Hike Wales

alittlebitaboutnotalot

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:48:00 +0000

Just found this blog in my Google Analytics reports. Good reading. Good work!

http://www.alittlebitaboutnotalot.co.uk/

FREE US backpacking magazines

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:34:00 +0000

Deal of the week!

Go to this website and you can get a free online (Zinio) 12 month subscription to the US magazines 'Backpacking Light' or 'Backpacker'. If you don't fancy any of these, there is a fine selection of other mag's to choose from. You can subscribe to one per email address.

And you are saving the planet...

The Read Green Initiative offers millions of people FREE access to an alternative, environmentally friendly way of enjoying favourite magazines, books and other publications.

Participants can select one FREE one-year subscription to the magazine of their choice in Zinio’s media-rich digital format.

One does not simply walk into Mortor

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:59:00 +0000

Apologies, way off topic but it made my day and it uses The Beast by Milt Buckner.

Two wheels

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:22:00 +0000

I’ve been getting back into mountain biking recently after a few years spending my hill time on my feet.

I bought my first MTB back in 1988 – a beautiful black Cannondale SM700 (but with an upgraded Deore XT groupset). That bike cost me a whole terms grant. I still have it and it’s now set up as my touring/commuting bike.

The pages from the original catalogue I drooled over as a student

Back then, I did a bit of racing. The sport was so young, I was lining up against the likes of Paul Hinton, David Baker and Tim Gould, the elite racers of the time (Tim is actually in the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in Crested Butte, Colorado). No suspension, no disc brakes, no Camelbaks and normally no helmets.

My current bike (a 1999 Marin B17) is full bounce, 6” rear and 4” front, and I’ve had some good times belting around the woods or riding the purpose built trail centres around Wales. But I’m a bit more concerned about busting a collar bone or ending up impaled on a pine stump these days (family to feed and all that).

1999 Marin B17

So I am going back to my cross country (XC) roots – basically enjoying a good walk but on two wheels. The Beacons are criss-crossed with bridleways and the park positively encourages MTBers.

Back in the 80’s, it was a very different story – probably because MTB’s were brand new, just over from Cali’ and cyclists were taking to the hills for the first time, so riders didn’t know that a lovely twisting singletrack footpath wasn’t fair game and that it was bad sport to use a snoozing sheep as a ramp. Walkers were pissed off with lunatics flying past them at 30mph, ripping up paths and the sheep weren’t ecstatic either. It really was a battleground out there.

These day, the sport is mature, XC riders know and respect the hills as much as any walker and the kamikaze ‘downhiller’ fringe have pretty much confined themselves the FC trail centres.

I managed to find a great little book on riding in the Peak District for when I am staying with my folks and another set of MTB routes in the Beacons. These books, combined with Memory Map and my Road Angel, are going to give me a whole new way to get out into the hills.

My B17 isn’t much good at this XC stuff, the geometry is all wrong, it doesn’t climb well, the bounce is too bouncy and it’s starting to creak a bit. So the hunt is on for a replacement.

I am lucky to have the acquaintance of Guy Kesteven, the gear guru from ‘What Mountain Bike’ and ‘MBUK’ magazine – we work with him on the MBWales website my company developed for Visit Wales. I have been firing off “What about this one Guy?” emails knowing that he has ridden and wrecked more bikes that most.

I have almost made up my mind.

That's what I'm talking about

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:14:00 +0000

I love wine. Lots of it too. It's good for you.

We have taken wine on backpacking trips in a Platy bottle before, but they have now produced one especially for vino. The PlatyPreserve.

Basically, once you open a bottle and it is exposed to oxygen the taste improves for a bit then rapidly degenerates. At home we use a Vacuvin for the very rare occasions that we don't actually finish a bottle. When you are out and about, a Platypus bottle is ideal because you can squeeze all of the air out and then seal it to prevent degradation.

Perfect for picnics, backpacking, hostelling, lunchtime stops, sneaky snifters at events...

