As ever it has been hectic! I have officially zig zagged around the country about eight times in only 3 weeks or so. I have just finished a couple of expeditions for Duke of Edinburgh with work only down in the Chiltern Hills then around the Yorkshire Dales and the Peak District. Interspersed with that I have been to some job interviews and been working on the Adventure Quest work in Buxton and Bushey. Fun it has all been and with living out of my car for about 2 weeks since leaving home last, I have finally returned to Dunstable with the expeditions under my belt, being signed off to run high ropes courses around the country and.........a NEW JOB!
Yes I am finally sure on my movement and it will be to Buxton on either 20th or 21st September to take up the new trainee instructor position at the World Challenge Expeditions centre in the beautiful Peak District! I had been tipped off about the position opening up again this September so quickly threw a beautiful CV together, got my log books together then zoomed up to Buxton for the nerve-racking interview. It was pretty laid back but as usual I suffer under 'interview-pressure'. It all paid off though as after 2 weeks of waiting to hear back from them I was doing some shadowing at the centre for the week and was then told the good news. It was definitely a relief to finally know the outcome. I had been quite positive but then everyone else was telling me that I would no doubt get the job but then I thought I might be devastated if I didn't so went with the negative view. It all worked out though :-)
So the job is actually a 6 month placement where I will be 1 of 3 trainee instructors living in the centre with a small wage, helping to run the training expeditions for the groups going abroad in the summer, as well as running the stores, being on call if there are any problems, being the face of World Challenge, centre assistant, plus all the menial jobs like folding tents and pairing up boots. We also have a personal development programme where I will be able to finish my SPA climbing award and start working towards my kayaking qualifications. It's going to be an intense 6 months which I know is going to be hard work but it's an opportunity to be working over the quiet winter period and work towards further qualifications. It was even mentioned about possible trips to Northern Ireland, Scotland and Morocco! It boils down really to have dedicated you are to the work and what you put in reflects what you get out of it so I'm looking to be very busy. I can't wait :-)
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
It was the plan... opps!
Well the plan was to be able to log in and blog as much as possible but unfortunately, though it wasn't exactely hard to find the Internet, time was against me with the amount of work and how busy we were scrambling around Bolivia! I was so busy I even forgot it was Dad's birthday which I'm sure he wasn't happy about but it wasn't until I was camped on the Isla del Sol with my diary (which also suffered) that I realised that it was the 16th July and I wasn't going to be in a town for another week.
I did try to get to the Internet once back in the capital, La Paz but it was all action stations to organise everything for the main trek which was an epic 4 day trek across the Yungas Cruz high up in the Andes! The views were amazingly beautiful that even the photos can't show but the memories will be there forever.
Once back from the trek we then had the excitement of heading down to Rurrenbaque, the jungle which was the bit that most were looking forward to out of the whole trip. Also the one bit of the trip that went completely wrong. The flights down there were cancelled for 2 days and with much disappointment and upset we had to bail the idea and spent another day or so trying to claim money back for the flights and tour. We then were given an option to go down to a place called Corioco which was a nice change from La Paz. We then headed back to the capital (which also went badly) for a couple of day trips. We ended up getting stuck on a mountain pass 4000+ metres in tonnes of snow. The traffic jams were crazy but again the views were amazing. We managed to spend the day preparing for the project we were working on in a remote village then visited an Inca remains site before boarding a night bus down to the Uyuni Salt Plains.
The Uyuni tour was amazing, the one thing that I was seriously looking forward and it was mindboggling how vast it was! This huge lake that didn't exist anymore, just a huge salt plain with the random cactus islands then bordered with the Chilen mountains. Words again can't explain the sight but it was fantastic. There, of course, were the problems of communication which resulted in the night that could reach as low as -20C and our bags, sleeping bags and warm clothes didn't turn up. The group had to pair up and huddle all night, thankfully it didn't reach -20C, only around -5C or so but then a boy got really sick and we were really worried allnight. The leaders got no sleep as we nursed he through the cold. We were very lucky to have had a doctor staying in the same hacienda as us and helped us out. The next morning he was much better so no sleep for us helped alot. We were then off to the geyseurs, hot springs and finally onto the village of Santiago 'K' where we were to be based for 5 days working on our project/
The project consisted of re-painting the school theatre as well as replastering the walls and also digging a cess-pit due to their lack of a sewage system. It was quite hard labour but was such a beneficial phase of the expedition for the group, especially the interactions with the kids of the village. I think it was one of the best bits of the expedition minus (of course) the problems of the lack of food, communication and understanding between us and the locals and then the poor project organiser which I won't go into on here.
