Sunday, February 22, 2009

Getting ready for Spring

In recent weeks I've been busy getting things organised for a trans-pennine paddling adventure 'Kayak Coast 2 Coast'. Whilst this may have kept me from updating my blog, it has not kept me from getting out and about.

In the freezing stillness between Christmas and New Year I managed to get out for a dusk paddle around the Little Orme near to Llandudno, and a dawn paddle on the Dee Estuary.

On New Year's Eve, Chris and I went in search of spectacular temperature inversions that had been expected in Snowdonia. The typical valley mists didn't materialise but we did enjoy a winter wonderland walk on Moel Siabod and around Capel Curig.

Despite the freezing night temperatures we managed a New Year garden party and barbecue. We kept warm by making a roaring fire, drinking plenty of mulled wine and eating plenty of a traditional Polish winter stew called 'Bigos'.

Just as the second big freeze of was taking its grip I was attending a weekend organized by friends from North West Sea Kayakers. We were based at the YHA in Bangor and based our excuses for celebration around Burns Night with bagpipes, whisky and haggis.

I couldn't resist getting out in the snow when it came but it rarely last for long in Manchester so I headed for the nearby Peak District National Park for some hill walking and cross country skiing before all the snow melted away.