Each Platy holds a full bottle and they sell four packs (for four day backpacking trips I suppose?)

Can't find them in the UK yet though.

Remember this day

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:44:00 +0000

By Patrick Moberg

Sweet

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:34:00 +0000

Bob has been busy. Go and check out his multi fuel offering, the Honey Stove. Wood, meths, esbit, sheep shit, fork 'andles, finest malt...

Weight
Side Panels 5 x 42g
Fire Door 25g
Base Grill 57g
Mid Grill 27g
Top Grill 32g
Total if all carried: 351g

All stainless. All for under 30 quid. Good work Bob :)

Brooooom

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:36:00 +0000

I just love this.

The Skippy Racer Scooter.

Via swissmiss

A bit more digging found this... bargain.

Turboflame update

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:59:00 +0000

The guys at Turboflame have been great and replaced my lighter, explaining where I might have gone wrong with the old one.

I am a little confused as I did try everything they suggested in their comprehensive FAQ section, but there is no way I could get it to work. Their engineer managed it though.

Anyway, the new one is perfect.

Big thanks to Paul at Turboflame for first class customer service.

Retired friends

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 07:41:00 +0000

These shoes have walked around 400 miles with me over the toughest terrain Wales has to offer and performed brilliantly.

Out west – Day 1

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:44:00 +0000

I had a few days free a couple of weeks ago, so I packed up and went to west Wales to do some proper camping and exploring.

Cardigan was just a few miles away, so I popped into Howies.

Howies is a very smooth brand turning out some rather special clothing – their marketing is world renowned and I always look forward to their catalogues, emails or any other ‘little something’ they may send to amuse me into purchasing. Timberland acquired a chunk of them last year, but all the fears of what damage a nasty megabrand could do to them dissolved into nothing. They are still the same, but with a few more quid behind them, which is good for all involved I suppose.

I left quite a few £’s lighter with an Epic cotton waterproof jacket and a shirt I like so much I might frame it.

BTW, my favourite ever tee shirt is a ‘Howies’ and I am going to wear it until it falls to bits.

On to Boncath

I stayed at Rhydhowell Farm campsite, just outside the small village of Boncath (pronounced 'Bonkers' with a lisp) for my three nights in Pembs. I found it via the Campfires Burning website and when I emailed the chap who owns the farm and asked him if it was OK to cook on an open fire, he replied with “How else would you cook when camping!” I booked immediately.

The farm is run by John Quinn, and Englishman farming in the heart of rural Wales and a true gentleman. He has a beautiful property, dating back to the 1790’s, but he has been resident for the past 35 years. The farm is over seventy acres with a large percentage of it a stunning semi ancient wooded valley that would have the bushcraft boys sharpening their Mora’s in anticipation (don’t worry, he has plans for you!) John has set a path through the woods that makes it accessible to most who can handle a gentle stroll – he gave me a guided tour with his sheepdog Sally at his side.

The campsite is very basic, with a loo that I couldn’t use (I’m an arachnophobe) and an old static caravan that contains a sink for washing up, a decent WC and a hot shower. He has piped water into the various fields that he has set aside for campers and has fire pans dotted around for his campers to use.

I stayed in one of his ‘hideaway’ pitches – small enclosures set aside for a more private camping experience. The pitch had a fine group of Douglas Firs at one end and enough room for several tents. Sadly, the firs were just too far apart for me to hang my Clarke Jungle Hammock – a night in that will have to wait just a bit longer.

Rhydhowell is one of those sites that when you find it, you want to keep it a secret. But that wouldn’t be fair to John, who is trying his best to make a simple but beautiful campsite for those that would rather have a more natural camping experience.

Just don’t tell anyone else.

I set up the Bison Lavvu, got comfy (and I mean comfy – lots of luxuries come with me when car camping – a real bed, a fridge, rugs, chair and a gas cooker with a grill) and settled down to cook ratatouille over the fire and slug a bottle of wine while watching the flames flickering.