The trip, for me, unfortunately ended on a bummer for me as I got travel sick travelling back to the capital and then I went on to get sickness. I ended up missing the last dinner, along with the leader who got me strong enough to travel back to the UK. We did have the downer of one of the group members losing his passport on the last day so he had to stay out in country with the teacher. So we went from 17 to 15 for travelling home. Still waiting on news on whether they are home yet, fingers crossed! Even the travel through America was scarred with passport problems but eventually we arrived back at Heathrow VERY shattered. The M25 was the last straw not allowing Mum and Dad to get to the airport on time but by 3pm on the Saturday I was back in Dunstable.
The trip was probably the most amazing form of work experience. It was a bit of a bummer that so much went wrong but so much went right as well. If the situations every happened again I would have the knowledge and understanding to sort them out as best as possible which is great for if I end up leading a group next summer. Bolivia is such an amazing country and I can't wait to get out to South America again and to explore more countries. Role on the opportunity for Peru and Machu Picchu. But for now I will be content with the UK and getting on the road for work :-)
I did try to get to the Internet once back in the capital, La Paz but it was all action stations to organise everything for the main trek which was an epic 4 day trek across the Yungas Cruz high up in the Andes! The views were amazingly beautiful that even the photos can't show but the memories will be there forever.
Once back from the trek we then had the excitement of heading down to Rurrenbaque, the jungle which was the bit that most were looking forward to out of the whole trip. Also the one bit of the trip that went completely wrong. The flights down there were cancelled for 2 days and with much disappointment and upset we had to bail the idea and spent another day or so trying to claim money back for the flights and tour. We then were given an option to go down to a place called Corioco which was a nice change from La Paz. We then headed back to the capital (which also went badly) for a couple of day trips. We ended up getting stuck on a mountain pass 4000+ metres in tonnes of snow. The traffic jams were crazy but again the views were amazing. We managed to spend the day preparing for the project we were working on in a remote village then visited an Inca remains site before boarding a night bus down to the Uyuni Salt Plains.
The Uyuni tour was amazing, the one thing that I was seriously looking forward and it was mindboggling how vast it was! This huge lake that didn't exist anymore, just a huge salt plain with the random cactus islands then bordered with the Chilen mountains. Words again can't explain the sight but it was fantastic. There, of course, were the problems of communication which resulted in the night that could reach as low as -20C and our bags, sleeping bags and warm clothes didn't turn up. The group had to pair up and huddle all night, thankfully it didn't reach -20C, only around -5C or so but then a boy got really sick and we were really worried allnight. The leaders got no sleep as we nursed he through the cold. We were very lucky to have had a doctor staying in the same hacienda as us and helped us out. The next morning he was much better so no sleep for us helped alot. We were then off to the geyseurs, hot springs and finally onto the village of Santiago 'K' where we were to be based for 5 days working on our project/
The project consisted of re-painting the school theatre as well as replastering the walls and also digging a cess-pit due to their lack of a sewage system. It was quite hard labour but was such a beneficial phase of the expedition for the group, especially the interactions with the kids of the village. I think it was one of the best bits of the expedition minus (of course) the problems of the lack of food, communication and understanding between us and the locals and then the poor project organiser which I won't go into on here.
The trip, for me, unfortunately ended on a bummer for me as I got travel sick travelling back to the capital and then I went on to get sickness. I ended up missing the last dinner, along with the leader who got me strong enough to travel back to the UK. We did have the downer of one of the group members losing his passport on the last day so he had to stay out in country with the teacher. So we went from 17 to 15 for travelling home. Still waiting on news on whether they are home yet, fingers crossed! Even the travel through America was scarred with passport problems but eventually we arrived back at Heathrow VERY shattered. The M25 was the last straw not allowing Mum and Dad to get to the airport on time but by 3pm on the Saturday I was back in Dunstable.
The trip was probably the most amazing form of work experience. It was a bit of a bummer that so much went wrong but so much went right as well. If the situations every happened again I would have the knowledge and understanding to sort them out as best as possible which is great for if I end up leading a group next summer. Bolivia is such an amazing country and I can't wait to get out to South America again and to explore more countries. Role on the opportunity for Peru and Machu Picchu. But for now I will be content with the UK and getting on the road for work :-)
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Welcome to Boliviaª
Now I already know that my Dad will be still pacing up and down the hallway waiting for me to make some contact but sorry its a busy time watching over 17 people in a developing country.
