Swiss Christmas

Posted on January 23, 2018 by yellowvanmountaineering

Breaking with tradition, this year we took the van to the Alps over Christmas and New Year. This was somewhat experimental and I won’t pretend it wasn’t all rather stressful leading up to the trip, but once we actually left things greatly improved. The outcomes: 1) We didn’t freeze to death, get stuck in the snow or get fed up of each other during the long dark evenings. 2) Fairy lights might become a permanent feature in the van. 3) We did manage three days of sunny ski touring, two days of snowshoeing, one day faffing about on snow in high winds and flat light (not sure it could really be called “skiing”), a very cold morning on piste, and several days with expat friends in and around Zurich to see in 2018 – most of which was a lot of fun. 4) We did miss Scotland and might have to go there a lot this year to make up for it. 5) We might do it again sometime…

Campsite in Davos

First morning – SNOW!

Setting off on the first day

Skinning up the road

Slow zig zag towards the summit

On the final ridge

Nearly there on the Jorihorn

A friendly wolf on the top (the owner described it as his wolf. It really enjoys snow apparently)

First tracks of the year

Starting to remember how to ski

Another early morning skin

Stafelalp (came back for coffee later)

Christmas day skinning (ridiculously warm)

Along a ridge

Cutting the corner off the ridge

Summer path was obscured

Chorbschhorn for Christmas lunch

Action shot – almost perfect tracks in perfect snow (Jo’s are far right)

Back along the ridge towards coffee

Another clear day meant another skinning session

Bit more weather around today

Ill thought out route choice meant a horizontal tootle for a bit

Bouldering interlude

Decided to go for the bigger peak -heading leftwards

Top of the Sentischhorn

Great view of lummocky snow on the next valley over

Taking the shorter route down (Davos on the left)

And slogging back to the van

A windy, poor light day on the Pischagrat

More SNOW!

Playing with snowshoes

A horse just galloped past us.

Rare-ish slow snow slide on corrugated roof

Zurich wandering

Artistic Tree

Zurichsee

Snowshoeing on Rigi

Admiring the massive contorted lakes of Switzerland

Along the ridge

The ridge had lots of up and down, some on awkward snow

More massive lakes

Sunset on top of Rigi

Looking West (Jo’s PhD field area is just over the two rocky peaks in the middle)

Looking SW (ridge we walked along in the foreground)

Looking S to Eiger area

Eiger just picked out with sunlight in the centre

More snow, water and sunset – the last of 2017.

Easedale Horseshoe

Posted on January 20, 2018 by yellowvanmountaineering

In December we spent a short weekend in Kendal, attending the Northwest Duffers Christmas Curry and following it up with a variant of the Easedale Horseshoe, bagging Tarn Crag in the process (my first new Wainwright for some years – still 17 to go and not looking hopeful!) We managed to forget our walking boots, so thanks to everyone who offered/lent us footwear (Dave’s feet have just about recovered now).

Ascending Helm Crag

Heading along the ridge to Gibson Knott and Calf Crag

From Tarn Crag, looking into Easedale and Grasmere

Nice matching kit!

Blencathra

Posted on November 15, 2017 by yellowvanmountaineering

Bonus Sunday afternoon ascent of Blencathra via Sharp Edge on our way home from Simon & Jane’s wedding at Blaithwaite House, with Joe, Andrena, Bethan, Doug, Dave and Alex (in varying degrees of preparedness). Up and down in two and a half hours.

Just the lightest of snow dustings on the top…

Autumn cycling

Posted on November 12, 2017 by yellowvanmountaineering

Although half term was mainly spent moving house, we managed to escape the chaos for a couple of days’ cycling in Scotland. We really like the autumn colours and empty roads up there, and a couple of 50-mile-ish loops among the woods and hills around Loch Tummel were tonic for the soul.

We camped at the Tomphubil limekiln car park near Schiehallion. A misty start, but it improved

Quick stop at Braes of Foss

Fantastic descent to Dunalastair Reservoir and Kinloch Rannoch as the mist began to lift

Cake stop on the quiet road on the south shore of Loch Rannoch, after which we continued to Rannoch Station

Heading east again, home via the north side of Loch Rannoch, Tummel Bridge and a punishing slog back up the the van

But we were glad to be camped at a high point next morning, which was glorious (if difficult to photograph)

Schiehallion

Back down towards Tummel Bridge, before turning off to Kirkton and the south shore of Loch Tummel

Loch Tummel

Another brilliant road (where I nearly ran over a red squirrel)

Loch Tummel again

Near Linn of Tummel. We continued to Pitlochry, Logierait, Strathtay, Weem, Dull, Fortingall and back to the van.

