Oxwich Bay, Gower

the sun was out between clouds .. warm when it was out, chilly when hidden, so a good day for a walk.

Down to the beach ... the track went from the campsite, down through the woods following the coast path, coming out on the dunes and scrub.

Down onto the beach, and Bertie headed straight off to the waves, running like a possessed hound ... he liked the moving water, except when the waves crept up behind him ... could not understand where they were coming from.

We then wandered along the beach to the east and back towards three cliffs bay (hidden behind the headland for the moment as the tide had not gone out far enough).

A pause by some driftwood, before continuing to a sheltered bay for a lunch stop. Watching a steady stream of people who seemed to be on a sponsored walk along the beach and up the coast path.

As we finished a rain deluge happened, soaking everyone, as we huddled under jackets waiting for it to complete. Then we climbed back up to the top of the cliffs/ slope, before heading back along the coast path to the campsite.

Back at the van to dry off and some more "snacks" enjoying the warmth when it was there and sheltering when the rain came back.

Mumbles, The Gower

Crossing the Severn on the old bridge ... we made good time and were in Swansea, then the mumbles by Mid afternoon, with a short stop for lunch on the way.

We drove down to the Mumbles first and tried to find the castle, which was on one side of the centre, with no car park or obvious place to stop. Driving past and up the hill we finally found a place on the road down to Rotherslade bay by chance rather than design.
We walked down to the beach, - no dogs allowed - so took to the coast path to head for the lighthouse, which was a bit further along than anticipated. but gave us a view of the shore and some interesting buildings.

Then back to the van and a return to the Mumbles shore.

Parking in the middle - after a trip out to the lighthouse and a realisation that everywhere was “pay to park”.

A quick wander around to pick up some breakfast items - Welsh cakes, and bara brith - I had noticed a chippy ... time for tea waiting for Steph ... Bertie was pleased - his favourite - chips out of the paper.

As we got back to the van we had a call from Steph who had just arrived ... and a drive around towards Oxwich and the campsite we had booked into at Nicholaston farm . A new place for us, but had a Quiet field we could park the van in.

2017 Steph's Birthday Trip, The Gower

Visit to the Gower for Steph's birthday, however the trip started on Friday morning as we packed the van and left for Swansea. We had arranged to meet by the castle in the Mumbles.

The campsite at Nicholston was good .. electric provided, and helped the van run the fridge and heater ... the dog cuddled up on the seat in his own little world. we were in the field furthest from the facilities ... kept it quieter, and also less movements.
As it was Steph's birthday we asked where she wanted to go for dinner ... choosing not to walk to Oxwich, we piled into her car to go to the Gower Inn (just back past the three cliffs campsite). This allowed dogs into the public bar ... and we settled into a small table in the back, with Bertie trying hard to avoid being in the corner.
Food and drinks were more of a challenge ... We got 3 drinks but 2 meals with no cutlery ... resolved in the end but the food was average and only warm. It came too fast to be individually prepared. I suspect if we go back then somewhere else maybe chosen.
Back to the van before the next rain shower, and an evening reading and listening to audio books.
Sunday came and the rain continued .. so we packed up and headed home in convoy. drying off and washing. Bertie enjoyed himself.

• Day1 - Mumbles, The Gower
• Day2 - Oxwich Bay, The Gower

Cromford Mills, Derbyshire

After another day hard at work on Katie's house it was time for another day out walking.
Having had a quick look on the internet there seemed to be some good walks around Matlock .. not too far away. So selecting a circular walk around Cromford and the Arkwright mill. we set off.. all was well until we hit the queues coming back from the main Cromford crossroads. We sat for ages and finally got through and down to the mill.

Parking in the mill car park we got ready and set off back to the village and over the A6 we had come in on. then it was up through the village, then a back entry footpath before we were high enough to get into the fields.
From here it was still parallel to the road to Black Rocks, from here we hit the trans Pennine route, across the top to the edge of the fell on the old railway track ... there was an engine shed and a pond (that Bertie really liked). The engine was used to haul up the rail cars on a cable. A smooth walk , and steeply downhill on a gradient. At the end of the gradient was a trap to prevent runaways before it came out at the canal

From here we did a little tour of the canal ... down past some wharves, past a pumping station, to a strange house at a junction of disused and active canals which had painted windows. This was the queue to traverse around the slope and head back up to another mill (modern) before heading back to the car park along the edge of the fell opposite to the railway line.
Getting a bit tired by now this final section along a road (we came off the fell too early) was a bit of a drag, but we perked up at the thought of tea at the mill.

