Category Archives: #backtothehills

Back to the hills – the big destination reveal

After a lot of procrastinating I could no longer put off the decision any longer. I needed to decide where I would be going for my return to the hills.

I’m going to South Snowdonia. Narrowing it down a bit more. I’m going to be wandering around Rhinog Fawr.

I’ve never been to this bit of North Wales. Although I have done Cadair Idris with Kate, Nathan, and the wolf pack if memory doesn’t fail me.

The inspiration for this decision was this YouTube video by Claire aka Wild Beare.

This screen shot from the video shows the route that Claire took for this trip.

Wild Beare’s Route

I’m not planning to do massive mileage for this first excursion. My fitness levels aren’t what they used to be. I’ve had 14 years or so of “good living” since my last hike.

What I like about this area Claire chose is the options available to me on the day. If I’m feeling it I can take in a peak, camp near lakes, pitch up in some woods.

I’m going to be using the Snowdonia South (British Mountain Map) from the BMC. These are 1:40k scale maps that is “printed on polyethylene this map is durable, tearproof and 100% waterproof”.

I do like this map series a lot. It saves me having to carry a map case for starters. I like the scale and seems a good compromise between using a 1:25k and 1:50k map.

So there we have it destination Rhinogs.

Back to the hills – some more prep

One thing I discovered on a camping/walking trip to Snowdonia with Kate back in the day was how my body doesn’t react well to midge bites.

As Kate and I were setting up our tent, I got bitten to death by swarms of them at the campsite. Every exposed inch of flesh was bitten and covered in itchy red blobs where they had fed on me.

Sprays sold by the campsite shop to ease the itching just did not provide any relief at all. The fact I had been bitten so many times all over meant just to cover the bites I needed multiple sprays! They weren’t cheap.

We eventually cut our weekend short with a visit to a local welsh doctors surgery where I was put on a course of steroids.

So you can imagine I started putting in measures to avoid this happening again. Such as getting a headnet, or buying clothes with built in insect repellent.

Now as I get ready to return to the hills I’ve been using Lifesystems Ex4 Anti Mosquito Clothing, Footwear And Outdoor Gear Treatment Spray to treat my clothing, shemagh, polar buffs, regular buffs, groundsheet, and tarp.

This has worked for me in the past and proved effective.

Whilst on the TGOC even with a tarp I wasn’t bothered by ticks. I put that down to my clothing, groundsheet, etc being treated with a fabric friendly bug treatment. Along with the use of bug spray/wipes.

The DD Hammocks DD Superlight tarp I have comes with four pegs, and some thin guy ropes. The guy ropes are perfect for me to make some loops with. That that can on the day when needed be used to make a prusik knot.

I’ve also made some smaller bungee cord loops to use on the attachment points of the tarp. I’ll attach these when needed using a larks head knot to give me a little give and take a bit of pressure of the attachment points in high winds.

The last thing I want to be thinking off in bad weather conditions is having to create these loops first. I want to be able to grab one and use it, getting the tarp up as quick as possible.

After watching one of the yank outdoors YouTubers I ordered an UCO Collapsible Cup for Hiking. I don’t know why? I liked the look of it. It does not collapse nearly as flat as the sea to summit collapsible mug I have (and can’t find at the current time). Mainly due to the hard plastic ring which is about half the height of the mug uncollapsed. How ever it’s more sturdy which I like.

I’m starting to feel more prepared for next weeks adventure.

Back to the hills – some things are in the post

With little gaming going on at the moment and the impending holiday and return to the hills. It does seem like this blog has shifted focus for the time being as I prepare for said return.

I do have some more bits on the way for the trip or future plans!

Having inspected my 15 year old plus Leki trekking poles that had been living against the front door of Nans for most of that time. The tips of the poles were not in good condition, one was missing and the other very loose (unable to be tightened, they had seen better times) I decided to get new poles.

I settled on the Alpkit Carbon long Backpacker Twins XL Trekking Poles. These extend to a length of 150cm. Which when using with a tarp that extra 15cm or so gives important extra headroom. Yes you can buy dedicated tarp poles that are longer. However that’s extra weight. I use trekking poles so they are the natural things to use with a tarp.

I like Alpkit. I remember when they first hit the outdoors scene in the UK (they are a British company). They were very popular and whatever they produced sold out very quickly. Which wasn’t surprising because they offered great products that were affordable. Yes often they weren’t the lightest but the price more than made up for that.

