Lancaster
More rain so it was a day for a coffee and walking on the Lancaster city trail.
Lancaster Castle
Roman Baths
coffee
Walking today – Craigellachie National Nature Reserve Aviemore
With the weather forecast for the day being reasonably good, I decided not to waste any time driving but set off to Craigellachie National Nature Reserve – with a plan to go up onto the ridge and walk along the top.
The weather was great and relatively warm (for January in the Cairngorms), I did not need my gloves, hat or jumper nor did I need to zip my coat up until I got out into the wind on the exposed ridge and summits. One thing I did have on though was the new Helly Hansen Lifa Dry base layer Diana bought me – and it was excellent, it kept me warm, was comfortable to wear and did not absorb any sweat when I was warm so when I did need the insulation on the top, it worked.
Have you ever wondered who puts the rock steps in the footpaths? Well I met two of them today.
Rather than get my stove out to make a coffee, I took hot water in a thermal mug, for the first stop. I had a number Octagon Technology emails and texts to deal with – if there is one problem with the titanium mug I normally use is that on a longer break, like this one, the drink would get cold too quickly. But not when using a thermal mug. I had packed it for this trip having recently read a blog of a backpacker who used one to keep water hot for his late night hot chocolate. He boiled the water when he made his evening meal so it meant he could pack his stove and pots away for the night and still have a hot drink later. I bought my thermal mug a number of years ago but it has had little use but I am going to try it out on this trip and if it works out I may pack it for subsequent trips.
Lunch
Lunch was soup and crackers. I really like the “Squeeze and Stir” tomato soup but I have found it difficult to stir in and dissolve all the paste when I have been making it for lunch when walking and backpacking. I tend to use cup-a-soups which are really easy to make on the trail. But today I had a thermal mug. I put the paste in the mug and half filled it with boiling water. Then making sure the lid was on firmly I vigorously shook it. After about a minute I topped the mug up with more boiling water and I had perfect tomato soup – and once I was finished no messy mug to clean up, I just put the lid back on and packed it away.
click on the above image for a larger version
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Sunday morning walk
I got out for an early morning walk today – rather then heading towards the Witham, I went out through the village, across the fields towards Waddington.
I packed my breakfast, some of the cold roast pork, from last night’s dinner, crackers, some dried mango and pineapple. I took my meths stove, titanium mug and lid and brewed some fresh coffee when I stopped. The dried fruit was something new I was trying – I bought it because it looked the right size and weight for breakfast when I am backpacking.
The label said it had nothing added, so the pineapple and mango bits looked a little odd, were very dry, but tasted great. So it looks like breakfasts in future will be Pop Tarts and Bear Fruit.
I found a wall to sit on – and because it was damp and cold, my hat was useful insulation
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My job really is drinking coffee
I have spent today drinking coffee – and having meetings.
Tomorrow the plan is much the same but in London so the photos should be more interesting.
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Backpacking coffee machine
I saw the ultimate backpacking coffee machine today in Truro.
It comes with your own personal barista who, I am sure, would drive it along behind you as you walk! So not adding any extra weight to your backpack.
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Walking – The Viking Way
With the end if the summer camping season rapidly approaching, and with the next two weekends booked with a server change over for a client, I have planned a short backing trip to the regular Camping and Caravan Club site near Woodhall Spa using the Viking Way.
This is also a busy weekend as I have to finish a proposal for a client to provide an integrated email solution between an office in the UK and locations in Southern Africa both in the cities and in more remote places – so using our cloud server I am planning to work that this evening on my iPhone.
morning coffee at the ruins of Barlings Abbey
The Viking Way
This sign is not as accurate as it could be – it looks like the path follows the line of the hedge, when actually the path is marked and heads across the middle of the field.
the sign is at the junction shown in the map clip as you approach the abbey ruins from Fiskerton
the path is very distinct when looking back
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More Peak District
We got the tents down this morning and managed to eat our breakfast outside before the rain came along.
Today’s plan was to get some photos and a coffee before heading home. We got the tea, coffee and Derbyshire Oatcakes with bacon at Stocks Cafe, Chapel-en-le-Frith. I’d recommend a visit there to anyone.
Why Stocks Cafe? Here is the answer.
We moved on from there to Blue John Cavern and Edale.
There was a living roof on the Visitor Centre in Edale.
The Kinder Trespass started from Edale in 1932.
click on the above image for a larger version
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