Outdoor Odysseys

Trip Report Pipeline: A Personal Log of Walking and Hiking Escapades

Rather than continuing to tease or even bore readers by listing outstanding trip reports in blog posts, I am collecting a list of outings here as they happen. It should ensure that I never forget to say more about any walks or cycles that I have done that deserve it. Naturally, such a list should be ever-changing, and I need to be less tardy with sharing where I have been either. However, they have been piling up, so the proverbial lead needs to be got out for these.

2022-03-19

This was a trot from Marsden to Hadfield that retraced steps not taken since 2002 when I was only starting hill wandering and a dull day heavily limited photographic efforts even if it brightened up near the end of the day. The reprise saw brighter sunnier weather albeit with a bracing aspect in the form of a stiff chilling easterly wind. Even so, I enjoyed my stroll along the Kirklees Way as it rounded Wessenden Moor and passed numerous reservoirs. Eventually, I passed onto the Pennine Way that conveyed me across the A635, over Black Hill and down into Longdendale. There was an intrusion in the form of an American hiker with two dogs who asked for a photo while my mouth was full of food, but that passed, and it was the edge above Crowden Great Brook that really held my attention.

2022-03-26

On Holy Thursday in 2007, I headed north from Marsden to Littleborough as part of an ongoing Pennine Way project, but low cloud intruded on the start of that walk, so photos were limited. That made a partial reprise of that hike a possibility, so I started from Todmorden on a southbound hike to capture what I had missed. Ultimately, I overdid it and arrived in Marsden in darkness, so the compensation had not been gained, and it took several returns to the area before photographic possibilities were largely consummated. Still, Calderdale and its nearby moors were kind to me, even if their popularity slowed me down at times. From Blackstone Edge, things were much quieter, but the day was moving on as I made the most of the available light. Even so, my sightings of the Castleshaw reservoirs left me in doubt as to my misremembrance-enforced tardiness. More was to come in my sightings of Pule Hill and Holme Moor in very much faded light. That applied to Redbrook, Black Moss and Swellands reservoirs as well, so thoughts of a return were forced into my mind. Eventually light failed, and I decided against a steep descent on not finding the path, so I went another way that got me to Wessenden Reservoir after an improvised crossing in the absence. Still, the waterfall looked appealing under the night light, and it was now easy to stroll back into Marsden in the quietude of the time of day. That did nothing to remediate my mixing up train times, so I had a much-delayed train journey back to Macclesfield with a tight connection in Manchester that was aided by the last train to Macclesfield being late. That was just as well since there should have been another only for there being a shortage of train drivers at the time. The day had been eventful, and I am not just talking about a momentary stand-off with a cyclist around Calderdale either; they seem to be getting everywhere, but that is another subject.

2022-04-02

Things looked promising as I headed out of Marsden along Waters Road. My good fortune persisted as I continued along the track by Willykay Clough. Unfortunately, it was not to last, and I lost out when I wanted the cloud cover to stay away. There also was a biting wind from a northerly direction, but that did nothing to keep away the numerous hill runners who were out and about. They went another way, so all was quieter again, but the sun was in hiding. Scrambler bikes were heard, and I wondered what the point of their short rides was, with their turning back at a pass to avoid being spotted. It looked a little cheeky to me, and I continued on my way on a day full of numerous compensations. One was finding that path that I missed on the previous hike, and I was glad that I had not tried it in the dark even if I had a head torch (there has been a scary moment when one did not fall to hand, but all was well). The cloud cover had broken by this point, and it has been understandable if I had been wondering at my impatience, but the cold would have explained that. By the time that I got back to Marsden, many were outside enjoying what by then was feeling like a warm summer’s day. For me, it was back to the train station for a more timely return home.

