choirs Way (March 2019)	100 miles	Gloucester to Hereford to Worcester to Gloucester.
Gloucestershire Way (December 2018)	100 miles	From Chepstow to Tewkesbury.
Severn Way (August 2018)	210 miles	Following the River Severn.
Winchcombe Way (May 2013)	42 miles	Around the Cotswolds.
Limestone Way (December 2012)	60 miles	Rocester to Castleton in Derbyshire.
Welsh 3000s (July 2000)	28 miles	All 3,000' mountains.
Worcestershire Way (July 1992, August 1992 and August 2004)	38 miles	Wyre Forest to Malverns.
Cotswold Way (August 1991)	96 miles	Bath to Chipping Campden.
Coast to Coast (August 1990)	192 miles	Robin Hoods Bay, Yorkshire to St Bees in Cumbria.
6 Shropshire Peaks (July 1990 and April 1992)	40 miles	East to West Shropshire.
Lyke Wake Walk (July 1983)	40 miles	Yorkshire Moors.
Offas Dyke (July 1980)	180 miles	Length of the Welsh Border.
Pennine Way (August 1977)	270 miles	Edale to Kirk Yetholm (Scotland).

Rock Climbing

Some years ago, I qualified as an SPA Instructor, and whilst it has probably lapsed due to inactivity, I have fond memories of rock climbing in many areas of the UK & abroad, particularly at Symonds Yat, North Wales, the Peak District, Mid-Wales, Cornwall & Scotland. I have many hundreds of logged climbs in my log book and during my time, have climbed many more than I have recorded.

Mountaineering

There are many beautiful mountain ranges in the world, many within easy reach of the UK. I am fortunate to have been to a large number of them. Below are the best.

Mountain (Range)	Description
Mount Ararat (September 2023)	The Highest Mountain in Turkey 5,137m.
Elbrus (August 2019)	The Highest Mountain in Europe 5,642m.
Nepal (October 2018)	Trekking in the Himalaya to a maximum of 5,643m.
Kilimanjaro (September 2017)	The highest mountain on the continent of Africa at 5,895m.
Teide, Tenerife (April 2015)	Highest Mountain in Spain (Tenerife) at 3,718m.
Alesch Glacier (August 2001)	Including the Hexenstein in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland.
Aconcagua (January 2001)	Highest Mountain in South America at 6,960m.
Dolomites (August 2000)	Northern Italys' most famous range.
Matterhorn (August 1997)	Most famous Mountain in Switzerland at 4,405m.
Mont Blanc (September 1995)	Highest Mountain in Western Europe at 4,807m.

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