Northumberland and Wooler - June 2024

 

Past midsummer’s day and at last the UK has a heatwave, a rather shortlived one,but still....technically, according to the meteorologists , a heat wave.

The more prolonged decent weather at one point did appear to be the NE of England, although by the time I set off to Wooler, this had changed!

So, Wooler! Recommended by a fellow camper, who I met in the Lakes, Allyson recommended the campsite she was literally at, when I messaged her, in Wooler, although by the time I had arrived, Allyson was back home!! She mentioned the open meadow on the hill with great views....one advantage of not needing leccy, and typically for tenters, although not exclusively....the “meadow” is always better that the shantie area of campervans, motor homes and caravans....typically away and free from the masses...Oh, except lots of Muscovy duck chicks with parents, super inquisitive and unafraid!

And so it proved, my spot was perfect with cracking views, with only 4 other peeps on the hill! (I hasten to add that if I lived in the UK with some consistency, I’d seriously look at a campervan, but for other reasons....).🤔😉 - for ref £15pn

I’d already planned a Komoot cycle route, first to Holy Island (although the tide was just rising over the causeway) and then south along the wonderful coastline to Bamburgh.🥰 On the way to the coast I used some decent single tracks to traverse over some hills, then Komoot got me temporarily tangled up in a forest, taking me down either non existent tracks or to locked gates with Private signs!🙄

It was hot, and after a lengthy gravel ride the day before, I was feeling tired, so looking at the OS app, I decided to cut my route short...unfortunately this included about 600m of the fvckin A1, never thought I’d be TTing again on a major A road, but didn’t quite beat an artic to the sanctity of my escape down a lane....but I lived to write the tale!😳

Wooler eventually arrived, but I was whacked and very sweaty!🥵 Rewarded myself with noodles and tinned tikka masala, 🙄 then 2 pints down a local, to watch some of the Euro 2024 footy. (Italy vs Croatia...for the record Italy equalised in the 100th minute, to send Croatia home, and the last time we will see Luca Modric on the international stage!).

A must mention for my traipse back to the campsite, at near 11pm and still light, with a stunning sunset from my hill....see photo, oh, and a poignant stop at the .local graveyard (they do make you think?).

DAY 2

I awoke to the forecasted glorious sunshine, slept so well, for me, but felt tired. My campsite neighbour informed me that there were plenty of decent hikes from Wooler. I was going to drive a short distance away and ascend Cheviot , but I knew these were hills of lots of Heather and bracken, and couldn’t get excited about making that effort.

I’d already planned to visit the local cafe, and whilst I was stuffing the breakie bap down my gob, I’d selected an existing Komoot route. It started off really hot, plying sun cream regularly....but by the time I reached the highest peaks it had freshened up, and there was even rain in the air, back at my tent.

For the record I scaled Yeavering Bell and White Law, using St Cuthbert’s Way for part of the walk...as I knew the landscape for me is uninspiring, although the views away from the hills were nice.

I felt exhausted back at my tent, and did try to sleep, but tonight was a night for the pub! England’s next match at the Euros...but first food at a rather surprisingly nice Italian restaurant....then to the pub for the not so big match! Another appallingly tedious and disjointed performance by England and an inglorious 0-0 draw against the full might of Slovenia FFS!🙄

 More interesting was my table buddy for the night, a Geordie construction worker... me and him could manage England much better than Southgate. Well, I think he could, although I struggled to understand him half the time, heck Geordie is a strong accent!🤷‍♂️

Nothing more to report really, I was considering moving to Grassington in the Yorkshire Dale’s to chase the better weather....but I was needed back at base, so after that call, I headed back down the A1😢

The Malverns & Brecon Beacons - June 2024

The Malverns

It’s like early Spring, late Winter, temperature wise with a cool north wind, but I was determined to getaway…so headed for the relatively better weather toward the SW.

Often driving down the M5 to races in south Wales, the hill range near Worcester had often caught my eye…the Malverns! But I’d never been there to explore…until now.

Booking ahead to a campsite (£10pn) just outside the town of Great Malvern….lovely people, but the most basic campsite, right next to the A road back to the M5, and there was no need to book!

The Malvern Hills are an elongated range, created by a geological fault with either side steeply dropping off to relative local flatlands….so, the vistas are superb. Using Komoot, I decided to recce the northern hinterland, but in retrospect that was a waste of time of what was to come….