2022-04-09

Even with the same midday prediction of trouble with cloud cover as the previous encounter with the area, I persisted with another Marsden to Hadfield walking idea. There were variations from where I had gone on previous trots, but the walk started similarly to its predecessor. It took a map inquiry from another walker to highlight my slow progress in adjusting to a post-COVID world and I reproached myself for being unforthcoming, but I had a long way to go and an appointment with hope. There were bright spots, and I made images of the Castleshaw reservoirs that advanced on what went before. The same could be said about Pule Hill and its surroundings because the aftermaths of hail showers bring their recompenses. Other places brought a bit more photographic joy too, and a bit of National Trust work made the way to the A635 much easier. Beyond that, navigation and bog trotting became more challenging, so getting to Black Hill was slow work. Once there, I did not delay and started the descent to Longdendale by a gentler moorland route that left me with a longer walk to Hadfield and its train station. Even so, the gentle quietude of what is now a heavily industrialised valley laden with reservoirs and pylons prevailed, and other walkers shared words with me. Daylight was in short supply as I neared Hadfield, but it held long enough for me not to need a head torch. The day had been long and tiring, but there was a lot to savour.

2022-04-29

The last Friday of April came free and the weather remained sunny all day, so another attempt was made. In many ways, this was a reprise of the third Marsden trip of the year, albeit with many deviations. It also saw me take my time in many ways. The route took me away from Waters Road and past March Haigh Reservoir before I retraced some old steps. Heat haze may have affected views over the Castleshaw reservoirs, but what I got was as good as I needed it to be, so I was sated. Brun Clough Reservoir saw a visit and I got over the wire fence to rejoin the Pennine Way because my patience did not extend to finding the stile, and I often wonder how entry points to access land get so rationed. That made no impact on my mood as I attended to my photographic objectives. Various reservoirs were ticked off a list that also included Wessenden Reservoir, and I crossed some rough ground using my access rights to avoid retracing steps. There even was an ascent of Pule Hill, so this was a day that was working for me, and the evening light was attractive as I returned to Marsden to start my train journey back to Macclesfield. it was now time to look to other places because the moors around Marsden may have seen times when things did not work out for me, but they also kept me engaged in so many other ways as well.

2022-05-14

It took quite a few years, but I eventually got to make use of the idea of going over Lingmoor Fell while also going along Loughrigg Terrace to make a better image of Grasmere than I did with camera film that I did not trust. The day hike began in Great Langdale from where I headed to Blea Tarn before ascending Lingmoor Fell via a pathless steep bank with bracken fronds unfurling before picking up an easier path. Even with time constraints on my mind and the effects of the steep ascent on my legs, I still was lured up to the top of Brown How, where some more views could be savoured before continuing on my way to Elterwater, catching a glimpse of Little Langdale Tarn on the way. There were occasional views of Elter Water (the lake, that is) but I was committed to seeing Grasmere and crossed the B5343 to begin my way up towards High Close. That meant feeling some punishing heat while chivvying along my wearied legs until the gradient became more lenient, and I got off the lane to start my way along Loughrigg Terrace where my progress was stymied by views over Grasmere as well as stopping to allow passage by bikers and fellow walkers. Picking a quieter way with better views over Rydal Water got me away from both groups for a while, even if it meant encountering more uphill sections before the final descents of the day. While some were to be seen going along the lane to Ambleside, I made for the bus stop at Rydal to catch one of the last open-top double-deckers of the day to Windermere where I had some time to refuel before commencing my return train journey to Macclesfield.

2022-07-09

The photo gallery revisitation earlier this year reminded me of visits to the Ogwen valley, so I eventually got to follow this up on a warm, sunny day. Initially, I had designs on crossing the hills to Pen-y-Pass or Llanberis, but the later start and the speed of travel got me returning to the Ogwen valley again. This circuit took me around by Bwlch Tryfan before ascending Glyder Fach and Glyder Fawr before descending via Llyn y Cŵn and Llyn Idwal. There was a scary ascent of Glyder Fach while the descent of Glyder Fawr was just as foreboding; someone else went down a lot of the way on their backside, but walking poles helped me to avoid that along with making use of my hands at times. The way down to Llyn Idwal was known to me, but is well-pitched and caused more trouble for campers coming the other way. The steepness and the heat of the evening meant that some crawled, while I moved steadily from rock to rock. The slowness of any descents was concerning in another way: making the last bus to Bangor in time. Even with the terrain having taken its toll on me, I was at the bus stop with minutes to spare, and it was a missed connection in Stockport that delayed my journey home because of needing to wait for scarce taxis.

