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34 Applehead Island, Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657 US Horseshoe Bay, Kingsland, Sunrise Beach Home for Sale
34 Applehead Island, Horseshoe Bay, Texas
Luxury Waterfront Home on Applehead Isladn
Property Details
Listing Information
- Bedrooms: 4
- Baths: 4
- Partial Baths: 1
- Lot Size: 0.26
- Style: Traditional
- Garage: 2 Car+
- Heat Source: Electric
- Schools: Llano
- Taxes: $2
More Information
Property Description
This custom built home is situated on Lake LBJ in the unique and exclusive gated community of Applehead Island in Horseshoe Bay. Enjoy waterfront living at its finest with three outdoor patios, two upstairs and one down, great room with fireplace and vaulted ceiling open to two dining areas, kitchen and wet bar. The kitchen and wet bar have granite counter tops and stone work to bring a natural look into the living areas. Also, on the main floor is the spacious master suite with patio access, a large walk in closet, jetted tub, beautiful glass shower and double vanity. Off the elegant entry is an office/study. The second story features two bedrooms, each with private bath access and a large media room with kitchenette all open up to the downstairs living area. A third bedroom with access to a full bath is on the main floor. Details such as rich hardwood flooring, travertine, crown molding, coffered ceilings, and niches make this home a spectacular full time luxury residence or vacation home retreat to escape to lake living in the Hill Country. All this complete with amenities such as a gated community, 24 hour security, community pool, tennis courts, and much more. Furnishings to convey with a few exceptions. Boat & 2 Wave Runners to convey with sale of property.
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Property information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be verified.
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Wisconsin's trout season is closed. We are fishing and guiding over in Iowa.
Rain, mainly before noon. High near 59. Breezy, with a southwest wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Looks like crummy and chilly weather until Mid Week. Then things get comfortable and quite good again.
Look for olive hatches mid day. Hopper and Droppers are still working but things are starting to turn more subsurface before the olives as the frosts and cold nights are starting to kill off the terrestrial population.
Do not overlook leeches this time of year!
Remember, TROUT SEASON IN WISCONSIN IS CLOSED. THIS IS A REPORT FOR IOWA AND THE MINNESOTA STATE PARK LANDS

subset: commoncrawl


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Dear Dr. Scott Ringler,
I absolutely love the Warrior P.T.
program, it is exactly what I was looking for to step up my workout to
the next level and beyond. Having played sports all my life and
being taught and trained in the "old school" weight training
regiments, this program was just what my body and mind needed.
After reading the book and viewing the video I did one of the novice
workouts suggested in the back. The Hindu push-ups gave a workout 100 times better than any traditional
weight lifting workout. I kid you not, I could feel my body
responding in just one workout, my legs, chest, shoulders and
abs were worked out like they had never been before, absolutely
amazing. And all the other secrets that you reveal, like the
steel stomach technique and the animal cardio are just absolutely
The Warrior P.T. program has changed the way I workout
and is getting me in the best shape of my life and I can't Thank You
Richard Wallen
[ Close


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Hallandale Beach commissioners find favor with proposed plastic straw ban
Proposed ordinance unanimously passes in first reading
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Hallandale Beach is one step closer to prohibiting plastic straws in the city.
City commissioners voted 5-0 Wednesday evening in favor of a proposed ordinance that would make the "distribution, sale or use of plastic beverage straws" illegal.
Commissioner Richard Dally, who sponsored the proposal, said the measure "should be a building block toward making our city more green and more of a leader on environmental issues."
City resident Etty Sims spoke in favor of reducing the use of plastic straws during the public comments portion of Wednesday's commission meeting. Sims said she often finds plastic straws in the sand during beach cleanups in the city and asked commissioners whether they drink with straws when they're at home.
"Why do you think you need to do this then when you go to a restaurant?" she asked. "Next time you go out, order your drink without a straw."
Sims pitched the idea of using stainless steel straws as a necessary alternative when drinking milkshakes, for example.
Buddy Sparrow also pleaded with commissioners to vote for the proposal.
Sparrow, who lives in Boca Raton, said he had a crazy idea to buy thousands of paper straws that he brought to all the restaurants on Deerfield Beach Island. The environmental crusader praised the proposed law because it includes distributors instead of just restaurants.
Under the proposal, violators could face fines starting at $100.
Sparrow believes the penalties should be higher.
"I don't think 100 bucks is enough to convince a corporation," he said.
Sparrow said the actions of Hallandale Beach could lead to bans on plastic straws throughout the state.
However, Commissioner Michele Lazarow cautioned that the state legislature routinely stalls the city's environmental efforts.
"I wouldn't say it's going statewide," Lazarow said.
City Attorney Jennifer Merino agreed, saying the state could intervene.
"I hope I'm wrong, but I do see this being preempted," Lazarow said.
After the vote, Dally asked to defer the next reading until December to give him time to meet with stakeholders about implementing the law "without hurting them as much as possible."
Dally then thanked the other commissioners for sharing his vision on reducing waste in the city.
"This is about the future, and I'm happy that everyone voted for this," he said.
Commissioners agreed to to defer the next reading until Sept. 5 to give Dally a month to speak with business owners.
Copyright 2018 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.


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Draft Finance Bill 2018/19 included several anti-avoidance measures – this article highlights two key points.
EU Mandatory Disclosure Rules
Draft Finance Bill 2018/19 includes enabling clauses to provide for the EU Mandatory Disclosure Rules (MDR) to be enacted in domestic legislation by the end of 2019. These clauses were expected but the real detail of how the UK intends to implement EU MDR will be in secondary legislation which will be subject to consultation during 2019. There remains a lack of clarity around the Directive itself, which has the potential to be extremely broad, and how the UK will interpret it. In particular, the interaction between the EU regime and our domestic disclosure regime (DoTAS), remains unclear. It does, however, make it clear that Brexit is not expected to affect the timeline, at least for now.
Tax avoidance involving profit fragmentation
This targeted legislation aims to prevent UK businesses from avoiding UK tax by arranging for their UK-taxable business profits to accrue to entities resident in territories where significantly lower tax is paid than in the UK. The rules will commence with effect from April 2019 and will apply to an individual or a company carrying on a business within the charge to UK taxation, including in partnership.
The legislation contains a number of detailed provisions that will require careful consideration against individual fact patterns. However, broadly the rules will apply where:
Tax mismatches and the enjoyment conditions are specifically defined under the rules.
Where the rules apply arrangements must be counteracted by making adjustments that are just and reasonable. Furthermore, where conditions (a), (b), (d) and (e) above are met there will be a requirement for affected parties to notify HMRC of the arrangements.
For further information please contact:
Sharon Baynham
Paul Harden
Request for proposal


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Bolsa is your practical shoulder bag featuring a cork strap, zippered main compartment and two separate outer zip pockets which are so handy to contain those small items that seem to always vanish into the depths.
Hand made in Portugal with Eco friendly cork which is very soft, flexible, durable and with a natural water repellency.
No trees were harmed in the making of your bag.Please note: Cork is a living product where naturally occurring variations are present. Images are as close a representation as possible however grain variations will occur in your individual hand crafted item.
Ships from Queensland Australia and dispatched within 1 - 2 working days.


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Our Mandate
Having been commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ to preach the Gospel "unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Mt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8) we will by God's grace strive to evangelize our immediate area and prayerfully partner with missionaries and church planters through the proven and effective Faith Promise plan to reach beyond our area. We enjoy hosting an annual Missions Sunday/Month that includes guest missionaries and church planters.
Some of Our Partners
Some of our Local Outreach Opportunities
- Groton Outreach is a systematic outreach program. Our goal on Saturdays from 10-noon is to go from house-to-house with Gospel literature, a Gospel witness, including a friendly invitation to church.
- Prison Ministry is at the Federal Medical Center in Ayer, MA. FBC is permitted to conduct a chapel service on the premises for one hour on the second Monday night of each month. We look forward to singing Gospel hymns, prayer time, and teaching a Bible lesson.
- Grotonfest an annual town event that sponsors profit and non-profit organizations including churches for an entire day in September. We are given a 12′ x 12′ space to display our ministry. Grotonfest lends an opportunity to meet the public, to present our church and ministries to hundreds of townies, and to give-away Gospel literature including small gifts.


