Since my last update, and I bought all my walking kit, I've been on a couple of walks with John. The first being across a frosty Ilkley Moore with the intention or seeing the sunrise however it was a bit disappointing as it was over cast. Still it was good fun leaving the house at 6:30AM and getting there in the darkness, was good to get out and about in the early hours for once. If I could get my sleeping pattern in order I'd like it to become the norm. Anyway that walk was great the boots were brilliant with no rubbing or anything of that nature so I was very  impressed.

Due to the temperature all the mud was frozen barring some patches so I didn't really get them muddy. A few days later and we went to Penn-y-ghent. It was cold, frosty and windy - brilliant fun! We had a chat with one couple who we then bumped into near where the car was parked they were very nice. There is a n interesting scramble that we climbed which was great fun - although a lady on the path thought we were lost and pointed out where the path was.

Again the ground was frozen and with John carrying an injury that was getting worse with the decent we didn't go across the bogs to hull-pot and instead went back to the car. Ironically my boots were clean once again. In-fact so far the muddiest they have been was after a walk home from the pub in Rothwell last night which I crossed a farmers field in which the farmer had helpfully ploughed and planted over the public footpath. 

All in all the gear was a great success and worth every penny! 

Well with the sales kicking in I went to a local outdoor activity store and bough all the kit I should need for the walking I want to do in the coming couple of years. I have bought a number of fleeces, a new coat, new waterproof over trousers, new trousers, gaiters, boots and a host of other bits and pieces.

I'm going on a short walk across Ilkley moor tomorrow with John to break the boots in a bit but first indications are they should be a happy walking companion! 

Hello every(any)one!

In less than half an hour Christmas Day 2008 will be finished and yet again it's felt different.  For me Christmas Day is still a great time, full of the joys of spending a day with my Mum, Dad and Sister with the pleasures of presents, Bacon Sandwich and Bucks Fizz for Breakfast/Early Lunch and then a Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings in the evening plus hours of movies and TV.  It has, however, changed over the last few years as I have matured from being a child to being 'an adult'.

It's no longer all about getting presents but much more about the people that I spend it with, as well as the events and people I see at this time of year.  I love this time of year.

I do have to say I'm a little disappointed about the number of text messages that I sent that were returned, specially by some of my closer friends..hint hint...but never mind I suppose today people can quite easily be busier than usual.

Anyway I don't want to 'waste' too much time writing here when I should be out being festive so I will leave this post with the most obvious final two words...

MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

Well it started out to be rather promising however from preliminary listening the show is no where near as good as it was the last time round. I'm going to have to see what I can get when I play around with the original recording but with too many people plus a rather large amount of alcohol consumption I think quality suffered.

 Watch this space for news. 

Today, having had a busy busy week last week with it being the last week of the uni term and not really stopping all weekend with work work, I decided to have a bit of a day off. I jumped on my bike and went to visit a good friend of mine a good 3 or 4 miles away. I then cycled back in the dark with only my cycle light and a head torch to guide me along the canal although I did have my 4D and my new AA Maglite LED.

Now a while ago I was looking at buying some lights for my bike and they were all about £100, if not more. However when I gave the LED maglite a go, that cose me about £16, it was great lit things up really well. So I think I'll buy a couple and strap them to my bike or helmet some how...money saved!

I also walked home from the pub which was chilly!