We arrived into La Paz and my god the altitude hit us like a tonne of bricks suffocating us. It was even worst at night as it was rather cold and my down jacket was definitely a good call.
We have since sent 3 days travelling to and from as well as walking around the Isla del Sol where there are Inca ruins, amazing views of the huge mountains spanning the Altiplano, llamas, donkeys, Bolivia ladies in their tophats and beautiful fabrics to carry anything from luggage to children on their backs.
It hasnt been a culture shock, not so much as India was back at the beginning of the year but the altitude makes walking very hard, especially as the whole of La Paz is on a hill. I was literally dying from just climbing the stairs. That has since changed and we are much better acclimatised after reaching and trekking around 4000 metres plus. We have camped on the beaches at Copacabana and Isla del Sol, watching amazing sunrises and sunsets over looking Lake Titicaca, bartered at markets for food, been to the Witches market of La Paz where dried llama fetuses are a sacred thing to have in the house, the coca leaves can be found everywhere but I havent found myself near any yet.
We are due to leave to do the Yungas Trek in the high mountains this Friday for 5 days trekking. We will have mules for our kit and a safety horse if anyone is feeling ill. We have a couple of bouts of illness at the moment but nothing too serious. I am currently in charge today as the leader has a rest day to recover from his bout of illness. Exciting stuff.
For now though I am off helping to buy up all the food for the 5 day trek which should be interesting as their is the 200 years anniversary of the Independance of La Paz so Im not sure what will be open.
Will try to update soon. For now though Adidos.
We arrived into La Paz and my god the altitude hit us like a tonne of bricks suffocating us. It was even worst at night as it was rather cold and my down jacket was definitely a good call.
We have since sent 3 days travelling to and from as well as walking around the Isla del Sol where there are Inca ruins, amazing views of the huge mountains spanning the Altiplano, llamas, donkeys, Bolivia ladies in their tophats and beautiful fabrics to carry anything from luggage to children on their backs.
It hasnt been a culture shock, not so much as India was back at the beginning of the year but the altitude makes walking very hard, especially as the whole of La Paz is on a hill. I was literally dying from just climbing the stairs. That has since changed and we are much better acclimatised after reaching and trekking around 4000 metres plus. We have camped on the beaches at Copacabana and Isla del Sol, watching amazing sunrises and sunsets over looking Lake Titicaca, bartered at markets for food, been to the Witches market of La Paz where dried llama fetuses are a sacred thing to have in the house, the coca leaves can be found everywhere but I havent found myself near any yet.
We are due to leave to do the Yungas Trek in the high mountains this Friday for 5 days trekking. We will have mules for our kit and a safety horse if anyone is feeling ill. We have a couple of bouts of illness at the moment but nothing too serious. I am currently in charge today as the leader has a rest day to recover from his bout of illness. Exciting stuff.
For now though I am off helping to buy up all the food for the 5 day trek which should be interesting as their is the 200 years anniversary of the Independance of La Paz so Im not sure what will be open.
Will try to update soon. For now though Adidos.
Saturday, 4 July 2009
18 days straight...
What a hectic 18 days but dear god they were so much fun. That's 2 days training down in the New Forest for a Silver DoE followed by the 3 day practice expedition, race back to Stoke via a pit stop in Bicester to see the parents and grandparents for Father's Day then a Gold expedition in the Dark Peak not before collecting my degree results (2:1) and then after ending a day early from an amazing group from Thatcham, I zoomed back to Stoke and back up to Buxton on the train to be a Team Leader for a residential with World Challenge all rounded off with another Gold expedition in the Yorkshire Dales!! And yes, I'm absolutely shattered, though still waking up at an instilled 6am :-(
The Gold expeditions were the usual, working with the British Gas apprentices, a group from Thatcham and 2 from the Leeds academy. All very determined lads and ladies that all passed with flying colours, well done guys. The Silver was a stretch for the minds as the whole Silver process from training to qualifying happened in less than 2 weeks. Again very determined youths that performed amazingly. The WC residential, which I was truely nervous about, was a real change to the usual work that I was used to. It was a 6am (or before) start setting up camp for the 14 year olds, going climbing, abseiling, raft building, a selection of high rope problems, cooking on trangias, continual team building games and reviews.... pretty full on that us leaders weren't going to bed until 11pm after being debriefed ourselves.