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Has Dr. Martin Luther King message lived on? Many years ago something tragic happened and that tragic event gave birth to a flood of awakening and opportunities that have changed the world.
From the hallway, I could hear the muffled sound of the TV in the other room. Curiosity pulled me into that room to find my mother watching our old black and white set. I glanced at the set where I saw a man I didn't recognize speaking in a way that commanded my attention. As compelling as this man was, there was something else going on in that room that had an even stronger pull… my mother. Looking over at my mom I saw her dislodge her glasses upwards as she wiped a steady stream of tears from her eyes. I had seen my mother cry many times. To be honest at that point in our lives there seemed to be an abundance of reasons for my mom to be in tears, but this was different.
As a ten-year-old boy seeing my mother cry was something that always disturbed me. I walked over, put my hand on my mom's shoulder and in an attempt to comfort her I asked what was wrong. Looking up at me, she tried to smile but it wasn't really working. She stumbled for words and pointed at the TV saying: "He's dead?" I looked back at the set and the powerful charismatic presence of Martin Luther King Jr. rang out like a bell in the fog.
As a boy living in a ghetto environment of a dirty industrial town, I had no idea why my mother would be crying about a man I didn't think I'd ever seen before. I didn't recognize him as a movie star, a pop star or even a politician. Why was she crying? In my boyish naivety, I asked, "who is this man?" My mom said; "that's Martin Luther King, someone shot him." I was still puzzled. My mom continued through a flood of tears and said; "He was a great man, and now he's dead".
I became fascinated with finding out who this man had been. I asked my uncle who I considered to be the smartest person I knew and he told me of Martin Luther King's fight for civil rights; how Dr. King had followed Gandhi's model of peaceful demonstrations. He told me of all the people black and white people alike who had stood by Dr. King's side for the civil rights of all people.
April 4th 1968 was the day I not only became politically aware, it was the day something within my very soul was awakened. I began to grasp the difference this man had made, the impact he had left as a legacy, not just for black people but for all people. That day I began to understand that one person can make a massive positive difference. That day as a naive 10-year-old I decided that I wanted to have the same kind of massively powerful impact on humanity that Dr. King had had on humanity, including my mother a Jewish woman living in a place that might have been a million miles away.
I, of course, had no idea how I could make that difference; and to be honest, it seemed impossible based on the "facts" of who I was and the environment that surrounded me. I just knew that day that something within me had changed and it would never be the same.
Many people have seen Dr. King's message as a message about freedom for black people. To me, his message was much deeper than color or creed. It was about the understanding that we are all the same, that at a soul level we are all on a journey, and it's important to remove the blocks to our spiritual, mental, and emotional evolution. Although we may perceive those blocks as being outside ourselves, the truth is that they would all instantly disappear if we would commit to removing the ones on the inside.
Something tragic happened, a great man, a man who will remain a giant, died. Sadly as I write this I still see many of the injustices he fought against pervasive in our society. However, that tragic event gave birth to a flood of awakening and opportunities that have changed the world.
Even in today's political climate Dr. King's message is, I believe, even stronger today than it was in the 60's. I believe it is the strength of our heart's desire to become the magnificent beings we were born to be that keeps taking this world, (despite what the media feeds us), to a place of knowing that we are all one. Nothing, and I mean nothing, can separate us from the truth of who we truly are… A gift!
Remember this always: There is "Deep Greatness" born into you, and when you are truly willing to know it, you will become the gift to THE world that you were born to be.
Okay, it's Your Turn:
- Do you believe we've lost touch with the values Dr. Martin Luther King put forward, or are they now stronger than ever?
- Who was your catalyst to lead and why?
Long live Dr. Martin Luther King, in all our hearts, minds, and actions.
I trust that you found this article valuable. If so feel free to send this to your friends. I eagerly anticipate your feedback and comments. Please share, like and comment below!
With gratitude,
One of the questions I'm most often asked is; What authentic leadership is and how do we define it?
As a result, with years of experience and extensive requests and research I have created The Authentic Leadership Matrix. It splits what leadership is into five separate categories. The Authentic Leadership Matrix is designed to give you a way to have a clear view of how you perform in each of the five main areas that are required for you to become a world class authentic leader. The program takes you through each of the five categories in a simple manner with yes or no questions. https://matrix.fullmontyleadership.com
With gratitude, Dov…
I also write for Entrepreneur.com:
- Is There Life After Success(ion)?
- Why 47 Percent of Your Best People Are Ready to Leave — and What You Can Do About It
- The 11 Questions Emotionally Intelligent Leaders Ask Themselves
- Why Being a Self-Aware Leader Is Not Enough
- Unlocking 'the 4 Cs' to Create a Fiercely Loyal Corporate Culture
"In 2015, Dov Baron was cited by Inc Magazine as one of the Top 100 Leadership Speaker to book for your next conference! He speaks internationally and is The Leading Authority on Next-Gen Authentic Leadership and creating a Culture of Fiercely Loyal Leaders. FullMontyLeadership.com
Dov on Twitter | Dov on Facebook | Dov on Youtube
P.S. To get your hands on Dov Baron's new book "Fiercely Loyal" How High Performing Companies Develop and Retain Top Talent, go take a look here https://fiercelyloyalbook.com and get your FREE: How to instantly bond any team infographic"


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A choice of successful enterprises in Raplamaa
Video clips made under the project "Successful enterprises in Rapla County"
Managed by Rapla County Development Centre
Produced by Purk Stuudio
Financed by LEADER - Raplamaa Partnership, Rapla County Development Centre.
You are most welcome to use these videos and photos to promote Raplamaa business and living environment.
Any reproduction of these videos and photos is prohibited without the permission of the website owner.


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This listing is for a pair of 3D printed stands for the MPC live sequencer. The side of the stand that faces the back of the MPC measures 8.38", and has a tilt angle of 15 degrees.
Each pair of stands comes with the box for storage, rubber feet, sticker, and a 3D printed figurine
- Finish: Black


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Contract Win Brings Sea Trucks to the Arctic
Sea Trucks Group announced it has been awarded a contract from Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering for the provision of an accommodation vessel for the Arkutun-Dagi Project operated by Exxon Neftegas Limited in Sakhalin, Russia.
Sea Truck's Jascon 25 vessel will be used for the project, which is expected to commence in Q2 2014 for a duration of 120 days, with options to extend the contract up to 90 days. The capacity of the vessel will be increased with modular accommodation units to accommodate up to 595 people on board.


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A 4-day tripartite workshop on strengthening the capacity of social partners for participation in social dialogue at sectoral and national levels has been officially opened in Harare.
The workshop opened amid calls for capacity building and empowerment of all industrial and labour relations parties as the basis of effective participation in the social dialogue process.
African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC) Acting Director, Dr Locary Hlabanu said there is need to establish a new culture of interaction between governments, business and organised labour in order to provide an avenue for proactive and routine dialogue which will promote industrial peace and harmony at the workplace.
Representing the Kenyan Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Lucy Chelimo and Jackson Nyagaka said there is need for efficient industrial relations practice at the workplace and this requires deeper understanding of issues among government officials, employers and labour.
Participating countries are Botswana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.


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Issue 19
Oil & Gas
- Lebanon Bidding Risks Stalling Amid Major Pullback
- BP's WND Starts Up
- Oil Firms Experience Mixed Start To 2017 In Iraqi Kurdistan
- Iraqi Coffers Reap Reward Of Higher Oil Prices
- Qatar Vs Australia: LNG Supplies To 'Big 3' East Asian Importers (Mn T)
- Germany Q1 Crude Imports: Libya Boost Raises Opec Share
Refining & Petrochemicals
- Pearl GTL: Shell Bullish But Gasifier Worries Linger
- Jordan: Zarqa Expansion
- Oil Price Rebound Boosts Saudi Petchems Sector, Sabic Touts Restructuring Benefit
Power & Water
- US Forecasts Up Again But Firms Wary Of Rising Costs
- April Rig Count: Algeria Drilling Hits 34-Year High, Qatar Equals Record
Geopolitical Risk
Economics & Finance
- Libya Wins $1bn From SocGen, But Cases Highlight Shambolic Economic Governance
- Libya Investment Authority: A History Of Legal Wrangles
- Gulf Banking Ripe For Takeover Spree
- Saudi Revenues Double In Q1
Selected Data
- Crude Official Selling Prices ($/B)
- Saudi Aramco Contract Prices For Lpg Exports ($/T)
- Benchmark Crude Prices ($/B)
- Egypt Gas Output (Mn Cfd): Post Revolution Collapse, And Nascent Rebound. Output Hits 2-Yr High Of 4.44bn Cfd In March With More To Come (See P3). Med Share (38% For Q1) Has Halved Over The Past 5 Years


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Call Morgantownâs newest Subdivision âFieldstoneâ-HOME! This gated community just a half mile off I-79 and minutes from the tri-cities of Morgantown, Fairmont, and Clarksburg boasts breathtaking views, underground utilities, and your dream home using your plans or one of our outstanding designs! Whether you are traveling ten minutes to Morgantown or twenty five minutes to Clarksburgâ You will love calling Fieldstone Home. Lots are going fast, reserve yours today! Dave Vitez Builder/Developer since 1990!
Make an Offer for Lot 10 Rockwell Court
Are you a Buyer or an Agent?


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How Should you fold your next brochure?
Creative folding techniques not only demand attention but can also entice the reader to open and read your marketing piece. While most people think about the common half-fold and tri-fold techniques used on brochures and pamphlets, we have many creative folding options available that can help your marketing piece stand apart from the competition. Listed below are a few of our favorite creative folding options:
• A single-gate fold means the paper is folded inwards on both sides, meeting in the middle, to create six panels (three panels on the front and three panels on the back).
• A double-gate fold involves folding the paper inwards on the left and right side, meeting in the middle, and then folding it again at the center, creating eight panels (four panels on the front and four panels on the back).
• A Z-fold involves folding the paper in thirds, in a zig-zag pattern. A brochure with a Z-fold will open like an accordion in the shape of the letter Z.
• A double-parallel fold means the paper is folded in half twice, in the same (parallel) direction, which creates eight panels (four in the front and four in the back).
• Accordion folds can be ideal for brochures, making each section a different width as "tabs" for product names or services.
Utilizing one of these folds will help your customer interact a little longer with your brochure and leave a lasting impression. With these folds you can design the brochure to lead your customer to more info and to a special offer that can help with tracking the success of your marketing piece. If you have any questions about which folding technique is right for your project, let the MGS team of experts help you craft the perfect brochure that will get your customers engaged.
Until next time…Stay Creative.


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Surprises are priceless
Little things can go a long way, especially surprises. People treasure the experiences that punctuate the monotony of daily life. The unexpected transforms a small gift into a larger one, and the mundane into excitement. Whether in business or relationships, good surprises are priceless and rarely forgotten.


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Start watching with your public library card or university login
The Young Unknowns
A day-in-the-life of Charlie Fox, a brash young commercial director from a troubled, show-biz family. Accompanied by three friends -- his unhappy girlfriend Paloma, his party-animal buddy Joe, and a vulnerable newcomer, Cassandra -- Charlie rides an emotional rollercoaster all the way from a California dream to a contemporary tragedy.
Winner of Festival Director's Award at Method Fest 2000 (Director Catherine Jelski)
"It is a harrowing experience, anchored by the solid portrayal by young Devon Gummersall." - Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times


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IB ACIO Answer key 2017 All Sets Solutions Sheet, Cut Off Marks Result @mha.nic.in: All the students who were waiting for the IB ACIO's answer key from very long time can check out from the official website of the administration. As per the reports, this answer key is available now on the official website and you all can download it from the website for sure. Also, we are going to update you soon by the more information about the result of IB ACIO.
As per the reports, the answer key for IB ACIO is already out and you all are can download it from the official website. All, you need to do is the follow the given instructions and surely you all are going to get the answer key from the official website. Participants of IB ACIO 2017 Exam can check this page for the IB ACIO II Tier 1 Exam Analysis along with the Asst Central Intelligence Officer Question Paper.
IB ACIO Answer key 2017
The regular updates of IB ACIO II Answer Key will be given by Intelligence Bureau on its official website www.mha.nic.in. Also, we are sure that the result is going to be published soon and all the participants are going to get it for sure. Most of the candidates don't know how to download IB ACIO 15th October Exam Key.
For the ease of those applicants, we have also presented the Simple Steps to download IB ACIO Tier I Answer Key Sheet. You all can download Official IB ACIO II Tier 1 Answer Key 2017 Intelligence Bureau 15th Oct Questions & Answers, Exam Analysis www.mha.nic.in.
How to download IB ACIO official answer key here-
- First of all, you need to login @mha.nic.in
- After that, click on the mha.nic.in and scroll down.
- Find the Latest News scrolling in the Home Page.
- Now, you are going to see the Intelligence Bureau Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade II Tier on site, click on it!
- Now, provide your information and carry on.
- Download the Official IB ACIO II Tier 1 Answer Key 2017.
We are sure that you all are going to get the answer key for sure. Also, after that, you can follow the given instruction and if you have any query then ask us on the comment section.