2022-07-16

My previous visit to the Lake District made me recall a walk from my film photography days: the Fairfield horseshoe. Though brutal temperatures were forecast for the ensuing days and my night’s rest was below par, I still got to Rydal around 10:00. The day was likely warm, but I was not deterred. The hefty ascent up to Heron Pike was not as severe as I recalled it, but it was not as quiet either. This was nothing that a refreshment stop would not help because steep slopes cause hikers to bunch together. The next fell top was Great Rigg where views of Grisedale Tarn opened up as much as they did of other surrounding craggy hills. After that, the final approach to Fairfield started and getting up there brought views toward Helvellyn and St. Sunday Crag before I continued to Hart Crag and Dove Crag. Walking poles helped on the steep descents that awaited me and there were views into Patterdale too with Place Fell being easy to identify. Going on by High Pike and Low Pike meant braving knee-challenging descents, and I did remember that these were not so easy. Taking things step by step helped, especially when others were passing; no one wants to hold up others. Eventually, I picked my way onto the public footpath after seeing one challenging down-scramble too many. This also left others to hike their hike as I headed for High Sweden Bridge, from where a quiet and relatively gentle descent dropped me the rest of the way to Ambleside, where I could start my journey home after a satisfying day accompanied by friendly fellow travellers who occasionally shared their good humour.

2023-04-05 to 2023-04-12

Having seen what good a week spent in Ireland during March had done for me, despite or maybe because of the mixture of weather that I go while there, I was encouraged to plan an Easter getaway. The weather looked more promising for the Channel Islands, so I based myself on Jersey. An early arrival allowed for a southern promenade from St. Helier to Noirmont and back before rain arrived for the evening. The following day came sunny, so I opted for a lengthy hike of the north coast from L’Étaq to Rozel. There was much to savour, with the cost being many wearying ups and downs. Friday was a less energetic day with time spent around La Corbière, before going to Noirmont and walking from there to St. Helier and the day’s explorations finished in Gorey with ample views of its castle. Things got more international on Saturday with a day trip to Saint-Malo, retracing steps from a school trip from quite a while ago. The alternation of energetic and easier days continued on Sunday with some strolling around St. Helier before enjoying a hike from Rozel to Gorey. The prospect of rain on Monday did nothing to forestall a day trip to Guernsey, where an out and back walk between St. Peter Port and Jerbourg got me away from a noisy motorsport event accompanied by dull commentary. Rain arrived on Tuesday afternoon, but that did nothing to stop me trying to find a Jersey cow or more. That somewhat successful errand took me from St. John’s to St. Helier via the Waterworks Valley in deteriorating weather. Nevertheless, it was a restorative stroll and a quiet afternoon was spent in the hotel in advance of an early departure the next morning.

2023-05-20

The chance of a sunny day saw me head back to northwest Wales. More specifically, I went to Nant Peris for a circuit, taking in the top of Y Garn. There was something of a photographic errand about the trip, though that was rumbled somewhat by the location of the sun in the sky and where I was at the time.

My outbound route took me by Cwm Gafr, reversing my descent from a few decades ago. The top of Elidir Fawr was within sight once I had gained enough height. My objective led me away from there and the time taken to get to the top of Y Garn surprised me, though I was slowed a little by photographic endeavours. The way down to Llyn y Cŵn is a much gentler affair than its counterparts on the Glyderau that I endured the previous July.

Initially, the same could be said for the way from there down to Gwastadnant, but that was to change near Cwm Padrig because of a brutal gradient and some tricky wayfinding. That made for a slow descent and I failed to catch a bus because of it, necessitating a wait for the next and a later return home than was desired. In the event, all worked out well, and I am now wondering about an ascent of Elidir Fawr that misses out all the ugly quarrying of its north face.

