Wigwam Merino Socks

Been given a free pair of these socks. So be seeing how good they are next week in Scotland.

More On Skye Trail Trip

Next week we will be off to Scotland to walk the  Skye Trail.  The trail is 128Km unofficial long distance route. It will go though some of the toughest terrain but with stunning landscapes.   We will be walking though the Trotternish Ridge, old man of Storr. Onto Portree and then passing below the dark jagged cliffs of the Cullins towards Lock Coruisk.

We will be wild camping on route, with one hostel and one proper campsite. We can stock up with camp food once back in Portree as we will have the car parked up there.

We are planning about 10 miles a day but we can push on more if we don’t find any  wild camping spot.

This will be the longest camping trip we have done, but we will not be far from roads if we need to pull out. Plus we have different routes that  we can choose if the weather turns bad.

Skye Trail

We are now in the planning stage of doing the Skye Trail .  Setting off from the top end of Skye on Bank Holiday Monday and walking south for 7 days.  Mainly wild camping but with a BB and a normal camp site on route.  Looking at the weather so far. Just hope the rain goes away.
The Sky Trail from mountainmedia on Vimeo.

Mam Tor

Looking along the ridge towards Mam Tor

Today we did a walk of about 12.7 miles. Mainly to get some miles in before Skye Trail walk. So idea was to set of from Hope and head on the ridge. But as it was late when we set off. We parked at Mam Tor carpark.  leaving mam tor to the last. Our route took us south to join the limestone way down past Peveil Castle into Castleton. On the way down you could here the air coming out of the.many caves below you.

Castleton home of the Blue John mines was a busy with day tripers.  Yha hostel had a planning notic up about change of use. It was looking in a bad way. Little run down on the outside Quick look in the outdoor shops, but nothing to stop you.
Soon we back on the track to head north ip onto Hollins Cross where we turned left along the ridge to Lose Hill.  Every one was out and we saw the same people that passed us on the Limestone Way.
We now had to head south and down hill and find the travk that would take us to Jaggers Clough.
Just before we head up we turn back up along a track as time was a agaist us.
We soon came to Nether Booth and a long the road to a  track that would lead us back to Hollins Cross again where we furn right towards Mam Tor. Our final hill. By now all the day walkers.had gone home and we had the hill to ourselves. 
Then  short stoll to the car.  Our legs were sore but we feltwe did  a good walk.

New Henry Hiker

A new Henry Hiker bear was found in the Isle of man.  He was saved from under a pile of bears on a jumble sale table.   In the photo with Henry Hiker Cain, who looks a little rough then his new cousin called Henry Manx.

Henry Hiker Cain with His new cousin Henry  Manx

Isle Of Man Horses Home

Always go and a have a look at them when we are over.  With over sixty horse and about 8 donkeys. They always seem to like you when you have a bag of nuts.

South Barrule Isle Of Man

Most easy walk we done on the Isle of Man, but it did fit into our plans. The main thing on this walk is a good clear day to see the views 360 all round you.
I would take a book with you to chill out or ipod to listen to some celtic tunes. Just sit below the summit and look south and forget about time.
So park at the Round Table there is a lane just of the A27 and a parking on the A36. You will see the path just goes straight up for just over half a mile. Couple of rock out crops on route. Which makes you think you are there.

Once on top you have information about the fort and you can wander and see what's left.

Bradda Head Walk

Lovely cracking walk taking in Bradda Head and Fleshwick bay. With fine views all day. 7.5 miles but can be extended further north. My choice is leave it as it and take the views and look out for basking sharks.

The walk starts in Port Erin and heads out towards Bradda Head. The paths starts low around the bay the heads up steep towards the tower. You can climb the tower and look out from the top. Be careful on the spiral staircase, as there is no light inside.

The views from top are great as you can see south towards Calf Island and North towards peel. Keep a look out towards the sea for basking sharks. But it is a good spot to have a quick break and marvel at the view. To the right of the tower you will find an old gun post look out.

Now we head North along the cliff path. Few years ago a large fire destroy a lot of the heath and it is now just getting back to normal. If you look careful you will still see burnt fence posts and bare patches going down to the sea.

Once on Bradda hill you will be looking down to Fleshwick Bay and across to the next hill you have to climb. It a steep descent down and once at the beech you can again have rest and marvel the sea view or what I prefer is climb up above the heather and sit and watch out from higher up. Plus you also keep away from the many horse flies that are around.

The next stage is to walk along Raad NY Foillan and down towards the A36 road. At this point you can go north but on this route we turn and head south along a bridle way. This just keeps above the road but it gives you fine views towards the airport and Castleton. Plus also Port St Mary

The will descend down into Surby and across the golf course and back into Port Erin. Where I would go for an ice cream or a lovely pint of Bushy Ale at the Bay Hotel. Which if you can sit outside look back at the hill you first went up in the morning.