It was a very cold night due to the crystal clear skies and my RayWay quilt struggled to keep me warm, but l also bought my down backpacking quilt just in case. Had a damned good nights sleep.

Out west – Day 2

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:43:00 +0000

Today was Preseli Hills day.

As I was on my own (you need two cars) and I wasn’t sure if the local hiker’s bus was running, I decided not to walk the full 8 mile end to end route. I parked up in Crymych and quickly stomped up Foel Drygarn and then onto Carn Sian and back down to the van creating a short circular route.

Although not particularly high, the Preseli Hills have a character all of their own and the really do feel ancient and mystical. A quick bit of research will tell you that the stones from Stonehenge came from here and all sorts prehistoric remains have been found – the place is riddled with sacred sites.

I then drove to the western end of the range and climbed up to the highest point, Foel Cwmcerwyn at 536 metres past decimated forestry and a few very boggy sections. The view from the top was stupendous – I could even see the Gower peninsular. It was also obvious that this route could be extended, staying fairly high, pretty much all the way to the sea. Lots more exploring to be done another time.

I got chatting to a ‘local’ walker on the top who told me that on a clear winter’s day, you could see Snowdon and the Beacons from this summit. We stayed chatting and we spent a very pleasant couple of hours discussing everything from a love of wine to pickling chillies on the walk back down to the cars. Sorry, I never asked your name, but your old black lab’ was called Jasper I think.

Driving in this part of Wales is amusing to say the least. I saw at least two cars with no number plates or tax – one of these came screaming around a corner towards me and the driver had a large dog on his lap. He waved as he passed.

Back to camp and a fantastic meal of vegetable and paneer kebabs marinated in lemon, basil and olive oil. You can’t cook like that when you are backpacking. I phoned Sarah who was in Paris with the kids and my in-laws paying homage to Mickey Mouse and I think I was a little too pissed to hold a totally coherent conversion. I can’t remember.

Out west – Day 3

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:43:00 +0000

The day started with a stunning sunrise, a solid cooked breakfast and lots of proper coffee to shake off a minor hangover.

I drove out to Strumble Head to walk a section of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path that my mate Tim had recommended. The weather was perfect, blue skies, turquoise seas, hot sun and tourist free roads. It was immediately obvious that something was going on. Groups of people peered over the top of huge cliffs down into shady bays – ‘twitchers’ I thought, until I heard the crazed honking of dozens of fluffy white seal pups. This was a first for me.

I walked out to Trwyn Llwyd and back and on every inaccessible beach were groups of pups with the parents lazily sloshing around in the shallows seemingly enjoying the attention of the onlookers.

I was sitting on a hot rock in blazing sun eating my lunch when a glistening white ferry left Fishguard harbour and disappeared into St Georges Channel. It reminded me of months spent on the Greek Islands when I left college. I had to remind myself that it was almost October and this was the end of one of the worst summers I could remember.

I stopped at the amazing Pwll Deri Youth Hostel perched on the cliffs under Garn Fawr and filled up my water bottle. (When I got home, it turned out that my next door neighbour’s sister-in-law was warden there for years. What a perfect place to live).

I got back to the van tired, dehydrated and footsore. Looks like my trusty Salomon’s have finally had enough with around 400 miles of rough terrain under their belts. (Just bought some new ones, with a GTX lining for the winter – no way I’m going back to boots).

Back at base was another perfect evening cooking on embers, drinking organic cider from Hereford (nearly Welsh) and listening to all manner of creatures 'doing stuff’ in the trees over my head.

Out west – Day 4

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:41:00 +0000

I was going home today, but Tim had given me one last tip – to check out the nature reserve at Tycanol. “You would be right into it” he said.

I packed up camp, said goodbye to John and drove the few miles to Tycanol.