2023-08-19 to 2023-08-20

There are times when I feel the need to head into hill country even when conditions are imperfect, and this was one of those. Saturday saw me walk from Bethesda to Drosgl before turning around and heading to Bangor using coastal trails. There may have been an ambition to reach Carnedd Gwenllian, but wet, blustery weather and sluggish progress put an end to that. There was no annoyance, for much in the way of peaceful unpeopled space had been my lot. Another day with an earlier start and better weather could allow the higher top to be reached and summited. That can wait, and the coastal wandering was drier and sunnier, anyway.

After a night spent in Caernarfon, a day of dawdling followed, first around Bangor and then around Llandudno. The latter allowed for a return to the Great Orme, heading for the heights, as well as sampling part of the Marine Drive in sunny conditions. Legs may have been wearied by the previous day’s exertions, but still had ample power for more wanderings. The return journey home then began, and I had conveyed to a different place in my life after the weekend away.

2023-08-25 to 2023-08-29

For the August bank holiday weekend, I returned to Guernsey after a day trip there earlier in the year. An early arrival on Friday allowed for some strolling that enjoyed good sunshine for a time. From St. Peter Port, I headed south on a course that retraced previous steps before extending these around by Jerbourg and continuing inland to a bus stop near Doyle Column. From there, a short bus ride got me back to my hotel. At times, it was possible to glimpse every other member of the Channel Islands with the set of binoculars that I had with me, for this was a largely clear afternoon.

Saturday saw me head to Herm island on a day with some showers going around. That did nothing to dampen my circuit of the island, which saw some good sunny spells that enlivened the views that were to be had. A lengthy wait for food did nothing to stop me missing the next boat to Guernsey, where I went around by Candle Gardens and Victoria Tower on the way back to the hotel.

The longest hike happened on Sunday, and it took me along the length of the south coast. That started from Portlet, with good views of Fort Grey. Showery rain intruded too, but there were good sunny spells that made up for this. The quiet was lost for a while because of a scrambler bike track, yet silence was restored after enough eastern travel. The ups and downs too their toll, so there was a brief refuelling stop at Petit Bot. That was just as well, given the steep descent and ascent around Saint’s Bay. Added patience may have avoided that toil, but all was overlooked by the time I reached the Doyle Column bus stop for a return to St. Peter Port. The skies had grown leaden by this time and rain was not far away; however, I managed to miss most of this, apart from a foolish refuelling excursion within St. Peter Port itself.

There was a return to the western coast on Monday. This initially was at La Rocques because of haphazardness with bus usage. Nevertheless, there were rewards to be savoured before my heading south to make better photos of Fort Grey than I already had. With that accomplished, I went north again and got off the bus in L’Islet to commence the longer hike of the day. That took me around Grand Havre and by L’Ancresse Bay, where I enjoyed a lunching stop despite slow food service. Once refuelled, I continued as far as Fort Doyle and Beaucette Marina, from where I made my way to the nearest bus stop where I caught a bus for St. Peter Port. Thankfully, the bank holiday motorsport event was coming to a close when I returned, so I got some final sunlit sightings along the seafront before going around by Victor Hugo’s house on the way back to the hotel.

All in all. the weekend offered plenty of satisfaction. Sark was sighted rather than visited and the same might be said of Alderney, so these may tempt a return. Otherwise, I got my fill at a second sitting.

2023-09-01 to 2023-09-03

There might have been a rail strike affecting English train companies, but Transport for Wales services were unaffected. As an act of defiance, I set off by bus to Crewe before snatching a train to Chester. Spending a night there made onward travel long the North Wales coast more of a possibility, while English services were even more restricted than on the previous day. My eventual destination was Bethesda, with a bus carrying me from Bangor, which had been the end of my train journey.

