tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45243463405452696952024-03-05T04:08:36.812+00:00Large Bloke WalkingJust a single bloke on the very large size
who likes the outdoors and messing with his camera..
Who has agreed to go with his father on the Annapurna Circuit (March 2011).Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524346340545269695.post-18857986726761135532011-05-02T20:20:00.002+01:002011-05-02T20:20:34.989+01:00Nepal - Annapurna Circuit (PART THREE)<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rPLPFtiHEy0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524346340545269695.post-71967651598269087842011-05-01T22:02:00.000+01:002011-05-01T22:02:02.474+01:00Nepal - Annapurna Circuit (PART TWO)<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nmVLCNUpk0Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524346340545269695.post-16099954195967234362011-04-29T01:25:00.001+01:002011-05-01T21:18:59.120+01:00Slideshow: Nepal - Annapurna Circuit (PART ONE) March/April 2011<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nQIw8pAUYqI" width="425"></iframe>Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524346340545269695.post-48589087152786712502011-04-28T15:35:00.002+01:002011-04-29T01:29:05.469+01:00Annpurna circuit - part 6 : Depression sets in<u>24th March</u><br />
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Usual routine, get up bloody early, sort your gear out, give Nara the trekking bags to sort out then breakfast. Then it’s off we go, straight up “Oh Bugger” on a dusty rocky road, as soon as the Suns heat hit you, you felt your energy sap.<br />
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About 3 n half hours in we arrived at Chamje and thankfully got out the heat to have lunch and a cool down, unfortunately we couldn’t stay there all day so onward and upward we continued.<br />
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By now we had really started to get to know Ratna and Nara, also they had got to know us. We had settled into more of a pals doing it together than Employer and Employee, it makes the trek more enjoyable for everyone and both my Dad and I much prefer it that way. This also meant wind ups, jokes and a lot of laughing during all the trek, poor Ratna having his water bottle hidden quite a few times, I even managed to get his hat one day and stood next to him while he was routing though his rucksack and asked him what he had lost this time. Nara even though he doesn’t speak a lot of English we found communicating with him was not that hard and it was him who suggested putting rocks in Ratna’s rucksack not us, every time Ratna would say how long we had to go and what the route would be like we would then ask Nara to confirm (we suggested that Nara was really a secret manager checking out how the company is running)<br />
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The heat never really let up and the steep up and down climbs really started to get to me, my aches began to have aches and then a wave of sadness came over me. Feeling guilty as I was the one that had slowed the pace right down.<br />
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The one distraction we had was on the other side of the valley, where they were building a new road right into the side of the cliffs. Workers clearing rubble by hand and throwing it over the top with huge thundering sounds, other guys hanging off ropes and using pneumatic drills to break up the rock. You could spot on the trail rocks that didn’t belong on this side which had been caused when they had blasted the rock and it had flew over. <br />
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Then the depression set in again as each step up the slope was harder than the next (the only thing that keeps you going is there is no choice, no taxi’s around), then finally we reached the top and below us in the distance was Tal. Relief set in and a final last spring in my step, a few photographs, pause to spin the pray wheels at the gate to Tal then go find the lodge.<br />
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While waiting for my dinner I felt so exhausted and my legs really hurt (good news though, my foot had stopped hurting), though did find I had lost partial feeling in one of my toes on my left foot (still not back to normal either). I certainly dropped off to sleep quite quick that night.Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524346340545269695.post-83781172782702454002011-04-28T12:06:00.002+01:002011-04-28T12:22:14.861+01:00Annarpurna Circuit - Part 3 - Exploring Kathmandu<u>20st March</u><br />
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Woke up quite refreshed this morning, only problem is part of my foot is sore as I wore my boots for over 30 hours from leaving UK until the hotel in Kathmandu (should have took them off whilst in the Oryx Lounge at Doha). I really was hoping this eased up before we started the Trek.<br />
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After breakfast it was our Trek Briefing with Basant (the manager of the Treking company) and Ratna (the Guide for the trek), we had forgot his name an hour later but we hoped we would learn it before the end of the Trek. <br />
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After introductions we went through the route we would be taking etc. and Dad to try on the Down coat he would be using on the Trek during the colder sections.<br />
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I had brought one with me as been a fellow on the larger side I knew the branded stuff doesn’t come near me ( they are missing out on a big market I think) in the end I had accidentally come across down jackets on the Harley Davidson website and according to the data they did large sizes. It just so happens there is a Harley Davidson dealership 10 minutes walk from my office, so very convenient, so the one thing I was having trouble getting I had got (and on sale, SCORE!).<br />
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Once that was out of the way it was time to change our Pounds into Nepalese Rupees, so many notes you needed 2 wallets. <br />
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Then off to explore Thamel and go see Dunbar Square where all the big temples are (there are little ones on nearly every street corner). Slowly we made our way though the streets, looking at this and that, snapping away with our cameras. Looking at the state of the electrical wiring (seeing is believing), at one point the cables where lower than my head.<br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(photo to be added when find it)</span></em><br />
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The streets are dusty and can be dangerous if you don’t keep an eye out for the motorbikes zooming all over. <br />
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We stopped at a musical instrument shop and popped in, I had wanted to get my self a Nepalese Flute and when was told how much it was the equivalent of about £3 (on Ebay cost you minimum of £30, got it straight away). <br />
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Then Dad spotted mini cornets in a cabinet and asked to have a look, he then started to try and do the last post on them (about the only thing he knows and then on a bugle) quite a few locals did start to look through the door to see what the mad European was doing, unfortunately there was no where for me to hide.<br />
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Through the winding streets we went until we finally got to Dunbar Square, paid for access and got ourselves a guide (so we may learn at least something). This is where my Flip Video died on me for no reason (still miffed about that). There we was shown around each of the temples and told facts & dates etc.. The Temple reputed to have been built using the wood from only on tree, the Hippy Temple (so named by the locals after all the hippies used to smoke pot there in the 60s). We went into to the Temple of the Living Goddess (a 10 year old girl) but we was too early to see her when she briefly waves out of a window in the afternoon. For about an hour or so we was shown this and that, our cameras snapping away and then the last Temple we came to was the Kama Sutra Temple with all its very graphic wood carvings, of course we took many photographs for educational purposes. <br />
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The rest of the day was spent exploring and taking photos, plus been harassed by sellers if you even look at what they are selling.<br />
“come look, it free to look” is the usual start of the patter. They then start getting out everything and you just have to say no, don’t think they understand most of us like not to be hassled and they may find they get more sales.<br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(photo to be added when find it)</span></em><br />
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Pizza tonight as we had no idea what the food would be like on this trek, after that it was back to the hotel as we had to sort out our trekking bags and rucksacks ready for the morning. <br />
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It was then to bed and sleep early as we were to be picked up at 6:30am (Oh De Joy !) .Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524346340545269695.post-90474192530561745272011-04-23T21:17:00.002+01:002011-04-28T11:10:22.122+01:00Annapurna circuit part 5 - at last the walking starts<u>23rd March - Trekking Day Begins</u><br />
