walking

Walking in Craigellachie National Nature Reserve

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Craigellachie National Nature Reserve

The weather this morning was bright and clear – excellent for walking in the snow, as long as you take gloves, hat, warm jacket, decent boots, thick socks, etc, etc.

The snow in most places was a couple of inches deep although from time to time it was much deeper.

My boot sunk in more than a foot of snow
My boot sunk in more than a foot of snow

Craigellachie National Nature Reserve is a short walk from Scandinavian Village and is very close to Aviemore – it is a great place to explore and take photos.

The frozen lake through the trees Craigellachie National Nature Reserve

Frozen lake Craigellachie National Nature Reserve

The lake was frozen and had this mysterious “Superman” logo on the ice.

Superman logo on the ice

The view through the trees Craigellachie National Nature Reserve

I cleared the snow from the end of a bench and had a brew up, using my MSR Titanium mug and Alpkit Kraku stove, a great lightweight and efficient combination in the cold weather. Hot tea and cake, sitting in the winter sun shine.

Making tea with my MSR titanium mug and Alpkit Kraku stove

I forgot to pack my sit mat so I had to sit on my gloves and hat as the icy bench was far to cold to sit on without insulation.

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Walking on Morecambe beach

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With more extremely high winds and storms forecast for the afternoon I took advantage of a sunny, bright and only breezy morning to walk along the beach at Morecambe.

Morecambe beach Lancashire
The tide was a long way out.

Red boat on Morecambe beach Lancashire

 Morecambe beach Lancashire
click on the above image for a larger version

Iron birds on Morecambe promenade

I stopped for tea and a bacon roll at The View Cafe and Vintage Music, on the seafront, it does have a great view across Morecambe Bay. The place mats were a bit unusual.

Vinyl records as place mats - The View Cafe and Vintage Music Morecambe

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Walk to Warton Crag

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The view from Warton Crag across Morecambe Bay towards the Lake District.

The view from near the trig point on Warton Crag looking over Morecambe Bay
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Fern leaf

Warton Crag foot path passes through this gap

This morning Alex and I walked from Pine Lake out to Warton Crag. Once we were on the top the wind off the sea was so strong that it was difficult to hold the cameras steady, so rather than continuing onto the coast we came back!

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A walk along the Lancaster Canal

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The day started with a change of plan. Alex and I were going walking up in the Lake District but the extremely high winds, heavy rain and dangerous conditions put a stop to that. So we drove into Lancaster through a storm.

After some time spent in Waterstones, looking at and then buying photography books, and a visit to a cafe, the weather changed enough for a walk.

Rather than wasting the break in the weather driving we walked along the footpath that follows River Lune out from the city centre. On recommendation we headed out to the Lancaster Canal and the Lune Aqueduct. The Lancaster canal was also known as the “Black and White canal as it was used to transport large amounts of white limestone and black coal.

Along the River Lune

Ducks near the weir on the River Lune Lancaster

The Lune Aqueduct

The aqueduct was built in 1797 and carries the canal 16m above the river.

The Lune Aqueduct crossing the River Lune
The Lune Aqueduct crossing the River Lune

There are steps up to the Lancaster Canal from the River Lune, giving easy pedestrian access to the Lune Aqueduct.

The Lune Aqueduct and the Lancaster canal, looking down onto the River Lune Lancashire
The Lune Aqueduct and the Lancaster canal, looking down onto the River Lune

Looking back along the Lancaster Canal from the Lune Aqueduct
The Lancaster Canal

The Lune Aqueduct on the www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

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Walking near Branston

/ Lincolnshire, Outdoor Gear, Photography, Walking / , , , , , , ,

For the first time in several weeks, I was able to get out for a couple of miles walking near Branston. The route took me out across the fields. It was a blustery day so it made taking some of the photos difficult as the subjects were moving a lot. However the bursts of bright sun shine made for some interesting shots.

Walking near Branston

Camera+ macro shot

Sunlight through a leaf

Of course there was coffee. I found a sheltered spot beside some woods for a stop.

REI Sierra cup and homemade lid on my Vargo titanium meths stove

Today made using my titanium meths stove, folding handle, steel REI Sierra cup and the lid I made from the bottom of a cake tin.

Milicano instant coffee use the packet to stir in my Sierra cup

Nothing fancy today, instant Milicano coffee stirred with the empty packet.

This is a really compact kit for a brew whilst walking – all the gear I took with me this morning went into my jacket pockets. The ground sheet I sat on is the same off cut that I use in the door of my MSR Hubba backpacking tent.

Tea and coffee making gear for a day walk

Walking near Branston Lincolnshire

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