newsletter #2 | Staying out of the storms, work news & my next long distance walk.
I’m back with news.
Been an interesting few weeks here in South Wales. The constant barrage of storms has meant getting anywhere high and meaningful over a weekend was out. That left us with low-level trail running and walks in the woods. Different but it helped me focus on other things.
In other news. I handed my notice in at work. I normally freelance but took a permanent role last year. While the people are great, the role just isn’t for me, so I’m taking a few months off before going back to freelance work.
I’ve been through this before, so it’s all familiar territory. Back in 2016, I quit my last permanent role to walk from Lands End to John O’Groats.
In May, I plan on walking coast to coast from Great Orme in North Wales to Worms Head in South Wales, with the idea to form a book project around it. Should take me 3-4 weeks of solo backpacking through the spine of Wales. I’ll be walking over the various ranges in Snowdonia and the Rhinogs, the Tarrens and Cambrians, through Elan Valley, the Black Mountain range before coming to Afan Forest and the coast. I’m looking forward to the journey and seeing where it takes me.
Here is a roundup of things.
My Writing
High Five - I wrote this long piece last year. It was about my time leading in South India back in 2019 and getting detained at the airport while leaving the country.
Little Things - A blog piece about noticing the little things while out for a run.
In-Flight - Another blog piece about some time I spent watching a flock of crows playing.
Sights & Sounds in the Vale - Final blog piece focussing on the sounds coming out of St Marys Vale during recent stormy weather.
(all links are now removed)
Other Interesting Links
Muslim Hikers Group. Over Christmas the group received a lot of racist comments after a walk they completed in the Peak District. The outdoor community came out in support and railed against this minority of small-minded bigots who apparently call themselves outdoor folk. There is no room in our community for this sort of behaviour. Looking forward to following their walks. More power to them.
Anna Fleming has written a book about her journey into rock climbing and what has been a male-orientated world. The book is on my to-read pile but the reviews have been great. I’ve read excerpts and skimmed Annas’ blog and I really like how she elicits the feelings of climbing on rock and the story she tells.
Melting Mount Everest. This is rather worrying and should be a real wake up call for those continuing to ignore the climate disaster we’re currently going through.
Lego Lost At Sea. I vaguely remember reading about this original story in 1997. While listening to the radio a few weeks ago, the story was revived. Hard to believe that pieces are still being washed up 25 years later. It sounds like a cute story but the real issue being highlighted is the plastic waste in our waters.
Gold In The Welsh Mountains. A story about the hunt for gold in Snowdonia. Who knew.
Books I’ve Read & Enjoyed
Simon Ingram, The Black Ridge - A lengthy book but worth all your time. History of mountaineering on the Isle of Skye while the author writes about his time exploring the area.
Stanley Tucci, Taste - A food memoir from Stanley Tucci. I never wanted to read a book more after watching his In Search of Italy show. He’s such a dapper dude and his story is funny, warm and makes you hungry for good food.
Peter Hook, The Hacienda: How Not To Run A Club - I love Joy Division and New Order so picked this up as wanted to hear how it all went wrong. And it did. He writes honestly and doesn’t mess around with how it all turned to shit.
Cal Flyn, Islands of Abandonment - Cal writes about the character of a place and really gets into it with visits to places long abandoned by humans where nature is reclaiming the land. She gets the perspective from those that left, those that still try to live there and her own personal experiences.
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. Get outside, explore and stay safe. Till next time.
Paul