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Quail Hunting Laws
The Stubble Quail is the only native quail species that can be legally hunted in Victoria. They have dark brown colouration with pale buff markings.
The centre of each feather has a cream stripe, giving the feathers a streaked appearance. The adult Stubble Quail is 18 to 18.5cm in length, with the female (pictured) slightly larger than the male.
Season Bag Limits
Stubble Quail hunting season begins on the first Saturday in April and ends 30 June, inclusive.
The bag limit is a maximum of 20 birds per day.
Equipment Requirements for Stubble Quail Hunting
Hunters are permitted to use shotguns no greater than 12 gauge to hunt Stubble Quail.
Lead shot can be used to hunt Stubble Quail.
Other Stubble Quail Hunting Regulations
It is important that hunters can readily distinguish between Stubble Quail and protected species while hunting.
There is no restriction on the number of gundogs that can be used when hunting Stubble Quail.


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JP Activewear Pilates & Yoga Spiritually Charged Activewear
Our fun, fit JP activewear puff jacket takes you from the studio to the street in style. Lightweight and comfortable, this all-season jacket is easy to care for, just grab and go! Perfect with your favorite JP Activewear leggings or your boyfriend Jeans zip closure along with contrast snap button detail,
Features: hoodie with drawstring closure, zip up front, two zippered hand pockets.
- Size: Sm 0-2, Med 4-6, Large 10-12- Fabrication: 100% Polyester- Care: Machine Wash, cold-delicate, hang to dry
The website use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.Learn More


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Fabrication of Sub-10 nm Metallic Structures via Nanomasking Technique for Plasmonic Enhancement Applications
Date of Graduation
Document Type
Degree Name
Master of Science in Microelectronics-Photonics (MS)
Degree Level
Graduate School
Joseph B. Herzog
Committee Member
Ryan Tian
Second Committee Member
Omar Manasreh
Third Committee Member
Rick Wise
Pure sciences, Applied sciences, Electron-beam lithography, Nanofabrication, Nanogap, Optical enhancement, Plasmonics, Sub-10 nm
One area of nanoscience that has become popular in recent years is the study of optics at the nanoscale. Due to enhanced fabrication techniques, new geometries and improved dimensional resolutions have been allowing the creation of nanostructures for use in this area. Nanoscale geometries cause unique optical effects such as enhancement of the signal's electric field strength at the surface of a substrate. Specifically, structures separated by nanogaps (10 nm and smaller) have been shown to exhibit strong field enhancement within the gaps. This has opened up the potential for surface enhanced spectroscopies, enhanced absorption for photovoltaics, and improved sensing and detection technologies. This work discusses a new fabrication technique to create nanostructures and nanogaps below the resolution limit of the lithography system used, down to sub-10 nm dimensions. This involves a sacrificial mask, and thus has been dubbed the "nanomasking" technique. This technique increases the previously demonstrated capabilities by enabling fabrication of many nanogaps that are below the resolution limit of the lithography system over a wafer-scale area. It also provides the unique ability to create sub-lithography limited nanostructures both with and without adjacent nanogaps. Various geometries have been fabricated using the technique, demonstrating its versatility. Results show promise for the possibility of using nanomasking to create optical enhancement devices. The broad range of fabrication capabilities of the technique may allow it to be useful in many other areas of nanotechnology as well. It makes it easier to fabricate nanostructures across a greater surface area. This is crucial for newly developed nanofabrication methods if they are to benefit future technology or manufacturing processes.
Bauman, S. J. (2015). Fabrication of Sub-10 nm Metallic Structures via Nanomasking Technique for Plasmonic Enhancement Applications. Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/1259


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Pritchett Cartoons
|Editorial cartoons, caricatures and illustrations by John S. Pritchett. Award-winning cartoonist, illustrator and caricaturist offers political cartoons, business cartoons, logo design, drawings and artwork for publication. Click on the "Site Map" icon for more options. 'Not sure where to go from here? Try the slideshows and just let it roll!
All images on this Web site are copyright John S. Pritchett.
For details on usage, purchasing original artwork or commissions,
Please Email Pritchett Or telephone: 808-888-3776


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Due to traffic control, some services may be affected.
Please make sure you have provided the right contact number during purchase; if you receive notice for bus cancellation, please reply the ticket email within 48 hours to request for refund.
Cancelled departures could not be purchased online. If you can complete the payment process, that means the bus is not cancelled at the time.
We will share the latest service update from operators in our facebook page.