The residential was probably a setting stone for my life within the outdoor industry in terms of dealing with a situation that has never happened before but is likely to occur again sometime. I had to call for an ambulance in what turned out to be no more than a severe winding and cramping trapping some nerves after a slip on the raft. Thinking back to it I'm not really sure how I dealt with the situation but was later told that it was a 'text book reaction' which was very encouraging and reassuring as I was pretty shock up over it. Thankfully it was nothing too serious though could have been in another situation but now I know what to do and can be confident in my reactions to such an incident again. In a way I'm glad it has happened and my training through World Challenge was put into place. Let's hope that I don't have to deal with any emergency crews again though.
So it has come to the last 4 days of saying that I live in Stoke on Trent. I spent the most of today packing up my room ready for the parents to come and take it all away on Tuesday not before graduation on Monday at 11.30 at Trentham Gardens. I even decided to buy a new pair of smart trousers for the occasion, and if people are really lucky I might even wear a pair of heels (wait while people get a chair to sit down from shock!). It has been a defining part of my life, University, and it feels very strange that I'm now set for the big bad world and a life of working at last. It's going to be really sad moving away, though it will only be in Buxton. The next step of excitingness has commenced :-)
But not before heading out to Bolivia for 32 days with World Challenge Expeditions next Wednesday/Thursday! Oh my, I can't believe how quickly it has come around and as I pack away my room and house I now have a rather huge pile accumlating of kit to take out with me. Really going to have to try and hold the nerves until at least Tuesday evening so I can say a proper goodbye to Stoke. Thankfully some people are going to be still in Stoke so it's not like I'm being completely cut away from the area, especially with work being based only up the A500.
But for now, its graduation and travels before moving to Buxton and working the life of an outdoor instructor :-) I hope to update whilst in Bolivia. If not it's going to be some epic updating once back in Blighty.
The Gold expeditions were the usual, working with the British Gas apprentices, a group from Thatcham and 2 from the Leeds academy. All very determined lads and ladies that all passed with flying colours, well done guys. The Silver was a stretch for the minds as the whole Silver process from training to qualifying happened in less than 2 weeks. Again very determined youths that performed amazingly. The WC residential, which I was truely nervous about, was a real change to the usual work that I was used to. It was a 6am (or before) start setting up camp for the 14 year olds, going climbing, abseiling, raft building, a selection of high rope problems, cooking on trangias, continual team building games and reviews.... pretty full on that us leaders weren't going to bed until 11pm after being debriefed ourselves.
The residential was probably a setting stone for my life within the outdoor industry in terms of dealing with a situation that has never happened before but is likely to occur again sometime. I had to call for an ambulance in what turned out to be no more than a severe winding and cramping trapping some nerves after a slip on the raft. Thinking back to it I'm not really sure how I dealt with the situation but was later told that it was a 'text book reaction' which was very encouraging and reassuring as I was pretty shock up over it. Thankfully it was nothing too serious though could have been in another situation but now I know what to do and can be confident in my reactions to such an incident again. In a way I'm glad it has happened and my training through World Challenge was put into place. Let's hope that I don't have to deal with any emergency crews again though.
So it has come to the last 4 days of saying that I live in Stoke on Trent. I spent the most of today packing up my room ready for the parents to come and take it all away on Tuesday not before graduation on Monday at 11.30 at Trentham Gardens. I even decided to buy a new pair of smart trousers for the occasion, and if people are really lucky I might even wear a pair of heels (wait while people get a chair to sit down from shock!). It has been a defining part of my life, University, and it feels very strange that I'm now set for the big bad world and a life of working at last. It's going to be really sad moving away, though it will only be in Buxton. The next step of excitingness has commenced :-)
But not before heading out to Bolivia for 32 days with World Challenge Expeditions next Wednesday/Thursday! Oh my, I can't believe how quickly it has come around and as I pack away my room and house I now have a rather huge pile accumlating of kit to take out with me. Really going to have to try and hold the nerves until at least Tuesday evening so I can say a proper goodbye to Stoke. Thankfully some people are going to be still in Stoke so it's not like I'm being completely cut away from the area, especially with work being based only up the A500.