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up at 6am for a quick wash then fill our trekking bags for Nara our Porter to sort out (how the hell he carries that lot I do not know), then 6:30 for breakfast and fill up our water bottles etc.. By 7:30 we was finally off on the Annapurna circuit and within 10 minutes we had our first river crossing, this one on a scarry looking wooden structure (more solid than it looked) but found it fun either way. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKc6sa3zgKH3exrWwTqnms1gzgmFhaRWYUra6j9dcRI-f1iMBszT_GvyTnfaW7_j7D1XZGj-yiWEivsAxuPSIEBeJMwyraCwapWr1PxV1LIN5-k37yvD0BEuOzWPMjIDXe0G9tq_4mqJY/s1600/nepal-0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKc6sa3zgKH3exrWwTqnms1gzgmFhaRWYUra6j9dcRI-f1iMBszT_GvyTnfaW7_j7D1XZGj-yiWEivsAxuPSIEBeJMwyraCwapWr1PxV1LIN5-k37yvD0BEuOzWPMjIDXe0G9tq_4mqJY/s320/nepal-0015.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first river crossing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6wAozxkRGdgYiq0sCGfFkhoHAyNXLvQcrm8K1lvUeIuLrJydEsFyQRKYFLg0-E4hxDb5Lboc5BhQozngh1-U5qJwFy2G6BBIQBkOglbslQDV4aSD3n8-QEbkNS4BARJa9PDSmmCvqRg/s1600/nepal-0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6wAozxkRGdgYiq0sCGfFkhoHAyNXLvQcrm8K1lvUeIuLrJydEsFyQRKYFLg0-E4hxDb5Lboc5BhQozngh1-U5qJwFy2G6BBIQBkOglbslQDV4aSD3n8-QEbkNS4BARJa9PDSmmCvqRg/s320/nepal-0016.jpg" width="213px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not as bad as it looks</td></tr>
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Passed many farms and little villages plus children doing thier long walks to school.<br />
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after a bit we began to notice I was getting lots of stares and some little kids would pat my belly as they passed, I guess they don't see fellows as big as me around the trrekking route (either that or they was wondering if I was a living fat buddha).<br />
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The journey had many highs and lows, both physical and mental but in general we were enjoying ourselfs and as we got to know our Guide Ratna and Porter Nara we found we had to great guys to share this journey with.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0qIFvlyk0gt3NwKZ80dnhLGIFO4qney5bx7dkhKd9LIf6Eg7RITGGHQHFAdvie3TcHw8m07Wh1JqQnU7hSlCfD1TS-gHOEgiUIfnHkAKNPE0palPD-IWG0vYBSv1xqWNnaZZUa5ReRQ/s1600/nepal-0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0qIFvlyk0gt3NwKZ80dnhLGIFO4qney5bx7dkhKd9LIf6Eg7RITGGHQHFAdvie3TcHw8m07Wh1JqQnU7hSlCfD1TS-gHOEgiUIfnHkAKNPE0palPD-IWG0vYBSv1xqWNnaZZUa5ReRQ/s320/nepal-0019.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nara (porter) and Ratna (guide)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>For lunch we stopped at the top of a hill with fantastic views of the area and got to have a quick wash and sit down for a cold drink and something to eat. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nice to cool down and clean up</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Mat0LAfQX2WSJkhA95m0Z8nFS5qzbDYiAsgQ5z6nSBY-BLWeaMjrQdCpcj_PN0KS4axM1Y2C7Dy3V1UJqncYglqMsI6VCFLyLQ3YPHnJW_sgFCtAZgSpkxsQ2ciGKF532eVZeLO8Wp0/s1600/nepal-0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Mat0LAfQX2WSJkhA95m0Z8nFS5qzbDYiAsgQ5z6nSBY-BLWeaMjrQdCpcj_PN0KS4axM1Y2C7Dy3V1UJqncYglqMsI6VCFLyLQ3YPHnJW_sgFCtAZgSpkxsQ2ciGKF532eVZeLO8Wp0/s320/nepal-0018.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soup with a view</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
This is where we met another Trekker that we would meet on and off for the rest of the tripm even at the end in Pokhara. The comadre you get with most trekkers we would meet was great, encouraging each other swopping information and stories.<br />
Arrived at our lodge at about 4:30pm and instally the rucksacks and boots came off (cool feet what bliss), my thighs knew they hadn't worked like that before, I knew I had done some hills and distance.<br />
<br />
The rest of the evening was spent enjoying our meal and having a laugh with Ratna and Nara, then off to bed early as we was quite tired (well buggered) plus we had to be up early in the morning.Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524346340545269695.post-14982606672522889082011-04-23T20:35:00.009+01:002011-04-28T11:09:58.181+01:00Annapurna circuit part 4 - Numb Bum<u>21st March</u><br />
<br />
Up at 5:45am, quick wash then grab some breakfast before we were picked up by the Guide and Porter. Seeing 2 Europeans and 2 Nepalis with all the trekking gear crammed into an itsy bitsy tiny white Suzuki taxi must have been a right sight. This was just a short journey across town to where we would catch "the tourist bus" seeing is believing trust me, <br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHyZ8g-MwzOH96aZMFuiqlRvweZ5Nz-R2vQwzKTgCAwPkwyikrve7M0DQE-MpsO6_FLZnaF6P4TghR1zUmunOOROlKpGWpooGCTKOQLMafRQWBLJgPaHx_AigvFqEr2vYk1ab3e92CrY/s1600/nepal-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHyZ8g-MwzOH96aZMFuiqlRvweZ5Nz-R2vQwzKTgCAwPkwyikrve7M0DQE-MpsO6_FLZnaF6P4TghR1zUmunOOROlKpGWpooGCTKOQLMafRQWBLJgPaHx_AigvFqEr2vYk1ab3e92CrY/s320/nepal-001.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tourist bus with video my arse....</td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">not sure how many where on the bus also if had a seat or not as my knees took some serious damage from the seat in front (especially as the German bloke in the seat in from of me kept sitting forward then slamming back down again).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2GUlgnRWb5RbaH-Kj0n1mZrgqIHAXt5FF08yG7NVm4_ynHX9AkGdtDuqPXnuawVyFYI2MInWdBmPLU9VSV66g7iWGya6d8UF639FBjuOmrRe2zWRc4imHDQbjKU0bZhiXqK555PjHic/s1600/nepal-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2GUlgnRWb5RbaH-Kj0n1mZrgqIHAXt5FF08yG7NVm4_ynHX9AkGdtDuqPXnuawVyFYI2MInWdBmPLU9VSV66g7iWGya6d8UF639FBjuOmrRe2zWRc4imHDQbjKU0bZhiXqK555PjHic/s320/nepal-003.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't think he liked the music they was playing</td></tr>
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</div><br />
After about 2 hours of bouncing around, near misses, crushed knees and listening to the local top 10 (at full blast, the German in front was under the speaker and ended up putting toilet roll in his ears), it was stop for a stretch etc.. (a dark veil will be placed on the toilet facilities) then it was off again on the dusty roads, noisy hooters and buggered knees. quite funny when the bus would slow down or stop for something as straight away people selling what ever jump aboard then as quick aw they arrive they jump right off again. We then had another stop halfway were we where given some rice dishes (tasted ok and no delli belly from it). this bone shaking, bum numbing, knee crushing journey lasted about 7 hours when we reached Besishahar from which we were then supposed to walk onto Bhubbule but Ratna our guide decided this section was just too dusty as it was part of the road (also stiff as a board) so it was agreed we would stay on board until Bhubbule, after traveling on that dirt road we understood what he meant. At some points the holes and boulders where so bad the bus was rocking like a ship on the high seas.<br />
<br />
Finally we arrived at our destination, stiff and bruised. Our rooms simple but decent beds with outside squat toilets and hot showers, food so far enjoyable and nothing has been disgusting. By 7am the sun had gone and most of the starts already bright, it was then time for a little read and sort gear for the morning (setting the alarm for 6am)..Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524346340545269695.post-51333761156979838842011-04-21T12:11:00.002+01:002011-04-28T11:11:23.192+01:00Annapurna Trek - part 2 - Kathmandu at last<u>19th March</u><br />
<br />
About 5:30am it was time to fill up again on the free food & drink, seeing as we were supposed to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>leave the Oryx Lounge at 6am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once fed and watered it was back into the normal waiting areas with the rest of the cattle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So for the next couple of hours until our gate opened we walked around Duty Free (again), watched some planes take off and land, then just sit and watch the world go by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also laughing at the people who would run to the gate as soon as it was opened (seeing as you still wait for at least 20 minutes before they may lead you to the plane it is a bit daft and your seat number is already booked), then you get the ones that turn up just as the gate is about to close and they don’t look embaressed or apologies. <br />
<br />
Once finally on the plane I was out for the count, only awaking for the food then had another snooze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Awaking 30 minutes before landing in <place w:st="on">Kathmandu</place> and like most on board the plane started looking out the window for signs of the mountains only to find clouds and more clouds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Touch down with a bump and roar of the engines as they strained to slow us down and we had arrived.<br />
<br />
<placename w:st="on">Kathmandu</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Airport</placetype>, hmmm lets just say it ain’t a <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Manchester</place></city> or Gatwick type of Airport, but it does the job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After queuing with the rest of the cattle so you could be stamped in by immigration, it was then on to play luggage belt roulette with a couple of hundred other people, 2 conveyer belts and no sign to say which one yours will be on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the cases and packages went past the only thing I didn’t spot was a cuddly toy, as time goes on you start to wonder did your luggage follow you from Doha Airport or is it now enjoying a holiday somewhere else, please to say every thing did make it and still intact.<br />
<br />
It was then out side to fight your way through the guys wanting to carry your bags till we found the manager of the Trekking Company we were using, thankfully there he was with a big smile and his car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the next 20 minutes we make our way through the busy roads and streets of <place w:st="on">Kathmandu</place>, seeing things that make you think “hey I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>don’t have too bad a life!”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The closer we got to Thamal (the district the hotel is in) the streets got thinner and thinner but the amount of little white cars, motorbikes and those pedal rickshaw things seemed to increase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think one rule of thumb for what ever vehicle you have is to make sure you have a loud horn, hooter or bell.<br />