Eventually arriving at the northern end of the hills, the climb perfect for a gravel bike zig zagged up the hillside, with numerous unbroken tremendous views in sight almost immediately. The climbing in places touched 20% but soon I was on the higher tracks, with 360 degree views on a clear if cool day.

The Komoot route I had created, had me regularly losing height down single tracks, and then eventually ascending again, this was repeated several times…and surprisingly I felt quite strong on the climbs!

Soon dropping down into the town of Malvern, and firstly found a bike shop….as my left brake leve4 had somehow dropped southwards…this made it tougher on gnarly descents as that’s how you use the brake lever, by placing weight on the (hood) lever. Apparently a bolt had come loose! (It stooped again on the next ride, so soon I’ll be visiting Kip!).

The one good thing about the campsite was that there was a pub almost next door, and at 7.30pm I’d booked a table for TWO!

Richard my ex coach and friend of course, offered to drive over to meet up…and what a splendid evening too….great to see Richard and we tried our best to set the World to rights….covering all sorts of topics….some interesting stuff!

The following morning, I couldn’t get excited about any further local exploration. I don’t think the campsite helped either….and I knew a pal was planning a few days in fairly close Brecon, but was he still there?

 

Brecon Beacons

 

So leaving Malvern, via Hereford and a cafe stop off in the delightful Hay on Wye, I soon arrived at the new campsite (£10)….and what a contrast! Set above Brecon but in a well protected glade alongside a river..a stunning spot.

After setting my tent etc up and having a rather early afternoon beer overlooking the river….I watched a blackcap mum catching flies then feeding her fledglings, nearby also was a woodpecker, wrens and a goldcrest amongst others…

At the cafe earlier I’d planned a local hike, which although the scenery was ok…there was far too much tarmac, a section that was private and it was far too long, for what I had planned…my fault I didn’t verify like I normally do! But a couple of beers and homemade pie in the centre of Brecon helped the recovery.

As the campsite was sheltered, it kept out the unseasonal northerly cool winds in the daytime but the temperature dropped at night…down to 4C, it was a rather chilly night, but I was prepared!

 

DAY 2

The morning was glorious with bright sunshine….and soon I was out on my gravel bike. Firstly following a Komoot route out of Brecon down the Usk Valley and alongside a canal for a greater part…the Taff Trail. After cycling around the Talybont reservoir, I did make an effort to climb up towards The Gap…but sensibly gave up, as the terrain was too rough but irrespective too steep anyway! Lunch in Talybont village, where a local informed me that Brecon was the coldest place in the UK the last night! They laughed when I described how many layers I had on….and then got into my sleeping bag, for breakie!

I decided to combine my Komoot route with some random riding, occasionally checking my OS app…this was the best bit….mainly tiny lanes and lots of ups and downs with great views…one supposed bridlepath which ultimately was impenetrable, well it wasn’t, but I’d gone so far…not sure how I got through…but the nettle stings were still shimmering, later in the evening.

Returning back to the campsite after a couple of sneaky pints in the village, and later deciding to "do a Wetherspoons" where using their WiFi I watched a chunk of the Euro athletics Champs! But for some unknown reason, I ordered a meat fest, mixed grill....the quality was as expected! 

DAY 3

The forecast was supposed to be regressing from lunchtime ish, and on recommendation from a guy on the campsite, he suggested the Dragons Back hike in the Black Mountains....so, by 8am I was parked up and on my way. 

In my definition, these aren't mountains, but big grass hills....the Dragons Back ridge added some character but I wouldn't rush back or ever suggest they are "mountains". 

 

For the record the highest point was Waun Fach at 811m - apparently the 2nd highest "mountain" in southern UK....🤷‍♂️

My Google Maps sent me via Abergavenny and the quickest route over towards Oundle, my next stop, rather nostalgic especially the DC through to Monmouth. Did I really race a pushbike on this! 😳😅

 

 

 

Lake District - Hawkshead - May 2024

 

So, predominantly a full Winter delay on my blog travails through family commitment (and what s friggin awful wet Winter!)…some escapes to my pad in Mallorca but not what I considered the plan would have been in October.

