Heatwave on the South Downs Way

Into the Estuary - 4 Day Kayak Adventure

A Bikepack in Blean Woods

On the Water....Finally!

I've been wanting to get on the water for years.  Watching the likes of Pete Mindwiseman and Joe Robinet never fails to inspire.

So I finally got a Sit on Top Touring Kayak...a Perception Triumph 13. 

So far I've been to Darnet Fort, visited all 3 WW1 German submarine wrecks and explored Grain Fort...as well as some days out on the Medway between Allington and Tonbridge.  Roll on some kayak wildcamps.

Camp Eyrie - The Seach Is Over.

For a few years now I've hankered for a hammock hang in Kent, with both a grand view and decent seclusion.  After many recons I was starting to doubt it was possible...that was until 2 weeks ago when I found this place 10 minutes from my house...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You know it makes sense...

Aran Fawddwy

It was about time I popped over to Wales to see my dad... so when a couple of old friends were looking for folks to climb Cadair Idris with on the upcoming Saturday, it seemed like a no brainer. 

To maximise my time there I wanted to get a dawn shot of Aran Fawddwy from nearby Drysgol, and I was hopeful of some good light.  It was certainly looking promising.  The plan was to bag Aran Fawddwy then wildcamp on Drysgol for the dawn.  After the shot I would walk down to the car and drive to the car park at Cadair Idris to meet up with the boys.

Leaving my dads house Friday morning I drove to the remote valley of Cwm Cywarch in Southern Snowdonia, parked up and started walking.



Climbing Creigiau Camddwr.

 

Creigiau Camddwr.

Aran Fawddwy in sight.

Weather was intermittent rain/hail driving in from the West.

Cadair Idris looming in the distance.

Last stretch.



Creiglyn Dyfi to the East.

 

Trigger.




View of the Wnion Valley to the West.

 

Commemorative Cairn at Drws Bach.

 

 

Camped out on Drysgol

Very rough composition of the dawn shot I was hoping to shoot in the morning.

Unfortunately the next morning, as the sun broke the horizon, a low cloud bank prevented the light from hitting the mountain.  I waited a little while...but had no luck.  With my kit already packed up, I dropped down off Drysgol and made for the car at a brisk pace for what would be a savage ascent of Cadair Idris.

Because of the weather all these photos were taken with my phone.  However, I did manage to get a handheld image with my camera at the summit of Aran Fawddwy…








A Darkness in the North Kent Marshes

I had no intention of making a wildcamping vid on the North Kent Marshes....that was until I heard the track "From Seed" by SubtractiveLAD on Spotify four days ago.

Inspired by the darkness of the track I filmed around Cliffe for a couple of days then wildcamped at Egypt Bay...a place easy to underestimate in regards to setting, but once there - sitting on my chair with some beers - proved to be a great location. 

The immediate surroundings were remote and peaceful juxtaposed with the heavy rumble of Thames shipping and raucous flights coming in to land at London airport.  The wakes from the ships would cause the water in the bay to come "alive", and the tide itself came in quite fast owing to the shallow nature of the bay.  I was quite concerned at one point due to its near proximity 2 hours before high tide.  The gradient of the beach was more steeper though and the waters barely encroached upon it. 

The views were spectacular...always something going on;  Sitting in my chair soaking it all up was an awesome experience and a decent sunset to boot.  I would definitely recommend this location.

London Gateway Port.