<br />
Finally we arrived at our Hotel the <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Nirvana</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Gardens</placetype></place>, once inside we were given a drink and the Trekking Manager placed Pray Scarves around our necks as a greeting and good luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that it was up to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>check out our room, nice comfy beds, running water, a real toilet, the only down side is the city’s power supply can go off at times, the hotel keeps basic lighting going via a generator during these times.<br />
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Once refreshed it was out into the streets for a little bit to explore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As most of the hotels used by trekkers are in Thamal you find a lot of outdoor clothing and equipment shops, selling top brands but a little cheaper than you’d find at home (in theory you could arrive with no gear and get it all in Kathmandu for your trekking trip, though it is a good idea to already have your boots as you needed to have walked them in).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So after a walk around looking at this and that, plus avoiding people trying to sell you one thing or another, we made our way back to the hotel, only getting a little lost once..<br />
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Back at the hotel it was chill time in the garden with a cold drink and try and decide what to have from the menu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ended choosing things from the Nepali set menu with a little help from the waiter trying to explain what each dish was, which we completely forgot what we had picked when we sat down to eat..<br />
<br />
The first dishes arrived, a steaming hot soup (still no idea what it was) tasted nice though, I suspect there was a some chili peppers in it, also came some cold pieces of potatoes mixed with something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We each bite into the potatoes and thought <br />
<br />
“That’s nice, can’t quite put my finger on what the flavor is” <br />
<br />
then it was <br />
<br />
“oh my God !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My tongue is on fire!!!!”, with our eyes streaming with tears.<br />
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Even though this was setting light to our mouths all we could do is laugh our heads off, use the soup to ease the heat, then stupidly eat more potato (gave the waiters some entertainment that I know).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully our mouths survived the onslaught and all the next dishes were nice but lacking in the super kick of the first dishes..<br />
<br />
As it had been a long journey just to get this far, it was back to our room to do a quick unpack, dad briefly laid on his bed and 2 seconds later all I can hear is huge snoring, it is then while unpacking I discovered my earplugs where missing..<br />
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“Noooooooooo !!!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(found them on the floor at my Dads when we got home)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDG8_d4UbhJEgcPaXJjVNpjhHlKFeIktxZRMNhFntqgoTPUXP3nLWxDE6iPsTNFKFY7ojf0VJ927ReoHk65HqGWosY68r1TfIAdpHo0xrsRNWhGGmSX3hdT3nUf45QUgL8muYdA_qLMlI/s1600/nepal-0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDG8_d4UbhJEgcPaXJjVNpjhHlKFeIktxZRMNhFntqgoTPUXP3nLWxDE6iPsTNFKFY7ojf0VJ927ReoHk65HqGWosY68r1TfIAdpHo0xrsRNWhGGmSX3hdT3nUf45QUgL8muYdA_qLMlI/s320/nepal-0020.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ZZZzzzzzzzz ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Thankfully after an hour he woke up and went to bed properly and didn’t really snore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As quick as a flash I got undressed and into bed so I could get to sleep before he started snoring again……..Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524346340545269695.post-72080506278496867342011-03-18T23:24:00.003+00:002011-04-28T11:12:37.432+01:00Annapurna Trek - Part one - 24 hour Journey<u>17th March</u><br />
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Up and out early this monring, arrived at the Airport in plent of time for the flight, unfortunatley we relialised we where a day early. So back home again, good practice run I suppose..<br />
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<u>18th March</u><br />
<br />
Well Back at the Airport again, this time the right day. Had my first go at giving Airport Security a fright, as they now use those body xray scanners that see through your clothes.<br />
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Settled on the plane, leg room fairly ok etc.. 10 minutes into the flight, I looked at the live flight information and realised at that very moment we where at the height which we will be at when we go through the pass, though I don't think I will be walking at that speed (going to take us about 10 days hard treking before we get to that height).<br />
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Well Dad is flaked out and I think I will check out what movies they have on offer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmMgPri1bf7oWVR_HzKE3GtEUW2DlULz4gR8gCX5wR2QJKy-nHfVVXIilrheCU82ZWY0Dq6ErC4d9ao2JSqoxOtmUOZoe-DAHXtjNr9Ky5ATILYur4oG9aHxlfjmZeLb9YBzVOeOzcak/s1600/nepal-0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmMgPri1bf7oWVR_HzKE3GtEUW2DlULz4gR8gCX5wR2QJKy-nHfVVXIilrheCU82ZWY0Dq6ErC4d9ao2JSqoxOtmUOZoe-DAHXtjNr9Ky5ATILYur4oG9aHxlfjmZeLb9YBzVOeOzcak/s320/nepal-0007.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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Just had breakfast and it was pretty good and you got quite a lot.<br />
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Dad decided to watch a movie but his headphones don't work, we asked for another pair and bugger me they were broke as well.<br />
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About halfway to Doha now and have realised we are now flying near some the most dangerous areas of the Middle East at the moment, all those people that could be being killed right now belwo us makes me feel quite sad.<br />
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Finally landed in Doham had all our gear xrayed again but this time no body scan, so no scaring the security this time. The Airport is not huge but a reasonable size, we have looked around the Duty Free as you do then sat down with a drink to watch this part of the world go by.<br />
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As we knew we where going to have a 14 hour wait at Doha before we catch the flight to Kathmandu, we booked ourselves in for a 6 hour block in the ORYX Lounge. Free food & drink, comfy chairs to sit on, free internet, also a shower you can use. The nice guy at the desk felt sorry for us and gave us 7 hours instead of six, what a vary nice man. We are enjoying these little triangle cut sarnies and the lovley cakes, this will be the last time for nearly 3 weeks I am going to have it so good.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXc-AuIduQECoUuCz0SCvTC0XxqOiGlawtqGzVsS0naGOtaUuzEg_laYEw7plfJje8FHl1a6XryugRYkBVaM15BGXz9k0og9fP8f7YBYifDtIU__CcSTUx6PgUo-WjQausRnolnSTmnLk/s1600/nepal-0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXc-AuIduQECoUuCz0SCvTC0XxqOiGlawtqGzVsS0naGOtaUuzEg_laYEw7plfJje8FHl1a6XryugRYkBVaM15BGXz9k0og9fP8f7YBYifDtIU__CcSTUx6PgUo-WjQausRnolnSTmnLk/s320/nepal-0009.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
It's about 1:30am Doha time and I am not really tired, Dad is zonked out on a chair next to me. I think I will go and type all this up onto my Blogg on one of the free Internet PCs, also means If my Dad starts snoring his head off, I don't dont have to look sheepish at the other people in the lounge.Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524346340545269695.post-83219566998627825622011-03-15T20:20:00.000+00:002011-03-15T20:20:26.314+00:00Final walks before going to Nepal.<span id="internal-source-marker_0.17286345066577158" style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">With less than a week to go now we thought we’d try and get some more walks in.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">First we did a relatively short but hilly walk to the top of Moel Famau to Jubilee Tower and for the first time this year when heading to the tower the weather was great. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyxCrupjLzjWERwVSUbqLBWKiz2AHa1usGrFi3ifA9IlsovahUNuKwpPzGDqk74Xu9h__ucycCupXVO8qsY1orTHmVeXVVfiPnNmUZthtLjpN0Tkf4d0xw27gD8YIolybVkz_8CKraUI/s1600/blogDSC01004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyxCrupjLzjWERwVSUbqLBWKiz2AHa1usGrFi3ifA9IlsovahUNuKwpPzGDqk74Xu9h__ucycCupXVO8qsY1orTHmVeXVVfiPnNmUZthtLjpN0Tkf4d0xw27gD8YIolybVkz_8CKraUI/s1600/blogDSC01004.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rt24t2So4HDRcFQYyXLoAsXJ1GvQRiMg5GgeebVS7e-D5T9IQzuJqXkEPrdeDbJoSRo2SB1dnneoaQHxhky8WtPt5pG8EHnZIBFLjEqhLklg3jXuHxDSQndpOCy3RnZPpJED7JNF1GI/s1600/blogDSC01006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="72" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rt24t2So4HDRcFQYyXLoAsXJ1GvQRiMg5GgeebVS7e-D5T9IQzuJqXkEPrdeDbJoSRo2SB1dnneoaQHxhky8WtPt5pG8EHnZIBFLjEqhLklg3jXuHxDSQndpOCy3RnZPpJED7JNF1GI/s320/blogDSC01006.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: white;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The walk up pleasant and rather busy, with many people out making good use of the good weather.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMamFLDc7A5UYiDS6-uLIH5OsUHGDCYtwYpCnkzWy1SvWFCoBaMdTdBa4JWgso_saR-H7OEUPWkbBcz6_YTrw1WY_gbsZJXGpC8B8gCM4bvwb-le7V5iTbBAxO9CK5HqTIZNyh8E4yfU/s1600/blogDSC01011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMamFLDc7A5UYiDS6-uLIH5OsUHGDCYtwYpCnkzWy1SvWFCoBaMdTdBa4JWgso_saR-H7OEUPWkbBcz6_YTrw1WY_gbsZJXGpC8B8gCM4bvwb-le7V5iTbBAxO9CK5HqTIZNyh8E4yfU/s320/blogDSC01011.jpg" width="179" /></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;"></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Clear sky meaning once at the top you could see Liverpool on one side and Snowdonia on the other. