Pages

Friday, 25 July 2014

Another trip out to Belstone

After the summer solstice bivi on the hill with The Lad, I returned for a quick solo trip one very hot summer's evening.

Leaving home at 1845, I was walking out of Belstone within the hour, pleased to find it a lot cooler there than it had been at home. Leaving the car, the temperature gauge was showing 30 C but at the top of Belstone Tor there was a very pleasant cooling breeze.


Despite this being a beautiful still evening there was only one other walker out, who soon turned back. I continued walking until about 2145, then I started looming for somewhere to set up camp.


Finding a comfortable spot took a while due to the boulders,, but one of the great things about bivi bags is, of course, that they need very little room. Setting up camp took at least twenty seconds after which it was time to get the stove on for tea.Tonight's meal was a Adventure Foods Cashew Nasi. So, pan on my cat food can food stove and we are good to go, head torch and bug head net on as the light fades and the bugs begin to bite.



During the night, the broth bit back as I awoke desperate for the loo. Again, bivi bags have a great advantage here as there are no zips to deal with. Despite the annoyance of waking in the middle of the night, being able to drink in the majesty of the night sky in its full glory, miles away from the city lights is one I will never tire of. A truly spectacular sight.

The morning view was not too bad either.

Time to air things 
Then time for a quick brew

Before packing up and heading home. 
Another great #microadventure.

Sunday, 29 June 2014

Summer Solstice 2014

Saturday had dawned bright and sunny. The bags were packed and ready to go. One for Dad and one for Lad. It was time for a microadventure.

We waited until the end of the afternoon, then headed north to Dartmoor for The Lad's first experience of microadevnturing.  




.

Standard equipment for any microadvanture is, of course, a luxury item. 

I opted for a pillow. 


The Lad opted for a lightsabre.

 The Force is strong in this one as he leads the way.
After some time The Lad decided he needed to be more nimble. 

I acquire his bag to carry as well as mine. 

All is well. I get to carry the extra weight, but I also get to have a go with the lightsabre. 
Great rocks block our path, but The Lad leads us successfully through the boulder field.
The sky shows a lot more blue than it did a year ago.
Eventually, well after normal bed time, The Lad finds his home for the night.
 And the sun starts to set




So, the longest day ends and the shortest night begins 
Next day, we are up just after 5am. It is time to read while sitting on a rock.
 Our bed for the night. PADI SCUBA divers are taught "take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but bubbles". We leave nothing but slightly trampled grass. 

 As the new day dawns, The Lad heads up the next hill

 A-haaaaaaaa!





 An interesting addition to a dry stone wall
 The road leads us back to Belstone
Fueled by M&M's, the breakfast of choice.


A fitting end to our little adventure.
Refreshed, thrilled and invigorated with the spirit of microadventure.
The next one is already being planned.

Friday, 20 June 2014

The route

The forecast is looking good

Tomorrow is the longest day of the year. The forecast is looking good, just a little bit different to last year's event.

So tomorrow we pack our bags, then late afternoon we head north to the moor.

Thursday, 19 June 2014

A Dad and Lad Microadventure

Exactly 363 days ago today,  I spent the night on Dartmoor in my bivy bag. It was windy, overcast and rained a lot. The following morning, at first light, I was awoken by a sheep sniffing around me; doubtless trying to work out what I was.

A miserable night, but a great little adventure.


In two days time, I am bound for a night on the moor once again. The forecast currently looks good and my boy's coming with me for a Dad and Lad #microadventure.


Can't wait.

Saturday, 21 December 2013

Rain stopped play

The Winter Solstice microadventure did not happen. Rain, rain and more rain.  There are many things I would like Santa to bring, but hypothermia is not one of them. 


'Til next time then

Saturday, 14 December 2013

Winter Solstice 2013

Next weekend, we will be heading to Leeds for a few days leading up to the Crhsitmas holiday. To celebrate the shortest day of the year, I plan to sleep out on Ilkey Moor for the night of the winter solstice.










I will not be "bar tat",