Blog detailing my walks through Australia and England. In Australia I've completed the Sunshine Hinterland Great Walk, 6 Ft Track and Great Ocean Road. In England I've walked the Pennine Way, the Cotswold Way as well as numerous weekend walks in the Peak District. This summer I completed the 1200 Mile jaunt from Land's End to John o'Groats. I blunder along most of the time, I've still got a lot to learn, but I want to use this blog to share my passion and reflect on what I've learned.
"Stay
warmer, drier and more comfortable than those wearing standard down on
your next hike with the water resistant Women’s Scafell Hydrodown™ Jacket.
The Scarfell is constructed from lightweight, water resistant and highly wind resistant AF™ fabric and insulated with our innovative 600 fill water resistant Hydrodown™ this results in a versatile and packable insulation layer with a space on all your trail adventures."
Weight (approx.): 348g
Protection from the worst conditions is achieved with the high wind resistance of the AF™ fabric and the innovative water resistant 600 fill Hydrodown™
Essentials can be kept close at hand in the two concealed zipped hand warmer pockets
A comfortable fit is ensured with the stretch bound cuffs and draw cord hem adjustment
This was my first down jacket and I was bawled over at how light, compact and warm it was. I wore it out and about before the walk in early February and found myself warm, breathable and flexible. When scrunched up it became tiny and at 348g weighed the same as a summer T-shirt. A perfect coat for winter walking and carrying through summer months to wear at night. I barely wore it during the daytime as it would have been far too warm but at night time it was imperative. A few nights in early May reached 0 degrees and even in a 4 season (relative cheap) sleeping bag I needed this coat to get some rest. Even in July it was a perfect shield from the night's chill, and comfortable enough to sleep in. The pockets in particular are genius, surprisingly big and seeming to warm my hands instantly. When it was warm enough for me to sleep in only a T-shirt I used it was a pillow.
Day 72- JOHN O"GROATS!!!
For 70 days I carried it with me, this alone shows it's value. Figure wise it is as flattering as it can be, I still look like a round tube wearing it but mainly because I'm round enough to begin with. The zips are tiny but reliable, while the collar is soft around the neck and a good size. My rain coat goes over it comfortably, the sleeves are elasticated and insulating. Even in heavy rain and when wet it dried very quickly keeping me warm and the moisture away from my skin. As for durability- it survived Land's End to John o'Groats and looks the same at the finish line as it did at the start. I will report back after each long distance walk as to how its faring. Its a carefully made high quality product and I suspect it will last a long time even with my rough handling.
East Aquhorthies Stone Circle- Bennachie in the far far right corner
Once picked up from John o'Groats I was driven back down to Aberdeen and the wonderful house of my Auntie Jackie. My knees were in a lot of discomfort and I was shattered, that said the only thing which eased the joints was walking. Jakie is a ranger and incredibly knowledgeable on the natural world around her. In the three days I stayed there I learned a wonderful amount about Scotland and the different animals around the place.
On one of these outings we made the climb through Bennachie and
From the top of Mither Tap
Mither Tap. At 528 meters (1733 feet) it was a good afternoon climb, with a few stops before hand to observe the stone circles which were dotted around the place. The summit itself holds the ruins of a Roman ford, or so they suspect, the walls still thick around the top, stone rubble cascading down the place. Its unknown whether there was an actual settlement inside the wall but the wind is harsh and its easy to understand why they might have stayed away. The lands around the place used to be common property before the lords decided to divide it up between them and charge rent. Here and there are signs giving
a brief history of the place.
Auntie Jackie on the top of Mithers Tap
The car park was already packed when we arrived and the Maiden's Causeway up to the slopes was full of families on outings making the pace slow. Miaden Causeway is part of another folks tale. A maiden is approached by a handsome gentleman who claims he can build a path all the way up to Mithers Tap overnight to help her brothers on their farm land, she doesn't believe him and they agree to barter her hand in marriage or possibly simply her maiden hood. He comes back the next day with the path built but as he transforms into the Devil she turns and runs. He grabs her and carried her away. There is the Maiden Stone lower down the slopes with a bit missing where the poor girl was grabbed and then turned to stone.