Obviously since then they have grown, expanded their range. It’s good to see them still around and being successful. A real success story.

There are a couple of items coming for my “outdoors” kitchen. The first is the MSR Dish Scraper. All these titanium pots, and the odd non-stick frying pan need cleaning, sometimes you need to scrape off bits. And I don’t want to damage these not cheap items.

Next I have the MSR Alpine Spatula and Joseph Duo Locking Kitchen Food Tongs on the way. These join my Tala Silicone Mini Spatula to complete my cooking implements. There will be no whisk. These will be great with the frying pan or if I use one of the wood burners as a mini bbq!

Which reminds me all these outdoor YouTubers whether they are hikers or bush crafters. Who the feck carries raw meet in their rucksack all day to cook in the evening? I do think they are being a bit disingenuous with their videos and hiding a cool bag.

I have midge head nets (two I think). But I wanted an option to work with the tarp that I could sleep in more easily. After a bit of research I ended up tracking down a US Military mosquito bug net that was designed to be used with a pup tent (an old US army tent). What sold me on this was the shape. It would work better with an A-frame tarp setup. Which is probably the tarp configuration I’d be using the most in good weather and also the most likely time insects would be an issue. So one of these is on its way.

Finally I have a British Mountain map on its way too. Yes I have finally decided on an area to go to. But this will be the subject of another post. The only drawback is this is not an official OS map so no free download of the map data.

Laters.

Back to the hills – destination unknown!

My return to the hills is fastly approaching and I have no idea where I’m going!

I just can’t make my mind up.

One thing I am certain of is going north of the border is out of the question.

With the time I have for doing this the amount of travel required to get there and back rules it out.

Which is a shame I love Scotland. It is such a a beautiful place to visit and explore on foot.

The same distance travel time handicap rules out Dartmoor as well.

Areas pushing the limits of this self imposed restriction such as the New Forest or Brecon Beacons are tempting. Especially the later which has a lot of fond memories.

I’m left with North Wales, Peak District, Lake District, and Yorkshire Moors. Although my gut is telling me the Lakes might also be stretching it.

One benefit for me no matter which area I finally end up exploring is I will be going midweek. So hopefully I will be avoiding those weekend crowds.

My current thoughts or I should say where my heart is being pulled is North Wales. But which part?

I need to look at maps and see what grabs me. The usual honey spots don’t grab me. I can do them some other time.

I need to think more on this.

Back to the hills – ‘water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink’

This posts title is a famous quote from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem, ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’.

Let’s face it when we are backpacking we tend to carry the bare minimum water because the plan is to fill up along the way as and when we need it.

The problem is how safe is our water to drink?

Definitely the water quality in the UK has gotten worse over the last decade or so, especially in the low lands. Our water companies can it seems pump literal shit into our rivers with impunity. Farmers being allowed to spray ever more toxic chemicals on crops, micro plastic pellets. The list of possible contaminants goes on. Even the fastest flowing stream far from the polluting grasp of our water companies might be contaminated.

Like my sleeping system I’ve refreshed my options for clean water whilst out on the hill. Besides can I really trust a filter that has remained unused for over a decade?

First up I have a 500ml Pure Clear Collapsible Filter bottle. This will be used throughout the day to stay hydrated by drinking from convient water sources on route.

The next addition is the Sawyer Squeeze SP129 Waterfilter. This will be my main filter for filtering in the evening at camp.

I’m not going to use the bags that come with the Sawyer Squeeze. They don’t have a great reputation online, from ease of filling to how sturdy they are. It would appear that a popular replacement for them is a CNOC Vecto water container of some capacity. I went with the one litre version.

The washer in the Squeeze where it attaches to the water container apparently can fall out when back washing the filter if not careful. So I have some replacement ones in a general mini repair kit.

I also have a SP150 Coupling that allows you to attach bottles etc to the Squeeze.

I’ve also hacked my Squeeze by replacing the sports lid with one from a water bottle. I’m not a fan of the sports lid and its pull to drink. I am much more comfortable and find them easier to use with the flip cover to drink lid.

Another hack I’ve adopted is one to protect the filter end when stowed away.

Now to extend the life of the Squeeze, and increase the time between having to back wash the filter (ie clean it) I intend to pre-filter the water to remove large particles from the water. This should stop the filter becoming clogged as much.