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ywpHevzl7IeP3TTjtabukkjFntcApcvn1rx860HH5DKZdxf8CzCfn-10pX7ZfvNq8mitHvlBdVgnOSLMcfWTihDt-gzd_WAw0xe64SN4u9cv1H-Xq_4eJkDhnGKx87AbbSp9k-WlOgY/s1600/blogDSC01028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="90" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ywpHevzl7IeP3TTjtabukkjFntcApcvn1rx860HH5DKZdxf8CzCfn-10pX7ZfvNq8mitHvlBdVgnOSLMcfWTihDt-gzd_WAw0xe64SN4u9cv1H-Xq_4eJkDhnGKx87AbbSp9k-WlOgY/s400/blogDSC01028.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Due to the clear skys and good wind there was quite a few Para-gliders enjoying their sport, though it looked peaceful and fairly safe you still wouldn’t catch me try that.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: white;">The next day after an hours drive some on some scary windy roads we parked up and walked into Cwm Eigiau, again a nice clear and pleasant day which made it all the better.</span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUXzGOw-L2Fm8oGDPSpyc8bvNY5sjW_hvlOomGxBJH6AIZ-jb2SQ0n3fw5QiADNRaeFXXlrGezJn6QoneahniPqFXYXvefm10H7AO0ljI78HIQ2SC9wB7lsai97dLTOOicRpMZJ86fy4/s1600/DSC01284a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="144" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUXzGOw-L2Fm8oGDPSpyc8bvNY5sjW_hvlOomGxBJH6AIZ-jb2SQ0n3fw5QiADNRaeFXXlrGezJn6QoneahniPqFXYXvefm10H7AO0ljI78HIQ2SC9wB7lsai97dLTOOicRpMZJ86fy4/s640/DSC01284a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: white;">After a couple of miles walking in to the valley we stopped off at the cottage that climbers and walkers use as a base station.</span></div></div></div><span style="color: white;"></span> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETYxWi4PiLS1q97gCSeJRV8orjs6qqXMJ4hAr341lxiwOHN-T4_9JyiapUcvjOjYW7u_I_J35T0HgMkqN3VCB1GWKhCUBy3al4TMBWOSSeCAFtCZ2ysF_7uryFOK_UPDvcEWNcNUGzpU/s1600/blogDSC01355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="111" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETYxWi4PiLS1q97gCSeJRV8orjs6qqXMJ4hAr341lxiwOHN-T4_9JyiapUcvjOjYW7u_I_J35T0HgMkqN3VCB1GWKhCUBy3al4TMBWOSSeCAFtCZ2ysF_7uryFOK_UPDvcEWNcNUGzpU/s200/blogDSC01355.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Taking care of all needs</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: white;"></span> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: white;"></span> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBjXp75cvhAqE69_Te78u0QRCN6-1OlUpT-ZR9_fNXUhACllVYVvzj8MwVO2K9K-Pth6xX6zlSBPYB994IFLLAL8FQ9k1676R9mOG_nFrt2JDVF1STLgmqPr4cgRGRdznIodqdmGdXvg/s1600/blogDSC01336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="111" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBjXp75cvhAqE69_Te78u0QRCN6-1OlUpT-ZR9_fNXUhACllVYVvzj8MwVO2K9K-Pth6xX6zlSBPYB994IFLLAL8FQ9k1676R9mOG_nFrt2JDVF1STLgmqPr4cgRGRdznIodqdmGdXvg/s200/blogDSC01336.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Enjoying the view whilst having a snack</span></td></tr>
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</div><span style="color: white;"></span> <div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RE3KkycYVkr3eFZ9Eg4gBi8zP7zU-nPkpWG9dGtu-0qwSZKrlFFWDtxNcPnxEFceuW-6I57R-z6ggEgpRfTpMvEmzlQSBlqbtoEngjI3-zotUYNVnMN4lCjRA6G3obaSNnrGu8Ka7YA/s1600/blogDSC01381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="243" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RE3KkycYVkr3eFZ9Eg4gBi8zP7zU-nPkpWG9dGtu-0qwSZKrlFFWDtxNcPnxEFceuW-6I57R-z6ggEgpRfTpMvEmzlQSBlqbtoEngjI3-zotUYNVnMN4lCjRA6G3obaSNnrGu8Ka7YA/s320/blogDSC01381.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="color: white;">Once fed and watered whilst enjoying the view, further in we walked until we arrived at the old abandoned Slate Mine and a took a look around at the remains of the workers slate houses that they would have built themsleves to live in whilst working in the valley.</span></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZo_YgvnaFN1f7nh6zjqsz8_m03bYNU8yI7f8pxE7ZDZvzqiV3bbOE_kOlFFd-iELwwPHSgjzxiTyQ5Ap5741vvJhfxlev7WBAtx-s4klf0G3omIZiYcAnHglBoaV8jV4OppuqctoedA/s1600/blogDSC01383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="179" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZo_YgvnaFN1f7nh6zjqsz8_m03bYNU8yI7f8pxE7ZDZvzqiV3bbOE_kOlFFd-iELwwPHSgjzxiTyQ5Ap5741vvJhfxlev7WBAtx-s4klf0G3omIZiYcAnHglBoaV8jV4OppuqctoedA/s320/blogDSC01383.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGtGLUEf-5wEu6XH79_yzuJp9fG6pa50PJnoY9Q4b3mDq0e0mblHp0CvZdienQhYRHAVKfdXw2t34IsOadbumnJOmq-LpqYDqTBmf5PAamvvyL7v3qZ42lukY_RSYQ0wynGRY0PliDFQ/s1600/blogDSC01434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="179" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGtGLUEf-5wEu6XH79_yzuJp9fG6pa50PJnoY9Q4b3mDq0e0mblHp0CvZdienQhYRHAVKfdXw2t34IsOadbumnJOmq-LpqYDqTBmf5PAamvvyL7v3qZ42lukY_RSYQ0wynGRY0PliDFQ/s320/blogDSC01434.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="color: white;">Then it was time to walk back to the car park and on the way, we was lucky enough to come across the wild ponies of the valley.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8yPVIBYbKlwgD1Iu_RWGOHqXec6XH5mXbkzHJyT8NbwPYcumuszHKl6yPIRWbODKxlphctDZprCtujsDCp2YfvV-yDbGBtFcSCudg3X2mayALG2XIuRGO2uAtIfRU5bbVUDMBEN_28k/s1600/blogDSC01436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="179" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8yPVIBYbKlwgD1Iu_RWGOHqXec6XH5mXbkzHJyT8NbwPYcumuszHKl6yPIRWbODKxlphctDZprCtujsDCp2YfvV-yDbGBtFcSCudg3X2mayALG2XIuRGO2uAtIfRU5bbVUDMBEN_28k/s320/blogDSC01436.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">So no more walks until we get to Nepal at the weekend, then it will be non-stop for 3 weeks. </span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524346340545269695.post-52754027715913782482011-02-20T21:18:00.000+00:002011-02-20T21:18:11.407+00:00Windy walk on the Northumberland CoastFor todays little walk we thought we'd pop up to Low Newton by the Sea and walk south all along the coast till we got to <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-dunstanburghcastle">Dunstanburgh Castle</a> then turn around and head back...<br />
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As it was lunchtime we thought we'd pop into the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_90598243"></span>Ship Inn<span id="goog_90598244"></span></a> at Low Newton and had a great Vegetible Soup and hot chocolate...<br />
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Once filled and inner bodies warmed it was on to the beach and follow the coast line towards the castle. No snow or rain this time but the wind sure gave us something to work against. In quite a short one hour we arrived at the castle then after a look up the hill at the castle, take a few photos, we then headed back the way we came. With the tide starting to come in and the beach slowly disappearing our return journey back to Low Newton was rather quicker as you can imagine, once back a drink or 2 at the Ship Inn before heading home.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5uL9euvsfUvtEsXi8KxrAdqdm4H2oB4HrL5tJVeUnqwMtgyFoUhZV1WR5eanQ5LhujJ2D0asBmGbb4E_x9mYSBrica5SsfiYz6RjSXK4Tu9CqTmlLxNSedtUYVEjU2bgo40fgEC_pL0/s1600/DSC00607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5uL9euvsfUvtEsXi8KxrAdqdm4H2oB4HrL5tJVeUnqwMtgyFoUhZV1WR5eanQ5LhujJ2D0asBmGbb4E_x9mYSBrica5SsfiYz6RjSXK4Tu9CqTmlLxNSedtUYVEjU2bgo40fgEC_pL0/s200/DSC00607.JPG" width="111" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sealing yourself from the wind</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxmVzjktmNjYJNlMCK7lq9sfFQq6KFuo-_UFOtzYskViLYLw8ENyY523gENgcZu9_TRYmadYBGKw5eDWAWwaQA6H8GQKeYfyQntkcCcIcutQqvYO-DblYVE7OczNeHwrtryBKxHiUFd0/s1600/DSC00605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxmVzjktmNjYJNlMCK7lq9sfFQq6KFuo-_UFOtzYskViLYLw8ENyY523gENgcZu9_TRYmadYBGKw5eDWAWwaQA6H8GQKeYfyQntkcCcIcutQqvYO-DblYVE7OczNeHwrtryBKxHiUFd0/s200/DSC00605.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nice flat firm sand to walk on</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cTcP6UitHUncxxzlQgzwjZTFaNnTIIJ9Pu2ToXoMRWxgWyGm0mmh7tRhShT7uGZ0lETq8D76z6rs98SroKpd_6kmW9DfXg1QM8Lv7JRWStnOHHfi1KXntkOrHsvwy7o4jmCW9MceOCM/s1600/DSC00620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cTcP6UitHUncxxzlQgzwjZTFaNnTIIJ9Pu2ToXoMRWxgWyGm0mmh7tRhShT7uGZ0lETq8D76z6rs98SroKpd_6kmW9DfXg1QM8Lv7JRWStnOHHfi1KXntkOrHsvwy7o4jmCW9MceOCM/s200/DSC00620.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bit of wildlife to spot on the walk</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9thKGNiQF3JaLqJMhT-Ng7IYRUGB_EVBi1iimuHLAgedMzFZdaqMGSbbDX3Yw2sjnbtFd_LPGGAgnhyzgh1P4VgDphrVdTgVgLPKSXJL9Oe6GXBlQKpy_4-hChA8tJMmgkxVHShc6e9E/s1600/DSC00626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9thKGNiQF3JaLqJMhT-Ng7IYRUGB_EVBi1iimuHLAgedMzFZdaqMGSbbDX3Yw2sjnbtFd_LPGGAgnhyzgh1P4VgDphrVdTgVgLPKSXJL9Oe6GXBlQKpy_4-hChA8tJMmgkxVHShc6e9E/s200/DSC00626.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some of the upper track is rather muddy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrhqnXkbD1yuMFtmSK65svSnoh8ykNJRXeXMeDDSyR_zDJ3A8hBx9ll9L5GUpylXvr036t-3i2xyAvlMCHIldQsT_buFW1AhvO5aJBB39MZTVtoLRElEgDFZT10gL-hbEXfiLObcfr38/s1600/DSC00632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="90" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrhqnXkbD1yuMFtmSK65svSnoh8ykNJRXeXMeDDSyR_zDJ3A8hBx9ll9L5GUpylXvr036t-3i2xyAvlMCHIldQsT_buFW1AhvO5aJBB39MZTVtoLRElEgDFZT10gL-hbEXfiLObcfr38/s400/DSC00632.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Below the Castle - Lava rock in view</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhBB_Il2tXKWABInMlmjC2ovqz8OBIoAA4b9we-zVHrlwgqm7wH2na60Kg6w3IgiXPleS2qLqEpb70kbFnSHhVhbT2lVZT_8ao1T7cLOLAuwXxtTRa5xvQ_8YasZRq_X94QRklHIp6s0/s1600/DSC00642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhBB_Il2tXKWABInMlmjC2ovqz8OBIoAA4b9we-zVHrlwgqm7wH2na60Kg6w3IgiXPleS2qLqEpb70kbFnSHhVhbT2lVZT_8ao1T7cLOLAuwXxtTRa5xvQ_8YasZRq_X94QRklHIp6s0/s200/DSC00642.JPG" width="111" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">made it to the castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMoaMUORY3drwkv_ykP9DL4cg1PflvjlgCgi3t4xyLA_vVxC7bRKQ-yI5H17ViPWOn2DjjlI-w1xnGcZqW02WAttQtJ_AOeow-iUEpXr6nNAdoflzGebWEvZQEEdqDHxoh-zYMlHhnJs/s1600/DSC00771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMoaMUORY3drwkv_ykP9DL4cg1PflvjlgCgi3t4xyLA_vVxC7bRKQ-yI5H17ViPWOn2DjjlI-w1xnGcZqW02WAttQtJ_AOeow-iUEpXr6nNAdoflzGebWEvZQEEdqDHxoh-zYMlHhnJs/s200/DSC00771.