At last Spring is creeping in, and when I saw the weather forecast (originally 3 pretty decent days, although the third was a washout….useless forecasters 😩).

Was going to camp at Coniston, but the reviews were rather off putting, so decided on one v close to Hawkshead…and a lovely setting it was too! 🥰 (£22pn)

Awoken by an amazing dawn chorus, including cuckoos and curlews. Unfortunately it was 5am….ear plugs in future! 😉

 DAY 1

Brought my retro Kona Muni Mula MTB, due to my gravel bike being in service, but as it happened the route I planned on Komoot really needed a full suspension MTB, in fact it needed an E-MTB!

On paper quite nice, Hawkshead up to Tarn Hows…descent into Coniston, then took a lakeside cycle path, well mainly a cycle path. Komoot did warn me that there was over 2 miles of a non cycling segment. However I assumed it was just private or National Trust anti bike section but nooo! It was just impossible to ride…so walked most of it, and one time I tried to speed it up to ride…and hesitated over some rocks and gnarly roots…and went flying sideways….fortunately only with hurt pride. 😉

Eventually switching to the east side of the Lake, and ignoring another Komoot warning (red segment on the route). This equated to some impossible super steep rocky climbs…defo E bike needed if not a trails motorbike! The views though were worthwhile, outstanding above Lake Coniston with the backdrop of the Coniston fells, with views right across more fells.

 Riding into Grisedale Forest, at last I hit smooth forest compact fire roads, although really not a fan of being enveloped in nothing but bloody trees. But at least I could ride quick ish and consistently, and soon plummeted down to Hawkshead….completed! Did I enjoy?....overall a tad mixed, I hate having to walk the bike, and certainly really need a more appropriate bike….but recovered with two lovely pints of local Loweswater Gold pale ale….and after a shower and change….rode back into the village for an evening meal and a couple more, this time, Bluebird XB….some great local cask ales.

DAY 2

 Irrespective of that very early dawn chorus, the morning was beautiful.🥰 Hike today, so after my standard porridge mix, I planned a well worn route (by me), first scaled as a very young boy with my Dad. One of Wainwrights classic scrambles up South Rake on Dow Crag in the Coniston range via Goats Water. Scaled less flexibly than no doubt my more youthful days, but I still do enjoy a good scramble.

There was hesitation at first, as I wasn’t sure which gulley entrance to scale…the others apparently with sections of “easy” rock climbing….maybe one day with company. Sure enough I went up South Rake, and soon with the excellent views all around. Is that Blackpool Tower!? 🤣

 Nice chats on the route, firstly with an elder ish couple on E mountain bikes, telling me their virtues, after I mentioned my struggles the day before…perhaps if I lived in the Lakes, don’t really need that assistance in most other places. On the top of Dow Crag, was a guy with half a house on his back! He was doing a 5 day wild camp. In the Lakes the rules for wild camping are above 600m or the highest wall, and pitch late, disappear early. He enthused about the sunrise at 4.30am….tempting to give it a go, one day?

And on descending the Old Man, which was of course thronged with tourists looking out for, yes, Blackpool Tower, and not the stunning Lakeland vistas. A gripe of Wainwright!

Anyhow passing one of the derelict buildings of the now defunct slate mines, I had a brief chat with a lady about that legacy, and how communities once lived on the mountain side (as she remarked, a topless youth with trainers on, passed us, that’s the Old Man)!

Soon in Coniston, I had a beer in some very familiar pubs then returned to Hawkshead. Deciding that evening to cook my own haute cuisine, noodles with meatballs and gravy. Eat your hearts out Frenchies!

DAY 3

The forecast was grim today, very wet – in fact retrospective learning later that Honister Pass had 2 months of rain in 24 hours. 😳

I packed up just as it started spitting, and headed alongside one of the lesser well known Lakes, Esthwaite Water….and passed a cafe in a converted boat house, perfecto! I did a little lakeside walk with some twitching (ospreys breed locally) and awaited 9am for the cafe to open. Feeling replete, I headed down the coast via Arnside, then the RSPB reserve at Leighton Moss….Hest Bank and a miserable Morecambe, by now it was pouring, so straight back to Sheffield.

Shows the advantages of the UK with its variations and opportunities in short travelling time, and just what I needed after some recent travails.

Where to next? 🤔