Mither Tap from Creighnathunter
Soon enough we overtook most and had a clear view up to the summit. Without a backpack I thought I'd manage the walk easily but I hadn't reckoned on Jackie's pace and struggled a little, my pride preventing me from asking her to slow down. We made it to the top in double quick time to spend a very enjoyable half hour with a pair of very expensive binoculars. We walked down the steeper slopes of Bennachie into Creignathunter Forest and round over Maiden Castle back to the car park. In all it took us around three hours but that's with a lot of stopping and relaxing along the way. By the time I got back my joints felts eased and I enjoyed a long bath- a luxury not allowed along the trail.
Here is a song centered around the area:
Lang Johnny Moir
Lang Johnny Moir
There lives a man in Rhynie's land and another in Auchendore,
But the bravest lad amang them a' was lang Johnny Moir.
Young Johnny was an airy blade, fu' sturdy, stout and strang,
And the sword that hung fae Johnny's side was just full ten feet lang.
Ha-diddle-da, ha-diddle-da-da, ha-diddle-da, ha-diddle-day.
Young Johnny's gane tae London toon in the springtime o' the year,
And there he's met and fa'en in love wi' the king's ain daughter dear,
And word has gone tae the king himsel' and an angry man was he.
We'll pit her in a prison, strang high hangit he will be.
Ha-diddle-da, ha-diddle-da-da, ha-diddle-da, ha-diddle-day.
The English dogs were cunning rogues and about him they did creep,
And they gave him drops of laudamy that laid him fast asleep.
And when Johnny awakened frae his sleep, a sorry heart had he,
Wi' his twa hands in iron bands and his feet in fetters three.
Ha-diddle-da, ha-diddle-da-da, ha-diddle-da, ha-diddle-day.
And he has got a little wee boy would work for meat and fee.
"Gae rin tae my auld uncle there at the fit o' Bennachie."
When the wee boy came tae Bennachie, he did neither chap nor call,
But he went straight tae auld Johnny there, three feet abune them a'.
Auld Johnny 's read the letter then sealed wi' Johnny's faith and troth,
And he's cried fae the tap o' Bennachie for his kinsman Jock o' North.
Then on the plain these champions met, twa grisly sights tae see.
There were three feet between their brows, their shoulders were yards three.
Ha-diddle-da, ha-diddle-da-da, ha-diddle-da, ha-diddle-day.
And when they came tae London toon, the yetts were locked wi' bands,
And guarded weel wi' armed men wi' broadswords in their hands.
"Ye'll open the yetts" says Jock o' North "Ye'll open them at my call",
And wi' his fit he has drave in three brave yards o' the wall.
And then they gaed doon by Drury lane and doon by the town ha',
And they have freed young Johnny Moir and for the king did call.
"Bri
Ha-diddle-da, ha-diddle-da-da, ha-diddle-da, ha-diddle-day.
Then they have gaen before the king wi' courage bold and free,
Their armour bright cast such a light, it almost dimmed his e'e.
"Now where's the lady" cries Jock o' North "for fain I would her see,
For we are come tae her weddin' fae the fit o' Bennachie."
Ha-diddle-da, ha-diddle-da-da, ha-diddle-da, ha-diddle-day.
"Oh tak' the lady" says the king "The boy too shall go free".
"A priest, a priest" then Johnny cries "tae join my love and me."
Then they've ta'en the lady by the hand and they've set her prison free,
And wi' drums beatin' and fifes playin', they've spent the night wi' glee.
Ha-diddle-da, ha-diddle-da-da, ha-diddle-da, ha-diddle-day.
The auld Johnny Moir, and young Johnny Muir and Jock o' North, all three,
The English lady and the little wee boy went a' tae Bennachie.
Ha-diddle-da, ha-diddle-da-da, ha-diddle-da, ha-diddle-day.
This was my first down jacket and I was bawled over at how light, compact and warm it was. I wore it out and about before the walk in early February and found myself warm, breathable and flexible. When scrunched up it became tiny and at 348g weighed the same as a summer T-shirt. A perfect coat for winter walking and carrying through summer months to wear at night. I barely wore it during the daytime as it would have been far too warm but at night time it was imperative. A few nights in early May reached 0 degrees and even in a 4 season (relative cheap) sleeping bag I needed this coat to get some rest. Even in July it was a perfect shield from the night's chill, and comfortable enough to sleep in. The pockets in particular are genius, surprisingly big and seeming to warm my hands instantly. When it was warm enough for me to sleep in only a T-shirt I used it was a pillow.