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Blog Archives
Vango Tempest 300 Review
Summary first, explanation later!
I really like this tent, I'd give it 4 out of 5. If I gave ratings.
I have had a long history of avoiding Vango tents. The first backpacking tent I ever bought was an Equinox 200. I took it out for a test run; a pole snapped and I discovered that the TBS straps had been stitched the wrong way around -so they locked in the wrong direction!
I sent it back to the shop who returned it to Vango for repairs. It came back 'repaired' I discovered that they had done nothing and it was still as useless as before. I got my money back and bought a Terra Nova Solar 2. This tent was £100 more, 2kg lighter and still in great shape today, 18 years later!
This experience and sleeping in other people's Vangos over the years kept me away from the brand.
Recently I bought equipment for my school's outdoor education program. I needed the full works from tents to maps to boots.
I was wary of Vango for the reasons outlined above but I had seen a lot of people were giving them good reviews. The Tempest 300 is on the Duke of Edinburgh's Award recommended kit list.
I took the plunge and bought some for the school.
I wanted to try the tent so I could iron out any niggles or pitching problems before handing them over to students so I took one from the store on a camping trip with my two children to Kilchoan in Ardnamurchan in Scotland.
The tent went up easily, I skimmed through the instructions in the bag -they seemed fairly sensible and straightforward: Three poles, colour-coded to pole sleeves on the fly. In common with all tunnels, peg one end, pull taut, peg the other end and the guy.
The tent pitched quickly and all in one. The porch groundsheet clipped in and pegged out. Once the tent was up I tightened the peg adjusters and then the TBS2 Tension Bands which prevent sideways movement of the poles adding stiffness.
Over the next three days we experienced bursts of heavy rain and prolonged winds with strong gusts. The tent took everything in its stride. I always left the top of the porch door open and rain never got in. A breeze blew through the tent from the open vent at the back and out of the top vent and porch meaning that there was never a drop of condensation on the inside of the fly -this is a pretty rate thing in these conditions in my experience.
The tent is marketed as a 3 person tent. We used it with three people but two of them were under ten years old. The tent definitely would not fit three full-length (180cm) Thermarests inside, they'd overlap. We used two of these and a 'body shape' Neoair and they just about fit. The porch was fairly generous. We had waterproofs, wellies and a stove and plenty of room to move, put on or take off the waterproofs (one person at a time) in the closed porch. It would have been considerable more cramped with three large backpacks stowed in there. When it is used by the school the space should be OK. Three teenagers will take up a little less room (except for their kit, which will be strewn everywhere!).
Overall I was very impressed with the tent. We had plenty of room, it was definitely strong enough for the wild West-coast Scottish weather and pitched easily. I'm glad I chose that model.
Things I liked:
- Enough headroom and 'foot room'
- Colour-coded, alloy poles (I HATE fibreglass poles! Nasty, bendy rubbish)
- Easy, all-in-one pitching with no faffy adjustments needed
- The list price is reasonable for the quality of tent. (And different retailers discount heavily)
- Good ventilation (Which could be reduced if needed by closing the rear vent)
- Sturdy design put up with wind and heavy rain
- Little touches like the loop on the porch door zip made it easy to grab
- Plenty of pockets inside
Things that could be better:
- Not a 'Three MAN' tent (I'm 1.88m tall -three of me wouldn't fit) Three teenagers would be OK or Two men would have luxury
(March 2015)
Time for another backpacking weekend and another two Quality Mountain Days. I had a long planned trip to Ennerdale in the North-Western Lake District in mind, part of the area I'd not visited before.
On Friday I rushed home from work, threw the ready-to-go backpack into the car and set off for the three hour drive to Cumbria.
Keswick is about 2 hours from home and Ennerdale isn't that far from Keswick, on a map. In terms of Lakeland roads it's another hour.
The plan was to spend Friday night in the Youth Hostel before setting off, up onto the ridge along the Northern edge of the valley, along to the head of the valley and Great Gable and back along the Southern side, finding somewhere to spend the Saturday night.
I parked the car at the car park in the forest and walked the mile or so to the youth hostel in darkness. I soon discovered I was not alone…
The road had a large number of frogs hopping about and so it became necessary to use my torch to prevent me standing on them. Although I never saw what it was, there was also company in the forest to my side. I'd hear the crack of branches and movement within the trees. Despite casting my torch I never saw what was in there.
Arriving at the youth hostel I was greeted by the friendly warden. A Dutchman. We chatted briefly and I tried to impress with the six or so words of Dutch I know. I settled into the shared lounge with a couple of beers and my maps.
The next morning I took advantage of a cooked breakfast before heading out into the hills.I only had to follow the low level track a short way before a break in the trees allowed me easy access to the hills above. I paused for a while on the summit of Red Pike (755m) and took photos and checked the map. From here my route followed the ridge to the south east towards Haystacks, the final resting place of Alfred Wainwright.
Haystacks was crowded, the first time I'd seen more than a single person since I left the youth hostel a few hours earlier.I found a comfortable rock and made my lunch. Tuna and cheese wraps, pretty standard backpacking food for me.
My plan for the afternoon was to continue onward to Green and Great Gable before moving towards Kirk fell and a bed for the evening.
The crowds thinned out again as I walked away from Haystacks. The weather was superb, beautiful blue skies and not cold at all.
I'd never been on Great Gable before and had heard several people extol its virtues. I thought it was okay but nothing amazing. I preferred Kirk Fell, or more accurately the views from it.
There was not a breath of wind and so I decided to pitch my tent in an exposed place on Kirk Fell. It was a four season tent so even if the wind picked up I was confident I'd survive. The spot I chose offered me amazing views of the Scafells.
The night sky was beautifully clear and so I spent a long time out of my tent just looking at the stars and at the head torches I could see on Scafell Pike. Eventually it was too cold to stay out to I retreated to the warmth of my tent and sleeping bag.
The next morning was just as still and clear as the previous and I enjoyed the views while I made breakfast.
After a light breakfast I packed up and continued on towards Pillar and the descent back to the valley and my car.
Hadrian's Wall -West
Last week I began the Hadrian's Wall Path long distance trail with a friend and my two children (aged 6 and 9). The path runs across Northern England following the route of a Roman wall which was built about 2000 years ago to keep the Scots and Picts out of the Roman empire. For several miles sections of the original wall remain, although due to centuries of pilfering stones, not intact.
The route is 84 miles long from Bowness-on-Solway in the West to Wallsend in the East. The route covers urban, rolling pasture and wild uplands along its length.
We began our journey at the Western end hoping to finish off in familiar surroundings of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and a train back home to Bradford. The original plan was to cover about 10-11 miles per day and cover the whole trail in the eight days we had available. Two days into the route we revised our plan and aimed to do the first half at a more leisurely pace. We finished with a train to Newcastle from Bardon Mill (A few miles south of the path).
It became apparent within the first two days that our pace wouldn't allow us to complete the route in the time we had available.
We re-planned with an aim of about 10km (6 miles) per day with plenty of time for resting and enjoying the views.
This trip was Sophie's (6 year old) first backpacking trip. Edward (9 year old) has been backpacking twice before and Mark has completed the Dales Way with me, but many years ago. All four of us carried a pack. Sophie's contained her water bottle, sandals, sleeping bag and cuddly toy. Edward had sleeping bag, mat, clothes, sandals and water bottle. Mark and I shared out the rest including a tent each and two large bags of food to last several days.
The first two days of walking weren't through the most inspiring bits of the country. Some of it was pleasant enough but there were a lot of diversions and footpath closures which meant many miles on roads and tired feet. After Carlisle things improved as more of the route was through fields and countryside.
The kids were enjoying themselves but wondered where the wall was. The western parts were never brick wall, they were earth mounds and ditches with wooden defenses atop them. It wasn't until we reached Banks on the third day we actually saw 'wall' in the form of Hare Hill.
This raised spirits immeasurably and we really felt that the walk was beginning at this point. Soon, our second section of wall was found with a ruined fort just after Banks, towards Bankshead and the camping barn we hoped to stay in – we were keen on showering.
Unfortunately there was no answer at the farm where the camping barn was so after a while spent waiting near the farm we retraced our steps back into Banks and to a campsite.
After Banks the wall seemed to be an almost constant feature with many mile castles and forts to keep us company.
The countryside became more remote-feeling from this point, like we'd taken steps closer to wilderness. The ground was more rugged with craggy hills and rougher grasses rather than cultivated farm land.
The ups and downs began to take their toll on smaller legs and the pace dropped appreciably. We were all glad to reach Greenhead and our bed for the night. The map showed a campsite which had been long abandoned. The youth hostel had thankfully been taken into private ownership by the local hotel and was still open. We were glad of the shower and accommodation that didn't need building. To complete our evening of relaxation we went to the hotel for a delicious and reasonably priced meal. £10 for a main course – The chicken and haggis was superb. The sticky toffee pudding that followed it excellent too! We retired to our beds full and happy.
The next morning we visited the ruins of Thirlwall castle and then the Roman Army Museum.
Up to this point we had been very fortunate with the weather. Winds had been gentle, rain absent and nights mild. Throughout the next day the rain came down. Not especially heavy rain, but constant rain. We were heading for Once brewed and our final night under canvas. When we arrived the ground was sodden and everything we touched turned to mud. Once again we availed ourselves of the local facilities and ate in the Twice Brewed Inn.
After a night of rain and mud we ate the last of the breakfast food we had brought, packed up one final time and walked out to Bardon Mill via the Vindolanda Roman Fort.
Our timing was, by chance, excellent and within fifteen minutes we were on a train heading for Newcastle.
Notes about the trail
As mentioned above the Western end isn't the best. I think I were to do this trail again I'd begin at Carlisle. Its a lot easier to get to and the walking is better East of there. Many of the villages you pass through aren't big enough to support a local shop or pub, this is bad if you're looking to resupply or eat meals as you go. What we did find though is that a lot of the villages have honesty boxes containing soft drinks and snacks so light refreshment is possible as you go.
Places we stayed, ate and drank
Day 1: The highland laddie inn a brief stop for a drink
We slept at the Roman Wall Lodges this was a small campsite with a couple of camping lodges. We could use the (excellent) facilities in the chalet. This campsite was five minutes walk from the pub, the Drovers Rest in Monkhill. Food was served here and it looked good but we had eaten in camp.
Day 2: Cakes and ale Cafe a brief stop for, umm, cake and ale.
Our stop this night was at Stonewalls farm campsite in Laversdale. This was a basic farm site but it had a handy shed containing a kettle and microwave.
Day 3: Reading room cafe, Walton another short stop for cake and a drink. Lovely little cafe next to the village hall.
We made use of an 'honesty box' for a coke which was conveniently half way up the hill on the way to Banks.
The night's accommodation was a campsite in Banks (can't find a link. Its signposted at a house on the side of the road near the village green) We had hoped to stay in the camping barn but couldn't make contact when we arrived.
Day 4: Birdoswald fort for a drink and a cake. House of Meg tearoom lunch stop. We opted for the 'all-day' breakfast. (Served until 1pm). All very tasty except the sausages which were disappointing and cheap. The pub nearest the cafe was shut at lunchtimes but about half a mile away the Samson Inn was open and on the route.
Our overnight accommodation was at Greenhead Youth Hostel (Independently owned). This gave us our first shower of the trip. We ate dinner in the hotel too. Good ale and food with reasonable prices. £10 for chicken breast with haggis -delicious.
We'd expected to stay in the campsite marked on the map but it no longer exists.
Day 5: We had an early lunch in the Roman Army museum cafe at Walltown before continuing on our way to camp at once brewed at Winshields farm. The farm had a tearoom, served breakfast and had a camping barn. We didn't have opportunity to test these.
Not really looking forward to a pasta n sauce dinner sat in a soaking wet tent we went to the twice brewed inn. The inn offered a range of ales and good food. It also had accommodation.
Day 6: Vindolanda this was our final visit on the way to the train. Nice little cafe in the museum.
Backpacking with young children
I thought it might be useful to anyone else considering this sort of undertaking to offer information and suggestions about taking little'uns on multi-day walks.
- Mileage: We found that a plan for 2kmh was about right – this includes rests and meal breaks
- Pack weight: As light as you can! – throughout the trip as my pack got lighter due to food consumption I moved things from theirs to mine to make it easier on them.
- Bed: All of us had a Thermarest type mattress -yes, Karrimats are lighter and probably character building but I wanted peaceful sleep all round!
- Sleeping bags: We used lightweight summer bags and both kids also slept in onesies – these were only used in the tent to keep them clean.
- Footwear: The kids wore walking boots with proper walking socks. We all had sandals for in-camp use.
- Warm wear: Both kids had a fleece jumper and would wear waterproofs as a walking warm layer (Remember: they cool down much easier/faster than adults so wore more clothes as a general rule).
- Water: Make sure they drink it! -We took one of those super concentrated squash bottles where a tiny squirt makes a glass of squash.
They liked to have their own packs because they felt like part of the team, they could also keep their own snacks and water bottles. Edward used an old pack of mine and Sophie used her school bag. As a walking backpack it wasn't ideal as the straps were too close together at the shoulders which meant she needed a hood or similar to stop the straps rubbing her neck. I used this pack because it's pink and she likes it! Sometimes giving in to their irrationalities is worthwhile to keep them happy. Both children took a small soft toy for bed time and a book each.