Having better weather, my designs were on an ascent of Carnedd Gwenllian after a previous attempt was stymied by inclement conditions. The outbound route mirrored the one from that time, except that I went past Drosgl and Bera Bach to reach the top of Carnedd Gwenllian. Even a cap of cloud did not deter me, even though it cut visibility. The return route to Bethesda took me over Gyrn Wigau in bright sunshine. All the while, I was looking behind to see what photographic opportunities may be offering. Another reason for the deviation was to pass a way that I had not trodden since the days when film photography was my only means of capturing scenery sighted on hill walks. By now shadowing Afon Caseg, I was not disappointed, One cost of my rambling was my placing a hand too near a stinging insect, prompting a search for antihistamine cream that would prove fruitless in Bethesda and met with more success in Bangor. That was but a minor intrusion that passed in its own time and was exiting my mind on the train journey from Bangor to Llandudno, where I spent the night.

Before I left on the following day, there was again time for following the North Wales Path on the way to Llandudno Junction train station. There was plenty of sunshine as I did so, and I took every opportunity to relish the surrounding scenery.

2023-09-08 to 2023-09-11

To help with a repeat visit to Cadair Idris, I spent a Friday night in Wrexham to use a bus to get to Dolgellau the next morning. That was full of people going to Barmouth, but I was to change buses to get to Minffordd where my hike would begin. In the heat, plenty of exertion was expended on the way up the Minffordd path, but rounding the climbs surrounding Llyn Cau would get me to Penygadair. Instead of then going to Dolgellau, I opted to follow the Cambrian Way west. My eventual destination was Morfa Mawddach train station, but a steep descent was needed after Tyrrau Mawr to get me to Arthog. It was fortunate that I asked the rail replacement bus driver if I could go with him as the light was failing because this was the first weekend of work on Barmouth Bridge (the footbridge was also shut at the time) and arrangements were not the best. There was not enough capacity for anyone waiting in Barmouth, which cannot have helped anyone’s mood. Porthmadog was where I was headed, so I was glad to get there instead of being marooned somewhere else. The skies were grey next morning with rain on the way, not an encouraging situation for doing much exploration. My journey home began with a bus that got me to Machynlleth for a continuation by rail for the rest of the way.

2023-09-15 to 2023-09-18

Quite what possessed me to stay a weekend in Aberystwyth when the weather was not so promising would be a mystery, only for my recalling that I was dealing with personal issues at the time. It did allow me to reach the top of Pumlumon Fawr for the first time, albeit in cloudy, damp conditions. That happened quicker than I had expected, so I was left to with extra time before the bus back to Aberystwyth. It allowed for some soggy traipsing through the woods near Blaen-Peithnant. Further tramping did little to delay my arrival in Ponterwyd. That meant finding some shelter from any rain that came while I had a refreshment stop. Paucity of mobile signal did nothing to ease nerves regrading the arrival of the bus, especially with incorrect timetable information in my head. Patience won out in the end and all was well. The next morning came grey and the promenade already was encroached by sand and gravel from the beach because of storms. Train travel got me back home for the rest of the autumn to be spent addressing those issues. It was not as if the autumn getaways did not help with this either, just that some work needs to be done at home rather than away.

2023-12-22 to 2024-01-03

When I lived in Edinburgh, I never got to experience what Christmas was like in that part of the world; spending it with family in Ireland was a necessity for me. Thus, when I got enough of spending Christmas in Macclesfield, I headed north. The weather prospects were not brilliant, but I was acclimatised to that. Still, I got to hike the Water of Leith Walkway from Balerno to Dean Village, as well as part of the towpath by the Union Canal. The part of the former near Colinton is very nice, so I fancy revisiting that in better weather. Since the best weather came on the day after Christmas day, that was when I revisited the Pentland Hills for a trot over Capelaw Hill, Allermuir Hill and Caerketton Hill. The drop off the last of these was noticeably steep, yet it did nothing to stop me reaching Loanhead for a bus back to where I was staying. The good thing about Edinburgh is there are always some buses running throughout the time, even if services are reduced.

