An outdoor life

02/06/2026

A 15 miler from Dawlish Warren to Torquay. A nice flat start but ended up very tough. Also, fell in love with Devon ❤️

28/05/2026

27/05/2026

Colmer’s Hill and Shutes Lane.

21 Pine trees were planted at the top of this hill for the 21 men from the village who lost their lives in WW1.

29/04/2026

Now that was a day

Etna! At 3400 meters high, it’s one of the tallest active volcanoes in Europe!
But to reach the summit of this mountain, one must have a guide as the Italian government do not allow hikers up there alone.
So a 9am start with our guide and group of about 10 other hikers. After the briefing we have to catch a cable car up to a certain height and then into a sort of ‘moon buggy’ bus to the final point before we start our ascent on foot.
So far, so awful, there are lots of other groups doing various excursions all using the same transport as us, it feels like we’re cattle being herded into cages.
Pushed by people’s back packs, poked with their walking poles and forced to sit next to loud families wearing tracksuit bottoms and designer coats.
This is not my usual experience of spending time on mountains.
Once we get walking though, everyone else goes on their different paths, and the few groups which are headed for the summit are off on our own.
This is starting to feel better, away from the crowds, no noise just isolation and stunning scenery. Walking up Etna has been a thing for a few years for me, and my inner child is fully out and very happy.
(It doesn’t actually take much for my inner child to come out, usually a couple of beers and he shows his face.)
Being a volcano gives the mountain a bizarre ground, parts of it are snow, and other parts are volcanic rocks, both are awkward for walking on.
At about 1pm though, we get to the craters (there’s 4), and what a sight! Beautiful, if not a bit smelly, the sulphur is making a few of us choke.
We walk round the craters for a while taking selfies and what not, and then head down, feeling like champions, victorious, all heroes in our own minds.
We stop part way down for lunch and find a thawed out section which is actually quite warm to sit on. Strange to think it’s probably lava beneath us keeping our bums warm.
What a great day, about 5 miles in distance and 600 meters in ascent.
Back to the car at 4pm, totally smashed.

22/04/2026

A long 15 mile walk from Sandbanks, round past Fort Henry, across to Harry Rocks and back over Shell Bay. Mabel is loving Spring

05/04/2026

Further south for this walk.
From Westbay to Seatown, over Golden Cap to Charmouth, then luckily the tide was out so we could walk across the beach past all the fossil hunters to Lyme Regis. Then the X53 bus back.
10 miles over 5 hours and some killer hills.
Happy Easter x

31/03/2026

Rievaulx Abby, up near York, one of many to fall foul of our old friend Henry VIII.
On The Cleveland Way trail

29/07/2025

It's been a while, but just thought i would share of couple of pics from a walk round Chapmans Pool way with Mabel.

28/02/2024

Having the Jurrasic coast on one’s doorstep is just a blessing!

Winspit quarry is always good for an explore, and was recently used in the last Star Wars series as a location.

Then round to Dancing Ledge for lunch.

Feels like spring is in the air, hope everyone is getting out and about