Bristol Round Up

A pleasant week in Bristol saw a number of tasks completed including replacing the van horn, giving the bike a good clean and check over in advance of the Brecon Beast in 3 weeks time, seeing various friends and enjoying the for me now rather novel concept of living in a house. The dogs soon got used to my presence on their walks as we ambled along the Avon to greet the swans, moorhens, free ranging pigs and an assortment of other canine companions.

Out at Portishead I enjoyed an excellent meal with old friends with the new housing and cafe culture surrounding the former power station and dock site reminding me perhaps surprisingly of Perth in WA.
A good friend from my nursing training days joined me for the weekend and we enjoyed a bike ride out to Bath along the converted railway line with the restoration enthusiasts at Bitton manning a good cafe and running a diesel loco from the '70's. The Kennet and Avon canal took us through the heart of Bath to a pub for lunch before we returned stopping in Bristol to look at the terraced property I first purchased in 1983.
Arnos Vale's 50 acre cemetery containing some 50,000 graves was a peaceful and moving experience with the volunteers facing a mammoth task of keeping the undergrowth at bay and preserving the tombs and headstones that help chart the expansion of Bristol over many generations. Our cycling continued with a ride through Bristol's waterfront attractions and out towards the Bristol Channel along the Avon. The graceful Clifton suspension bridge soared above us and Portishead yet again provided a sun drenched spot for refreshment.
Our final day has been spent admiring the street art in the city centre, sourcing guides to Turkey and eastern Europe in anticipation of my next trip and being suitably impressed by the displays at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden up on the Downs.
Having just enjoyed a night at the pictures I am now lurking in the early hours under the flight path at Bristol Airport to collect the returning holidaymakers with a transfer over to the Brecon Beacons tomorrow for more cycling and hopefully some tops if the weather holds.
Piccies lurk here and my whereabouts will soon reappear here.

Bristol Revisited

The final few days over in Ireland passed quickly with a brief dry spell followed by a return to more changeable weather as I tucked away in the Knockmealdown mountains after visiting the remarkable Rock of Cashel and its mediaeval buildings. 
A calm crossing returned me to Pembrokeshire where a meeting with Sarah seemed to confirm that our separation will be permanent and formalised - this will be achieved as smoothly and speedily as possible so should be resolved by Christmas.
The lifting of all the uncertainty is in itself a relief to me although I would of course have preferred a different outcome but plans can now be made for 2012/13 building on the new opportunities that have arisen.
I saw various friends around Brecon and enjoyed a ride along Sarn Helen as I need to start getting fit for September's event - the poor weather in Ireland limited the overall activity levels so there is some catching up to be done!
After a brief trip to Coventry to see family and deal with mail I have taken up residence in Bristol for ten days - the city I left 22 years ago to begin life on the farm. An interesting bike ride along the Severn to Sharpness and beyond introduced me to an area I had overlooked whilst living there, the boat graveyard was fascinating and the pub's pork pie somewhat daunting - still with 27 miles covered we worked most of it off - honest. A walk high above Cheddar offered excellent views across the Somerset levels on a warm afternoon before the following morning I taxied friends to the airport and then gave the van a good clean both inside and out and investigated the options for a clutch replacement in Bristol in a couple of months time -  post MOT and in advance of my next extended trip.
Planning for this is underway and I have collected together my various guides to Europe and sourced maps from the excellent branch of Stanfords in Bristol. My plan once the divorce paperwork is signed off is to follow the coast of France, northern Spain, western and southern Portugal, revisit the Sierra Nevada and Alpujarras in Spain, follow the coastal perimeter of Italy to include Sicily and then cross the Ionian Sea for Greece, Turkey and a return via eastern Europe with the latter stages depending on my rate of progress by next summer/autumn. The odd flight back may be required to obtain repeat prescriptions although once I pass the first anniversary in early December some of my current meds. can be discontinued - hurrah.
A glorious day today enabled me to explore the new (to me at least) attractions of central Bristol with the colourful and vibrant Floating Harbour and wharves providing a wealth of interest. The Mshed museum provided a respite from the heat and the revamped shopping precincts of Broadmead showed little obvious signs of a recession.
The two terriers in my charge enjoyed their usual romp down by the Avon and the rest of the week promises more socialising as the weather deteriorates once more. The looming bank holiday will be spent in southern Snowdonia on an MBA work party - all welcome, check out www.mountainbothies.org.uk - and as it sits on the route of the excellent Coed y Brenin mountain bike trails I hope to thrash around a couple of those in between bouts of nailing and tea sampling.
The HU meet on the Mendips in early September has a promising array of presenters lined up already and should be another excellent event  - with limited space available register here now if you are tempted.

