Lomond 'wild camping'

One of the more pleasant experiences of my West Highland Way trip was finding a quiet spot on the shores of 'Bonnie Lomond' to spend the night.

I had little to eat and was tired from the day's walk, yet none of this mattered. It was a truly stunning evening in May and the atmosphere was heavy with the remnants of the day's heat. The loch was still, seemingly solid, and offered a perfect mirror image of a reddening sky.

I got comfortable leant against a tree and sipped tea made with the bubbling waters from a nearby burn.

A simply perfect experience, and just reward you for all those nights in storms waiting for daylight.

After decamping in the morning, and carefully removing all trace of my bedroom, I regained the path and continued down the loch.

Peering into the woods which fringe this huge expanse of water, I saw numerous camps which hadn't been cleared, accompanied by beer cans and other detritus.

This saddened me, as it does whenever I see such miserable piles of trash in the 'outdoors'.

For Lomond, it appears the problems are now worse.

A story on the BBC's site suggests new camping bylaws to counter irresponsible behaviour. Lomond obviously suffers due to its relative accessibility, a problem that prevails in many parts of the Peak and Lake districts.

These places should be for all, but this is clearly a case of the few spoiling it not just for the back packing 'few', but for the many who enjoy this fabulous place.

2010 Go Lite range

The 2010 Go Lite range is now available to view on the company's website.

This includes an even lighter Shangrila range and new sleeping bags, including quilts made of recycled material.

I am interested in trying one of the down quilts in future and the lighter nest for the Shangrila makes it increasingly viable.

However, a half nest would still be the best solution for me so I'll wait to see if a promised version from a third party manufacturer sees production in a couple of months time... no surprises for guessing who that is.

Dry

A new year and a whole bunch of new work pressures. Hours on the train to and from London have finally provided an opportunity today to ‘pen’ something, though.

I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions. What’s the point of depriving yourself during the most challenging time of the year, when the debts of Christmas are realised and the weather does its best to dampen any motivation?

This is the time you need chocolate, crisps, Indian food, Dancing on Ice (whatever your vice may be) to get you through the long winter evenings.

Nevertheless, I have decided to drop alcohol for most of January. I felt I had drunk all I wanted to drink for a while… no reformed-alcoholic epiphany, I just thought I’d give it a rest.

So how’s it all going? Surprisingly well. There have been times when I’ve nearly caved in, especially last week in London fighting the constant temptation of drinks with colleagues after hours.

This has presented a new challenge, though: finding an acceptable adult soft drink. I’ve spent nights staring at the ceiling with mind racing having guzzled too much diet Coke. And there's a clear limit to the amount of orange juice you can consume until your teeth buzz with all that sugar.

You may think that I am experiencing a whole range of health benefits by not drinking and I’ll be running up those hills in no time. Kind of.

On the none-Coke nights, I have slept better than I can remember, despite the mounting pressures at work. It’s a deep, almost drug-induced sleep… and refreshing.

My mood swings (what mood swings?!) are less pronounced, so I am told.

I guess (hope) my liver is regenerating, too.

One more test remains. I am going to have a dry birthday for nearly 20 years on Friday. I’m staying in, naturally… keeping out of harm’s way.

I will mark it with a trans-Pennine real ale odyssey next Saturday and there will be a celebration. No sanctimonious toasts, just a quiet sense of satisfaction having broken, albeit temporarily, an unhealthy habit which I have nurtured since university.

Cheers!

Happy New Year!

Very best wishes to all for the new year.

A long and restful festive break is now over, and I have indulged a little too enthusiastically as always. The frustration has been the difficulty in getting out to work some of that festive excess off.

Conditions have been tricky to say the least.

We had a hefty dump of snow before Christmas, followed by some wild storms which were replaced with another blanket of snow.

Local walks have been welcome (as you can see from the picture) but it has been treacherous trying to reach anywhere else.

Consequently, our New Year's Eve was not spent shivering in a tent... just a run-of-the-mill 'quiet one' at home.

Santa was kind, though. I am now in possession of a Travel Tap and a Caldera Cone stove. I have given the latter a go in the snow already and it is very impressive. Full reports will be posted on both items once they've had a proper test.

Thoughts are inevitably turning towards adventures later in the year, too. I am tempted by the LeJOG by bike but am still not convinced my back is up to such protracted toil en velo.

I am really keen to do a Scottish backpacking trip... perhaps the Sutherland Trail or a route on Skye.

Oh, the possibilities...