Birthday + Wainwrights = Cake

Posted on September 30, 2017 by yellowvanmountaineering

We spent last weekend in the Lake District celebrating Andrena’s birthday and Andrena and Joe’s double Wainwright completion. The trip was based at Felldyke bunkhouse near Lamplugh, as some obscure Western Fells were the main objective. The Lakes were, as always, looking splendid – as were the cakes before we demolished them!

Buttermere

Getting higher

The very boggy valley on the way to Great Borne

Summit of Great Borne

Travellers in the mist

Starling Dodd

Glimpse of Ennerdale from the slopes of Red Pike

Unexpected cliffs

Descending Red Pike

Still descending Red Pike

Dodd

Posing in front of Crummock Water

Buttermere again

Sunday – heading up Gavel Fell

Vicky and Knock Murton

Gavel Fell summit

No idea where this is taken from – but looking back to yesterday’s hills

The moment of completion (Burnbank Fell)

Back on track after some traversing

Merryton Low (and other adventures)

Posted on September 25, 2017 by yellowvanmountaineering

Too busy to go far afield for the late August bank holiday, we decided to do a little exploring on our (new) doorstep instead. After dropping into Nottingham to top up Dave’s collection of “smart casual” wear (essential for evening duties and the like), we headed for the most southerly crag in Eastern Grit, Black Rocks near Wirksworth. It sounded like a good bet: “a fine cliff” with a large number of routes in the low grades, including some stars and some long(ish) routes. But we should have paid more attention to the warning signs (“some routes are not climbed that often”; “tends to be green after poor weather”…)

In fact it looked like no-one had climbed there for years, which was unsurprising when we discovered how much broken glass there was around the belay spots, and we quickly abandoned the idea of doing any serious climbing. We did manage to salvage the visit by soloing two Mods, and having a nice potter around Cromford Moor. We’d only really gone there as it was on route to the Roaches, where we’d agreed to meet David for a walk the next day, so we didn’t mind too much, and continued happily on our way.

Displaying his usual impeccable Google Earth skills, Dave had found a fantastic van spot on the high road near Merryton Low, where there somehow seemed to be extensive vistas in every direction. We had a little wander around, spotting Parkhouse and Chrome Hills, Shutlingsloe, Shining Tor and even the Wrekin (mostly retrospectively when we asked David about them the next day). Then we found an inviting-looking pool and couldn’t resist an evening swim. It was relatively warm (or maybe we were just hardened by our Baltic dipping), so we enjoyed a few laps with views of the Roaches bathed in evening light.

Sunday was perfect bank holiday weather, sunny and warm. We reminded ourselves how nice the Roaches are, explored the Dane Valley, and after emerging onto the upper slopes of Gun from a flourishing jungle of stinging nettles, brambles and thistles, Jo remembered why shorts are not usually advisable in the Peak District. We then made our way back to van via New Zealand, Frith Bottom and Windygates, feeling rather more tired than we felt was deserved!

For some reason I only took pictures of the Merryton Low bit, but they are quite nice! This from the actual summit

Hen Cloud and the Roaches

Sunset

The view north

The view south

Blake Mere

Breakfast with a view

Stockholm Sailing

Posted on September 2, 2017 by yellowvanmountaineering

A 256 nm tour of the Stockholm Archipelago and the Åland Islands.

We all arrived at one of the largest marinas in the Baltic, Bullandö, late on Sunday afternoon. We quickly stowed the vast quantities of food and got underway, sailing downwind for about an hour to a quiet anchorage (Munko) for the evening. The next day set the pattern for the rest of the trip – morning swims, sailing through islands, finding a spot for lunch, and more sailing to an evening mooring. After anchoring on the first night, we learnt the Baltic way of dropping the stern anchor and nosing the bow just to the rocks and tying up to a tree or ring. A combination of Swedish and German pilots books, plus recommendations from one of Jo’s colleagues allowed us to pick our lunch and dinner spots. After the first night at Munko, we sailed past Sandhamn to Bjorkskar for lunch, then on to Rödlöga for the evening. The following day, still sailing downwind, we crossed to the Åland Islands, landing at Stegskär. We treated ourselves to a marina (and fish and chips) the next night, at the natural harbour of Käringsund, before learning to tack in slowly increasing winds the following day crossing back to Sweden, stopping opposite a military base on Styrjans Hamn. The weather turned from constant sun to occasional rain, but this didn’t stop us swimming and sailing via Granhamn for lunch, and then through some interesting inter-island passages to Paradisvik/Finnhamn for a sunset mooring. Our final day started with swimming in the rain, then we headed to Säck for lunch and losing each other in the forest, before finally heading to the Bullandö Marina.