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">best speed up we are loosing the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2L9sfN8IuQxsVMTSoFgR9iyYfmDf15ggl4IVWCOZjQpHsUghyphenhyphenR_jeH9lwaCSzXdlimI4jr-ysggVEqCMUz5oOlvInnJ8LUubzTL2KVbjs7aZBe7h7dqBU4jvRndtHTZR-EzuICowtyE/s1600/DSC00775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2L9sfN8IuQxsVMTSoFgR9iyYfmDf15ggl4IVWCOZjQpHsUghyphenhyphenR_jeH9lwaCSzXdlimI4jr-ysggVEqCMUz5oOlvInnJ8LUubzTL2KVbjs7aZBe7h7dqBU4jvRndtHTZR-EzuICowtyE/s200/DSC00775.JPG" width="111" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go to Northumberland to get Yorkshire Crisps</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdrgSY32Ko3xhSpuRR1Dog_1gydhHuFRR3lGURSpGTW-KGytSmInchD1hAV_oi0mJm7j8X86ygoZukRfULiL-FthcUFpL0pr4bHNwbKOGk285Sc624AFluhfBtl9x5JrIfu54Q4Hdu1s/s1600/DSC00776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdrgSY32Ko3xhSpuRR1Dog_1gydhHuFRR3lGURSpGTW-KGytSmInchD1hAV_oi0mJm7j8X86ygoZukRfULiL-FthcUFpL0pr4bHNwbKOGk285Sc624AFluhfBtl9x5JrIfu54Q4Hdu1s/s200/DSC00776.JPG" width="111" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">well deservered pint</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaVDuj_Xikt-DUiSQDBj8hDf4a-WBTiQmE8L_W6lbeQQlVs86KwJIeiQBYsqLgg720shl_McSB5ylDLkgSFRZinQfLiL_wKRGsSaamysu_kfQyd4KPFl0XaCD5QmyAA6DQB9rORUFK-o/s1600/DSC00778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaVDuj_Xikt-DUiSQDBj8hDf4a-WBTiQmE8L_W6lbeQQlVs86KwJIeiQBYsqLgg720shl_McSB5ylDLkgSFRZinQfLiL_wKRGsSaamysu_kfQyd4KPFl0XaCD5QmyAA6DQB9rORUFK-o/s200/DSC00778.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">where's the beach gone</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCLgEyygQyaV4x0UZhiobLsv4ejBUxip8tMsxvvNN13ZyRadu-tGGSDKr91cp3QnERonG8x4FbkUi_v4VPTVgVWrNaUqeS5MbcD0CSCQYeWeCgQ0ct43uHK60ssbMqgwacmV7OXDCiBg/s1600/DSC00788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCLgEyygQyaV4x0UZhiobLsv4ejBUxip8tMsxvvNN13ZyRadu-tGGSDKr91cp3QnERonG8x4FbkUi_v4VPTVgVWrNaUqeS5MbcD0CSCQYeWeCgQ0ct43uHK60ssbMqgwacmV7OXDCiBg/s320/DSC00788.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">last view of where we have walked.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524346340545269695.post-66743529920469346172011-02-20T00:23:00.003+00:002011-02-20T21:24:51.146+00:00Snowy Walk on Hadrian's Wall For this weekend walk, I thought I would do a bit of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadrian's_Wall">Hadrian's Walk</a>. As my Dad didn't have any Scout camps he decided to pop over from Wales and join me.<br />
<br />
The plan was to walk from <a href="http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/hadrianswall/text.asp?PageId=187">Steel Rigg</a>, then along the ridges until we got to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vercovicium">Housesteads Fort</a>.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Start of the morning was rather late as we slept in a little, as the curtains were opened we got out first view of the weather.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>"Oh bugger it's raining agian!" moaned my Dad, " That's 3 walks in a row, we are jinxed"<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But if we can manage the walks on Offas Dyke with the weather we have had the last few times, a little bit of rain will not stop us.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>So off we left in the car, the closer we got to the wall the rain had stopped and we started to notice patches of snow on the fields. Which ment my Dad might get his wish at last, as we have never managed to be on the wall after it has snowed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEaWSY6hT0Ul0bol9SBRcI54Xd6FfsF8lABScpefopDzMiD_x3G8PttKFvxox98pxtpM4hlzcO0Hx22Cj6hM5XPYIEJnKXZQiyRaxLGUWXbA0zrxXAL1t8sDUQMxBQFO7g_N3ZERUyuE/s1600/DSC00555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEaWSY6hT0Ul0bol9SBRcI54Xd6FfsF8lABScpefopDzMiD_x3G8PttKFvxox98pxtpM4hlzcO0Hx22Cj6hM5XPYIEJnKXZQiyRaxLGUWXbA0zrxXAL1t8sDUQMxBQFO7g_N3ZERUyuE/s200/DSC00555.JPG" width="111" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As we parked up at Steel Rigg and could see it wasnt a total wipe out but fairly well covered and should make the walk different. So kitted out in out gear, waterproofs etc off we treked.</div> <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5wK429__-g3n0W2gYcOFVKWEQeleE0R1Lh8oXOc1eN0bGlv2DX2Vc23Yibutc3Og6UqPdeUhTPjxLH_cVW95tl1uEjjGuk-l6_9L6gkJvEJEsZF0MtK_rRfYEU9JZlk8iq7iUaQ6UZQ/s1600/DSC00540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5wK429__-g3n0W2gYcOFVKWEQeleE0R1Lh8oXOc1eN0bGlv2DX2Vc23Yibutc3Og6UqPdeUhTPjxLH_cVW95tl1uEjjGuk-l6_9L6gkJvEJEsZF0MtK_rRfYEU9JZlk8iq7iUaQ6UZQ/s200/DSC00540.JPG" width="111" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">First milestone Sycamore Gap</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQDq_E_UZbEbgWyqL43Vwsmu0T1O2mJdjzZ-iQ1NkBtttjHbkKDncR1v5ywmAo3Cp3WLX_cZwiAFFjZxYJL4ZU0VDw14oghJOeeIZijBJm0AEVHF4aCVe_mgoMW-ERtnGXgCyg9NrMmM/s1600/DSC00533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQDq_E_UZbEbgWyqL43Vwsmu0T1O2mJdjzZ-iQ1NkBtttjHbkKDncR1v5ywmAo3Cp3WLX_cZwiAFFjZxYJL4ZU0VDw14oghJOeeIZijBJm0AEVHF4aCVe_mgoMW-ERtnGXgCyg9NrMmM/s200/DSC00533.JPG" width="111" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad please as a kid</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik40SvKtpH5mhsftOoptboNdLGEeHa_sr2D2Cpv7a6QVd_8Y4vi3R7Oi6QHGBkZvCl-FFryxhcHIU8v1ma1suuwUW_Wpm_Td1e89901ihLWusAvalO_jaj-72yHmE6sgghCtybx05o8yw/s1600/DSC00534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik40SvKtpH5mhsftOoptboNdLGEeHa_sr2D2Cpv7a6QVd_8Y4vi3R7Oi6QHGBkZvCl-FFryxhcHIU8v1ma1suuwUW_Wpm_Td1e89901ihLWusAvalO_jaj-72yHmE6sgghCtybx05o8yw/s200/DSC00534.JPG" width="111" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Onward we tred</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> First stop on our little walk after a few up and down hills was Sycamore Gap, used of course in Kevin Costa Robinhood movie.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Which is quite funny as the means poor robin got lost on way home as he was nearly 200 miles north (and seeing as he would have got to England via the Channel) also when he is asked which way is east by Azeem played by Morgan Freeman, Robin points in a southerly direction. Which means either poor Robin has a real bad sense of direction or a wicked sense of humour......</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVy1yeJe1C93wNzA9XG44N161LZFWkvqkt5fn-QqmIWjkC7kq-J65ffs_TiFLpQCi7bPotZgU0DOwgnjDzBGxp2I_p8ITHywVvhjy_kpZmcn5H5s2gLpoC_xwHL2XtHSSoRXt1iT6L6bs/s1600/DSC00558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVy1yeJe1C93wNzA9XG44N161LZFWkvqkt5fn-QqmIWjkC7kq-J65ffs_TiFLpQCi7bPotZgU0DOwgnjDzBGxp2I_p8ITHywVvhjy_kpZmcn5H5s2gLpoC_xwHL2XtHSSoRXt1iT6L6bs/s200/DSC00558.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievb1BkjXJegA2W3lpjNv4AfQL_Gl_Wl1IhDiVzZkScmrvy10pNvK1vOh4sps0UE7E5qkllXQZyPO7CMQ6Dfgg16wfUSIRo-6SiH-cWwmBYRLUvVlXAFlkEkdvpFCzvl82bgARp9CGh1A/s1600/DSC00560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievb1BkjXJegA2W3lpjNv4AfQL_Gl_Wl1IhDiVzZkScmrvy10pNvK1vOh4sps0UE7E5qkllXQZyPO7CMQ6Dfgg16wfUSIRo-6SiH-cWwmBYRLUvVlXAFlkEkdvpFCzvl82bgARp9CGh1A/s200/DSC00560.JPG" width="111" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After a stop for a bite to eat and something to drink, not forgetting taking a few photos, onward and upward we went. At the top of the rock climb we came across a drywall which some of had collapsed so my Dad of course had a quick go of dry wall building to repair part of the gap.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">While my Dad did his good deed for the day, I admired the views from the edge and of course took a few pictures and may be a few more.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5cUui3UoHbqm0clp6okB3-OY7MQnmZyHblpJxWrvvtXZOlTINfMNFxjgqLEksc1YRfXKjS8lxs568QE2igTBEvS3OalFocOCYrPvWxwXbyulaDd6aaV7e0JVP058UH9sPfMDV1tbbUc/s1600/DSC00572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5cUui3UoHbqm0clp6okB3-OY7MQnmZyHblpJxWrvvtXZOlTINfMNFxjgqLEksc1YRfXKjS8lxs568QE2igTBEvS3OalFocOCYrPvWxwXbyulaDd6aaV7e0JVP058UH9sPfMDV1tbbUc/s640/DSC00572.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">From then on it was slg our way through the snow up and down the slopes until finally in the distance through a gap in the trees we saw the Fort, then once at the fort just a little walk down the hill to the visitors car park where the car was waiting to pick us up... Not a long walk, not as wet a walk either but most enjoyable and was nice to see what it is like with the snow up on the wall. As you walk along you with all your warm and waterproof gear you think of all those Roman Soldiers a few thousand years ago with there mega gear, tough life it must have been.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjntX3cPYgXrUACkySHMev7GRaROcy7v1doDqhQ6U5X4jFPkjaMv_12H1sNfSr3uyhux0NpU3eoROlgf66v9-TucOp2mjnVY40iCCZGVTaDkQ-3_1ZZxv3WPgl_dV2-rUawE7UVd1CNzw/s1600/DSC00589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjntX3cPYgXrUACkySHMev7GRaROcy7v1doDqhQ6U5X4jFPkjaMv_12H1sNfSr3uyhux0NpU3eoROlgf66v9-TucOp2mjnVY40iCCZGVTaDkQ-3_1ZZxv3WPgl_dV2-rUawE7UVd1CNzw/s200/DSC00589.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">last little bit an we are at the carpark</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39Njt4TG-pYU8WozfmbEtgzxFFUmb7WA6DjUtho1iLaGhU13jIFg4YoDsHHUSJ2NdVhrJZvcLLayqfP2CfQ8dc4JXZABVmeL_uDcrPgRL0Tavk2LIUzV3ue2Hfcr2JC9C1fYAsK4uJ1w/s1600/DSC00582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39Njt4TG-pYU8WozfmbEtgzxFFUmb7WA6DjUtho1iLaGhU13jIFg4YoDsHHUSJ2NdVhrJZvcLLayqfP2CfQ8dc4JXZABVmeL_uDcrPgRL0Tavk2LIUzV3ue2Hfcr2JC9C1fYAsK4uJ1w/s200/DSC00582.JPG" width="200" /></a> <br />