During the day they took turns (sometimes argued about) at being the leader and going first. The trail is superbly well way-marked with the national trail acorn emblem so route finding was never an issue.
Sophie as group leader finding the acorns.
In order to keep pack weights down we had to be flexible with clothing choices and not to squeamish about repeat-wearing pants!
The waterproof trousers and jackets doubled as a warm layer for the kids along with their jumpers. Edward wore his precious football shirts as his wicking baselayer, Sophie had to make do with standard T shirts. Shorts paired with waterproof trousers make a comfortable and practical set of legwear keeping the wind out but not too sweaty.
On an evening, as soon as the tents were up the boots came off to dry/air and the sandals went on to let hot feet breathe.
Meals: Obviously you know your kids and what they like. Food is fuel on the trail so its important they eat plenty
Breakfast: We had 'red' Alpen (the one with sugar in) mixed with full fat milk powder. Just adding hot or cold water made a delicious, creamy breakfast
Lunches: Tortillas (decent shelf life) with Primula squirty cheese or John West Tuna sachets in a variety of flavours
Dinners: A variety of things including: Uncle Ben's microwave rice packets (add a little water to prevent burning) mixed with a 'Look What We Found' Chili con Carne' (Three rice and one chili to get plenty of carbs) Good old pasta n sauce, Cheap Ramen noodles (BBQ beef flavour) and the best meal… Ainsley Harriot flavoured cous cous, chorizo (chorizo almost always makes it into my pack because its delicious, keeps well without a fridge and its delicious!) and dried apricots.
Snacks and trail food: A bag of dried fruit and nuts, bags of 'Percy pigs' gummy sweets, marshmallows (also added to hot chocolate), jelly cubes.
When we could we'd pop into cafes and have a drink and some cake to keep morale up and support the local economy!
Sub-zero summer in the Cairngorms
I spent an unseasonably cold August Bank holiday wandering the Cairngorm mountains of Scotland. I've been there before, twice. But in winter and from the Northern side where all the skiing is. I'd never really ventured far beyond a few km from the ski station car park. As this part of Scotland is 6 hours away from home by car I need to have a long weekend at least to make a visit feasible. On Thursday morning I loaded the car and set off up the M6 and over the border. By 5pm I was getting out of the car in the Linn of Dee car park and swatting away the infamous midges.
I quickly applied some insect repellent, steeling myself for the airborne plague I would undoubtedly suffer for the next few days. Its rare I get from parking the car to getting on the trail as quickly as I did that day but I didn't fancy getting eaten before leaving the car park.
My route began with a few hundred metres down a forestry track to the edge of the woodland. Out here on the open moor there were no flies, I suspect the breeze had grounded them all. Stopping to put on my gaiters I surveyed my intended route. Uphill, through calf-deep heather towards a little hill called Carn an 'Ic Duibhe. Halfway up the hill was a long and apparently recently erected double fence. The fence had little signs along it at intervals. The signs said 'Caution! Electric Fence'. Hazard number one. There was a sufficient gap at the bottom of the fence to squeeze through without my pack on. I through my walking poles over lay down on my back and shuffled through taking great care to avoid the wires. Reaching back through I pulled on my backpack. Once on the other side I was free to continue my journey.
Puffing and panting up the heathery hillside I was feeling decidedly unfit. I hadn't been backpacking for a few months and had put on about half a stone whilst on holiday. Coupled with the heaviest pack I'd had all year and the toughest terrain I wondered about the wisdom of my plans. After a couple of hours walking I reached my intended stop for the night, a sheltered area just below the summit of Sgor Mor (813m). I'd seen an area on the map just lower than the summit and on the Southern side. I'd hoped it would be protected from the Northerly wind which was blowing in. It is amazing just how much difference a couple of metres makes. Down at my tent it was calm and not too cold. Outside the shelter of the hillock it was breezy and cold.
I prepared my kit for the night and sorted out what I'd have for dinner. It made sense to have the heaviest food first so it was stuffed ricotta and spinach tortellini with meatballs in a tomato sauce. Pudding was a Mars bar.
I popped my head out of the tent to look around and saw a group of deer about 20m from me. As soon as they realised I was there they bounded away over the hill and were never seen again.
I'd brought the harmonica I'd been given for my birthday so I could continue my practicing while I was away. Checking there was no one about to be upset the noise of my terrible playing I played through a few short tunes that I'd learned from my 'harmonica for beginners book'.
Bed time comes early on backpacking trips so I was into my sleeping bag not long after 9pm.
During the night it rained and so in the morning I had to put away the tent wet. This isn't so bad if you're going home but not great if you need to use it again. I checked the map and set off over the brow of the hill Northwards. Today's target was Ben Macdui, the highest mountain in the Cairngorms and the second highest in the UK.
The reason I chose to head over the tops towards Ben Macdui was that in the weeks prior to my visit a 'once in 200 hundred years' flood had knocked out at least one of the footbridges over the river flowing from Glen Derry. Large parts of the footpath had also been damaged.
The route from my campsite to Ben Macdui took me down into Glen Lui towards a bridge over the river. The latest information I'd found on the net was that this bridge was still extant. I could see the water level was still high in the burn but the bridge was still there. I stopped to fill my water bottle from a stream, no large flocks of sheep or people here. The river flowing quickly and clearly over a stony base. -It ticked all the boxes to be drunk without treatment of any sort. As I proceded up Glen Lui I needed to re-cross the river to get on to the hill Sron Riach. My recently purchased map (OL403, 2011 edition) showed a footbridge at NO012951 but I could not find it anywhere. There was no sign of a bridge washed away or damaged by floods either. (Later I noticed on the older version of the map (2004 edition) the bridge is not marked at this point. I wondered if it was an Ordnance Survey 'fingerprint' to identify copying).
Fording the stream with the help of my walking poles I was on my way again, climbing into the mist. There was no footpath from Sron Riach to Ben Macdui either on the ground or the map so I followed the edge over a tricky boulder field to the stream running SW from the mountain. Following this stream to its source I got onto a clear track to the summit.
The summit of Ben Macdui has many stone wind shelters, (perhaps a clue to the prevailing weather up there) a trig point and a view point stone. I could see very little from the summit, certainly none of the peaks listed on the view point stone. After a short while I retraced my steps towards the ruin and the path. I'd taken a bearing from the ruin to the summit on the way up in case I couldn't see it on the way back. I'm glad I did because with all the wind shelters the summit looks similar in all directions when its misty.
Descending towards Loch Etchachan I met a walker coming the other way. We stopped and chatted for a while. He was in shirt sleeves and feeling warm, he expressed surprise and my fastened up coat, hat and gloves. He said he was staying at the bothy below the loch. I had intended to camp near the loch but as I was cold and the weather was not expected to improve I decided to give the bothy a try.
The Hutchinson Memorial Hut (Coire Etchachan Bothy) is a simple stone hut recently refurbished by the Mountain Bothy Association. It has a small entry porch with space to hang a few coats, leave boots and some backpacks and a larger room with a bench along one side and a stove. Bothies are free for anyone to use and are very popular. This was my first night in a UK bothy but I have stayed in similar huts in the Picos, Pyrenees and Sierra de Gredos in Spain.
At the same time as I arrived at the Bothy a young French couple arrived from the opposite direction. Already inside was a German chap whom I'd expected as the man I'd met on the mountain mentioned he was there. We got chatting and worked out how many people were likely to stay in the small hut and thinking at least some of us will need to camp. I didn't mind the thought of camping but I was looking forward to be able to sit and cook indoors.
Eventually there were 7 people and 2 dogs at the bothy, this would have made it more than cosy. The man who'd brought the dogs and the German pitched their tents outside leaving 5 of us to sleep in the hut. We all cooked and ate inside and spent the evening chatting about mountains, veganism, Scottish independence and a variety of other topics. The conversation was helped along by a hip flask of Jura I'd brought along, just for this sort of occasion. Bed time came early and with three of us on the floor and two on the bench we said good night.
The next morning dawned cloudy and cold but not raining and after breakfast I headed back up to Loch Etchachan. Three of the others took the opposite direction, back towards Braemar.
I climbed up to the Loch feeling heavy and unfit, but happy after my enjoyable evening in the bothy. I crossed the stream as it left the loch and headed Northwest towards Loch A'an.
The wind picked up and the rain started and got heavy. I stopped to don waterproof gear and carried on into the wind, descending to the Western edge of Loch A'an. I'd been told that I might see reindeer near to the loch so I kept my eyes open to see them. I saw no reindeer but I did see a couple of tents pitched on the loch shore near to a sandy beach. A beautiful spot, I made a note of it for future use.
My path on the other side of the loch was a steep track up the side of a cascading stream. I stopped to remove the waterproofs before beginning the climb and set off. I made surprisingly good progress up the 250m or so climb to the flat ground at the top. Looking back over the loch to where I'd come from I remembered why I was there. I love being in wild places, hardly a sign of the modern world. For a while even the weather seemed kind. It didn't last.
Waterproofs back on I continued along the path towards the summit of Cairngorm itself. The heaviness returned. I felt slow and unfit once more. Eventually I reached the summit which was marked by a large cairn and a radio transmitter. I took shelter on the southern side of the cairn and made myself some lunch. I had to remove my gloves to prepare my food and by the time I had got them back on they were numb and losing mobility.
I wasn't having the most fun being SO COLD IN AUGUST and thought about my options. I knew the weather wasn't going to be brilliant but this felt like Winter and I wasn't quite equipped for that. I had cold weather gear but I was missing my thick down jacket and winter gloves.
I looked up the weather facts when I got home. When I was sat on Cairngorm it was 1.5°C. The wind was blowing at 25mph and above. This calculates to a wind chill factor of below -5°C!!
It seemed like I had three choices;
-Descend towards the ski stations and work my way around to the car at lower level. -Maybe through Glen Feshie. No. That's too far and I don't have all the route on my map.
-Stick to the plan and head West across the northern edge of the plateau, descending in to the Lairig Ghru. -This was a high level walk using the edge of the plateau as a 'handrail' until I could descend. I was confident in my ability to manage the walk but it didn't seem like a 'fun' trip in the weather.
-Retrace my steps and get back to the bothy where I know I'd be warm again and could dry off -This looked like the most sensible option. I'd be walking with the wind behind me and descending out of it.
Right then. Back to the bothy it was. I packed up, wrapped up and set off. After less than 1km I'd reached the fork in the path; left to the bothy, straight on across the plateau.
At that moment the wind dropped, the rain stopped and the mist lifted. I could see the Northern coires ahead of me and took it as a sign to carry on and not retrace my steps. I pressed on, stopping a while later to remove my waterproof gear once again.
The walking felt easy, over Stob Coire an t-Sneachda, Cairn Lochan each footstep felt good. The views superb. I heard a helicopter below me and looked over the edge of the cliffs to see the search and rescue chopper hovering close to the rock walls before turning and flying away.
The mist returned and a little drizzle but thankfully the wind stayed away. As I approached Lurcher's crag I looked down into the coire I saw a small herd of reindeer. Too far away to photograph but definitely reindeer.
I turned north and climbed over Lurcher's crag looking for a path down off the plateau into the Lairig Ghru. The map showed it as indistinct and I saw no trace on the ground. I checked my distances from summits and points on the map, I was definitely in the right place. Scanning the hillside below I saw a path a little way below me but nothing close by. I made up my own route to join up with the path and made it with no trouble.
The descent was long and tedious. The path was rocky in places, boulder in others, long and occasionally steep. I was very pleased to get down to the river. I refilled my water bottle and set off South into the Lairig Ghru. Seven km to the South of me was another bothy, the Corrour bothy. I had no intention of trying to make it there as my feet were tiring and a bothy in the middle of the Lairig Ghru would be absolutely heaving on a bank holiday Saturday evening.
My map showed some potential camping spots a couple of km away, flat spots on the map -but would they be bogs? I needed a place which was flattish, levelish and with a little breeze to keep the midges down. The first potential spots turned out to be bogs but a spot a little further along, too small to see on the map turned out to fit the bill. It wasn't the most level site (I spent the night sliding down the tent) but it was midge-free and close to water.
The rain began again and the wind picked up. I spent the evening in a very damp tent. Dinner was Super Noodles (I've remembered why I gave up on them as camping food now) and a dehydrated stew which was better than the noodles. A spot of harmonica practice and then bed time again.
The next morning dawned cold and wet and I decided against getting a brew on in favour of a sharp exit. By seven o clock I was on my way to the car. I wanted to get back for about 1pm so I could arrive home before it was too late.
The first two kilometres took me 1 hour as my legs refused to move quickly over the boulders. After the terrain improved my speed picked up and soon I was striding along past Corrour bothy and greeting my first passer-by of the day.
I had chosen to follow the River Dee from its source to the car. This was because It looked good on the map and didn't require me to cross any missing bridges.
The final section of my journey began at the Chests of Dee where the track turned into hard-packed land rover trail back to the car. The final five kilometres flew past but my feet felt worn by the end of them.
The journey complete I dived into the car before the midges realised I was there.
I'd spent three days wandering the cairngorms in the height of summer and had barely seen the legendary pests. It had been close to freezing though and occasionally below.
Mallerstang and Wild Boar Fell (part 2)
From Wild Boar Fell to Baugh Fell