The mill had a number of shops and displays we perused before tea, after which it was time to head home and get ready for dinner at Encounters ... Sue was not too well and did not enjoy the meal as much as usual - could be heat, exhaustion or dehydration.

Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire

Living in Nottingham Katie had not been to Sherwood forest .. so we decided to spend the day in the reserve ... The forest is kind of patchy these days and spread around but this looked like the main target to aim for.

Parking in the main car park, the first goal was to head for the visitors centre to find some info ... including a path map.
We set off following the crowds to Major Oak, in the middle, then headed out to the west end before cutting north to the top corner, and back along the diagonal all the way to the South East. Here we stopped in the craft shops for a cup of tea, and a long chat with a medieval bow maker and other items ... especially after the joust the other week.

All the way around were scattered various old oaks among other managed trees, but Sue and Katie also started recording the mushroom varieties along the way.
Back then to the van and home, dinner was to be at Encounters, but when we got there it was not open, so we headed to another restaurant - petit paris was good but more expensive than encounters and exceedingly loud. On the way back Encounters was open so we booked in for Thursday night.

Aysgarth Falls, Peak District

It was drizzly today, a little overcast, and also after yesterday's walk we wanted something a little less demanding. So heading off to Leyburn ... there was a small railway there and a chance of a ride.. I blame Bryon for all this transportation interests.

When we got there it was all very empty, and although trains were running they were only very dilapidated diesels, and also on a timetable we could not fathom.
So back to the shops ... after buying some cheese and buns in the market, and some new walking boots for me in a sale, we headed for a tea break .
In the break we saw that from the end of the railway they advertised a bus and a walk to see the Aysgarth falls. Seemed we could drive there and do the same thing.

Past the national trust centre and up the other side we parked in a pay car park, a little lunch in the back of the van then a short walk back and down to the upper falls .. no real viewing platform, but good views from the bridge and a craft shops centre in the old mill building. Intrigued by some paths we saw on the other side, we walked up towards the centre, and found a trail around the middle and lower falls ... with some much closer viewing platforms, and even access to the river.

Back the same way and past the centre there was a sign to the upper falls viewing spot, but there was a charge for this, so we settled for the bridge again.
A brief stop in the craft shop for trinkets and back to the van.

Malham, Peak District

Another of the walks in the book was around Malham cove, also taking in Gordale scar ... seemed like a good day trip and the weather was hot and cloudless.
Getting there was more of a nightmare... I headed off over to Wensleydale, in the general direction, but then the "idiot box" started pushing to go east then north ... we ended up back in Richmond ... before I ignored it and then headed to Skipton and got the paper map off.
Over two hours late we stopped at Malham tarn in a car-park surprisingly free.

South down the Pennine way we soon popped out on the limestone pavement at the top of the cove.
Then down to the bottom via a lot of steps, and out a major path following the river into the town.
The café on the map was not there so we popped into a pub for chips and soda.

After food, we set off down the river, and up a tributary ending towards Gordale Scar. On the way we passed Janet's foss - a waterfall.
From Gordale it was back up the fells, heading back towards the van. The first section was over sheep pasture to a road. Now it got tough.. as we got tired, the final section over the moor was tedious.
The last section past the lakes was boggy, but back at the van was a relief and a short rest followed by a trip to the tarn for photo ops.

We went back a different way .... via Horton ... and "the" viaduct.
As we came back from the West we stopped at a different pub on the way. the Kings Head in Gunnerside.
The food was more "general" than the punch bowl, cheaper, and larger.. but... not special, and the large parties on the nearby tables meant we would not be back this trip.

Arkengarthdale, Peak district

Yesterday I had picked up a book on walks in the Peak district. Checking on what was around Reeth ( the nearest town there were a few, but the one up a road to the north looked good .. Not sure we would get all the way around but as it was in a figure of eight we could drop out, part way.

We drove up and parked in the car park on the edge of the village (£3-50 for 4 hours!) then headed down through the village and up a very steep track which took us around the hill and up a valley.

This area was full of lead mines, and the hills covered in slag heaps and old workings, as well as a lime kiln ....

Then we were on the moors proper ..

looking back south.