It was a stunning few miles across open hills and ancient forests with magnificent 360 degree views, with Carn Ingli looking particularly inviting. It looked out of place perched above a seaside town in west Wales – it would have been more at home in Snowdonia. If you are in this part of Wales, add it to your itinery. Just don’t tell too many people about it.

In conclusion

I am totally in love with west Wales and wish I had discovered it years ago. The hills, surrounding countryside and coast are absolutely stunning. The people are friendly and laid back. There is something crazy/stunning/cool/wet/high around every corner.

I’ll be back.

Trackers

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:16:00 +0000

For those readers of a certain age...

Remember Trackers?

Before mountain bikes, before BMX, even before the Raleigh Grifter, (and about the same time as the Chopper), we had Trackers.

A 'racer' with the drop handlbars swapped for cowhorns and if you were flush, you would have some knobblies for 'bombing 'round the woods'. Your wheels were always buckled from jumping and your tyres were always a bit too bald from 30 foot skids.

Suddenly remembered mine on the way home from work tonight. Happy days.

Canon saga is over

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:48:00 +0000

I haven't bored you with it, but I reported recently that I had my camera back from Jessops after a repair.

It developed another fault within minutes of picking it up, so I contacted Jessops head office and asked for a new one (apparently, they send cameras back three times before replacing - that is equivalent to three months out of action). I thought this was crap and asked them for an immediate replacement.

Head office were fantastic and contacted the shop and told them to expect me. When I got to the Swansea store, I was treated like a mangy dog by the grumpy old twat behind the counter. He was rude, unhelpful and made me feel like a criminal.

I believe in karma, so hopefully, someone with a shorter temper will punch him in the mouth this week.

Anyway, I now have a nice shiny 40D and 17-85mm lens.

Walking - the video game

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 09:39:00 +0000

Don't ask me, I just report this stuff!

Play it here.

The wild west

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 03:50:00 +0000

I spent a few glorious days in west Wales last week. I'm in love.

More soon.

Top Gear

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 03:02:00 +0000

Spotted this on a campsite in the Beacons recently.

I'm in love.

Mears v Grylls

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:29:00 +0000

My good friend Bryn sent me this very amusing link.

Who's the daddy?

Ray's the daddy.

I've got my camera back

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:04:00 +0000

After four long weeks I have finally had my Canon 40D back from Jessops/Canon after a mystery Err 99 message appeared when booting up.

During that time I have been on a camping trip, my baby has started crawling and has grown a head of hair, my eldest has learnt to ride a bike and lost a front tooth (non related incidents) and lots of moments that I would love to have captured have passed.

My family have enjoyed the break though.

Look out kids, daddy's locked and loaded again.

Turboflame Military problems

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 07:35:00 +0000

My beloved Turboflame Military lighter has just stopped working. I have bled it a couple of times and have been using the recommended fuel, but I was trying to light my stove on Sunday morning and it just stopped producing a flame.

I have contacted the guys at Turboflame, so we'll see if they have any more suggestions.

This is supposed to be my 'light anything, anywhere' flame source (only digging out the matches as a last resort).

Fingers crossed.

UPDATE: Here, thanks guys!

Pencelli Castle

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:08:00 +0000

I took advantage of the finest weekend of this miserable Welsh summer and took Aaron (6) for a quick Saturday night camp in the Brecon Beacons. It was really a reccy to check out a 'proper' campsite that we could use for family camping weekends.

Pencelli Castle is a family owned site at the foot of Pen-y-fan, on the road between Brecon and Talybont on Usk. It's the site of a real castle, built around 1080 A.D. although no evidence of remains apart from the moat.

The site has three areas - The 'Orchard' and the 'Oaks' are set up for caravans and those campers that need electricity and furthest from the facilities (more about those in a minute) is the magnificent 'Meadow'.

The Meadow is reserved solely for tents and is a very large gently sloping and perfectly manicured field surrounded by trees and broken up by conservation areas of un-mown grass, trees and shrubs. At the bottom of the field runs the Brecon and Monmouthshire Canal.

