Monochrome Skies

The heavy door flew open, bathing the cold ceramics in uninvited daylight. A shot rang out, echoing within its occupant's cubicle.

Strike! The Musical

Thanks to grough for pointing out the recent 1-day strike in the Glasgow offices of the publishers of The Herald, Sunday Herald and Evening Times, and TGO magazine.

With the wonders of modern technology, you too can tap your toes to the scurl of the pipes as journalists leave the offices on the 20th of July: YouTube link. Warning - those easily offended by bagpipes, and/or Union activities might prefer this link instead.

Background info: PressGazette, NewsQuest, AllMediaScotland.

Taking Discourse

Those who take a discourse rightly, conforming to both the letter and the spirit, they are responsible for the good and the welfare of many, for the good, the welfare and the happiness of gods and men. (source)

Shape of things to Come

I'm not sure what to make of this thread where AngryDarren got angry about money being taken out of his account. But he quickly got help and was contacted by the publishers about it.

The title of the post? Well, seeing some of the replies to the angry post, reminds my why I post little on any outdoors forums these days. I'm at the stage in my cycle where negativity is magnified disproportionately and then levelled squarely between my eyes. So I tend to avoid things that are likely to cause me suffering. I wouldn't have bothered writing an angry post like Darren did. Not to a forum.

Some people see having lots of sources of opinions as good, others see it as bad. What is the place of the expert in a democracy? People see others as information nodes to be tapped for knowledge, and people offer that up freely. Sometimes the offering isn't what you want to hear, but is constructive. In a free society, the strongest, most popular, best run, most adaptive communities grow. They attract more members, more sponsors, can offer more prizes, more features, bigger servers to store more articles, photographs, etc. A growing artificial entity. It has its own morals, its own codes of conducts. Some stated, some unstated.

Outcasts are just that - cast out. Lawbreakers, with or without fair trial, are chastised. Challenges are organised and deeds of derring do are done. Tales from events, real or online, are circulated, and legends are born. People leave, people join, there are good times, there are bad, there are lean times, there are bountiful times.

Like any community - there are natural sizes before the community needs to reorganize. Do the same rules apply online? I don't think so, but I think it depends on how you view - and interact - with the community.

Simply put, if you keep track of the people replying, know their backgrounds, who they like and dislike, etc, then I'd guess that the standards of real world social modelling would apply. Otherwise, if you read posts, reply to those that you can help with, no matter who is asking, then you are interacting less with the society, and so different rules apply.

Web2.0 allows more interaction with people rather than the processes. People. Happy or sad. Tired or awake. Today or tomorrow. Vindictive or paranoid. Home or away. With you each day. Someone you can rely on. Closer each day. Home and away.

Paramo Cascada Trousers

I splashed out on a pair of Paramo Cascada trousers today. I know they don't have lots of pocketses, but they seem to live up to the hype. The Cascada's would save me taking separate waterproof overtrousers.

If I was walking long distances I'd probably carry a pair of 'hotel trousers' anyway -which could be my normal light trousers. I am looking forward to trying them out.

Good fitting in the shop, HillTrek of Aboyne. Never been in it before, but a packed gear shop. Gave me a membership discount too. Nice.

Weather was naff this weekend in the Cairngorms, so I didn't go out. Despite a threatened virtual poking with a virtual stick from Simon. So went for a run out to Braemar with the big camera, but the light was yeuchy.

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Caught up with the last of Bob's podcasts from the European OutDoor Show (link).

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Watched BBC1's new programme "Mountain". It had me worried in places, but Mr Jones is a big boy, and I'm sure had training. I recognised some of the faces he pulled, when Am Basteir "The Executioner" was mentioned. I just checked in Cicerone, it means "The Baptiser" but is often referred to by the other translation. Hey ho.

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Across on the TGO News Desk, there's an article on some filmed ascents in the Cairngorms in mid-August. (link)

If The Cap Fits

Finally did something with the CafePress account. Ordered myself a baseball cap with the full AktoMan logo on it, in khaki (link).

Mount Keen - 2005

Two years ago today, I completed my first Munro. Mount Keen. It had been a scorcher of a day travelling up Glen Esk, but the weather came in and the plateau wasn't clear. I cared not a jot.