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOe-4tMU6EM52atkxqt26aT5cr36EONSawe8wqR5JvUzccKTgewadcpmCxlrnPeHSDgy-QLuXuORcKBFatt0l70zGwWSEWjgcwSaevCZVLJHErJIhV6e6CX9gdK6rYdA8KXPILfTVP4E/s1600/DSC00583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOe-4tMU6EM52atkxqt26aT5cr36EONSawe8wqR5JvUzccKTgewadcpmCxlrnPeHSDgy-QLuXuORcKBFatt0l70zGwWSEWjgcwSaevCZVLJHErJIhV6e6CX9gdK6rYdA8KXPILfTVP4E/s200/DSC00583.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17gdMKvDwyMv0Kq6xknlz4PcLX5RzUCJscWFDAvGnqoMckSuMKy3FnH_DeXkYXxz6P2GmQNacHnhcM7Ks7Cx2LUC0iCcyxdnFdr1IQCn_XvuYio7X_GgEuICePKnsdDOvUCF4QeZzn64/s1600/DSC00585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17gdMKvDwyMv0Kq6xknlz4PcLX5RzUCJscWFDAvGnqoMckSuMKy3FnH_DeXkYXxz6P2GmQNacHnhcM7Ks7Cx2LUC0iCcyxdnFdr1IQCn_XvuYio7X_GgEuICePKnsdDOvUCF4QeZzn64/s200/DSC00585.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Snow got heavy at some point</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524346340545269695.post-36071619287126109032011-02-14T13:40:00.000+00:002011-02-14T13:40:38.001+00:00Observations as I people watch in a Café<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Whilst having a bit of a shop in my local shopping centre, I stopped for a cup of tea and began the usual watching the world go by.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">First thing I noticed is that I was the only bloke sitting alone and even though there was the odd female sitting alone, it is the bloke on his own that everyone looks at as though it is strange.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Is it because most blokes don’t go shopping unless they are dragged out by their partner or some social thing that says blokes sitting alone in a café are weirdoes and need keeping an eye on..</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkl_tmzcWEDxOG6R05Ax_PPdoeMoIBoVBH6uJK2usIwQswqvA22jgKD9TTjTMPq5sgqZf748O2ojqrKwL4LKVY_4EByiS0yZZ1PRTx1V38ql3YDqrGB00JZqO8zo8fxJ0HJs1ZDzUGqY0/s1600/yuck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkl_tmzcWEDxOG6R05Ax_PPdoeMoIBoVBH6uJK2usIwQswqvA22jgKD9TTjTMPq5sgqZf748O2ojqrKwL4LKVY_4EByiS0yZZ1PRTx1V38ql3YDqrGB00JZqO8zo8fxJ0HJs1ZDzUGqY0/s200/yuck.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Though I did notice a lot more chaps out shopping on their own than usual, all popping into card shops, florists, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jewellers and confectioners. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There must be a lot of Birthdays and Wedding Anniversary’s coming up.</span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524346340545269695.post-2481221809572146052011-02-11T16:40:00.004+00:002011-02-11T16:50:32.924+00:00Not easy Exercising and sticking to reasonable diet when on your own<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">One of the things about living on your own and all the people you are close to live a quite far away, is that it can be hard some days to make sure you get your exercise in and stop yourself from over doing the wrong food..</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">As I don’t feel comfortable going to gyms, that leaves lots of walking (luckily I am so far sticking to that, gets you away from the office at lunch anyway), then the idea is when I get home get on the cross trainer, the Wii Sport, plus other things you can do in your own home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">But some days you get in after a long day, then one look at the cross trainer or the Wii step and you just seem to lose your energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s no-one but yourself to give you that little encouragement that may be needed that day (or a good bitch slapping if required).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">With keeping to a reasonable diet can also be a trial, you are driving home then you remember you haven’t been shopping so the cupboard is bare; the temptation is then to think</span></div><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">So then it’s</span> <br />
<blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“By the time I have shopped, got home and cooked something it will be getting late”</span></div></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"></div><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span><br />
<blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Do I just pop into the chippy to save the hassle?”</span></div></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I think that’s part of the reason I am not your regular sized bloke, let’s just say for quite a while I had not been that good…</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">So far I have looked the other way,</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> “Get thee behind me Satan”. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Not always easy I can tell you, especially after you done a really long walk and you’re hungry (if walking at <place w:st="on">Blyth</place> the chippy is next to the car park).</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">This evening as the weekend drawers near, I have this bloody craving for a Pizza and garlic bread…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-size: large;">But fear not dear reader, none shall pass my lips tonight.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">God knows what I will have as I forgot to go shopping last night, but I promise I will try to be good...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div></div>Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524346340545269695.post-65385771541389381752011-02-09T22:59:00.001+00:002011-02-09T22:59:42.646+00:00surprise in the wardrobeAfter finding I could fit in smaller clothes, I thought tonight I would open the wardrobe as I knew there would most likely be stuff in there I haven't been able to wear for ages.<br/><br/>Well blow me I now have 3 pairs of trousers that fit me again, unluckily the shirts need a little more room. So hopefully in the not to distant future more and more stuff will fit again, though I don't think certain old styles will be reused. My sense style is naff not that bad.Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524346340545269695.post-32579304295488164362011-02-08T18:09:00.001+00:002011-02-08T18:09:49.877+00:00Pros and Cons of being single<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pro</span></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">No-one moaning that the toilet seat has been left up.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The bed is all yours, no fighting over the duvet and if you want to fart, go for it.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">TV remote is yours and yours alone.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">No getting told off because you forgot to make the bed.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">No problem if you forgot to do the pots, you can do them later</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">You don’t have to feel guilty if you admire the look of a female as you walk past.</span></li>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">Con</span></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Always moaning that the toilet seat has been left up, as long as you don’t splash she will not moan too much.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Only a quarter the bed is all yours and your lucky if you get any of the duvet, unless your asked to give cuddles. Farting in bed is dangerous, hers will be much worse than yours ever can be.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">TV remote is only yours when she out, but don’t forget to record the soaps for her...</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Getting told off because you forgot to make the bed. If your lucky she will have already made it though.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">If you forgot to do the pots, you could do them later but she did them herself anyway.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">You have to feel guilty if you admire the look of a female as you walk past, it safer that way.</span></li>
</ul>Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524346340545269695.post-53792318528458947642011-02-07T17:58:00.000+00:002011-02-07T17:58:17.336+00:00Its not just women that get emotional shopping<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">As we still have the odd bits and bobs to get for our <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Nepal</place></country-region> trek, my Parentals and I thought we’d pop to a few outdoor clothing stores, especially as they had sales on (and of course stop for a cup of tea every so often).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">After spending the usual fun time trying on gloves and hats, my dad went to look at the trousers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I followed behind thinking “one of these days they will make this stuff in real man sizes”.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRVu0oR_jI19gEKo2xrdW68sXbA5AeBtEFM4kmOyYsrznCZyCymBgf-9S6zh9HBIk0Dl91qgSL97rdnK5gjzaSuH86NWcaA6o87MFYWipi5v1E6B-0eYGE6ws4rJDKSaYPrvnZu4Juag/s1600/whoishe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRVu0oR_jI19gEKo2xrdW68sXbA5AeBtEFM4kmOyYsrznCZyCymBgf-9S6zh9HBIk0Dl91qgSL97rdnK5gjzaSuH86NWcaA6o87MFYWipi5v1E6B-0eYGE6ws4rJDKSaYPrvnZu4Juag/s200/whoishe.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">treking ninja</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKw1ozptrfxl9qK_HDzghcGTUi0dxazYiM4_EHoyIHy-CUDAvF4_iDuR0PJk5YzEVlrrqxtIoqMuESGZ3J8BdDPUVuv4lVOk7kMvsR07I93inf6v4xFQ_wVajAmzGbt7hs4sC65IfNFA/s1600/what+u+think.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKw1ozptrfxl9qK_HDzghcGTUi0dxazYiM4_EHoyIHy-CUDAvF4_iDuR0PJk5YzEVlrrqxtIoqMuESGZ3J8BdDPUVuv4lVOk7kMvsR07I93inf6v4xFQ_wVajAmzGbt7hs4sC65IfNFA/s200/what+u+think.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even my nephew likes to get in on the act</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">While my dad looked at this and that plus found new ways to wind up my step-mum, I spotted a pair of water proof trousers with elasticated waist that I thought may fit the more than average size waist. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I thought I may as well try them on, as it was busy I thought it best to use the changing room (didn’t want to set everyone off with my sexy legs). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After slipping them on I found I had quite a lot of room at the waist so I thought “I wonder how close I am to be able to fit in a pair of Craghoppers?”, slowly I stepped into them, pulling it together to see how many feet I need to close them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Hey wait a minute the button reaches the hole and it goes in without straining”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Wow the zip shuts all the way as well”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">To my amazement I must have shrunk in the wash after getting soaked on the Saturday during our walk. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The strange emotions I then felt, all I can say if I’d been a lass I would probably blubed my eyes out. (but as I am a bloke that ain't going to happen)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">On the plus side I am now starting to be able to get the gear I want straight off the shelf.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">On the minus side my current stuff is starting to get too big and I will have to spend money to replace them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(As I was born in <place w:st="on">Yorkshire</place> so that’s a terrify thought)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="background-color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On a side note: after buying my new Craghoppers that fitted me, I find my Dad is over at the rucksack section advising people on what type is best for them (anyone who knows him knows what he is like), one of these days I am going to ask the shop for my Dads staff discount…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div>Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524346340545269695.post-56062388401282749722011-02-06T02:13:00.000+00:002011-02-06T02:13:33.730+00:003 blokes go for a little walk in the Welsh hills<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As part of my continuing training to get ready for my trek in Nepal, my Dad (Bernard “Grumpy Gramps”), Andy “The Birdman” and of course me “The Big Guy” decided to walk on part of Offa’s Dyke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFzMLSrKnPn0ydGKrIQAkKZXaK1gRcxHm-Pivrde3ntrh3jwSqcBecW7tANDxNCASWEDU2p3eLx81w14fYT89GSpZk2RPKmK_GVGx7Wp02C72r581BgWWCXq8Fg97LAHdDndByWzMi1U/s1600/dale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFzMLSrKnPn0ydGKrIQAkKZXaK1gRcxHm-Pivrde3ntrh3jwSqcBecW7tANDxNCASWEDU2p3eLx81w14fYT89GSpZk2RPKmK_GVGx7Wp02C72r581BgWWCXq8Fg97LAHdDndByWzMi1U/s200/dale.jpg" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;">“The Big Guy”</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
</div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9VRUft6Ot5c_Sj4EAqhJCtWBSB_yv1F7Hi4fqMyBuLFYxHWakRetJfxnvU0wX2as5qXB7liB8buN5vEh55xv4GWcrXfFYhEjpE9LztfqqQIz8PLZv_uPokVGC6L1crP5HuzoYT_3BK4/s1600/dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9VRUft6Ot5c_Sj4EAqhJCtWBSB_yv1F7Hi4fqMyBuLFYxHWakRetJfxnvU0wX2as5qXB7liB8buN5vEh55xv4GWcrXfFYhEjpE9LztfqqQIz8PLZv_uPokVGC6L1crP5HuzoYT_3BK4/s200/dad.jpg" width="175" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;">Bernard “Grumpy Gramps" </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEwdV32_-v0qLZ9M4s6kcDPrOfnxH0zNrqtq0dR1ae4UL-XrEo_znyaWIU9E4EQzbrAk7hgsQsmuDcTdRJeAnx2jld2ZOGb4ZUZaii5bKVSahS3vn5_T5zQneWK_1ua6_15kRgCDhSHY/s1600/andy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEwdV32_-v0qLZ9M4s6kcDPrOfnxH0zNrqtq0dR1ae4UL-XrEo_znyaWIU9E4EQzbrAk7hgsQsmuDcTdRJeAnx2jld2ZOGb4ZUZaii5bKVSahS3vn5_T5zQneWK_1ua6_15kRgCDhSHY/s200/andy.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;">Andy “The Birdman”</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Starting just under Moel Arther, passing Jubilee Tower ( <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moel_Famau"><span style="color: yellow;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moel_Famau</span></a> ) at Moel Famau and finishing up in a village called Llanarmon-yn-lal.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As most people from the UK will know this Saturday was very wet and extremely windy, so before we even started we knew this wasn’t going to be a simple stroll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing as we do have a few brain cells between us (some more than others) we where kitted out in more than just a pair of trainers, jeans and a thin jacket, which is what you do hear about when the rescue services have to go fetch people as they went so unprepared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grumpy Gramps has been walking these hills and others in the Snowdonia area for nearly 40 years and The Birdman at least 15 years so there was no worry of getting lost and not what to expect.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As we walked into the field there before me was the first obstacle, a rather steep hill “oh bugger, here I go again” I thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A rather few huff and puffs later the first of many steep hills is over, I look back the way we came then think of how much further we have to go (Bugger that not a good idea to do that).</div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_dfDpVF3FGvLGTW3XIqAwiSDPItSIFMfr2-0OH056t_tOK4-b9kuC_IGsTu6W92H0YnS67hRZz4FrNOAmzCXLFwiI_aMFxaeAXzJRki_cngXMkYO_QFKMwj0A-gOPsYbgHFM6XouSvw/s1600/patha1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; height: 114px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 201px;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_dfDpVF3FGvLGTW3XIqAwiSDPItSIFMfr2-0OH056t_tOK4-b9kuC_IGsTu6W92H0YnS67hRZz4FrNOAmzCXLFwiI_aMFxaeAXzJRki_cngXMkYO_QFKMwj0A-gOPsYbgHFM6XouSvw/s200/patha1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking back, Moel Arther in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWsCZlPFRoKm8U-88HW028k63RyT_Kovroiz95y5Bhn6DYadjUYvJxLXpe4SVCUCXenBL9p1LnV6zFE8KfA69tCH3l64Q6hve6-NSrMACB4jJiWMOha8ux1dr-DC-38gwkTRejZDWoMc/s1600/path1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWsCZlPFRoKm8U-88HW028k63RyT_Kovroiz95y5Bhn6DYadjUYvJxLXpe4SVCUCXenBL9p1LnV6zFE8KfA69tCH3l64Q6hve6-NSrMACB4jJiWMOha8ux1dr-DC-38gwkTRejZDWoMc/s200/path1.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The way forward, will it ever end</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Now on these exposed parts we started to feel the force of nature first hand, the wind hitting us from the side so hard it almost pushed you over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Already you could tell a wetsuit would have been a better idea as the wind pushed the horizontal rain and hail towards us like a constant barrage. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWi6ZWGKT1Xh-PnW4M_5hw09zL-V9PcefOKhsxL_0B4_TK2hpnrf_h3xzDBTW2EdchjZldK0ZBiSlWbzBwcKzCofUj2CtotC8WPTJTJ0MSYVLesvSNdVl1Kgl9IyUzlHu2AWIMV7mQyY/s1600/path2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWi6ZWGKT1Xh-PnW4M_5hw09zL-V9PcefOKhsxL_0B4_TK2hpnrf_h3xzDBTW2EdchjZldK0ZBiSlWbzBwcKzCofUj2CtotC8WPTJTJ0MSYVLesvSNdVl1Kgl9IyUzlHu2AWIMV7mQyY/s200/path2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy seeing if he really can fly like his Hawks</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5qJZm-r8-bdCh5EbAOtf3RdxxSN-D1ha-Ue7eZKEGHOXhJkTW4qIRVwQC3XuvSO49q7O7anjSNAHeNICpCdeYCiPRaplKbbBsQS0P9Smns-fpG9KuYdSy-eu9DNU7FOyFVWkSPncodg/s1600/path8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5qJZm-r8-bdCh5EbAOtf3RdxxSN-D1ha-Ue7eZKEGHOXhJkTW4qIRVwQC3XuvSO49q7O7anjSNAHeNICpCdeYCiPRaplKbbBsQS0P9Smns-fpG9KuYdSy-eu9DNU7FOyFVWkSPncodg/s200/path8.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I knew I should have brought a snorkel<br />
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Up a slope down a slope with the weather as our faithful companion, then back up again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally in the distance as the mist briefly began to clear we could see the Jubilee Tower on top of Moel Famau.</span></span></div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehg8AnymjQlBHZlRGloy_JLC6JxyUmTQhR58nRrcYzA_9VKRTaaBNrq6hlvHp3j40vRAAvN0Ku1FYgevRMP_7gOkAc30NR6XpRT02I91FDBbE9oxt_VY3_SuEEJmhcmAHkkT5i_Jt4vY/s1600/path3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehg8AnymjQlBHZlRGloy_JLC6JxyUmTQhR58nRrcYzA_9VKRTaaBNrq6hlvHp3j40vRAAvN0Ku1FYgevRMP_7gOkAc30NR6XpRT02I91FDBbE9oxt_VY3_SuEEJmhcmAHkkT5i_Jt4vY/s200/path3.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally the mist clears enought to see our desination</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xLo8JpFEyHbW0Btbw08bLLCF3eFaEE6CTROBY50g90PRiM0h43bTF7ARwFSKqLiFG0CIVqvOXNffDtH7wS5kT2qvtihjfJfGeZb4dTWjq658FBYI5CCg70YhqklylHYbnl5O4QmYiZE/s1600/path4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xLo8JpFEyHbW0Btbw08bLLCF3eFaEE6CTROBY50g90PRiM0h43bTF7ARwFSKqLiFG0CIVqvOXNffDtH7wS5kT2qvtihjfJfGeZb4dTWjq658FBYI5CCg70YhqklylHYbnl5O4QmYiZE/s200/path4.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jubilee Tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now it was time to get some shelter from the weather and have something to eat.</span></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_j5omw-VoaBVfVLaV8hb_nboX3KGeAyh1KU4WPkfQDuz_zFszqtGAhu8VBDGmVf2MRUDpxs6cRWUWxBERsHbkEBKGKNsgbhnXxrzAc-0ixIX5BesVHq7HXbh532a3OOBMUfMPSi6cWU/s1600/path5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_j5omw-VoaBVfVLaV8hb_nboX3KGeAyh1KU4WPkfQDuz_zFszqtGAhu8VBDGmVf2MRUDpxs6cRWUWxBERsHbkEBKGKNsgbhnXxrzAc-0ixIX5BesVHq7HXbh532a3OOBMUfMPSi6cWU/s200/path5.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmm I have earned this</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3h3cfyt5jiNTt6G1-fAfCGPTC_gLIecEEJkDc-DR5ymVYAkSbgQL_9XLj_sR1fCiKgDsWVPSmHbchsDiU5JPT3Utt-MQaK8NksSbVfUafWUdMIcKbsTSVr9wN0CJZkTJbQai4LDKhIw/s1600/path5a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3h3cfyt5jiNTt6G1-fAfCGPTC_gLIecEEJkDc-DR5ymVYAkSbgQL_9XLj_sR1fCiKgDsWVPSmHbchsDiU5JPT3Utt-MQaK8NksSbVfUafWUdMIcKbsTSVr9wN0CJZkTJbQai4LDKhIw/s200/path5a.