To do this pre-filter I’ve borrowed from the military once more by adding a Millbank bag water filtration bag to the kit. If I’m using this then the water must really be bad.

A hack to the Squeeze itself is to replace the washer I mentioned above with a Danco 80070 Hose Washer with Screen. So I’ve done that too. Yes there is a spare in the repair kit.

This last hack may make the Millbank bag redundant with the Squeeze.

Well that’s my clean water taken care of. But where am I going to be using this setup? I’ll cover that in the next post.

Back to the hills – my planned shelter

My wild camping in the past has never been with a conventional tent. I’ve used a Trailstar, a Golite Hex 3, and a tarp. I have some great memories using them. Heck the later two I used on two TGOCs.

My shelter of choice for my return sees me returning to using a tarp by using a DD Hammocks – DD SuperLight Tarp. This is a 3 metre by 2.9 metre tarp. Don’t ask me why it’s not 3 by 3 exactly. I’m sure there is a good reason for this. It’s just that I’ve not been that interested to dig into what it is.

It comes with four pegs and guy lines. But these will be taken out and replaced with 550 para cord. I’m also using 5mm bungee cord that will be added to the tarps attachment points as small loops to attach to. The thinking is this will provide a little give in strong winds and take some of the strain off the attachment points.

I have bought some generic brand tent pegs that are aluminium. But I’ll also be using my titanium ones too.

I think a combo of these should cater for most ground types. And yes you do detect a very small ultra light weight tent peg used to pull the titanium ones out of the ground. I really should attach some cord.

Obviously I’ll be using my trekking poles with the tarp.

I’ve also got a DD Hammocks – DD Magic Carpet – XL to use as a groundsheet. This is a 2.2 metre by 1.4 metre waterproof groundsheet.

In my controversial post on my proposed sleep system I mention the goretex bivy bag from the US Military Modular Sleep System (MSS) that could be used as part of it. However it should also be thought of as part of my planned shelter.

There is the obvious use of just using the bivy bag with no tarp erected. My first ever wild camp was in a borrowed bivy bag on the side of a Welsh mountain in the Brecon Beacons the night before picking Strider up.

But the main use will be with the tarp to add that extra layer of protection to the rest of the sleep system from the elements.

Using a tarp isn’t for everyone. I get it. But I love using one. I love the flexibility they give. Tarps can be erected in a multitude of ways depending on weather, location, or just how you feel.

I love how they bring you closer to nature. I certainly feel more connected when using a tarp.

I think it’s this last point especially that I want to recapture when I do my first trip that is approaching fast.

So that’s my sleep system, and shelter covered. Water next?

Back to the hills – a new sleep system for me!

This could be my most controversial blog post ever!

Before I had to stop going to the hills I had made the jump to using a quilt instead of a sleeping bag.

My quilt of choice was the Ray Jardine quilt which I used with a Sea to Summit sleeping bag liner, and a self inflating Sea to Summit sleeping mat (can’t remember which one), plus a Sea to Summit blowup pillow. I had a bivy bag too but it never got used with the quilt.

I really liked using the quilt instead of a sleeping bag. It worked for me.

Now that’s all about to change.

I’ve moved to a more “modular” system that I hope will handle a wider range of temperatures and weather conditions. And for sure it’s not lighter!

The Ray Jardine quilt is staying. And when I initially wrote the first draft of this post I meant it. I really did. But somehow a Sea to Summit Cinder Down Quilt is in my rucksack!

The Cinder is a summer quilt. But in use with the other parts of this modular system could be used in spring or autumn I think. But don’t quote me on that!

The first part of this new sleep system is the goretex bivy bag from the US Military Modular Sleep System (MSS). I did have to hunt around for this because I didn’t want the whole MSS. So hard to find some-one selling just the bivy. But eventually I managed to find one.

Why this specific bivy?

It’s a combination of things. Firstly it’s goretex and bombproof (bloody well better be considering). Secondly it has a 3/4 length side zip. A lot of the hiking specific bivy bags do not have this zip. It’s a heavier bivy than I’ve used in the past. But more rugged, more waterproof, and better as my emergency shelter if needed that way. And yes it replaces my emergency shelter.