It took me about 6 hours, met some folk, and experienced a glow when my first Munro was finished.

Tabbing it up Glen Esk, past some chaps repairing the track.

Stopped to explore the incongruous Queen's Well.

Up the Ladderburn.

The view down Glen Esk.

Clambering over the rocks to the summit.

Pose for the self-timed camera snap.

On the way back down, a gap in the cloud revealed a dear sneaking past. Stopping later to allow an ascending walker up, he said "this is my first"; "that was my first" says I.

I failed, however, to contact anyone to let them know about my conquest until I was back within mobile phone range. Strange feeling not being able to use a mobile phone when mobile.

Landward/MWIS

Feature on the BBC's Landward programme about the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS). You can see Geoff Monk compiling the forecasts in their video clip.

Coincidentally, the Sports Minister announced that "sportscotland will be investing £36,000 per annum over the next three years." (link)

TOS on YT

The Outdoors Station has started a YouTube channel. It seems to compare favourably with the iTunes feed in media quality. You can watch Bob demonstrating their range of tarps, for example.

Strangely, in the 'related' field was Yazoo's "Don't Go", which, of course led to "Only You", which seemed to be the one record that we had in the Sixth Year hut at the Nicolson.

Interview Take 2

Andy Skype-called again to try and get a better recording for the podcast on bloggers. Last time I was down with the 'flu when he called. Today, I had spent most of the day in a darkened room - migraine came on in the morning. Bleh.

Still, managed to listen to some Outdoor Station podcasts whilst resting my eyes. I've just noticed how smug Andy looks on the photo for Bob & Andy's Seaside Adventure.

Simon Says

Simon's side of the weekend's story can be found in his trip reports on Scottish Hills:The east end of North Glen Sheil

Good Luck

Best wishes to Kevin (Batish) and Tomoe on their new venture: One Life Japan. A very philosophical blog entry announcing it (link).

Hey, Simon, look what I found on their new company's blog...great minds, eh?

Eco-Navigation: Seabirds vs GPS

By some small coincidence, there's a Japanese exhibition on at the Art Gallery in Aberdeen just now. I've only managed round half of it so far, but spotted one usagi and some heron, and some gorgeous netsuke.

I support the MWIS

There's an article on Cameron McNeish's blog about the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) being under threat again. I've posted a comment on Cameron's blog, and emailed a copy to the Executive's Sports Minister, so won't repeat myself here.

Vibrating rings

I missed this recently. What a cunning idea!

Two vibrating rings which can guide the wearer around a city via global positioning satellite (GPS) have been unveiled by a British designer at the Royal College of Art...Gail Knight. ...The rings buzz for left and right, and have different vibrations for forwards and backwards. Both buzz when going in the wrong direction. (link)(via The Goat)

Well done, Gail.

Lightweight Tents

When catching up on the TGO Gear pages about the European OutDoor Trade Fare, I also noted Cameron's posting on the lightweight (sub 2kg) and lower-priced tent (approx £120) from Wild Country for 2008. (link)

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The new edition of Trail scrambled through the letter-box this morning included an item about a "reader whose ultra-light tent had collapsed in really wild weather". So some calls were made and a few manufacturers of lightweight tents were asked what speed their tents can cope with.

Golly. I didn't realise that wind speed only affected lightweight tents?

Looking back, to June 2007's Trail, with sub-2kg 2-person tents, wind speed is not rated. However, Trail's Graham Thompson did talk about the stability of the tents in his reviews.

I note that Craigdon Mountain Sports have a tent show advertised this weekend in Duthie park, I wonder if they will have a note of the wind speeds that their tents can stand up to? I think the public should be informed. Oh, they do - they have staff on hand to tell people - how handy is that?

As Mr Thompson rightly says "You need to know what you and your kit are capable of".

Doesn't everyone?

The outdoors can be a dangerous place - get it wrong, and you can die. Much like driving to work.

Be safe, be alert, be turned on to your place in the scheme of things - if you screw up, it's usually you that suffers. The rain doesn't care that you only took a showerproof jacket. The wind doesn't care that your tent can't cope. The sun doesn't care....well, you get the gist.

In a blame-centred society, it is good to have no-one to blame but yourself. Puts things in perspective.

Wild camping? He was bloody furious. Boom tish.