But for now, its graduation and travels before moving to Buxton and working the life of an outdoor instructor :-) I hope to update whilst in Bolivia. If not it's going to be some epic updating once back in Blighty.
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Dales and Peaks
Now I'm not going to complain but what a hectic 7 days of work! Bloody awesome though :-)
The week started with a very early start for the Yorkshire Dales where we had a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Assessement on, where I was the assessor after newly 'qualifying'. I was being shadowed for the week but there isn't alot extra to do on top of the usual duties on working with a group. The Monday was an absolutely beautiful day that once all the kit was handed out, tents were up and lunch done with we basically spent the rest of the afternoon getting rather burnt while the British Gas apprentices were playing football and throwing a frisbee. We even had a brave guy who jumped into the plunge pool in the river, which was freezing! It was that hot though. I wound down in the evening after having drove all the way up there and organising for the afternoon, taking a walk up to the village of Middlesmoor whilst camping at Spean. It was a beautiful evening and the views out over the Dale was fantastic.
The week involved a sprightly jaunt up Great Whernside, keeping up with my ex-military co-worker, in the extreme heat. I really need to get fitter before heading off to Bolivia, where we met very slow walking groups but after the first day the guys starting getting used to the pain and hardship involved with carrying your life on your back. Another 3 days of checking pointing and walking sections with the groups as the weathers started to detiorate throughout the week, though spirits were still reasonably high.
A very successful 5 days though as the group walked from Spean, up and over Great Whernside to Kettlewell, north to Newbiggin, across over to Leyburn ending at Aysgarth Fall, and I passed them all aswell. I even got a dinner in with Claire on the Thursday night at a pub half way between us (time whys) which made the week!
Saturday and Sunday was spent in the Peak District starting out at Ilam Hall for a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Practice expedition. It made it very interesting with the comparison of such time and distance during the week to just one night camping at Hulme End and then walking to Waterhouses. It was long slow walk with kids that weren't used to the rucksacks, the weight, the distance, the whole experience really. I have a great group though who were reasonably enthusiast if not a little sneaky with wanting to cut corners when I wasn't there. Little did they realise was that I could see them all day! I must have walked another half of their walk though trying to meet up with them at different places. Who would say Bronze is easy?
Sunday ended not until around 7.30pm in the end as we had to talk the students back to their school in Swadlincote then over to Sponden to dump some kit until finally back to Stoke on Trent. Well and truely shattered I sit surrounded with smelly wet kit and the weather was truely abysmal. We were lucky to have a clear evening yesterday for tents to me put up and dinner to be cooked. Us instructors were even lucky enough for a BBQ in the evening once all the kids were sorted, by the SEL (Senior Expedition Leader). It was a great evening talking to the other instructors that we normally just pass by on collecting kids and straight out on the expedition.
Thankfully, or not so, I have 9 days off now to get vaccines for Bolivia sorted, packing arranged for Bolivia, the slow packing away of the Watford Street house plus the numerous other chores to get done. I'm even going to try and cook some bread sometime this week. We'll see, all before heading off to the New Forest for a Silver Duke of Edinburgh! Fun fun :-)
The week started with a very early start for the Yorkshire Dales where we had a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Assessement on, where I was the assessor after newly 'qualifying'. I was being shadowed for the week but there isn't alot extra to do on top of the usual duties on working with a group. The Monday was an absolutely beautiful day that once all the kit was handed out, tents were up and lunch done with we basically spent the rest of the afternoon getting rather burnt while the British Gas apprentices were playing football and throwing a frisbee. We even had a brave guy who jumped into the plunge pool in the river, which was freezing! It was that hot though. I wound down in the evening after having drove all the way up there and organising for the afternoon, taking a walk up to the village of Middlesmoor whilst camping at Spean. It was a beautiful evening and the views out over the Dale was fantastic.
The week involved a sprightly jaunt up Great Whernside, keeping up with my ex-military co-worker, in the extreme heat. I really need to get fitter before heading off to Bolivia, where we met very slow walking groups but after the first day the guys starting getting used to the pain and hardship involved with carrying your life on your back. Another 3 days of checking pointing and walking sections with the groups as the weathers started to detiorate throughout the week, though spirits were still reasonably high.
A very successful 5 days though as the group walked from Spean, up and over Great Whernside to Kettlewell, north to Newbiggin, across over to Leyburn ending at Aysgarth Fall, and I passed them all aswell. I even got a dinner in with Claire on the Thursday night at a pub half way between us (time whys) which made the week!