We turned south on a new track/ road that had been built to a house/ shed replacing the old drove road, and worked back to the edge of the fell. From here we should have gone left a bit then down, but we went right and then down ... but ended in the same place on a farm track that led to some woods around a big house... it was on this descent that I discovered my boot had fallen apart with the sole very nearly off... so this kind of made the decision where to go next.
Through that wood to the house and down the drive past gardens and a cute bridge, and we were heading back to the car for lunch and a rest.

Some chickens came scrounging .. quite particular, only wanted soft bread no crusts!
Back in sensible sandals, we took a more sedate option to head for Bolton castle to pass the afternoon.

2017 Summer Break, Peak District & Nottingham

After the joust we took Katie back to Nottingham and after a fraught night courtesy of Loki we left for a few days in the Yorkshire Dales. Loki was not happy after travelling all the way up to Nottingham, only to find out he had to share the house with odd humans and a dog! He made his presence known, slashing Sue’s calf, then running off into the night.
We left her with Bertie the next day and off to our campsite ... very basic, but we had the van so really just needed a toilet and a place to park.
It was down by the Swale river, a steep drop down from the road, and apart from a few noisy neighbours in the barn and the occasional human, we were set.
Then up to the punch bowl pub for dinner. Good food and Black Sheep beer.

Trip Summary

• Day1 - Arkengarthdale, Peak District
• Day2 - Malham, Peak District
• Day3 - Aysgarth Falls, Peak District
• Day4 - Return to Nottingham
• Day7 - Sherwood Forest
• Day9 - Cromford Mills
• Return

Col de Menovre, Switzerland

Our last effective day here ... tomorrow the forecast is for 90-100 kph winds, and the days after have low cloud snow and rain.

All the visits we had made here were towards the hospis ... however the old piste (old as in no longer used as opposed to closed for the season) goes up to a col towards Italy with an option to jump over to the hospis valley.

We walked up the summer road until we could get onto skis .. retrospect would show that it was a little early, but it was a likely line.

The line was a little steep on the frozen hard pack, and we soon traversed to easier ground to our left.

this easier line soon relaxes adn we head for a dip on hte shortened skyline.

This just maneuvered around the end of the moraine, with a steep gorge on the right...  objective danger relieved by the snowboard track we were following which had cut a nice line.

We do not yet see the end of the old lift line, but the wind starts to consolidate.

At the end of the upper combe ...  the old lift line goes straight to the ridge, with a gradually steepenign bowls and looks to have a steep finish.

The wind is relentless at this point ...  chilling everything ...  we are still in the shade as the sun has yet to show over the left ridge.

I am working on short targets to keep moving, but if the chaser behind was not catching quickly I am sure we would be talking about turning around. We were very fit by now, but still put in our place by what turned out to be a local.

Ski crampons on ...  the snow is a little hard packed in places.. and it would be awkward to put them on higher up.

We are just starting up the steeper section.

However all the various lines people have been taking before now consolidate,  bad a few obvious tracks help the climb.

Although the climb was steeper, it was easier as we were following a track.

We are now beyond the last target point ... the chaser is now ahead of us and seems to be making good progress.

As we move over the steep slope to upper curve as it lessens. the wind starts to ease up a little.

Closer to the top and looking at the old buildings , there is a nice shadow from the wind here

There was a hollow just before the ridge, nestling against the buildings in various states of decay, and the long view back down to the barrage below ad the route we had come up.

Up on the col, the wind was still not vicious, and we could look down into Italy (in the clouds).

A convenient sign shows the way. There does seem to be a number or circuits that go from the hospis around the Italian sides and back over the cols, or the reverse.

We took a look up the other track to the col over to the hospis valley.
A decaying infrastructure.

Looking down the col  ...  a dubious descent to the hut then around to the left ..  after this the slope became easier.

A leisurely change over from ascent mode to descent mode .. for the first time there is no wind to rush us.

The top is transformed with a light dusting on top ...  fantastic skiing

The middle section got a little crusty for a while, but this just concentrated the mind, before it eased up and we were back on powder and more fantastic skiing.

As the slope eased up the skiing still remained brilliant

What a descent ...  this is the best run down for a long while - a day to dream of.

Even the run over the gorge and down the final slopes was in good condition ...  we had the timing exactly right. And the wind ..  once we started the descent it increased to its previous intensity, however we did not notice at all during the descent.

So the end of this years trip .. time to dry off and pack up... then the long run home ...

We eventually got to Calais for the 1 am ferry, after continuous driving, only a rest for dinner.

The weather forecast proved correct ...  the remainder of the week was wet and low cloud.