Next is the sleeping mat. I’ve gone with the Klymit Static V2 Sleeping Pad, Ultralight. I needed a new mat, the old one got damaged beyond repair whilst in storage. So needed replacing. Its R value is 1.3 iirc so not a winter mat. I’d need one with a R value of 4 plus if I’ve understood this rating system correctly. It would be a push using it in spring and autumn too. But the use of a suitable foam mat might allow its use in those two seasons. Plus at the moment I have no plans to go winter camping.

To inflate the Klymit I’ve got a gadget that never existed on the market 14 years ago, a Flextailgear Zero Pump. This is a portable air pump for blowing up sleep pads. Back in my day (that makes me sound sooo old) we had to blow these sort of pads up with our breath. That was the attraction of the self inflating mats. A couple of puffs was all that was required. Don’t underestimate how tired you are after hiking all day and then setting up camp. The effort required to blow up a sleep pad is quite a lot. This is a godsend invention.

To give the Klymit a bit of protection I have the Light AF non-slip camping mat. This is a very thin mat that should cut down the chances of the Klymit getting damaged, and stop it sliding all over the place.

For winter/freezing conditions I will add a thicker foam sleeping mat. Which is to be decided. Less pressure on sorting this out. I have one already. I like the look of the British Army Four Seasom foam mat. Bomb proof and can be picked up for about a tenner! But my egg box one should be fine for what I want. I have got a Mountain Warehouse Trek Mat which has a reflective layer which I want to try. But I still like the look of the British Army mat.

I did previously use a silk sleeping bag liner even with a sleeping bag. Obviously it gives another layer and a bit more warmth. Plus keeps your bag cleaner, so it needs less cleaning inside.

The sleeping bag liner I’m now using is a Carinthia Grizzly Sleeping Bag Liner. I’ve had to settle with a left sided zip. Ideally wanted a right sided one but wasn’t able to find one. Not even sure they do a right sided version.

I’m then adding another bit of US military kit the woobie or poncho liner as it is also known. This adds another layer to the sleep system as needed.

The final layer if needed will be a wool blanket! Just like the foam sleeping mat this will remain at home/in the car unless I’m expecting temperatures to drop. I have an “Original German Army Surplus Wool Blanket” it wasn’t expensive. The plan is to see how I get on with this, and if it works out invest in an expensive merino wool one at some point. That will be lighter and warmer.

Not a layer in the sleep system, however just as vital as the rest is the addition of the Klymit Unisex’s Drift Camping Pillow. I need a good pillow. We’ll see how this works out.

Obviously as I write this I’ve not tested this system in anger. Nor even have a clue what temperature range this system can potentially handle. Yes it is considerably heavier too. But I think its flexibility counters that.

When you think the base combination will be the following:

  • Light AF non-slip camping mat + Klymit Static V2 Sleeping Pad + Carinthia Grizzly Sleeping Bag Liner + Klymit Unisex’s Drift Camping Pillow

Then depending on conditions/expected weather could be any of the following combinations for example:

  • Base + poncho liner
  • Base + quilt
  • Base + quilt + poncho liner
  • Base + quilt + poncho liner + wool blanket
  • Base + quilt + poncho liner + wool blanket + thicker foam mat

To any of these the bivy can be used giving an extra layer, protection from the elements, etc.

I know I’ve not listed the base + wool blanket as an option or base + wool blanket + poncho liner as one either. And they are options I could use. I’m just not sure I would. Although I might at some point for scientific reasons.

Another thing I like about this system is that it can be used like its inspiration of the cowboy bedroll! So I could if I’m expecting shit weather have the sleeping mat, sleeping bag liner, quilt/poncho liner inside the bivy bag for protection and just unroll it when needed at night in camp. How practical that is I don’t know. But it’s an option.

Have you tried a similar sleep system? Or do you think I’m barking mad?

Back to the hills – planning and navigating

An important and fun part of any trip out into the hills or any walk is the planning. Unless you are using a published walk by someone else whether it’s from a book, magazine, website, or app. Then following on from the planning when you are actually out on the route you have the fun activity of navigating the route.

This post is all about the tools I use for both planning my routes and whilst out on the hill.

Not all who wander are lost”, J. R. R. Tolkien, “The Riddle of Strider”, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

And yes I’m taking an often used select quote from LoTR. Why wouldn’t I being a massive Tolkien fan. The big surprise is that it’s not in the posts title. But I think that’d be stepping over some imaginary line and too tacky and predictable.