We awoke quite early, the rising sun shining on the back of the tent warming us up nicely. With a mix of dozing and chatting we passed the time until about 8am when Edward finally persuaded me to get a brew on. Breakfast was a sort of Alpen Porage -I always pre-mix the Alpen with sugar and dried milk so it gets stirred into hot water as a quick, warming fix.
After breakfast, while I was doing the necessary camp chores Ed went off to play on the 'beach' next to the tent. Amazing how such a simple thing brings so much pleasure to a small boy.
A while later we were packed up and ready to leave. Retracing our steps to the summit plateau we headed across to the fence line which we followed West then South before descending to Uldale Gill. The going was quite easy, not too boggy but still no paths. Definitely an area to test navigational skills in poor weather. We kept to the right hand bank (Northern) of the gill and contoured across the hillside before tracking around Grain Gill. We followed another fence line down Needlehouse Gill to the farmhouse access road where we stopped for a lunch break.
After a 25 minute rest and a fill of tuna wraps, lumps of cheese and chorizo we were on our way again. We descended to the very young River Rawthey and followed it upstream to Slate gill where we searched for a way up onto Baugh Fell. Near the gill were old quarry workings which made access to the fell quite tricky, unless you fancied climbing crumbly rock faces. I didn't think Ed's mum would approve of such a route so we sought out an easier grassy slope. From the top of Slate Gill we set off on a bearing of (more or less) South which would take us to West Baugh Fell Tarn -our expected home for the night. The walking was heavy going. Tussocky grass and patches of bog all on a reasonably steep hillside. After an hour (which felt like forever) Edward was getting tired and beginning to complain loudly. To distract him from his tired legs I'd ask him a question about Minecraft, a computer game he's obsessed about. "Can you… …make cakes in Minecraft?" "Oh yes Dad, you can…" and so on for a while before remembering he was tired. "Are there… elephants in Minecraft?" Another period of forgetting the ache.
Eventually, after a couple of false horizons, heads of two other people appeared over the hillside. The first people we'd seen since mid-afternoon the day before. They were a couple with a dog out for an afternoon's wander on the moor. They hadn't expected to see anyone else either. We chatted a while about the emptiness of the fells and they expressed surprise that Ed was only six and carrying his own pack. We set up our tent on the shore of the lake while the couple enjoyed the view before setting off, leaving us the fell to ourselves. This time we'd set up the tent with the lake behind us. This was to allow views of the Howgills and of the sunrise and also to keep the porch sheltered from the breeze.
We spent the afternoon lazing in and around the tent, just chatting and playing top trumps (Transformers). An evening meal of roasted vegetable couscous with chorizo and dried apricots, instant soup and Jamaican ginger cake replenished our energy levels.
From certain angles the tarn looked almost like an infinity pool. The area surrounding it was barely above the water and dropped away steeply. Looking out of the tent made it look like we were on top of the world.
Bed time came quite early as I wanted to get a decent early start the next day. We had a train to catch and more importantly, I wanted to get to the pub in time for lunch before the train.
The Sunday morning sunrise shone brightly through the open door of the tent waking me at about 5am. I took a photo, rolled over and tried to get back to sleep. Half sleeping, half shuffling around in my bed I finally gave up at 6.30 and made coffee. After the usual breakfast we packed and were on our way by 8am.
The clear skies had given away to patches of mist and a cloud inversion between us and the Howgills. By the time we set off it was compass work to get us to the trig point at Knoutberry Haw, a handy marker point on the fence line we would follow for the next few hours.
The terrain here was some of the most challenging yet and progress was slow. There were loads of large patches of bog, some of which were alarmingly deep -my walking poles went in an awfully long way! After about three miles of hard work and descent from the fell (and distracting Minecraft conversations) we came to the road. I'd promised Edward that at this point I'd lighten his backpack and he could eat the last remaining cereal bar. Promises kept, we set off towards the pub.
After 2 days of isolation we were all of a sudden back into the busy world. Packs of motorbikes whizzed past. Lycra-clad cyclists slightly-less-than-whizzed past -some looked downright knackered. I checked my watch, we had plenty of time for the extra mile to the Moorcock Inn. Edward was keen to get to the pub as he insisted he would have an adult portion. My wallet longed for the days where he'd be satisfied with a child's portion. We arrived at the pub at 11:40 -twenty minutes before opening time. We took off our packs and sat at an outdoor table enjoying the sun and the views and wondering what we'd be eating.
The pub opened at 12pm on the dot and we were first inside. Half a coke, a pint of the local ale and a menu were ordered. We pored greedily over the delicious sounding choices, settling eventually for a pork and apple burger (Ed) and Lamb Koftas with feta cheese salad (me). We sank into some chairs by the window and relaxed, Edward happy to be finished walking.
The food arrived and was consumed rapidly. I enjoyed mine but was quite jealous of the plump burger with large slab of local cheese which topped it.
Another round of drinks, the bill paid and we shouldered our packs for the final time.
We took the Pennine Bridleway back to the train station as it was slightly shorter and not along the road. I was surprised to find it as it was not marked on my recently purchased OS map of the area. We got to Garsdale station with about 20 minutes to spare, just a little while longer to enjoy the views.
This was my first visit to this area but it has whetted my appetite for more. I've not felt isolation like it anywhere in England. No people, no paths. Definitely my cup of tea.
Wild Boar Fell backpacking
In a couple of hours we'll be on a train to Kirkby Stephen to begin our exploration of Mallerstang and Wild Boar Fell.
The bags are packed and ready. Edward's is 5kg, mine is about 17kg! -but I hope to eat a good chunk of that.
MWIS and the Met Office suggest we'll do fine with the weather this weekend. I hope to be on the train home before we see rain.
Full report with photos after we've returned…
Favourite kit
As with, I guess, most of us who've been backpacking for several years the kit I use has changed a lot since I started. Some of my kit is pretty new but a number of pieces have been with me almost all the way. I thought I'd write a piece about why, year after year, they keep getting put into my backpack.
My first backpacking tent lasted exactly one trip, broke, got returned to the manufacturer who failed to repair it so I got my money back.
After careful research in Trail magazine and TGO and feeling the merchandise in stores I decided to splash £300 on a Terra Nova Solar 2. I can't honestly remember why I chose the Solar 2 over the Voyager but I imagine cost, weight and porch size were the key factors.
A close second was the Vaude Hogan but I found it too short (I'm 6'2″).
The Solar 2 has been with me on two of my three Picos de Europa trips, The Pyrenees and the Sierra de Gredos as well as many UK trips of up to a week. I've been out in hot Spanish summer conditions where I didn't need the fly and in winter where I've needed to clear away the snow. In all these trips I've only had one problem with the tent withstanding the weather.
On the first Picos trip we were camped at Naranjo de Bulnes and a storm blew in, washing away the limited soil. The pegs came out and the porch began flapping about. We decided to pull down the tent and head to the refuge for the night.
Things I like about the tent: its 2.5kg full weight. There are lighter tents but the space in the solar two, especially the porch, mean it's really comfortable to stay in. Pitching is a cinch. My regular camping friend and I have it down so well we can do it after many beers and in the dark! We can easily fit two 70L packs in the porch and still have enough room to cook or get in/out.
My second backpacking tent was a Hilleberg Akto. When I began to backpack solo more frequently I wanted a smaller, lighter tent. Initially I borrowed the Akto from Hilleberg to review for a website I co-ran many years ago. After a while testing the Akto Hilleberg asked for it back but I loved the tent so much I bought it from them (better than paying postage back to Sweden!). My feedback to Hilleberg was very positive, with a few areas for improvement: the zip on the door was straight, a curve at the top or a hood would improve ventilation without letting in the weather. Although I can sit up in the Akto, a few more centimetres wouldn't go amiss.
When they updated the tent I was pleased to see they'd added a canopy to the fly sheet door. They'd also made it a little lighter!
Things I like about the tent: It's so easy to pitch. Even in poor weather it takes no time at all. The pack size and weight are really good. I generally stuff the poles separately to the fabric parts and it squishes up easily. Living space is perfectly adequate for me and my kit. Nice big porch and plenty of sleeping room.
Since my first trip to the Picos (2001) I've favoured a multi fuel stove. The one I use is an MSR Dragonfly. I chose this one because I sometimes like to do more than boil water so a controllable flame was very useful. Over the years I've used unleaded petrol, white gas, kerosene, 'essence C' -which turned out to be a dry cleaning fluid and most recently turpentine. It burns them all very well and without much tinkering needed.
I've only had a problem with lighting the stove once. In the Pyrenees on a hot day we tried to light it to cook some couscous for lunch. Because it was so warm the fuel evaporated before we could light it to prime the stove. I've maintained it at home before long trips and made running repairs whilst away. The one problem I couldn't fix was when a weld broke in Scotland. The stove was returned to MSR who repaired it free of charge under guarantee -I was very impressed as the stove was over ten years old at the time.
Things I like about the stove: Can run it on more or less any fuel I can find, field maintainable, variable flame -from candle to welding torch!
For years I've carried a Victorinox climber knife. Its got all the essential items, even the strange awl tool. It's not the lightest knife or the most well equipped but for me it's the best mix of useful tools.
I have two packs in regular use, both Lowe Alpine. An Alpamayo 70+20L for big trips and an Alpine Attack 50L for the not so big trips. I always rated Lowe packs because they are superbly comfortable and the build quality excellent. The bigger pack is now about 14 years old and showing very little wear beyond a bit of scuffing. It's not a lightweight pack by any definition -about 3kg empty. I've never needed more room than it offered and it's a very comfortable carry, even with 25+ kg inside it. The Alpine bag is about ten years old and gets used as my day pack as well as for lighter backpacking trips. It's big enough for a week long trip in summer conditions. One thing about it that I have never liked is the attachment of the floating lid. It always seems to slip down and not stay in one place (the floating lid on the Alpamayo stays put).
Things I like about the packs: Their volume is what it's meant to be. They're both plenty big enough. Very comfortable adjustable back systems on both bags. Really hard wearing fabric.
Four Days in the Carneddau
I've visited Snowdonia several times over the years, never backpacking and never in the Carneddau. Always went to the South side of the Ogwen Valley road.
During the ML training we spent two days wandering around the Northern end of the Carneddau. It really whetted my appetite for a further exploration.
Maps were ordered, received and studied, Google Earth was zoomed, panned and tilted and a plan was formed. I realised that I could take the train to the North coast and make a four-day circuit of the area, taking in many of the main peaks.
Easter weekend became the obvious choice of dates, four non-working days where my wife would be able to look after the children without taking any of her precious leave (which she ran out of months before, the perils of a 'normal job'). The return train ticket from Bradford to Llanfairfechan (a short distance before Bangor) was about £45, not too far off the cost of diesel in the car and without the hassle of finding a suitable parking spot for four days.
From Llanfairfechan I could be into open countryside, climbing into the mountains within 2 miles, it was the ideal starting point. Excitingly I discovered en route that Llanfairfechan was a request stop and I needed to speak to the guard to ensure the driver knew to stop! The departure required me to flag down the train to get on board -I never knew this was 'a thing' that one could do in the UK.
Day 1: Llanfairfechan to Dulyn Bothy
My only previous experience of the Carneddau was in the Llyn Anafon area – an attractive spot a few miles inland from Aber Falls. My first day's walking took me over some familiar ground into the mountains. From Llanfairfechan I followed a good trail to the west of the Anafon valley over Foel Ganol up to Drum. The sun was shining and the air was warm -quite unlike my last experience of North Wales which was positively Wintery. I stripped to baselayers and fixed the solar panel for my PowerMonkey charger onto the top of my backpack. A few Km into the walk I came across a group of three Americans, exploring the area before heading off elsewhere on a European tour. They were holding up a guidebook and trying to fit its sketch maps to the view in front of them. "Hi" one of them said to me, "Is this Drum?" he continued, pointing at a hill to the East. "No" I replied. "Drum is a few Km further on, you can't see it from here". I took my OS map from my belt pack and showed them. "Wow, you have a topo!" he said, sounding genuinely impressed. I showed them Drum and we all carried on together along the track chatting. After a few hundred metres more we'd separated, they stopped for photos and I carried on ahead.
As I wandered alone I began to daydream. I thought 'wouldn't it be cool to bump into Chris Townsend (Backpacking legend) when out in the mountains'. I looked up from my thoughts and heading towards me was a familiar face. Not Chris Townsend, but Dan English. A friend I'd met on the ML training months before and had since been backpacking around Helvellyn with. "Hello!" I said, with a broad smile and most likely a surprised look. "Hi, fancy seeing you here" he replied. We walked together to the summit of Drum, from where Dan had recently left. We sat and chatted a while, discussing our plans and discovered that we planned to wild camp in the same place the next night. After a short break we said good bye and went our separate ways.
From Drum I left the clearly marked trail and set off on a bearing across the hillside towards Dulyn Reservoir. The ground was generally fine for walking, tussocky grass with only the occasional boggy part. After a while the reservoir came into view, bounded at its Western edge by the cliffs of Craig y Dulyn
As I approached the reservoir I kept my eyes open for a suitable place to pitch my tent for the night. There were a few spots here and there above the lake I made a mental note of one or two as I passed. Before pitching I went to check out the bothy, an old mine building a few hundred metres from the lake.