The slide show gremlins seem to have gone on their summer recess so the content rewinds a calendar year - lots of water under lots of bridges!

A new post should appear next week when I return to the Beacons and from where I will resume spotty Spot - so this time its piccies only here

Connemara Revisited

Ireland's new and almost empty motorway network soon had us over on the west coast where the simple pleasures of the Renvyle campsite met our every need. There were superb views from the sweeping beach across to our planned walks as the sun set and we had a relatively early night in anticipation of a hard day.
This encompassed a return for me to the classic 12 Bens ridge enjoyed this time in even better conditions and with good company. Strong winds required concentration on the rocky descents but the day remained largely dry and sunny and we all enjoyed the stunning views and sense of isolation. Leaving the bike at the finish avoided the need to walk back along the road and after an exhilerating day we were content to retire to the cosy pub in Tully Cross.
Monday dawned clear and sunny despite the forecast so we headed round to Leenan and Killary to climb Ben Gorm, this time continuing along the ridge to drop down at Loch Doo where again the bike was used to retrieve the van. Some of the finest views of the trip were enjoyed looking across to the Mweelrhea Horsehoe walk with Clare and Achill islands sitting in a deep blue sea and a fast steep descent over grassy slopes resulted in the demise of various shorts and trousers.
Tuesday saw a return to the unsettled conditions that had dogged the early part of this trip but we explored the coast around to Cliffden with a walk at low tide across to Omey Island which seemed a world apart from  normal civilisation. The Sky Road near Cliffden provided good views across the west coast in between heavy rain showers before we returned to Renvyle and a celebratory meal out after an excellent trip.
Torrential overnight rain cleared as we packed up and headed back to Galway stopping to enjoy the restored silver mine at Glengowla - a credit to the owner's enthusiasm and energy. Additional interest was provided by their seismology station which constantly recorded the surprisingly frequent earthquake activity around the world. The Galway Races traffic caused a slight delay en route to Dublin where a spacious camp site provide a final night's accommodation in easy reach of the airport.
It was lovely to have such good company and I would like to thank the team for making the effort to get over here and provide such happy memories - good on yer!
The van provided practical transport for all of us and our kit and continuing comfort for me and Pete's photos of Croatia have given me ideas and inspiration for early next Spring. I have also just signed up for another HU meeting, this time on the Mendips in early September which looks promising. The Beast follows a week later with a number of other activities through until mid December to keep me busy - as ever they will be digitally recorded and displayed here with my whereabouts similarly available here

Connemara Classics

The Twelve Bens and Central Maumturks provided two excellent walks over tough ground but in perfect conditions after which I headed east towards Dublin stopping once more in the secluded Slieve Bloom Mountains.
Rendezvous with Jan and both Pete's went smoothly despite the usual poor pick up arrangements at the airport and we headed south stopping en route to stock up for the week.
A camp site in Roundwood up in the Wicklows provided all the required ammenities and we tucked away in a corner with some privacy.
Lugnaquillia provided a memorable moment for Pete as he marked the completion of all the 3000' summits in Great Britain which made up for the limited visibility and dank conditions encountered on a demanding first day together.
Guinness was enjoyed in one of the villages five pubs - surprisingly the place claims to be Ireland's highest village.
Yesterday saw another circuit of tops in much improved conditions above the picturesque Glenmacnass waterfall and today we have completed a beauty including Mullaghcleevaun. Drama from the start included getting bogged whilst trying to park and being pulled off by a coach load of Czech girls (ooerr matron) but the lonely tops in hot sunshine made for a memorable day with excellent views across the Irish Sea and inland.
We have decided to nip across back to Connemara as the others have not been there so will decamp tomorrow with another week to go before returning to Dublin.

Photos here and locations here - Ireland's Google Earth seems less clear than elsewhere but it does give an indication of where we are.

The Waiting Game

After a spell of low cloud and rain things cleared up briefly enabling me to walk the Glendaturk Horsehoe, cycle the Greenway (a converted railway line) and complete the Mweelrhea circuit of lonely tops in excellent conditions. A good ridge walk took in the conical summit of Croagh Patrick where I encountered dozens of others tackling the steep climb up from the coast - most suffering due to inadequate footwear, lack of fitness and the steep path across loose sharp scree. Two guys leading a trio of donkeys looked set to spend the night up there.