The most obvious place to start is with a map. I’m refreshing my maps (not all of them at once obviously, just the ones in areas I will be walking in initially) with new OS Maps. These now come with digital download codes! So going to the OS website you can redeem the code to get the map as a download in the official OS app. I love this. I don’t have to subscribe to their service, and I can browse the map on my iOS devices at work or home. So at the moment I’ve not used the OS app in anger to plan a route. I’ve also not looked at alternatives (which I assume will cost money as well). Thoughts on the OS app will be the subject of a future post I’m sure. In the meantime this is a great little bonus to buying the map. My preference is the 1:50k Landranger but I also get the 1:25k Explorer as and when I think it’s more appropriate. Although I do like the Harvey water resistant hiker maps at 1:40k for areas like the Lakes or Brecon Beacons.

I actually splashed out on a new compass, and got the Silva Compass 5. This is a feature rich compass. It has the all the standard stuff you expect on a compass such as romas, rulers, magnifying lens, etc. However it also has luminous markings, a detachable distance lanyard with scales to measure longer distances, and a built in permanent adjuster for magnetic declination. It comes with a Slope card that helps assess avalanche risk, slopes and extra distance.

Being able to navigate especially in poor weather conditions is an important skill to have. One of those skills to aid this is pacing. To aid in keeping an accurate count of my paces taken I got some Coopers Bay Pace Count Beads.

Both the compass and pace count beads will be kept on the belt in an old Satmap gps case I have for easy access and safe keeping.

My routes and notes will be written in a Rite in the Rain Waterproof Paper Universal Pocket Top Wire Bound Spiral Notebook. Obviously the size and being waterproof is a big factor in getting this particular notebook. Having rulers and measurement conversion tables on the inside back cover is a handy addition.

I will be keeping the notepad in a Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Cordura Fabric Notebook Cover (I have a spare one of these if anyone wants one, first person to comment/contact me gets it). This will also have pens, pencils, the Silva slope card, timing card, and protractor in.

The Clear Half Round Shape Plastic 0-360 Degrees Protractor Map Reading Measuring Tool is the degree version of the mills one I have. Mainly used in planning and saving me have to convert between mills and degrees for bearings.

The map needs protecting from the elements and to do this I have an Aquapac Small Waterproof Map Case.

Being lazy and not wanting to do any maths I got a Navigators Timing Card from ShavenRaspberry.com. Handy when planning to get a rough idea of how long the route might take. But even handier on the trail when needing to work out timings for a leg of the route or even a route adjustment quickly.

Garmin eTrex 32x gps. I needed a new gps. I’ve not been able to locate my old Satmap gps. Now even though I have this its main use will be to give me a precise location to confirm on my map that I am where I think I am. And possibly have a digital copy of the route on it. But to do that will need me to use mapping software of some kind. And I’ve not spent any time investigating current options, especially for the iPad.

My iPhone! If I’m using this for navigation then things have gone pretty pear shaped. Somehow I’ve lost all of the above.

A rant!

But these two gadgets bring me onto a rant about outdoors YouTubers. Maybe I’m watching the wrong ones. But you very rarely see them use a map and compass. Instead you do see them use their mobile device with some sort of navigation/map app. Giving the impression that’s all you need, and that’s all they are using.

Since the appearance of affordable (subjective I know) gps technology for the public the critism has always been that technology fails. So you don’t rely on it solely. You need a map and compass. And just importantly know how to use them.

It’s a valid point.

Yes technology improves. Battery life increases, etc.

However if something happens to the phone/gps, gets dropped, wet, battery dies, or some other unfortunate event. You are stuffed. Depending when this happens it could be dangerously so.

Yes maps and compasses also have weaknesses.

I’m a fan of a belt and braces approach. Use the map and compass as your main navigation tool, and have the gps/phone as your backup. Use them as a tool alongside the map. Just don’t rely on them being your main or sole navigation tool.

But this isn’t what these YouTubers show. You see no map. No compass. You see them using just their phone. So not even a dedicated gps. You don’t even see any disclaimer telling people not to use just a phone etc. Which I think is shocking.

What do you think of my navigation toolkit or my rant? Let me know in the comments below.

Back to the hills – not getting lost

It was my birthday Tuesday.

