Dreaming of Better Times

Posted on | January 24, 2008 | 4 Comments

The “life events” have meant I have had to take this week off as holiday to sort them out. Which has meant I’ve had the pleasure of walking the dogs in daylight this week.

It’s been hard imagining the snowy hill tops up North, whilst down here in the deepest South of the Country the worst we have had is some rain. But after a couple of dry days this means the dogs are not getting as dirty as the paths dry out.

Even so my pace whilst walking the dogs has been that of a gentle stroll. I’ve needed this time with the dogs as a break from the insanity of the “life events”. A chance to recharge the batteries up just a little to get me through to the next day.

During these “life events” a light at the end of the tunnel for me has been the thought of my next trip out on the hills, and in just over one hundred days the TGOC.

And the thinking of that next trip was encouraged today when my new lot of free weekend train tickets from SWT arrived.

I had a plan at the start of this TGOC prep that involved using these tickets to get away once a month down to Dartmoor. But so far this plan has been defeated by “life events”.

But with a rucksack and all my gear on stand by in a place that annoys Kate, I’m ready for the first opportunity that comes up to do this. As I write that my thoughts go back to that weekend in September with John down on the Dorset coast, or the overnighter I had down at The Black Mountains a couple of weeks ago. They almost seem like stolen moments now, and so long ago. But the longing is there to replace them with new stolen moments. It’s the plan, the light at the end of the tunnel, call it what you may. At the end of the day it helps me, and that is all that matters.

What helps you when “life events” hit? 

The Lighter Side of Lightweight

When you read a blog headline like the following “Gossamer Whisper Ultralight Backpack Slight Upgrade from Handkerchief on Stick“, you just have to laugh. Even the opening sentence is a classic “Lighter than a trash bag and nearly as waterproof.” I guess this sums up a lot of peoples opinion of lightweight gear (especially certain gear gurus over at Trail). But what enables this guy to get away with it as humour, and bringing a news item to peoples attention is, he doesn’t come across as being anti-lightweight, or dismissive of others opinions (well to me anyway). Anyway the pack looks interesting, and of course light

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