Primus ETA Express again

More info through on the Primus ETA Express that I posted about recently (Primus ETA Express). Lighthiker is going through his haul from the Friedrichshafen European OutDoor Trade Fare. Thanks for the dedication (both definitions), Roman.

I failed to pick up on the TGO Gear pages which included articles posted form the show too. Including this one from Cameron McNeish on the ETA Express. Increase efficiency, so less gas used, so longer hikes with smaller amounts of fuel. Cracking stuff.

Google Reader

What's in my Google Reader subscription? Well, it changes quite regularly, but here's my current personalised 'magazine' list in alphabetical order.

Alan Sloman's Big Walk	Look! A three-headed monkey!
Ali and Lay's Mountaineering Blog	Mark Stirton
American Bushman	Mobile Learning
Backcountry.com: The Goat	Must Be This Way
bastish.net	Puppy's World
BG!	Scobleizer - Tech Geek Blogger
Big Galloot	Simon's Blog
Blogger Buzz	Stirton Productions and Beyond
Chris Townsend Outdoors	Summit Dreams
Daily Blog Tips	The Other Scottish Storyteller
Freezer Bag Cooking™	The Wilderness World of Cameron McNeish
GTM Coupe Rebuild	Trail Gear Blog
HennessyBlog	Two-Heel Drive
Hike Wales	Walkabout In The UK
KirouOutdoor	Webware.com
Lighthikers World	Whitespider1066
London Backpacker's Walking Pages	山より道具

Add to that, a regular plough through the blogs listed in the sidebar, and magazines. If I can learn from other people, then it might save me time, money and hardship. It can even be entertaining as well as educational.

3 Days of 'Bagging

Some of Simon's photos from the weekend. Me in the outdoors. Perhaps the sofa would be a better option after all.

Friday: Below Ben Wyvis.

Saturday above Cluanie

No comment.

round edge then the bealach

Bealach Coire a'Chait

Unpacking pack into tent

Trust me, I know what I'm doing

On the side of A'Chralaig

Bypassing the technical climbs/scrambles, care still need be taken. Yes, I am in the photo.

Simon and myself on Mullach Fraoch-choire

Retracing the track back to our packs.

The low cloud helped me a lot.

nuBG

Bearded Git!'s moved his blog across to WordPress. I'm not sure if the exclamation mark is required in his alias, but I don't want to be tarred with a particular hue.

Click here to be taken to the new BG! blog.

How Scottish?

A company have a calculator on their site that tells you how Scottish your name is.

An index score of 100 is the average for all name combinations in Scotland.

I scored 257.

A nephew of mine would score 276, but he does have a Gaelic-spelt first name.

Primus ETA Express

From the European OutDoor fair (singular 'outdoor'), Trail's Gear Blog posted about the new Primus ETA Express solo cook system (link).

From the great newsfeed from Trail, and the detailed postings on Roman/Lighthiker's blog (if you're not sure what a blog is...well, too late), this integrated system from Primus has been the only bit of kit to catch my eagle eyes.

The lower section looks similar to the Primus Micron, and when searching for more information, I find that Cameron McNeish wrote that: "Chris has been getting a little excited by the new Primus EtaExpress stove" (link).

Link to Chris Townsend's blog. I'm waiting for the review of this tent to appear in TGO. PS: nice photo.

Andy Talks Dirty

Andy's trailer for the long-awaited (by me anyway) podcast chats with various bloggers.

Killer Crocs

Whoa, there was me just winding down for the night when I caught site of Sarah's crocs across on her blog. They allow those on the PCT? I suppose with hunters about (big assumption on my part), that having something that bright strapped to your pack makes sense.

Oh, and there's also her kit list too, which I'll peruse after the blobs have finished dancing in front of my eyes.

Ultimate Outdoor Season

Just caught the trailer for the new BBC programme "Mountain", which starts at the weekend. I know that seeing Cameron McNeish on top of a Scottish hill may not be newsworthy, but the series looks like fun. There's a book to accompany the series, no doubt a dvd with added features, and maybe even cakes.