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weather closes in again as we take our rest</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All too quickly our brief but welcome break from the wind and rain is over and onward we had to go, a nice leisurely long downhill section towards Loggerheads car park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With new spring in my step I walked through the car park to again look up to yet another steep hill to walk up “Bugger, Bugger, Bugger” as usual went through my head.</span></span></div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCavj8qf-ol6SgGPcyLrTGJVIpPjynqZ2PEmH5pM2c8VomWy1Hh5SxI45fCM0QhdiLL4CMgaynCRa4dhOSMrhavCG_ZGJf3xhZGfWHN_g3pnyuAeEiFU6zmgNW0s9IohsgBH814qPfpxk/s1600/path6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCavj8qf-ol6SgGPcyLrTGJVIpPjynqZ2PEmH5pM2c8VomWy1Hh5SxI45fCM0QhdiLL4CMgaynCRa4dhOSMrhavCG_ZGJf3xhZGfWHN_g3pnyuAeEiFU6zmgNW0s9IohsgBH814qPfpxk/s200/path6.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loggerheads another milestone but still more hills to climb</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5qJZm-r8-bdCh5EbAOtf3RdxxSN-D1ha-Ue7eZKEGHOXhJkTW4qIRVwQC3XuvSO49q7O7anjSNAHeNICpCdeYCiPRaplKbbBsQS0P9Smns-fpG9KuYdSy-eu9DNU7FOyFVWkSPncodg/s1600/path8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5qJZm-r8-bdCh5EbAOtf3RdxxSN-D1ha-Ue7eZKEGHOXhJkTW4qIRVwQC3XuvSO49q7O7anjSNAHeNICpCdeYCiPRaplKbbBsQS0P9Smns-fpG9KuYdSy-eu9DNU7FOyFVWkSPncodg/s200/path8.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bugger Bugger Bugger</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Though it felt like it was taking forever, the top of the slope finally arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A happy cheer from all as this meant for the next mile or so it was either downhill or flat…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBqCnU-8AID15i_9F-B5POdjGqwosNZi8PdOecK67jCs7q56qY5pScvCtUG0Ri8MHFYnHGTC007Ad_3197Z0P4smSDPAVKC6iDW-fdrZFmUls8Zwl6mC-E5RuuQSes-g4lTXrkJxqjmU/s1600/path7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBqCnU-8AID15i_9F-B5POdjGqwosNZi8PdOecK67jCs7q56qY5pScvCtUG0Ri8MHFYnHGTC007Ad_3197Z0P4smSDPAVKC6iDW-fdrZFmUls8Zwl6mC-E5RuuQSes-g4lTXrkJxqjmU/s200/path7.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yippee</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">So after a few miles, plenty of cattle grids, gates and one very dodgy country road to cross, we began the final leg of the journey but oh buggery bugger and an extra large side of bugger that meant one more flipping hill to walk up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we got to the top of a grassy knoll there in front of me is an even bigger hill “Dam and double dam” I thought, “No worries” my Dad explained (with one of his rare smiles, which then makes you wonder if he is taking the pee) “we will be following the path around that hill and then follow the road down to the village”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So again onward we slogged and our other constant companion the weather reared its ugly head for one last bout of showing us how much of a windbag it is, though by now even though we wasn’t cold there wasn’t many dry places on our body, as the wind had forced the rain right past our waterproofs as though it was rice paper..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Suddenly before me is a sign for the village “yippee”, I look up and to see the others at the top of the path and shouting down “nearly there now”, yeah I am sure I have heard that somewhere before (said the actress to the bishop).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully as I hit the top of the slope, down below us was the village, though we still had to had another 2 miles to go most downhill on the road leading from the hill to the village, relief finally set in </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><strong>“Well bugger me, I made it”…</strong></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0gQJxcmwL1mUD8OAXvNYIn0igBiU2UsnRS8RS8wLiGjmquboAw79LeHLXHIZqKzDGUHo4UmXxYwVe2kNWoVn0mnQWwIaI-UlLSyTKPUIJHbwF1ixIhXxWoAh3jn3qQco5pgzuHvf5kk/s1600/path9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0gQJxcmwL1mUD8OAXvNYIn0igBiU2UsnRS8RS8wLiGjmquboAw79LeHLXHIZqKzDGUHo4UmXxYwVe2kNWoVn0mnQWwIaI-UlLSyTKPUIJHbwF1ixIhXxWoAh3jn3qQco5pgzuHvf5kk/s200/path9.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First sign for the village</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbaKZgQSGQ-fc0PGAwbVCSm35UIZRjx-_fxkdAhk1KcAsHQkIJcZf_V9WPm_-cQ1k3Vv1KmbIR74__1Ic9IIFaIGnlMi1fx7TgP7fzoVaHYBQkqs6tsR71PTHyahZKyb7XwWEPMjjKuo/s1600/path10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbaKZgQSGQ-fc0PGAwbVCSm35UIZRjx-_fxkdAhk1KcAsHQkIJcZf_V9WPm_-cQ1k3Vv1KmbIR74__1Ic9IIFaIGnlMi1fx7TgP7fzoVaHYBQkqs6tsR71PTHyahZKyb7XwWEPMjjKuo/s200/path10.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one last push</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7T11QPdjoYDA7P3EGyo-d2MLOshLa3vKxx_C9nkNDqWNJPZwQzp-wxOm71ukH5oMRF68uOBWJ2ZlucHJFhTx92E5ZSM6Se8VrkvEdqO_UkCkbcWSwM_k-t266ETXxZOgk4I8tFDSd7jg/s1600/path12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7T11QPdjoYDA7P3EGyo-d2MLOshLa3vKxx_C9nkNDqWNJPZwQzp-wxOm71ukH5oMRF68uOBWJ2ZlucHJFhTx92E5ZSM6Se8VrkvEdqO_UkCkbcWSwM_k-t266ETXxZOgk4I8tFDSd7jg/s200/path12.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wet, tired but happy we made it</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrkYyv7A_dgpQie3iYFVcTEuRCaN-q9IonKM5tREj0Tj9yBqIYneDDXNnOEqh873gjnDlYbX4hctx6zFNTK_4Og85XGxbRFvYMbzN770GuAqBydQ8Jko1Qdv6aCkSwZ_F29AxWfftNMY/s1600/path11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrkYyv7A_dgpQie3iYFVcTEuRCaN-q9IonKM5tREj0Tj9yBqIYneDDXNnOEqh873gjnDlYbX4hctx6zFNTK_4Og85XGxbRFvYMbzN770GuAqBydQ8Jko1Qdv6aCkSwZ_F29AxWfftNMY/s200/path11.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can see the village at last</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong></div>Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524346340545269695.post-57223665803823458072011-02-04T18:05:00.000+00:002011-02-04T18:05:19.915+00:00Something that came in my head while walking along the coast<span class="messagebody2"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="messagebody2"><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong>The Lonely <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Walker</place></city> (22<sup>nd</sup> January 2011)</strong></span></u></span></div></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="messagebody2"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The lonely walker treads the path, </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="messagebody2"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-ansi-language: EN;">no company but his thoughts and an Ipod.</span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br />
<span class="messagebody2">As each foot moves a little closer to it's destination, </span><br />
<span class="messagebody2">thoughts flow of peoples past and present.</span><br />
<span class="messagebody2">Events remembered from then and now, </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="messagebody2"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-ansi-language: EN;">where will it all lead he does not know.</span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br />
<span class="messagebody2">The only path that he knows the end of, </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="messagebody2"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-ansi-language: EN;">is the one he’s walking on.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TISo1fI8FF9lc4LLN9lCQSlWM_19FOgLHjs4-89MuLM4G-necFZZWfMk1XSGUVXYn4CDN3UcmaOy5DAxQwBeP0INrMGQMJ1Fgpt-ZYGNHNGJ9-WNO7QNm0ULOIb_sqhzMdB4vWOXaFY/s1600/166341_496800653799_589193799_6309134_2776646_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TISo1fI8FF9lc4LLN9lCQSlWM_19FOgLHjs4-89MuLM4G-necFZZWfMk1XSGUVXYn4CDN3UcmaOy5DAxQwBeP0INrMGQMJ1Fgpt-ZYGNHNGJ9-WNO7QNm0ULOIb_sqhzMdB4vWOXaFY/s320/166341_496800653799_589193799_6309134_2776646_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524346340545269695.post-53866302462182031772011-02-04T17:45:00.000+00:002011-02-04T17:45:15.369+00:00Countdown has begunWell about 7 weeks left till I start walking on the Annapurna Circuit, most of the gear has been bought and tested. <br />
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I even managed to find a down jacket that fit me in the end, of all places a Harley Davison Bike shop.<br />
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Trying to get in some mileage everyday and much longer ones at the weekends. On the plus side I am losing weight but on the minuse side, I am going to have to add a new hole for my belt as my pants nearly dropped in the middle of a park...<br />
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Still in my head are those thoughts:<br />
<ul><li><span style="color: cyan;">"Will I make it all the way around?"</span></li>
<li><span style="color: cyan;">"Will the Altitude be too much for me?"</span></li>
<li><span style="color: cyan;">"Oh I hope I dont get the runs!"</span></li>
<li><span style="color: cyan;">"I wonder what the food will be like"</span></li>
<li><span style="color: cyan;">"Three weeks with my Dad, if I survive this I can do anything"</span></li>
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This weekend will be really trying the mileage as I do part of Offas Dyke Path, passing Jubilee tower in the middle. Lets hope the weather is not like 3 weeks ago up there, side on speeding rain is no picnic I can tell you..<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukmdooEIcQWWJqcAuRtTIE4J4LHq66Nn1Rn0WfRmCx1qqALB6VUQtEuLGum-6sP9Tb2oFpn53H5_6ezadvh29fVRFQEgMohzl06H4yUVZ_RozDfBOe2lSAe-1XMbt0kYrZfPd4PSyP_c/s1600/offasdyke.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukmdooEIcQWWJqcAuRtTIE4J4LHq66Nn1Rn0WfRmCx1qqALB6VUQtEuLGum-6sP9Tb2oFpn53H5_6ezadvh29fVRFQEgMohzl06H4yUVZ_RozDfBOe2lSAe-1XMbt0kYrZfPd4PSyP_c/s320/offasdyke.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Reaching Jubilee Tower on the Offas Dyke Path in January 2011</span></div>Large Bloke Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15813999229590645197noreply@blogger.com0