Friday, 22 April 2016

Absorbing reads

I don't normally think of talking about the stuff I read but just lately I've met some right corkers...

The Mountains Of My Life, by Walter Bonatti.

Translated by Robert Marshall

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mountains-Life-Penguin-Modern-Classics-ebook/dp/B003R7KY9A?ie=UTF8&keywords=the%20mountains%20of%20my%20life%20bonatti&qid=1461323270&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
Image nicked from Amazon
This was a birthday present.

It follows the philosophy and climbing life of one of the world's greatest climbers from his first climb until his retirement. As I read about the situations he found himself in I found it very hard to put down.

The effects on his life of the controversy surrounding the ascent of K2, previously unknown to me, were totally shocking and the additional notes and contemporary references provided by Mr. Marshall greatly adds to the reader's understanding of the events described.

A good read.

Cold, by Ranulph Fiennes.



Image from Amazon.co.uk
Another image nicked from Amazon

 
I bought this on a whim from a charity shop in Wales.

Life at -45°C in a 28 knot wind where everything you excrete turns to ice: tears, sweat, breath....

As I read it at times I catch myself reading wearing a worried frown and a gaping mouth and I have to remember to blink and carry on breathing. So absorbing.

I'm only on chapter 2....

I like the fact there's not only 'the story', told with a dry humour, but also history, science and observations about the places visited.

Another good read!

Tuesday, 15 March 2016

Just a few odds and ends...

First, I got a late birthday present from my wife. A Hunka Bivvy. I'm looking at Alastair Humphreys' website for some inspiration.

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I may be getting my old car back soon. Just right for the Spring.

Can't wait.

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Lastly a link for Sunayana, to remind us what a good Summer we had a couple of years ago.

 
Th-thats all folks

Friday, 19 February 2016

Birthday amble



Three and a half miles over Stockers Hill in Rickmansworth,



followed by a bite in the Café In The Park.




Lots of mud.

 
A few horses...







 
...and a couple of ferocious farm guard dogs

 
 
A good day.

Wednesday, 16 December 2015

I've changed.



Another Christmas.

My friend Pauline has just reminded me that it's been 30 years since we did the Pennine Way.

Wow. Time for a reunion I think.

Over the years I think I have changed. Hopefully for the better.

Gone now is the unaware, bloody minded, stubborn, dogmatic, at times abrasive youth.

I feel calmer. More self assured. I look around and take my time and I care less what other people think.

Thursday, 15 October 2015

Old cars



My old car, the one that I bought to drive around in and ended up as a 10 year restoration project, the same car that an executive decision had to be made about, is finally FINALLY! nearing it's completion.

Thursday, 27 August 2015

Post WHW



Been back a week and a bit now.

Finally the feet and midge bites have finished healing.

Quite lucky with the feet actually, only one small blister.

The views were excellent. As was the company.

Photos here, trip report to follow.