Bit grey heading out of Bullandö, but a keen crew!

Our yacht Lamu coming into the first evening anchorage at Munko

G&T – a hallmark of any good sailing trip!

Sunny next morning

Sailing (well, motoring) through a narrow channel to the south of the island of Runmarö

The settlement of Soderby on Runmarö

Back in open water

A satisfied sailor

Downwind cruising

Preparing to jump to Bjorkskar

Happily moored

Messing with the tangled rope

Enjoying dry land for a few moments

Relaxing while moored

Rödlöga for the evening

Sunset over the stepping stones

Åland Islands

Stegskär evening

Käringsund boathouses

Käringsund boathouses and museum that mimics the boat house look

Sunset at Käringsund

(Some of) the crew

Marina sunset

How do we get out of here again?

Motoring out the marina

Boathouses from the other side

Light wind sailing

Picking up again

Evening mooring manoeuvres

The weather changed. And a ferry chased us

Granhamn

Wasn’t convinced the ring was big enough

Mischievous pair

Another sunset mooring (Paradisvik)

Early morning swim/wash

Even Joe went in

Wind picking up some more

Last mooring at Säck

Woodland wander

Wood

Trees

Art

Companionway loitering

Loads of other boats!

Final drink before the bus.

Petit Tour de Manche

Posted on July 30, 2017 by yellowvanmountaineering

When Dave unexpectedly gained rather a lot of holiday, we decided to use a week of it cycle touring in France and the Channel Islands at the start of July. A long-distance route called the Petit Tour de Manche (its grand cousin extends further west into Brittany and Devon) formed the basis for this, although required some tweaks as there are no longer regular ferries from Weymouth to France.

So we took the van to Poole (getting caught up in various road closures and traffic chaos on the way), spent half a night in it, left it parked in a posh-looking cul-de-sac, and caught an early ferry to Cherbourg. Over the next couple of days we wound our way south down the Cotentin Peninsula, enjoying the Normandy countryside (marshes and bocage) and towns and an interesting detour to Utah Beach. A good day or so was spent following the Vire river valley – often on the voie verte, a series of old railway lines. As the weather became sunnier and hotter, we turned west and were soon in sight (albeit way across the marshes) of Mont-Saint-Michel, which we later spent a pleasant evening wandering around as the crowds thinned out. A final day in France took us into Brittany, zooming along the rocky coast to Cancale and St-Malo, and on an evening ferry to St Helier.

This felt a bit like the start of another holiday, since we now had two days to explore Jersey, and the weather was still hot and sunny. As the round-island route is only 40ish miles, this was very leisurely and involved a large number of food, drink and paddling/swimming stops. We decided we liked Jersey, once we stopped expecting it to be like the Scottish islands and accepted that there would inevitably be a cafe and other people on every beach! A final evening ferry brought us back to Poole (via Guernsey), where we were relieved to find the van exactly as we had left it.

All in all, a nice relaxed tour through varied scenery, with great campsites, some history, and countless opportunities for excellent food and drink (and the good weather might have helped a bit too!)

Setting off across Hamworthy Park to Poole ferry port at 7am

Beach huts cheering up a grey morning

Brownsea Castle, sailing out of Poole Harbour

Le Redoutable, France’s first nuclear submarine and our first stop after getting off the ferry

Lunch on the quay in Cherbourg

Finally on route, climbing out of Cherbourg into undulating rural Normandy

We arrived in Bricquebec towards late afternoon, and explored the first of many castles

Followed by a beer

Then a roll down the greenway to our first campsite at Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte

The campsite was directly under the castle walls and it was rather late by the time we arrived – pasta and pesto has never tasted so good!

