Why do we do what we do? The German language has a word that means “pleasure derived from others’ misfortune”: Schadenfreude. Is there a word for “pleasure derived from your own misfortune”? Masochism is probably the closest, but after 6 days on a mountain without a sniff of a shower, there is very little to … Continue reading A journey to the roof of Africa – Mt Kilimanjaro
I haven’t written much recently; this is mostly due to being busy at work meaning I haven’t really had the energy to force another trip to the mountains, but also partly due to the cost of doing so catching up with me a little. As the weather closes in further, I am certain hiking partners … Continue reading Why we hike
I recently wrote about taking a group of friends to Snowdonia. This past weekend I took another group; this time a group of colleagues. I am currently in a very lucky position. The Company I work for has had a big push towards employee "wellness" over the past couple of years. As part of that … Continue reading Taking work to the mountains
I am bad at waiting...very bad. Ever since a young 'un I have had a tendency to rush. I eat my food quickly, I'm the first into the ocean, and I love being the first to try new things. I like to think I'm not foolhardy, and that I don't take needless risks (heartburn from … Continue reading Wait a little longer…the path will reveal itself
As an international city, London is full of people who have never experienced the true beauty of the UK.
The gentle, delicate, beauty of nature is everywhere. Even the smallest creatures shine with vibrant colours, their delicate structures belying an existence forged from a slow, meticulous, evolutionary process. Their colours dance vividly for a reason; their slight frames, delicate and vulnerable, are the product of refinement; a gift a millennia in the making. structure
At the mouth of the Barmouth estuary, at the end of the the Mawddach trail, a train bridge bisects the water demonstrating both the ingenuity of man and the irrepressible force of nature. We cant wade through it, but we can find a way. Mankind has had an aggressive approach towards its interaction with nature, particularly … Continue reading The corner where nature meets man – Photo Challenge
For those travelling around Peru, Cusco is a must see. Once the heart of the Incan empire, the city is now a hustling, bustling gateway to the Peruvian Andes. Now travellers to the city relax before heading into the mountains and the streets are lined with markets and restaurants. However it is still, at heart, … Continue reading A little corner in Cusco
Last year I took a trip to Peru. The main event was a hiking trip, however I also managed to explore the cities, and Amazon a little. Here are some photos from that journey. I didn't take a lot of photos of Lima, I found myself in far too many restaurants to be productive. However, … Continue reading A Peruvian Adventure
Morocco is a country of contrasts. There is great diversity in it's people, it's environments and it's topography. Vibrant city-scapes give way to vast, daunting, mountains which themselves give way to the cracked, aggressive heat of the Sahara. Most people are rich in culture, welcoming in nature and hospitable. It has beautiful, elegant palaces; arduous … Continue reading The Many faces of Morocco
The Longer Route 