Saturday and Sunday was spent in the Peak District starting out at Ilam Hall for a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Practice expedition. It made it very interesting with the comparison of such time and distance during the week to just one night camping at Hulme End and then walking to Waterhouses. It was long slow walk with kids that weren't used to the rucksacks, the weight, the distance, the whole experience really. I have a great group though who were reasonably enthusiast if not a little sneaky with wanting to cut corners when I wasn't there. Little did they realise was that I could see them all day! I must have walked another half of their walk though trying to meet up with them at different places. Who would say Bronze is easy?
Sunday ended not until around 7.30pm in the end as we had to talk the students back to their school in Swadlincote then over to Sponden to dump some kit until finally back to Stoke on Trent. Well and truely shattered I sit surrounded with smelly wet kit and the weather was truely abysmal. We were lucky to have a clear evening yesterday for tents to me put up and dinner to be cooked. Us instructors were even lucky enough for a BBQ in the evening once all the kids were sorted, by the SEL (Senior Expedition Leader). It was a great evening talking to the other instructors that we normally just pass by on collecting kids and straight out on the expedition.
Thankfully, or not so, I have 9 days off now to get vaccines for Bolivia sorted, packing arranged for Bolivia, the slow packing away of the Watford Street house plus the numerous other chores to get done. I'm even going to try and cook some bread sometime this week. We'll see, all before heading off to the New Forest for a Silver Duke of Edinburgh! Fun fun :-)
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Lake District 16th - 20th May
I had planned for a long time that once I had finished all my work for University I was going to go to the Lake District for a week or so to take a break from the rat race that I have called my life for the past few months. I hadn't expected to have anyone come with me but ended up with my new housemate, Dave a friend also on the World Challenge Apprenticeship scheme, heading up with me. It was would be a good opportunity to get to know each other as we had only actually met once before.
We headed up on the Saturday morning to Keswick where we stocked up on food and then parked up at the National Trust car park at the Great Wood where we took our rucksacks up and over Castlerigg Fell to Bleaberry Fell, High Seat, High Tove, Middle Crag over to Blea Tarn where we set up camp for the night. The weather was pretty miserable raining nearly all the time but then it cleared as we got to the tarn which was a welcome relief but then it came down again. I had the unfortunate experience of going up to my thigh in a bog and getting some very soggy boots. It was very uncomfortable and knew I would end up having wet socks for the rest of the weekend.
The next morning the weather was just as miserable. We headed up and over to Ullscarf and then followed the ridge along to High Raise where we were met with some beautiful sunshine which was a welcome relief. I still had wet socks though. We then dropped down into the West valley and followed Langstrath Beck all the way down to Stonethwaite and then we stopped at the Rosthwaite hotel where we had a drink and a little rest then we went back up to Grange Fell where we set up tent again for the night. It was blowing a gale all night and the weather again was pretty miserable but we did have some nice clear moments.
We woke up in the morning with two puddles in the corners of the tent which were worrying, it was thankfully not my tent and thankfully none of our things got wet otherwise I would have another few nights in some miserable conditions. We headed down to Watendlath and in more rain we followed the road all the way back down to the car where I happily removed my wet boots and made some lunch of beans and bacon on the stove. Yum! We ended the good weekend with a cup of tea in a cafe in Keswick and then I rearranged and sorted all my stuff for my journey to continue on. Dave dropped me at Grasmere and then I walked up to Easedale Tarn with my puzzle book and had some glorious weather. I then set up tent and watched the night fall in the sun over the tarn. Beautiful. It was these moments when I love wild camping, with no-one else around and all I have is the things on my back. So all in all we had a good time, minus the bad weather, where we decided we probably won't kill each other when we move to Buxton. I think he was quite happy to get to a warm dry house to get the last of his degree finished the Friday.
I woke to, again, some lovely weather but then as I continued up and over Blea Crag, Castle How, Lang How, Silver How, Dow Bank and Loughrigg Fell I think I had pretty much all the weather under the sun, hail, rain, gales as well as being quite burnt. I ended the day walking around Ambleside then along the lake towards Windermere, where I bailed at Brockhole for a bus to the centre of Windermere. My boots had really started to rub with the wet socks so gave in. I was shattered and was happy to finally get to the Lake District Independant Hostel. A squishy bed, shower, non-boil-in-the-bag dinner and then a little wander to the vantage point over looking Windermere and the lake with the hostel night manager finished off the day lovely.