As I took the trail for the bothy I saw the perfect wild(ish) camp site. An area of perfectly flat ground -obviously man-made not far from the lake shore. That was the place for me!
The bothy is a small hut, containing two rooms, one sleeping and one communal cooking area. There was a small dome tent pitched on the front porch area. I opened the door and received a friendly greeting from the occupants. About 5 people were there, all set up for the night. They asked if I was going to join them, I told them no, I would camp near the lake.
I left the bothy and returned to my perfect camp spot.
I put down my pack and got out my Hilleberg Akto. Within a few minutes it was up and I was moving in. The weather was perfect for wild camping, clear skies, not too cold. The ground under the tent was a little hard but the pegs went in deep enough for me to be happy -perhaps not too happy in a storm!
After I'd got myself set up and a brew on a group of five more people arrived, looking to camp. They told me there were now about ten people in the bothy. That would make for a warm night in there!
Dinner was 'look what we found' meatballs and a pasta mugshot (tikka). It tasted fine and was the heaviest meal in the bag so I was glad to eat it first.
As the evening went on I wandered on the hill above the reservoir took some photos and watched some of the wild ponies graze. As usual, I was in bed before 10pm.
A nocturnal need had me getting out of them tent at about 2am. I saw the most amazing night sky. So many stars! I'm always happy to have woken up when that is my reward.
Day 2: Dulyn to Ffynnon LLugwy (Easier typed than said!)
The second day dawned cool and clear, another cloudless sky.
After a quick breakfast of Alpen I packed my kit away and set off uphill towards Melynllyn, a smaller lake slightly higher than Dulyn. A clear track, presumably used by the miners led the way to the second lake. The bothy was clear to see back down the valley and the calls of birds could be heard.
At Melynllyn I took out the map to decide where I was going next.
I had an idea of where I wanted to go, just not exactly how I was going to get there. Looking across the lake I saw the mountain walls that I needed to be on top of. The most sensible approach was to climb up the shorter hill to the left and then circle around the lake from above.
After a short climb I followed a stream onto the top of the hill. The views were excellent, back to the North from where I'd come and down to the South West towards Carnedd Llewelyn and South to Cwm Eigiau. Studying the map I decided to head towards Llewelyn and from there take a ridge to the South East towards Pen yr Helgi Du.
It was easy enough to get to the summit of Carnedd Llewelyn as the weather was good but the ground was fairly featureless from this side, it could be a different proposition in mist or darkness.
The views South West from the Llewelyn summit are amazing. The black ladders (Ysgolion Duon) of Carnedd Dafydd look imposing from across the valley.
The ridge SE from Llewelyn looked fantastic walking. Undulating a little, with sheer cliffs on the Northern edge, terminating with a scramble up the edge of Pen yr Helgi Du.
The walking was great, comfortable terrain, great views, great weather. I looked ahead at the scramble up Pen yr Helgi Du, hoping that it was 'just' a scramble and I wasn't going to get stuck halfway up and need Ogwen valley MRT to come and unstick me.
The ridge walk was fairly quiet, in fact, I'd not really seen anyone since I left camp in the morning. The Carneddau really are the quiet side of the Ogwen Valley -unjustifiably so, there is great walking to be had here.
After a while I came to a steep downward section of ridge and I needed to put away my poles and get my hands on the rock. I love scrambling but it really is a lot better when you're not carrying a heavy backpack.
I was getting closer to Pen yr Helgi Du and I was confident that I could make the summit without issue. There was a path off to the side if I needed a last minute change of route.
Keeping my poles strapped to my pack I began the climb up the edge of Pen yr Helgi Du. The rock was firm and dry, the sun shining. It felt great to be scrambling alone, hardly a soul in sight as I ducked and weaved between overhanging rocks to the summit.
I gained the summit and found I had the whole plateau to myself. Taking advantage of the solitude I dropped my pack, took off my boots and socks and lay down in the sunshine.
After re-fitting by boots I carried on, following a compass bearing towards Pen Llithrig y Wrach and a col between the mountains.
I stopped for a lunch of Primula cheese, Chorizo, Tuna and Pitta breads on the rocks of Bwlch Tri Marchog. Looking at Pen Llithrig I thought it looked uninspiring and debated whether or not to bother with it.
I decided to climb it, for completeness sake, but without my pack.
I stashed my backpack behind some rocks and set off unencumbered to the summit. There and back was less than an hour and I was right, it was uninspiring. Decent enough views down the far side though!
Returning to my pack I now set off contouring around the hillside towards Glan Llugwy and the track to the lake. I followed faint animal tracks through the heather and then climbed onto the Southern spur of Pen yr Helgi Du.
Ffynnon Llugwy came into view far below and I needed to pick a route to get down. Directly beneath me were steep rocky drops so I walked South a little way to a boundary fence and descended to the access track to the lake.
As I was hoping to meet up with Dan this evening I thought I'd best chose a pitch which would be visible to him on his approach. I checked the map and decided where I thought his most likely approach would be. I pitched the tent on a finger of land which lead into the lake. It was decently flat and not too exposed as the forecast was more increasing wind and some rain.
I got the tent up, made a brew, boiled some water for the evening and went for a lie down in the tent. A short while later a familiar voice outside asked if anyone was home.
Dan pitched his tent near to mine and we set about making our dinner. I went for the gourmet option of a packet of Mediterranean vegetable cous-cous to which I added some chunks of chorizo and chopped up dried apricots. It tasted fantastic! We joked about our last trip where I'd experimented with a packet of mixed grains with Quinoa. I somehow managed to burn this and leave it cold! It was horrid. I'll be sticking to cous cous or pasta in future.
The evening grew chilly so we both took to our tents, continuing the chat through sheets of nylon. There were three other tents pitched about the lake that evening. Unsurprising really as it was a short walk up from the road.
Day 3: Ffynnon Llugwy to Afon Anafon
The next morning brought light showers and a breeze. We packed quickly and set off our separate ways. Dan had originally thought of joining me on the first few Km of my walk towards Pen yr Ole Wen but changed his mind when he realised he could instead head for the Moel Siabod cafe for a fry up! We parted company at the road head and I began to climb up and over Craig Llugwy towards Ffynnon Lloer and Pen Yr Ole Wen.
Many times I've seen Pen Yr Ole Wen from the campsite in the valley (Gwern Gof Isaf) and fancied walking up it, especially something scrambly but I'd never got around to it.
Approaching 'Ole Wen' from the East I could see the rocky spur where I'd find a route to the summit. Arriving at the lakeside I found what looked like a path heading up into the rocks. It looked like a sensible scrambling route so I put away the poles, adjusted the pack and set off upwards.
The scrambling was great fun. Good holds, good foot placements and brilliant views. One part was a large, smooth slab with nobbles of quartz poking out. On a wet day a slip here could have been very serious I thought as I scrambled up.
After a while I reached the summit and enjoyed the views back over the Ogwen Valley. Familiar peaks of Tryfan and the Glyders. I made a note to climb Y Garn next time I'm here it is a very attractive mountain.
The weather forecast today predicted poor visibility and strong gusts on 'exposed ridges' -much like the Carneddau ridge that I would be on in an hour or so.
Ironically, the poor visibility was easy to see, a wall of mist creeping down from the North East and I was walking straight towards it.
I set off towards Carnedd Dafydd and before I was halfway there I was in thick mist. The wind, as predicted picked up and I was suddenly very cold. I made a quick stop at a cairn shelter to add layers, check and set compass bearings and was on my way again. I got to Carnedd Daffydd in a short time and reset the compass. There was a family of about six people taking shelter and deciding what to do. I set off into the mist, all too aware of the sharp drop from the black ladders to my left. Typically, that was the direction the wind wanted to push me so I kept a fair distance from the edge, but close enough that I could see it and use it as a 'handrail'.
After what felt like hours I got to the ascent up to Carnedd Llewelyn. This felt like hard work. I was hot in my layers, but would have been cold without them. I got to the summit about midday but didn't want to hang around to eat my lunch. I rechecked the map, reset a compass bearing and strode off towards Foel Grach. A voice behind me caught my attention. A man from a group of three friends and a dog asked if they could walk with me as they were unsure of the way. I said they could but made no promises as to competence!
Finding the path was tricky, the limit of visibility was perhaps 10-15m and the best I had to go on was a bearing from the day before, when it was clear.
We walked a little way, found a faint track which was close enough to my expected bearing so we followed it, chatting as we went. After a few hundred metres I began to doubt we were on the right track. I stopped, checked bearings, contours and all the other bits on the map. We had drifted slightly to the East and downhill.
I set a new bearing and we started off, regaining some of the height we'd lost. The going was OK, terrain fairly firm and grassy. After fifteen minutes or so we arrived at what we believed to be the rocky summit of Foel Grach but there was no sign of the shelter I'd been expecting to find there. We searched a small area but to no avail.
I was certain we were at the summit, but where was the shelter?! I took out my smartphone and used an app to get a grid reference. A minute or so later our location was confirmed. We were at the summit, only about 20m from the shelter. We walked towards where the map said the shelter was and almost missed it. The mist thinning just enough to make it out.
We piled into the shelter glad to be out of the wind. It was small and dark, really not a place to spend a night except in an emergency. I ate a quick lunch and we put on the packs, locked the shelter behind us and walked off towards Foel Fras.
After Foel Fras the wind abated and the mist lifted (or perhaps we descended below it!) We could now see the hills in front of us and some of where we'd come from.
Drum was the next hill and we passed with only a brief stop at the summit. We continued down the track where I'd begun my journey. My fellow travellers were heading for Rowen and a well-earned pint.
I said good bye and set off to Pen Bryn Du and a descent into Afon Anafon. I was aiming for an old sheep fold where we'd stayed on the ML course. It was flattish ground and the walls made a good wind break. Following a stream down into the valley floor my home for the night came into view.
The night was peaceful. I spent a lot of time just soaking up the views and drinking coffee and hot chocolate.
Day 4: Afon Anafon to Llanfairfechan
The next morning was calm and clear. I felt no urgency to hurry so I made a brew, ate my breakfast and enjoyed the morning before packing away.
The track out was easy walking and each step gave better views to the North and the coast.
After a few hours I was on the coast. The last few miles on the North Wales Coastal path back to Llanfairfechan and the train home.
Backpacking with a (almost) seven year old (planning)
A little over a year ago I took Edward out on his first overnight expedition. It was a lot of fun and quite easy because we used a youth hostel. Now he's a bit bigger we're off again. This time for two nights and we'll be camping.
I've planned a route through the far edge of the Yorkshire Dales, next to the Howgills. We'll take a train to Kirby Stephen and walk over Wildboar Fell, Baugh fell and back to Garsdale station for a train home.
The route I have in mind breaks down like this…
Day 1
Kirby Stephen station to sand tarn
10km, 400m ascent
Day 2
Sand tarn to west baugh fell tarn
8km, 270m descent then 300m ascent
Day 3
West baugh fell tarn to garsdale station
13km including trip to Moorcock inn
10km without
300m descent
We'll only go if the weather isn't awful because I don't want to put him off!
Backpacking with a five year old.
I decided that my son, Edward, was old enough to go on an overnight backpacking trip. He has been on many countryside walks and loves camping. When I suggested to him we went on an adventure where we walked a long way, stayed out overnight then walked again the next day he was very keen.
I wanted to make this intro to backpacking as easy as possible (for both of us) so a route with a youth hostel and short days was planned.
We set off early on Saturday afternoon from Gargrave train station and followed the Pennine way to Malham. A journey of about 6 or 7 miles. The forecast had said heavy rain so we dressed accordingly but we never got a drop. Fantastic! The going was easy, a bit squelchy underfoot but no worries. After all, what is more fun than squelching in mud when you're five years old and have waterproof boots on?
After about six miles Edward was getting tired and wanting to be there already. A short, steep road section didn't improve his mood but the sight of Malham below us, a little way ahead did. The last mile flew past and soon we were checking into the hostel.
When packing for the journey I'd let Edward chose the meals. Saturday night's dinner was hotdogs. Many of them. After dinner we had a short relax in our room, a four-man dorm, also inhabited by a couple of cyclists up in the Dales for a long road race. After a lie down we went to the lounge and spent the evening reading and watching TV (You've been framed and the Eurovision song contest). Also in the line were five or so other hostellers, three generations of one family. The grandmother in the family spent the time sketching various views through the window. Ed and I sat reading on the sofa. Edward kept looking up at the sketching lady and grinning. He leaned in close to me and whispered loudly, "I think that lady is drawing me!" She smiled, tore out a page from her sketch book and handed it to Edward. It was a pen sketch of him sat reading. He was thrilled! They then sat and chatted about books and drawing. She even let Edward draw something in her sketch book.
By ten o clock we were ready for bed, a very late night for Edward, about right for me.
Sunday morning came and brought a cooked breakfast (Edward's choice). We ate, washed up, packed and were on the way around nine am. Sunday's route was over the tops to Settle. A slightly shorter day of around five miles but with more ascent. We followed a walled track through the fields before a short road section then up and over the hills. A few grumbles about not being allowed to eat his Mars bar (not that close to breakfast) accompanied the early climb. Chocolate soon forgotten when he found a sheep bone and insisted I photographed it.
The miles flew past, Edward finding things of interest all over the place, red moss, caves, sticks, rocks and cows kept boredom at bay. Soon enough we were passing Attermire scar and dozens of fell runners racing out of Settle.
Descending into Settle we made the essential purchases of an ice cream and a drink. Rewards well earned by our efforts.
A few hours later and we were on the train back home our first overnight trip a success.