Griff Rhys Jones/Ultimate Outdoor Season - Mountain
A new series for BBC One presented by Griff Rhys Jones, it's on BBC One, Sunday 29 July at, 9pm. He's travelling the length of the UK on the country's highest mountain peaks - Wales, The Lake District, The Pennines, Central Scotland and the North West Highlands of Scotland. (link)

Griff will also look at the historical tales of the British mountains - epic battles, early pioneers and geological marvels. (link)

The series is part of the Ultimate Outdoors Season on the BBC. (link to BBC Press Office, which must be busy just now, as they haven't updated the information at time of my posting.)

There is a link to the BBC's page for the program...which is currently a placeholder (link ... the BBC busy again, perhaps.)

Now, what caught my attention was the phrase "Ultimate Outdoor Season". I found nothing on the BBC site about it, and the nothing on the BBC's Scotland/Outdoors mini-site. Of course, maybe with recent scandals, the BBC are resorting to sponsorship?

I wonder if Jones the Hill has been following the BBC's own advice on How to Climb Mountains from h2g2?

Other items you might wish to take are:
A large calibre rifle
Enough ammunition to take out a platoon of revolutionaries
Crampons
An ice axe (for ice climbing and to slice meat for food from your climbing partner's frozen body)
Warm clothing
A religious item to use for when you beg God for mercy
A rope (this can be used to climb with, or to hang yourself when things get really bad)

Hold you ice axe is a menacing way and threaten your friend into climbing ahead of you, that way when avalanches and rock slides happen his body might deflect the first part of the onslaught which could allow you time to seek shelter. Continue on in this fashion making a good effort at not falling to your death. Also try not to be hit by falling objects like rocks, snow, and other mountaineers.

I think it is meant to be a parody. Maybe there's a premium rate number I can call and ask the BBC about their advice? Or what else will be in the "Ultimate Outdoor Season"? Ultimate is a big word to live up to.

Cluanie horseshoe day 2

2 munros completed. Thanks Simon. Details to follow.
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With a shower outside, the Akto's door vent comes in handy. The fabric is dropped out of the tent, so drips are avoided. Looking at the Kintail Harveys map of the bealach region we were in, I found a typo that I'll need to inform them of. See if you can spot it? Look for the Allt running from Coire a' Chait.

Simon in the neighbouring Akto.

Opportunity to photograph my cookset. Folding spork, Primus Micron, nalgene cup, home-made wind shield, gas cannister, Snow*Peak titanium mug, homemade pot cosy, sponge on its ziplock bag.

Pitched at 900m overlooking Gleann na Ciche. Simon's Akto on the left and mine on the right.

Looking back at the unnamed lochan (self-named Lochan nan Doirbeag) where we had camped on Saturday night.

A' Chralaig in cloud.

Gleann na Ciche.

Low cloud over Affric.

Eastern ridge in cloud.

Near A' Chralaig.

A' Chralaig cairn.

Simon at A' Chralaig.

Duncan at A' Chralaig [Munro 37, 1120m/3674ft].

On to Stob Coire na Cralaig.

Clambering.

Three folk overtake us.

Onward to the Stob.

Pinnacles.

Exposed.

Near Mullach Fraoch-choire. The worse of the work done - expect we have to head back the same way. I hope the low cloud doesn't lift suddenly.

Duncan and Simon on Mullach Fraoch-choire [Munro 38. 1102m/3615ft]

Interesting.

Junction near Stob Coire na Cralaig. We would head down into Coire Odhar rather than taking the longer trek back to A'Chralaig and then down.

Looking up from Coire Odhar.

Looking down from Coire Odhar to An Caorann Mor.

Fionngleann.

Below the cloud mass in An Caorann Mor, heading down to the valley floor.

An Caorann Mor was a bit boggy, but not seriously so.

Gaining the hardpath in the glen.

Loch Cluanie appears.

Strange stone walls, some I shaped, some T or Y shaped in the glen. Some form of sheep shelter perhaps?

14km and 5 Munros later, Simon back at the car.

A few minutes later, I, too, was back at the car. Soon after, I would be hunting for my car keys - losing them after unlocking the car.

Cluanie horseshoe day 1

After Ben Wyvis on Friday, we drove to Loch Cluanie. I was running slightly late because of stopping and taking photos like these.


But was then further delayed by rescuing a mini-bus of dusky maidens heading to Skye. Nobody bothered stopping to help a vehicle with its hazards flashing. For 3 1/2 hours. Ceud mile failte my erse.
So, it was after 9pm by the time we left the second car at Lundie (the first was left at the finish point near Caorann Bridge).

