The Chernobyl Traverse

Mr Glis and Steve undertook a real challenge at the weekend, walking through the night from Seathwaite to Loweswater on what is known to a few interested people as “The Chernobyl Traverse”. The traverse takes in 11 mountain summits and has over 7000ft of ascent over the 25 mile distance.  The route covered much of the area that was subject to sheep movement restrictions that were introduced when the Chernobyl disaster happened 30 years ago, hence the name. I walked upto Great Borne, the final summit with Molly and Monty to welcome the duo who were wet, bedraggled but triumphant

Shameful TV secrets

Unlike Mr Glis, who likes to relax watching a favourite programme, I usually professes to viewing very little TV. But, I do have several guilty secrets; NASA TV, Crime dramas, several popular BBC “weekend” viewing serials and most shameful of all, a couple of American sit-coms introduced by my loving daughter. Yes, I have succumbed to the cult of Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory. It’s taking me a while to catch up but I‘m hooked. The humour definitely appeals so have I become less discerning? Or maybe they are just good programmes that replay British humour very well?

Thank you, Major Tim!

“Major Cool”, Tim Peake has returned safely to Earth after 6 months in space on the ISS. Being children of the Apollo years, Andy and I are space enthusiasts, regularly tuning into NASA TV, and have followed the expedition with almost obsessive interest. Tim has inspired so many people with his  infectious energy as well as being moved by his amazing photograph collection that it’s easy to forget the important role his mission has had in terms of experiments that will impact life in the future; medical advancements, new technologies and the potential for life in space. It’s been remarkable 

On what would have been my Mother's 90th birthday

Today would have been my Mum's 90th birthday. As she died before mobile phones were commonplace, let alone smartphones and e-readers,  I occasionally wonder what she would make of the world today.  Would she be like Queenie, still curious at 90 and happy to embrace the wonders of modern technology or would she be suspicious of change like others of her generation?

A fearless, strong woman, despite her limited educational opportunities, I'd like to think Mum would have embraced email and social media and relished the opportunity to stay connected with her family and friends across the country and beyond! 

Why the hatred?

It’s been a shocking week; the abhorrent hate crime that saw 50 people killed by a homophobic gunman in a night club in Orlando, America and then the cold blooded murder of an MP on the streets of Yorkshire today.  Senseless, hate-fuelled criminal acts that leave the family and friends of those killed or maimed facing empty futures with many more people affected by wider, insidious legacies of fear and terror. It’s incomprehensible why the perpetrators have so much hatred in their hearts but it must be down to ignorance and indoctrination. We must all act to stop the killing 

Gorge-ous!

I’m not averse to a spot of pot-holing in the interests of finding a cache, which is just as well , as yesterday I was to be found grubbing about in a hole in a gorge near Sanquhar.  As Mr B had other things to do, the dogs and I undertook our little speleological adventure unaccompanied. I knew Molly would be fine but I wasn’t too sure how Monty would respond but I worried unnecessarily. Both dogs were straight into the little cave and “assisted” me as I rummaged. It wasn’t long before I had the prized cache in hand! 

Carlavin

Unusually, it’s been a glorious Bank Holiday weekend and so we’ve tried to make the most of it by getting out into the hills. But with the Lake District destined to be busy, we chose the Southern Uplands instead, anticipating that we were likely to have a quieter day. Our Sunday walk from Talla Linn was wonderful, following the Gameshope Burn track to the Bothy before taking a steepish route up to the plateau summit of Carlavin where there were stunning views across the Moffat Hills. And as hoped, we didn’t see a single soul once we passed the Bothy!