Wild pitching in some memorable spots was very much enjoyed and Radio 4 on LW provided evening entertainment.
The coast around Killary was sublime but the weather has closed in again briefly although an improvement is forecast - good news for the others travelling out next week.
Feedback from the HU meeting indicates that everyone else enjoyed it as much as I did and the guys from Oz I have kept in touch with are now crossing Turkey after a hair raising trip through Iran - check out www.handfulofthrottle.blogspot.com
A lass from Switzerland we met in NZ was kindly welcomed to Bristol by friends there whilst attending an interview and enjoyed the harbour and docks which I intend to revisit during my week in mid August.
Over the next day or two I will loop around the coast towards Galway and then if the weather picks up return to the mountains for the Twelve Bens and Mamturks.
Piccies here, locations here and another post from Dublin next week all being well.

Rain Stops Play

Ireland has not escaped the deluges affecting the rest of the UK & since the meeting ten days ago I have been largely confined to quarters by wet conditions, low cloud on the tops & strong winds - all reminiscent of a trip to Northumberland in Summer 2007 - still I have managed the odd easy walk!
Irish schools have broken up so I feel sorry for the families trying to make the best of things but it is very quiet as people are staying put. Thus I have wild camped for almost a fortnight now & have followed the coast round towards Galway from where I will briefly revisit the Burren before crossing to Dublin to meet friends - I hope it picks up for them.
Still the time has given me cause to reflect on the last few months and following the HU meeting I feel inspired to plan for this winter and beyond - particularly as I seem to be as fit as a fiddle. Winter in Spain and Portugal to pick up the lingo should equip me for a longish trip to South America starting in about a year with some early summer walking in the Pyrenees planned for 2013.
After this trip I will be concerned with the Beast event, a major MBA work party and getting the van MOT'd and a new clutch fitted as part of planning for the SA trip.

The poor weather has precluded any worthwhile piccies from Eire so I have compiled a few images from years gone by as a celebration of my good fortune - they are pleasantly random and include a few classics and can be found here
Random locations are available from this link.


Another post from another McDonalds in a week or two.

Eire and there - unlimited horizons.

A quiet wild pitch at Strumble Head with the light sweeping round rhythmically saw me down to Goodwick in good time for the afternoon ferry across to Rosslare in damp but reasonably calm conditions. A newly purchased sat nav with full European coverage for the forthcoming year then delivered me to Mount Leinster where I spent a quiet night in foggy and mild conditions in the hope of  walking to the summit the next day. Continuing low cloud prevented this but as the day unfolded the clouds dissolved and I enjoyed a couple of historic sights before tucking myself away in the Slieve Bloom hills. A German outfit consisting of a coach towing a large trailer that served as a mobile hotel seemed to me at first sight to be the ultimate in impracticality but then again with a good crowd of say twenty mates ..............
The empty and peaceful tops provided a good walk in sunny conditions after which I stayed on a well presented site and met a couple from Brecon - the first of many 'small world' encounters this week.
Kilkenny provided more interest with its castle and other sights in the area including the several wonders of Fore - not to be missed. A wet and wild night in the Iron Mountains near the border led to a damp day so a planned walk was left for later and I dropped across said unmarked and invisible border to spend a day in Enniskillen with its impressive castle and museum displays.
For the weekend I joined the Horizons Unlimited get together as planned and enjoyed the event tremendously. Inspirational presentations by skilled and entertaining travellers gave us insights in to adventures in all corners of the globe with the South American coverage of particular interest. Practical talks and demonstrations combined with an excellent social side made for a successful gathering despite the poor weather. Whatever your mode of transport the chance to meet up, learn, absorb and be involved at similar events should be taken - small world encounters included input from individuals and companies in Ystradgynlais of all places and a biker from Perth who has trucked across the Nularbor over a hundred times. Saturday night's entertainment from local bands and dancers plus good food and organisation created an event to be proud of. As I had hoped it has inspired me for future years although I remain convinced that for me at least four wheels are better than two - most of the time. A massive thanks to all those who worked so very hard before, during and after the event.
So its off to the hills again staying in NI for a week or so, starting with the Sperrins and heading to the coast for a lazy drift anticlockwise over the 3 weeks until friends arrive in Dublin. 


Latest pictures appear here, locations here and the next post will depend on the availability of wifi once I leave Derry.



A milestone for the trusty van in the shape of clocking up a quarter of a million miles en route to Enniskillen gave me pause to recollect on the many adventures enjoyed whilst incurring half of that total - it has all been a total privilege and a wonderful set of experiences.
Incidentally a recent MOT for me recorded a cholesterol at 3.8, axle weight of 74kg,  oil pressure at 120/80 and revs ticking over steadily around 45 bpm so it looks like we may both have a few miles left in us yet.