The Pentland Hills stroll took advantage of a frosty calm before the arrival of Storm Gerrit. My onward travel to Aviemore was heavily disrupted by its onslaught. Getting as far as Perth did no good, and all that could be was to find another hotel in Edinburgh for an extra night. Things had not fully recovered the next day either. The direct coach services were all booked up, so I instead went around by Aberdeen and Inverness to get to Aviemore, a very long way around. Once in Inverness, I found a train to take me the last part of the way. My hotel booking had been changed, so I could commence from there. The railways and other transport services do need to keep a skeleton staff working to deal with such events better than was the case.

Once in Aviemore, I got better weather than I could have expected. The aftermath of Storm Gerrit remained apparent, yet much was possible. The first full day saw me venture into Gleann Eanaich, only to be stymied by the surge of water through every watercourse. Given the length of day, that probably was just as well. A trip to Inverness followed the day after under grey skies. Some trotting alongside the River Ness and the Caledonian Canal occupied a day that did not encourage much more. New Year’s Eve saw me walk from Kingussie back to Aviemore. All was pleasant until I met with obstacle course that was Inshriach Forest; there were groups of trees thrown down in numerous places. After that, things got better on the way to Loch Gamhna and Loch an Eilean before nightfall brought out my head torch for the last stretch until the street lights of Aviemore were encountered. There were no such travails on New Year’s Day as I embarked on a circular hike that took in Loch an Eilean, Loch Gamhna and Loch Morlich on a wonderful sunny if frosty day. Many were sharing good wishes for the start of the year, a very Scottish thing, apparently. The busyness of the road between Aviemore and Glen More may have been akin to that of a motorway (well, it certainly sounded that way), the Old Logging Way took me back to Aviemore again. Light may have been fading, but I was able to resist using a head torch until I was back under street lights again. The next day saw me return to Inverness, where I shadowed the River Ness and the Caledonian Canal to reach Loch Ness near Lochend. That last section going along the A82 not only encouraged me to use a bus to return to Inverness, but it also has me wondering about the possibilities offered by the Great Glen Way (a hike back from Drumnadrochit tempts) and the South Loch Ness Trail. After all this, I headed south again with much gratitude despite any disruption that I had endured.

2024-03-06 to 2024-03-09

It was Pumlumon Fawr that drew me to Aberystwyth again. A March weather window was sufficient for offering that opportunity. However, my first full day was to see me wander by the coast. First, there was the way from the hotel to the promenade that I varied with the inclusion of Penparcau. Skies broke to allow some sunshine for photography before I then went to Borth by train. Once there, the coastal path conveyed me back to Aberystwyth again. Naturally, coastal walking features some steep sections, making you pay the price for any delights that you meet.

A cold, blustery day became my lot for an ascent of Pumlumon Fawr. If it was not for my determination, it might have been wiser to shelve the idea for another time. The Cambrian Way did get me there and back, but the strength of the wind made for difficult conditions. Keeping one’s footing was a struggle, so I sated my appetite and got down again. The woods of Blaen-Peithnant gave me shelter as well as a challenging exit to get onto the track to the road. The lane was not my lot for long, since I left it for the way to Bwlch-Nant-yr-Arian. That took me around hillsides and featured a jump across a watercourse laden with water from the months of rain. For an added sense of security regarding the hailing of a bus, I continued from there to Ponterwyd by public footpath and roadside. While there may have been better days for such exertions, I was sated and travelled home the next day with a sense of satisfaction from my endeavours.

2024-05-01 to 2024-05-04

The preceding winter trip to Aviemore laid the foundations for this repeat visit. Some good weather was used before things went downhill for the Mayday Bank Holiday weekend. The first full day was spent on an out and back hike to Loch Eanaich. This was scuppered by water levels after Storm Gerrit, and quite possibly needed longer hours of daylight anyway. However, my feet still got a wetting on the second encounter, such that a pair of Crocs was acquired for any future adventures of this kind. You cannot depend on having bridges everywhere you need them; the extra footwear should help to keep boots and socks drier, as long as one remembers to bring them.