300m of ascent to a pitch for the night and Friday was finally over.
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Simon's Akto on the left, mine on the right. The side-opening doors allows a civilised throwing of biscuits, weather reports, etc, between tents whilst the main body is still parallel with the wind direction.

We're at 540m, with Loch Cluaine below and South Shiel to the...well, south.

After breakfast and breaking camp, this is the morning clamber up to the 900m plateau of Carn Ghluasaid. Less than a 400m ascent - one of the advantages of wild camping.

We would be skirting the upper edges of this Coire later in the day. It contains Gorm Lochan - invisible until we were right above it.

The low cloud would be at about 940m elevation almost all day. Here, Simon's following the path to Carn Ghluasaid. Considering how rocky and bumpy the plateau is, and how many cliffs there are around - you really don't want to get lost here.

We caught a glimpse of Sgurr nan Conbhairean through the cloud.

Simon and me on the summit of Carn Ghluasaid [Munro 34, 957m/3140ft]. I've had to lighten the picture as the clouds played havoc with the camera's automatic settings.

Much of the 3km trek to Sgurr nan Conbhairean was in this weather. I kept the waterproof layer on until we were off the hill on Sunday.

Simon on Sgurr nan Conbhairean.

Duncan on Sgurr nan Conbhairean [Munro 35, 1109m/3638ft]. Okay, so I didn't notice that I had the buff on upside down.

Looking back towards Sgurr nan Conbhairean. The trek to Sail Chaorainn involves dropping down to 914m and then back. We would contour the Sgurr to the right of this shot on our way to that night's pitch.

Dropping down below the cloudmass opened up enticing views, like this one of Coire nan Lochan Uaine.

Duncan on Sail Chaorainn [Munro 36, 1002m/3287ft]. We passed a chap who described the route to the Munro as being past here and with a bit of a "down and up" section. We reckoned he'd overshot. The gps came in handy, though the altimeter was being fooled on occasions by the cliffs. 7m accuracy on a ridge can be a bit lower than the path.

Heading back to Sgurr nan Conbhairean from the third and final Munro of the day. We would contour round the Sgurr.

Contouring lower from Sgurr nan Conbhairean opened some great views. Here, Allt nan Lochan Uaine.

And, Gorm Lochan, concealed from below by the corrie lip.

Walking over Drochaid an Tuill Easaich with A'Chralaig beyond and a bealach in between.

Sail Chaorainn in cloud, showing what we had walked through. We pitched by an unnamed lochan, which I wanted to name lochan nan doirbeag as it was home to the wee things. I even had one swimming in my hydration sack before releasing Nemo back to the wild. It might explain the cats - named on the map, but missing from view. Cup of tea, dinner, snacks and listened to the news, relaying information about the flooding to Simon's tent. BBC Scotland then had a piping show, starting with "The Cameronian Rant" - threatening to put this on the radio's speaker rather than earpiece, we joked about cairns, wind factories, pylons and other topics in the tune.
We had trekked 14km and were camping at 890m altitude. Four Munros in 48 hours and two more on Sunday, hopefully. I went to sleep trying not to worry about words like exposed, airy, interesting, pinnacles. At least I wasn't thinking about paperwork.

Ben Wyvis

I met Simon in the Ben Wyvis car park and we set off at 10am.

The SMC book describes Ben Wyvis as being "often capped with cloud".

Looking up Allt a'Bhealaich Mhor, with Little Wyvis on the right and the start of Ben Wyvis on the left. Cattle used to be driven through this valley.

Simon fills his water bottle (it's in his hand) at the last waterstop before we come back off the hill.

Looking over Loch Glascarnoch.

Simon being nonchalant.

Cattle used to be driven through the valley below on their way to markets all over the country. This valley bypasses Garve.

The path up An Cabar.

A clearer view towards Dingwall.

Two ladies out for a walk up the Munro.

Once on An Cabar, the path to Glas Leathad Mhor is grand, especially when the cloud has lifted.

Simon on Glas Leathad Mhor, Ben Wyvis' Munro.

Duncan on on Glas Leathad Mhor/Ben Wyvis [Munro 33, 1046m/3432ft]

Coire na Fiola. