From Gatesgarth we first climbed Fleetwith Pike. The memorial to “Fanny Mercer, accidentally killed 1887” Looking back over Buttermere Up onto the ridge Looking back to Buttermere The summit of Fleetwith Pike Innominate Tarn in threatening weather Descending Haystacks to Scarth Gap in a howling gale Descending Scarth Gap Pass A Herdwick... read more

Some time ago I noted our dismal failure to get a Pouch RZ85 collapsible canoe from the shed into the foaming surf. Well with Naomi, Hel and Robin away, and a long weekend to fill, Lois and I had another go. Lessons learned, it was much easier this time, though still pretty tricky and some bits seemed warped with age (know the feeling). We looked ... read more

Yay, it's the summer holidays! Weeks and weeks of lovely Welsh sunshine, no school, and absolutely nothing to do. We have set Lois, Helen and Robin a challenge; they must produce the following items on Sunday 30th August: A piece of sandstone The Dean's signature A recording (home made) of Mendelssohn's Lift Thine Eyes A fig... read more

Recently we picked up the old family collapsible canoe that had been sitting in a barn for years. I think it was acquired in the late 1980s, in Germany, and used in one or two holidays after I had left home. I’d never actually seen it before, but lil bro Nick described it thus: It's got a wooden frame, plus a **** load of thick canvas stuff... read more

As folk will surely know, I’m organising a South Wales Traverse relay with exeGesIS colleagues on 7th – 8th June, the aim being to complete the 73 mile route in less than 24 hours. This is a Big Ask, requiring an average speed over 3mph over mountain terrain, with lots of colleagues whose main form of exercise is writing software. We’re doing it... read more

Lois’s face painting was only marred by doing the writing while looking in the mirror – she was of course an evil avocado. Robin became Stupid Death from the Horrible Histories. And here’s the both of them… read more

First the wind: as a birthday treat for Naomi we did the Mynydd Troed Race today. I don't think I've ever done a race in such foul conditions, with screaming winds and driving rain. Before the start I was a bit miffed that the course was shortened to miss out Mynydd Llangorse - this was my first race after busting the knee and I wanted my... read more

At last we are the “proud” owners of Number 1 Fronwen Terrace, and over the last couple of weekends we have begun the mammoth task of making it habitable for humans. Here’s the kitchen after lifting the lino to reveal the slime and mould… I removed the whole lot, along with most of the skin on my knuckles.  The quarry tile floor is in good... read more

Number 1 in the charts on  the days we were born… Naomi Lois Helen Robin Crispin read more

Poj roused the Scouts for a walk up Pen y Fan in driving drizzle. Naomi and I went along to make up the numbers of “responsible adults”, and we took Grandma too. And of course Robin and Helen to even things up again. We were able to park at Pont ar Daf despite the Phytophthora ramorum outbreak that has attacked the larches. On the hill, Mackenzie... read more