Wednesday, I wasn't getting the train until 6pm so had a day to kill. Thankfully the guy at the hostel allowed me to leave my rucksack in the reception and I then went down to Bowness, over the lake on the car ferry and then up to High Top which is the home of Beatrix Potter, author of Peter Rabbit. It was a lovely day, sun all day and I thankfully had my flip flops with me so my feet could have a little break. I then made the trek all the way back to Windermere. I was truely shattered and was very welcome for the cup of tea from the manager man again :-)
I would have been having dinner cooked for me that evening by Ceara as I was due to be back in Stoke by 9pm but the train turned out to be cancelled which was annoying. I didn't get back until 11pm. After having a chance encounter with a lovely man who bought me some sandwiches from Booths after I lent him my phone to ring his wife to say he was going to be really late home (his phone had died). A favour for a lonely traveller :-)
All in all an awesome time away, though I ended up with some very sore feet and I also pulled a muscle in my left shoulder which is still hurting but oh well. I was away from Stoke :-)
We headed up on the Saturday morning to Keswick where we stocked up on food and then parked up at the National Trust car park at the Great Wood where we took our rucksacks up and over Castlerigg Fell to Bleaberry Fell, High Seat, High Tove, Middle Crag over to Blea Tarn where we set up camp for the night. The weather was pretty miserable raining nearly all the time but then it cleared as we got to the tarn which was a welcome relief but then it came down again. I had the unfortunate experience of going up to my thigh in a bog and getting some very soggy boots. It was very uncomfortable and knew I would end up having wet socks for the rest of the weekend.
The next morning the weather was just as miserable. We headed up and over to Ullscarf and then followed the ridge along to High Raise where we were met with some beautiful sunshine which was a welcome relief. I still had wet socks though. We then dropped down into the West valley and followed Langstrath Beck all the way down to Stonethwaite and then we stopped at the Rosthwaite hotel where we had a drink and a little rest then we went back up to Grange Fell where we set up tent again for the night. It was blowing a gale all night and the weather again was pretty miserable but we did have some nice clear moments.
We woke up in the morning with two puddles in the corners of the tent which were worrying, it was thankfully not my tent and thankfully none of our things got wet otherwise I would have another few nights in some miserable conditions. We headed down to Watendlath and in more rain we followed the road all the way back down to the car where I happily removed my wet boots and made some lunch of beans and bacon on the stove. Yum! We ended the good weekend with a cup of tea in a cafe in Keswick and then I rearranged and sorted all my stuff for my journey to continue on. Dave dropped me at Grasmere and then I walked up to Easedale Tarn with my puzzle book and had some glorious weather. I then set up tent and watched the night fall in the sun over the tarn. Beautiful. It was these moments when I love wild camping, with no-one else around and all I have is the things on my back. So all in all we had a good time, minus the bad weather, where we decided we probably won't kill each other when we move to Buxton. I think he was quite happy to get to a warm dry house to get the last of his degree finished the Friday.
I woke to, again, some lovely weather but then as I continued up and over Blea Crag, Castle How, Lang How, Silver How, Dow Bank and Loughrigg Fell I think I had pretty much all the weather under the sun, hail, rain, gales as well as being quite burnt. I ended the day walking around Ambleside then along the lake towards Windermere, where I bailed at Brockhole for a bus to the centre of Windermere. My boots had really started to rub with the wet socks so gave in. I was shattered and was happy to finally get to the Lake District Independant Hostel. A squishy bed, shower, non-boil-in-the-bag dinner and then a little wander to the vantage point over looking Windermere and the lake with the hostel night manager finished off the day lovely.
Wednesday, I wasn't getting the train until 6pm so had a day to kill. Thankfully the guy at the hostel allowed me to leave my rucksack in the reception and I then went down to Bowness, over the lake on the car ferry and then up to High Top which is the home of Beatrix Potter, author of Peter Rabbit. It was a lovely day, sun all day and I thankfully had my flip flops with me so my feet could have a little break. I then made the trek all the way back to Windermere. I was truely shattered and was very welcome for the cup of tea from the manager man again :-)
I would have been having dinner cooked for me that evening by Ceara as I was due to be back in Stoke by 9pm but the train turned out to be cancelled which was annoying. I didn't get back until 11pm. After having a chance encounter with a lovely man who bought me some sandwiches from Booths after I lent him my phone to ring his wife to say he was going to be really late home (his phone had died). A favour for a lonely traveller :-)
All in all an awesome time away, though I ended up with some very sore feet and I also pulled a muscle in my left shoulder which is still hurting but oh well. I was away from Stoke :-)
The end has arrived!