My aunt and uncle generously gave me an Amazon voucher as a present that was put towards getting a Silva Compass 5.

I’m a gadget geek. But when heading out into the amazingly beautiful British hills you can’t rely on those gadgets for navigation.

Yes technology has not stood still in the years since I was last out in the wilds.

Yet it should never be your only way to find your way around.

I did already have a Silva compass. It’s been in “hibernation” under the stairs.

But. And there is always a but. I really liked the look of this new model.

I liked the wider variety of romers on it, luminous markings, built-in adjuster for magnetic declination (including permanent local adjustment), a clinometer for measuring slope angle. Plus! its lanyard can act as a detachable scale that works like a ruler. And it comes with a slope card.

However it doesn’t matter how fancy your compass is, if you don’t know how to use it then it’s a fancy expensive paperweight.

So YouTube has been my refresher on the core skills. But they need to be practiced enough times they become second nature again.

I also got a British Army protractor!

I already had one of these too!

There is a reason I bought a second. I’ve had the first one all my life, or it’s been in the family all my life. Which currently is 56 years.

The first one was my dad’s. It’s the one he had while as a para.

I consider that one a family heirloom that is kept safe and not to be used.

But why buy this new one?

I want to be better at planning my routes and making notes before hand. Which includes adding bearings.

The drawback of this military compass is its in mills. When I want degrees. So a bit of maths is required to convert between the two. It’s not an easy bit of maths either. By that I mean multiplying or dividing by an easy number like the conversion between metres and feet. Something you can do quickly and roughly in your head. The conversion between mills and degrees is a small decimal number. A calculator is definitely needed.

Why don’t I just get a US Army protractor clone that uses degrees? It’s that dad thing. Dad used one. Even now 26 years after dad’s death doing something like this somehow feels like it’s keeping his memory alive.

Although I do seem to be quoting dad a lot lately at work! The quote being “size doesn’t matter when they are on the floor”. Nico and Loki prove this everyday playing mum up while she is lying down. And it’s in relation to them it’s mainly said.

I do like regaling folks with tales of how two little dogs play mum up.

Right time to close off this post. See you in the next one.

Back to the Hills – My Coffee Plans

I think it’s fair to say I like my coffee.

I’m a big Aeropress fan. But I also love my Hario V60 coffee dripper. It’s so easy to get consistent good results with.

But neither of these two great coffee making options are ideal for taking out on the hill. I should say in my opinion (no way am I being humble about it). They might be fine for you dear reader or someone else. That’s totally fine. I respect that. I’m not having to carry or pack them. So why do I care? I don’t.

Previously back in the day I used a MSR MugMate™ Coffee/Tea Filter. I still have it. And you could make a better coffee than the instant stuff you can buy (if you like and drink instant coffee that’s fine, but why are you reading this?). However it doesn’t produce an end result that comes close to the V60 or Aeropress.

Enter the Mermoo Yilan Collapsible Pour Over Coffee Dripper Cone (that I got off Amazon). Which is a reusable silicone coffee filter holder that comes with a storage bag.

I should note the storage bag can easily hold some 02 size paper filters inside with the collapsed cone. I got some from Morrisons the other day, 40 in a box for £1.50. I bought four boxes just in case that was a mistake.

With that yes you can use a 02 sized filter with this collapsible cone. Source yours from wherever.

Now if you are going the same route as me to get a bloody good mug of coffee whilst out on the hill, then you have a decision to make. Do you take grounds or beans with you?

Remember there is no wrong answer here.

For me I’m taking beans. Mainly because if the bag bursts, less mess. Plus you could still use them! And they won’t have messed up any kit.

So how am I going to grind the beans?

I got a Hario, Transparent Black Mini Mill Plus to use. Yes it’s extra weight. It’s probably not the lightest. But I think the fresh ground beans and the reason above for me justifies its inclusion.

A couple of weeks back I got given some Kopi Luwak aka cat poo coffee as I call it. This coffee is very expensive, and most definitely out of my price range. But it has been a coffee I’ve always wanted to try.

So when I was offered some I jumped at the chance to try it.

I love it. It’s not as bitter as other coffees. I’d almost say lighter. But that could be the roasting.

Definitely worth getting when/if I can afford it. Luckily I was given a 300g bag after the first one. So that will be my guilty pleasure for a week or two.

Right so that’s my coffee plans taken care of. Time to make a brew.