The first day’s wetting really should have been on the second one, yet it did little to deter me from walking from Kingussie to Aviemore again. The Speyside Way conveyed me to Inshriach Forest, after which I took a different route to Feshiebridge. That was done in the hope of seeing more of Glen Feshie. In hindsight, that might have needed more commitment than I was willing to offer at the time. Nevertheless, I do not feel that I short-changed myself. Once past the Moor of Feshie, I again deviated from the previous route to make more directly for Loch Gamhna. Beyond that, I was on familiar tracks and trails all the way back to Aviemore.

On both days, the weather was kind to me, with the longer hours of daylight making hiking that little bit more relaxed. One cannot ask for much more than that.

2024-06-02 to 2024-06-05

The weather may have been mixed, but that did little to stop me spending a few days around Fort William. A wetting was what greeted me when I arrived, yet a sunnier and drier day was to follow. That allowed for a hike to Kinlochleven. The way to Glen Nevis took me around by Cow Hill, a prospect that took my fancy for a while. Then, I was bound for Lairig Mor where I have committed some mountains scenes to film more than twenty years before. The number of people coming the other way took me by surprise, though that was in the middle of the day, and things became quieter after that. This was a good one to redo.

Another reprise was to follow between Glen Coe and Bridge of Orchy. Again, there were many coming the other way. However, that did not discomfit me like the day before because heavy wintry showers were the main intrusion. This was a day for quality waterproof clothing with dry sunny interludes that made up for the mix of hail, sleet and rain. Those sunny breaks were enough recompense for the repeat after a twenty-year absence; any clearer air would have made for better photos. The scenery certainly looked resplendent between those showers, and they also thinned out later in the day.

The final morning in the area saw me commence my southward return. Given that I was well sated, it was done with little sadness. However, a new path in Glen Coe could prompt a return at some stage. There are also excuses for such things.

2024-06-21 to 2024-06-28

Having an unused ferry booking was the cause of a second trip to France; the first one ended up being centred around Paris and Rennes, so there was much urban strolling, not the real topic for this place. This time, I had my passport with me. Thus, the overnight sailing from Portsmouth to Saint-Malo did the needful. After spending a few hours around an often damp Saint-Malo, I then went on my way to Versailles via Paris. My attending to a matter saw me returning to the French capital, only to notice the increased security (troops of gendarmes walking through the crowds on the Champs Élysée) and the added curtailments to where one could walk. Another day around the Palace of Versailles felt similar at times, though the extra sunshine made photography more of a possibility.

Making for Grenoble avoided all of that, though I was astounded at how much graffiti there was to be seen. Making for mountains got me away from that. Braving the cable car saved me from climbing to the Bastille. From there, I destined for Mont Jalla and Mont Rachais before wending my way back to Grenoble again, Much hot sunshine had been enjoyed in advance of a wet evening that caught me because of a certain tardiness on my part.

The next day, I again made for the heights despite any fatigue in my limbs. Initially, I made for Ferme Raymond before deviating around by the Desert de Jean-Jacques Rousseau on the way to Ferme Froussard. That was a blissful diversion that resides positively in my memory. Beyond Ferme Froussard, the gradients stiffened more than they did on the previous day. The surface was such at one point that it did not encourage an out and back hike. Ferme Durand was not easily seen, and any track was not enticing as a route option for making a descent, so I ended up reaching Charvet and going higher than I had gone the day before. A roundabout route took me down to Sassenage. It, too, had its steep sections, so walking poles proved as essential as any shade was in the heat. Nevertheless, I reached the bus stop for my journey back to Grenoble without incident.

