Fun on Crib Goch!

Following previous clips of intrepid walkers on Crib Goch,a knife edge arête in Snowdonia, this particular video version is not for the feint hearted!

The literal translation of the name of the arête means 'red comb', presumably referring to the serrated ridge and the colour of some of the rocks.

The highest point on the arête is 923 metres (3,028 ft) above sea level. All routes which tackle Crib Goch are considered mountaineering routes in winter or scrambles in summer—meaning that they must cross "graded territory".

The classic traverse of Crib Goch from East to West leads up from the Pyg track to a "bad step" where there points of contact, i.e. hands and feet, are both briefly needed. It is followed by ascent to the arête, before tackling three rock-pinnacles to a grassy col at Bwlch Coch.

When you have made the decision to start the traverse it is extremely difficult to turn back!

WARNING: This video should not be viewed if you suffer from vertigo!!!

Personalised Map Cover

A fantastic new development, launched recently by Ordinace Survey, now allows customers to add their favourite image to the front cover of their personalised map. You can now put yourself on the cover of your very own map!

This latest development is bound to be popular and has been launched just in time for Christmas!

Last ordering date (for postal delivery) is 19 December, so you’ve got plenty of time to get your order in!

Based on the popular OS Explorer Map and OS Landranger Maps, custom made maps give the customer the chance to create a bespoke map centred on any chosen location. Since its launch in Spring 2012, thousands of personalised custom made maps have been created centred on home addresses, favourite walks, holiday destinations and other chosen locations across Great Britain.

This latest advance gives customers the option to create an extremely personal map by uploading any image they wish to feature on the map cover. For example they could upload a picture of their house, school photograph, favourite orange tree or even, if it is their dog walking route, a picture of their dog.

Winter Training

The shorter winter days dis-courage a healthy exercise regime although the incentive to maintain even a moderate level of fitness provides the essential target to aim for prior to the clocks going forward again in the Spring.

Even spinning the wheels only a few days a week during the winter months will help with the cardiovascular exercise.

Christophe Le Mevel of Garmin show how the professional cyclist trains during the sub-zero temperatures in the high altitude.

Pennard, Gower

The really strong winds that were blowing across Swansea Bay as we passed St. Helens had virtually disappeared by the time that we reached the sea front car park at Pennard.

With clear blue skies and warmish sunshine, the air temperature was approximately 9 degrees as we walked along the headland on the outward loop eastwards from Southgale. At the furthest point we were able to see Caswell Bay in the distance. As we returned to Southgale we were surprised to establish that this particualr section was actually linked to the Pwll Du walk which we made in September 2011.



We returned in a westerly direction along the 'C' road towards Pennard. A few quiet moments were taken sitting on the bench at the car park looking out to the flat calm sea.

Forsaking the main footpath used by the majority of walkers Lord Twynyrodyn and Wandering decided to scramble down the 100 foot limestone cliff face to the beach below, without knowing at the time whether it would even be possible to make it safely to the bottom.



After posing for the obligatory photo at a rock promontory it was firstly a grass bank and then a slide down loose screed before tackling the final rocky outcrop. Circumnavigating a wide crevice in the rocks, the two 'veterans' managed to keep their feet long enough to make it to the safety of the sandy beach.



The bay takes its name from the three sea cliffs that jut out into the bay. The beach routinely qualifies for Blue Flag status. Inland about 500 yards from the main beach on high ground above Pennard Pill is Pennard Castle, which was built in the early 12th century.



In June 2006 the BBC Holidays at Home programme declared Three Cliffs Bay to be Britain's best beach. In a recent programme broadcast in the UK the view over Three Cliffs Bay was nominated for "Britain's Best View".



To leave the beach the duo needed to walk though the natural arch created in the rock, because Pennard Pill, the river that bisects the beach, was too deep to cross. After leaving the beach and crossing a wooden bridge we had to climb a steep, energy sapping sand dune to reach the ruins of Pennard Castle.



We crossed a section of the links golf course and passed the clubhouse before making our return to the car park, but only after his Lordship had enjoyed a bowl of hearty Pumpkin Soup (to celebrate All Hallows Eve) in the cafe before departing after our excellent adventure on the Gower Peninsular.

Photographs taken on this walk can be viewed here. Select 'slide-show' for automated viewing.

Abergavenny Food Festival

Regarded my many highly respected gastro's as the 'Glastonbury of food festivals' the highlight of this year's visit for Wandering were the Churros dipped in chocolate sauce by Churros con Chocolate.

Christmas Food Festival takes place on Sunday 9th December.

Festival website

Stage 6 - Tour of Britain 2012

It was always the intention of Wandering to be a spectator on this stage of the Tour of Britain but Lord Twynyrodyn expressed a curious interest when it was mentioned in a conversation between them, so it was two Strollers that made the short journey to the Storey Arms at mid-morning.



The start of this stage was from the National Trust's Powis Castle completing a loop of Welshpool before a fast descent of the Honddu valley. Soon after leaving Brecon the A470 gradually begins the climb in the shadow of Pen-Y-Fan, as the steepness of the gradient increases after Libanus, which starts the seven-kilometre SKODA King of the Mountains climb up to Storey Arms.



There were big crowds lining the route north of Storey Arms as we took our vantage point. Because of significant head-winds the peloton was behind schedule as they thundered past heading towards the open moorland that eventually descends to Penderyn and Hirwaun.



A brief climb to Ystrad Mynach through Nelson and Parc Penalta, towards Llanbradach to the edge of Caerphilly. The route passed Caerphilly Castle taking the one-way system the wrong way in order to maximise the approach to the climb, which proved to be one of the iconic moments of this years Tour of Britain.

The stage was eventually won by Leopold Koenig, of the Team NetApp with Jonathan Tiernan-Locke, of Endura Racing taking second place on the stage and overall GC winner.

Brief video footage taken by Wandering as the peloton passed our vantage point on the climb to the Storey Arms!!

Mercy

A thought provoking video from the Dave Matthews Band.

"Mercy" embraces the song's themes of unity and harmony in a new collaborative video, made with the help of a few thousand fans. According to the band, 14,334 people provided original photos and videos for the inspirational clip.

Matthews recently told 'Billboard' that he hopes this release "inspires [people] to find the things that they love, inspires them to feel good, to feel love, or ambition, or feel powerful. Whatever they need."

"Mercy" is realesed from the Dave Matthews Band's latest album, Away From the World.