text:
First published on Friday the 6th of May, 2016, this piece comes in at number 23 in the top 30 most read Villainesse stories of 2016.
"You have a good body."
I don't know about you, but there have been many times in my life when my immediate response would be an uncomfortable "no," and to change the subject.
You see, unfortunately fat doesn't collect in the 'right' places for me. Maybe it doesn't for you too. My arms bulge at the tops and creases form at my armpits when I lift my arms. My thighs rub. My stomach curves. My back rolls.
Or maybe your body is naturally thin, your thighs don't rub, your breasts don't form a 'womanly' cleavage, the boys at school would only sarcastically tease you for being 'fat'.
Regardless of our shape, many of us have spent most of our lives punishing ourselves for the way we look. As children we pinched our bellies and fantasized about what they would look like if we could just remove the fat. As teenagers we spent hours policing calories, meal sizes, forming diets and exercise regimes. We talked with our friends about who had the best body, why, and commended each other on desirable features like big breasts and a small waist. We cried in exhaustion whilst running on a treadmill, we condemned ourselves after eating a big meal.
Many of us do or have done whatever we can to be deemed as the physical ideal to men because when you are a woman or especially if you are overweight, men are doing you a favour by being attracted to you. Forget love, forget sex being for you also. Many of us have been taunted since childhood about our bodies because in our society being or having fat is inherently bad and inherently unhealthy.
We are taught from the moment of rational thought that our bodies are our prize, they are an expression of our place in society. Regardless of natural size and race, we are taught to gain the ideal regardless of the effect on our health – our body size shows our self-control and social status.
Frankly I'm a little sick of people policing what we eat and how much exercise we do. I'm a little sick of little girls being encouraged to eat less, to be less, to take up less space. If we think about it, what really is health? Is it a flat stomach, only gained by excessive exercise? Is it a space between the thighs gained by restricting calories? Is it prominent hip or collar bones because you purged all of this week?
Or is it being able to get through the day without feeling dizzy? Is it a warm smile? Is it glowing skin and sparkling eyes? Is it ending the day with a full happy mind and belly, instead of a stomach emptied out by laxatives and a feeling of disgust? Or is healthy being able to live a full life?
Healthy is working out at the gym and eating broccoli. But it is also laughing with friends over chocolate cake and pizza. It is also going to the beach, or staying at home and binge-watching TV shows, it is doing what you love and giving your body what it needs.
You are allowed to have the body you have, whether it is thin or whether it is fat or in the middle. Your body is a good body because you are human and therefore deserve respect and unconditional love. May you know today that as a woman you are an insanely powerful and beautiful (not just in a physical sense) being. Your thoughts, mind, voice and feelings matter. And may you love yourself wholly and intensely because you are so worthy.Support Villainesse


text:
We are all just Frogs in this Pond
This is what we see in New York City on a good day
(New Jersey exploding in a fireball)
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