My third full day in Grenoble might have seen me get to Lans-en-Vercors were it not for an apparent unwillingness to sell me a ticket. One wonders if this was one of these unofficial local strikes, but there is no proof of that. In its place, I opted for a short circuit around by Mont-Saint-Martin. After the preceding exertions, that may have been just as well. The early return to my hotel also got me wondering about another stroll on the banks of the River Isère to complement what I did on my first evening in the city. That was commenced near the city’s university, and I got as far as La Perrière before starting on my way back. The sight of dramatic mountain tops was enough to draw me that far on a wonderful evening. There was more to see as I wend my way back towards my hotel. There was enough time to fit a visit to Parc de l’Île d’Amour as well. This rounded off things nicely before my departure the next day.

2024-07-10 and 2024-07-11

There cannot be many times when someone embarks on two day trips to the same locality; this certainly is the only time that I recall doing such a thing. The cause was the prospect of making an ascent of Mangerton. It had not worked within the time that I had on the first day because I got distracted into going through Knockreer Park to Ross Castle before returning to my intended route. There was a partial ascent because of this; you just cannot waste sunny weather.

Ensuring that the next day saw no such diversions, I made it to the top. However, because sunshine was obstructed by cloud cover for much of the time, I had to await photographic opportunities. The necessary patience was rewarded after my circuiting the ominously entitled Devil’s Punchbowl. While I was conscious of needing to return to Cork on the last train there, any dallying did not prove costly. It was just as well to scratch an itch while it was possible to do so.

2024-07-27

Though they were nearby when I was growing up, various reasons meant that I never explored the Ballyhoura Mountains beyond trips there with my parents. That got set to rights with a long out and back hike between Ballyhea and Seefin Mountain. As well as various forestry tracks, this also made use of the Ballyhoura Way. That added various ups and downs like Carron Mountain. My trying to avoid those on the way back made my course more conventional; we could do with more hiking trails so that mountain bikers could have their trails to themselves. Other than that, I have no complaint to raise, for this granted many appealing views that included the Galtee Mountains and other nearby hills. It works best with an early start on a long summer day to avoid any qualms about public transport.

2024-08-01

Looking around for where was getting the best weather was what sent me to Cappoquin after spending the preceding afternoon in Doneraile Park. From there, I ventured to Glenshelane from where I continued to Mount Melleray abbey. More strolling followed, with a bit of rough cross-country traipsing before I got onto better trails. Then, I went on my way to Lismore. That allowed me to have a glimpse of its castle before heading back to Cork again.

2024-08-10

It was in my mind for a while, so I finally got myself to Schull for a day trip. The walking highlight was a hike from Schull to Ballydehob that included the Butter Road Walk together with parts of the Derreennatra and Rossbrin Loop Walks. The prospect of continuing to Aghadown appealed until time constraints and the experience of going along the side of the N71 changed my mind, giving me more time around Ballydehob before returning to Cork.

2024-08-13

While there may have been other things happening in my life, the prospect of sunny weather and the availability of other travel options got me going to Glengarriff for a day trip. If anything, I should have left earlier because there was more to the place than I had envisaged. Different trails in a nearby nature reserve kept me so occupied that I left for Cork later than planned. The Beara Way passes here as well, so that offers more reason to come back.

2024-08-16

My previous visit to the Beara peninsula drew me back again, this time to hike from Adrigole to Glengarriff. Though sunshine was rationed by cloud cover, the surrounding scenery remained impressive to the eye. However, this was a walk so beset by soft waterlogged ground that I wonder if any reprise would need to await a preceding lengthy dry spell, if such things even come to pass in that part of the world. Nevertheless, it was an exercise that gave so much to compensate for muddied clothes and any ascent and descent that was involved.

2024-08-30

It took time to make it happen, but I eventually did get to enjoy a day trip to the Sheep’s Head peninsula. The result was a walk from Kilcrohane to Ahakista that took in Seefin and other high points in the area. Going higher gained sightings of the Beara peninsula across Bantry Bay, as well as those of its Mizen Head counterpart on the other side of Dunmanus Bay. Time constraints meant that I could not dawdle as much as the stunning day would have deserved, bus timings were the cause of this, yet much was gained anyway. There are plenty of Loop Walks in the area, and there also is the Sheep’s Head Way for those wanting multi-day hiking.