First blog post of 2021 and we're in September. This time I'll blame the tough lockdown earlier in the year and two bouts of injuries and recoveries (knee in February then knee again coupled with wrist in late June), also technical issues with WordPress. I'd been feeling the cabin fever again lately and fancied getting … Continue reading Post #50! Royal Canal Walk: West Dublin to Maynooth
My year to date hasn't been too good for getting outside and taking photos, what with sh*te Scottish weather, fleeing home across the Irish Sea when lockdown came in, managing to damage first one and then both of my camera lenses, and finally falling off my bike and being off my feet for the past … Continue reading Ireland, England, Scotland and Lockdown: 2020 to Date
Here's the second part of my review of 2019, in lieu of not actually posting much during the year. It's been great to look back as you forget just how much you get about in a year. Top image: part of the skyline of the town of Paisley in Scotland, taken in October. Walking … Continue reading 2019: A Look Back in Images Part 2
I've neglected this blog once again, mainly for reasons relating to my move to Scotland earlier in the year. Hopefully I'll get to post a bit more often in 2020 but for now here's a look back at some of the places I've been during 2019, namely Ireland, Scotland, England and Poland. Top image: looking … Continue reading 2019: A Look Back in Images Part 1
Greetings, Readers. I've neglected this blog for the past six months, firstly because I had a lot on with work and then because I took some time out to go travelling around my favourite part of Europe, the Balkans.To get things back on track, I thought I'd add some photos from a hike I did … Continue reading Serbia: Hiking in Tara National Park
I visited Edinburgh for a weekend at the end of April to visit friends and managed to fit in some great walks in the city and surrounding region. It's long been one of my favourite cites and a big part of this is its easy access to the outdoors (helped by the hilly topography) and … Continue reading Trails of Edinburgh: Union Canal and Water of Leith Walkway
I visited the Mourne Mountains at the weekend to get some practise in for a challenge hike I'm doing next month. The Blackstairs Challenge is a 31km route over the Blackstairs range in Ireland's southeast. The Mournes are an ideal training ground, with their steep ascents and descents and endless options for longer walks. Top … Continue reading Back in the Mournes: Meelmore, Commedagh and the Brandy Pad
I've got out of the habit of blogging for a while (the bad weather and lack of outings may have played a part; temporarily adopting two guinea pigs may have been another factor) so I thought I'd check in. I still have to add a Part 2 to the 'Places I'd Love to Revisit' but … Continue reading Hikes of 2018: January to March Round-up
I've had itchy feet pretty much the whole time since I got back from my voluntary redundancy-funded travels around the world (well, the Northern Hemisphere anyway) during 2016. I'm hoping to fit in a mini trip in the next few months if circumstances allow. In the meantime, I thought I'd pull together a list of … Continue reading 10 Places I’d Love to Revisit (Part 1: Europe)
It's become something of a minor tradition (it started in 2016/17) that my first and last hikes of the year take place in the Sperrins, my nearest mountain range. The target for my opening hike of 2018 was a small man-made landmark high up in the hills, known as Father Devine's Well. My walking companion … Continue reading First Hike of 2018: Mullaghclogher via Father Devine’s Well
Hike Cycle Ireland 