This path looked different in the daylight. It looked different going up instead of down too. For starters, it seemed much steeper. My heavy breathing and visible sweating despite the cold temperatures was testament to that. Also, there seemed to be a jolly lot of boulders, cold and slippery, that we were having to clamber … Continue reading The search for Devil’s Kitchen
Walking and walks
Ultimate beginner’s guide to walking the Cheviot Hills
Things to know for walking newbies venturing into Northumberland National Park The Cheviot Hills of England’s Northumberland National Park are a dramatically desolate landscape, born out of ancient volcanic activity some 350-400 million years ago when two continents (what is now Scotland and what is now England) collided. Melancholy yet romantic, these slopes, summits and … Continue reading Ultimate beginner’s guide to walking the Cheviot Hills
Volcano number 9: The boggy volcano (part 2)
Day two of my ninth volcano, walking across the Cheviot Hills in England’s Northumberland National Park, and we were off. The rain of yesterday was gone, replaced by a gentle frost and lashings of lush sunshine. Now this was more like it. My walking boots were still sodden from yesterday’s dismal weather and bog-hopping. Pulling … Continue reading Volcano number 9: The boggy volcano (part 2)
Volcano number 9: The boggy volcano (part 1)
The road stretched ahead of me, weaving its way into the lonely depths of Northumberland National Park. As the boyfriend and I strolled along, the click of my walking pole on the road, the rolling mountains of the Cheviot Hills rose up around us, luring me in with their promises of high adventure. At this … Continue reading Volcano number 9: The boggy volcano (part 1)
Plans for volcano number nine
Finally, an update – plans for the next volcano in my #40by40 are coming together. This will tick off volcano number nine (if I include my accidental volcano as number eight). Hurrah! It’s not a volcano on my original list. It’s not a volcano that’s spectacularly tall and grand. It’s not a volcano that breathes … Continue reading Plans for volcano number nine
Volcano number 8: The accidental volcano
Yip that clock is ticking – 40 volcanoes by the age of 40 (#40by40), and I’ve currently checked off… a big fat seven. As you know it’s not quite the progress I was hoping to have made but in the name of positivity, you have to admit, it’s progress of sorts. Now that I’m taking … Continue reading Volcano number 8: The accidental volcano
How I found my outdoor adventure mojo
I’m actually pretty new to this hill walking and mountain climbing business – although I think I’ve always loved the idea of it but have just always found excuses why it wasn’t for me. Well that all changed at the end of 2014: that’s when I found my outdoor adventure mojo and new-found passion of … Continue reading How I found my outdoor adventure mojo
An adventure into the New Zealand wilderness
We arrived in St Arnaud, in New Zealand’s Nelson Lakes, to persistent drizzle and a grey cloud that hung in the air and made driving difficult. It wasn’t a great start to a three-day walk into New Zealand’s wilderness, and a real mood-dampener considering the bad luck we had already had with the inclement Kiwi … Continue reading An adventure into the New Zealand wilderness
Highlights from New Zealand – in pictures
It’s been almost two months since our trip to New Zealand. Despite the balmy weather in London, I couldn’t help having a reminisce about the great time we had. Here’s a selection of the highlights in pictures.
Volcano number 7: The successful New Zealand volcano
Finally, a day of sunshine! I almost couldn’t believe it – I had to pinch myself to make sure – but there it was, crisp blue sky and a white-gold orb coating my immediate world in warm rays of sunshine. No rain to be seen; not even a cloud. It was rejoice-worthy. The majestic-ness of … Continue reading Volcano number 7: The successful New Zealand volcano