I'm not one to get excited by campsite facilities, I'm happy with a clean stream and a place to dig a cathole, but when you have a family in tow, good toilets and showers make for a much nicer experience. The accolades these guys have collected are pretty impressive, they are Visit Wales 5 Star rated, have won every 'Loo of the Year' award since the 12th century, have won several Campsite of the Year awards and a few Wales in Bloom awards for the attractive landscaping and floral touches (all the waste and water areas have a trellis surround with climbing roses hiding the plastic bins).

We set up camp in a quiet but very soggy area of the Meadow. Although the weekend was hot and sunny, the ground was very waterlogged and some areas of the closely cut lawns looked more like Ypres than South Wales. Quite a few people were getting stuck, making the ruts and mud even worse, but we had big tyres and 4WD and this combo didn't make the slightest impression on the ground.

At around lunchtime, Aaron said he couldn't eat his lunch because his loose front tooth had turned around and was facing the wrong way. After a few minutes, he plucked up the courage and let me pull it out - he must have been pretty hungry!

We cooked on the Grilliput and our Cadac Safari Chef combo and slept comfortably on a big fat airbed. As the meadow was 'the scene of many a bloody battle', we expected a disturbed night, but it was pretty uneventful apart from Aaron managing to wriggle out of his sleeping bag and waking in the early hours shivering.

Next morning, we checked out the facilities and showered to piped classical music. They also have family bathrooms, the usual washing up and food prep areas, laundry, drying room and an information room full of stuff to help you make the most of your time there. There is a funky little play area and a red deer enclosure for the kids. Everything is immaculate, even the bike and boot wash areas.

All of this loveliness comes at a price though - some quick mental arithmetic - £35.00 a night for Sarah, myself and the three boys. ~~That is pretty steep for a campsite IMHO~~ (It looks like that is pretty average after all - see comments). But it can't be cheap maintaining Pencelli Castle to such high standards and I didn't see an Aston Martin parked in the owners driveway.

We packed up after lunch and went for a stroll along the canal to Talybont on Usk (good pubs and food) and then drove the long way home up through the mountains via Talybont Reservoir, Taf Fechan and Pontsticill. We stopped for a Miss Whippy (ice cream ;) and watched the Brecon Mountain Railway steam engine puff through the hills.

One last stop off to walk across the 92 foot high Pontsarn viaduct just north of Merthyr Tydfil and it was onto the Heads of the Valleys road and back to sunny Swansea to dry out the dew soaked tent.

Wonderful weekend :)

Name that hill...

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 07:40:00 +0000

Anyone know what this ridge is?

No prizes I'm afraid, just kudos :)

A clue, it's not Welsh.

UPDATE

Simon R spotted it - It's the 'Great Ridge' in the Peak District running from Mam Tor to Lose Hill. It's a great walk if you want to introduce someone to hillwalking - 5 miles there and back, a pretty easy stroll but with fantastic views of Castleton on one side (including Willy Wonkas Chocolate Factory) and Edale and the Dark Peak on the other.

Well done Simon!

Soulpads

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Cowell) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:41:00 +0000

I came across these guys when I was researching the Lavvu and again recently when I was reading the glamping bible, 'The Happy Campers'.

If you are going to car camp with your family, take a look at their tents, stoves and general hippy dippyness.

With 4 metre canvas bell tents (sorry, Soulpad) starting at around £250, you can be the envy of the campsite/festival wherever you go.

They have a lightweight version that the bushcraft community are apparently starting to get interested in, weighing in at a svelte 31 lbs ;)

The one issue I have with cotton/canvas tents is that when it rains on packing-up-camp day (and it always does), they are a bugger to dry out and will start to rot within moments of throwing them in the boot of the car. Soulpad recommend pitching your wet tent as soon as you get home and leaving it up until you have a sunny day.

Could be up for a while then.

Anyway, I want one :)