Marshland (nature reserve) on the way to Carentan, where we arrived at lunchtime

An out-and-back to Utah Beach filled the afternoon

A good day for an ice cream

We didn’t go the museum, but there was plenty to see and read outside

Dave making friends on the way back to Carentan

Our second campsite was right next to Carentan canal, which made for a very pleasant evening stroll

Carentan fountains

Sunny evening selfie

Our only mechanical of the trip – puncture heading out of Carentan the next morning – and the worst road of the trip (unrelated…)

Soon afterwards we entered the Vire valley, and followed the Vire to Saint-Lô

Here we had lunch and a wander around the ramparts, before continuing along the Vire

Some creative gardening in Saint-Lô

The Vire

And again from higher up, after a steep climb to visit Les Roches de Ham

Unfortunately the Tour wasn’t visiting Normandy this year…

Another lovely, peaceful campsite in the tiny village of Pont-Farcy

The first really hot day, after the morning mist cleared. Here we left the Vire for (according to the guidebook) “some climbing”

This turned out to be a hard morning’s work of diving in and out of steep, wooded valleys as we traversed some classic Calvados bocage

Very pleasant countryside, if slightly frustrating!

But obviously not that frustrating.

Boulangerie stop in the pretty village of La Graverie, before a long, gently uphill section of greenway from the town of Vire to Mortain

A brief pause on the greenway

La Grande Cascade at Mortain

We continued a little further to camp at Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët, which provided a few interesting buildings to view on our evening stroll – including this medieval tower

And an impressive twin-towered church

Another castle at Ducey, close to the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, as we continued next morning

Millpond at Ducey (medieval bridge out of shot)

First view of the Mont, after which we meandered our way to the nearest village (Beauvoir) and sat in the shade for the afternoon, before venturing out again

Examining the new dam at the mouth of the Couesnon – once an engineer…

Two channels, and the new causeway to the right

We walked across the causeway rather than take the free bus – longer than it looks, but great views all the way

Up and down the passageways

Rooftops and the bay

Old stone and sparkling sea

A little expedition around the far side

Paddling spot

Evening on the beach

More ramparts

More paddling (not us this time)

Even more ramparts

Empty main street – quite a contrast from our arrival several hours earlier!

Photography on the beach

View from the other side

Finally leaving

Next morning – still there (and visible for quite a long way into Brittany)

Reaching the coast at Cherrueix. The raised greenway was nice but the road was much faster…

Arriving at Cancale, oyster capital of the world

Beach at Cancale

Oyster beds

Well, we had to…

Slight detour out to the Pointe du Grouin – well worth it

Rocky coast and clear water – a contrast to the silty marshes at Mont-Saint-Michel

St-Malo – time for second lunch and a celebratory local cider

View from the wall

Leaving St-Malo on a rather exciting (well, Dave was excited) catamaran ferry

Our campsite on Jersey – a haven of peace and shade (after a somewhat frenetic cycle over from St Helier on the main road) near St Ouen, where we were glad to stay for two nights and not have to cart camping gear all over Jersey!

French red

Our tour of Jersey started with a short roll down the hill to La Grève de Lecq – beach number 1

Rocky coast

Beautiful colours

We followed Route One around the north and east coasts. Quiet, pretty roads with frequent detours down to the sea, inevitably involving a steep climb back up again…

A walking detour to a headland viewpoint and the Devil’s Hole

Rozel Bay

An excellent lunch at Rozel Bay tearoom (if hardly deserved, as we’d barely cycled 10 miles yet)

Typical Jersey road

Gorey, on the east coast

Jersey cream tea on the rather busier south coast promenade

St Aubin

Evening explore of Noirmont headland, site of a WW2 German naval battery

Noirmont Point lighthouse

Ouaisné Bay

More paddling, before heading back to our campsite

On the second day we cycled down the west coast, starting from Plémont Beach. We were early enough to have it nearly to ourselves, so we took the opportunity to go for a proper swim.

Heading towards Corbière Lighthouse

Looking north along the surfers’ beach

A good day for sailing

And another good day for ice cream, after crossing the causeway to visit the lighthouse

St Aubin’s Bay, this time with the tide out

Leaving Jersey (the cow didn’t want to say goodbye)

Short stop at St Peter Port, Guernsey

Coming into Poole somewhat later than scheduled, we made a cheeky overtaking manoeuvre to place ourselves ahead of Barfleur (our outward ferry) in the queue for docking…