Well it has finally come around, the end of 3 years at Staffordshire University! I can't believe how quickly it has happened, 3 years have literally flown by.
My last piece went in on the 14th May and it certainly was a whirlwind for getting it done. I was a bit uncertain on the Tuesday whether I was actually going to get it finished but the printer spat it out on the Wednesday evening about 15 minutes before I was due to go out to the last Gobble (Wed night fun at the students union). I was dressed as someone for the Army just staring at the work as I stapled it together but I couldn't work out if it had hit me or not that I had no more work to do. So I headed out with a sort of weight off my shoulder, happy I could enjoy the evening without having to worry that I had to get up early the next morning to finish some work.
The evening was a lot of fun, including my first experience in the local Old Corner Cupboard pub (it's literally 2 minutes around the corner to my house but I had never been there) as well as my first LRV outting of the year (sad times). It was great to see everyone together and we had a good turn out.
The next morning would have been a welcome lie in but instead the Staffordshire University Mountaineering Club organised a fund raising consisting of an abseil off the Mellor building at the University. It has happened twice every year since being at Staffs and I had the pleasure of running the line as practice for my climbing award. One of the members of the club had a bright idea of inviting the local newspaper so we were made famous the next day in the Sentiel. And yes I am the one in the main photograph making faces as I abseiled off the building :-) The day went really well, it didn't rain until the afternoon and we made around £100 which we donated to Buxton Mountain Rescue. Good job guys! All ended in the pub that afternoon for chips and chocolate cake. It was originally planned that we were going to have a BBQ but the weather changed the plan to heading over to Shropshire Bouldering Centre.
The centre has newly been opened since I was in India so I had missed out on a couple of sessions with the guys but a group of us headed over for the evening (after I managed to grab an hours sleep). It's quite a small place but was a good evening. Was proof how weak I am though since not climbing for over 4 months. I forced a few routes out and had a catch up with some friends then went back to trying to finish writing up my India diary (no I still haven't finished it). It was a welcome sleep when we finally got home.
And that was the last day of being a student and what a cool day it was.
My last piece went in on the 14th May and it certainly was a whirlwind for getting it done. I was a bit uncertain on the Tuesday whether I was actually going to get it finished but the printer spat it out on the Wednesday evening about 15 minutes before I was due to go out to the last Gobble (Wed night fun at the students union). I was dressed as someone for the Army just staring at the work as I stapled it together but I couldn't work out if it had hit me or not that I had no more work to do. So I headed out with a sort of weight off my shoulder, happy I could enjoy the evening without having to worry that I had to get up early the next morning to finish some work.
The evening was a lot of fun, including my first experience in the local Old Corner Cupboard pub (it's literally 2 minutes around the corner to my house but I had never been there) as well as my first LRV outting of the year (sad times). It was great to see everyone together and we had a good turn out.
The next morning would have been a welcome lie in but instead the Staffordshire University Mountaineering Club organised a fund raising consisting of an abseil off the Mellor building at the University. It has happened twice every year since being at Staffs and I had the pleasure of running the line as practice for my climbing award. One of the members of the club had a bright idea of inviting the local newspaper so we were made famous the next day in the Sentiel. And yes I am the one in the main photograph making faces as I abseiled off the building :-) The day went really well, it didn't rain until the afternoon and we made around £100 which we donated to Buxton Mountain Rescue. Good job guys! All ended in the pub that afternoon for chips and chocolate cake. It was originally planned that we were going to have a BBQ but the weather changed the plan to heading over to Shropshire Bouldering Centre.
The centre has newly been opened since I was in India so I had missed out on a couple of sessions with the guys but a group of us headed over for the evening (after I managed to grab an hours sleep). It's quite a small place but was a good evening. Was proof how weak I am though since not climbing for over 4 months. I forced a few routes out and had a catch up with some friends then went back to trying to finish writing up my India diary (no I still haven't finished it). It was a welcome sleep when we finally got home.
And that was the last day of being a student and what a cool day it was.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
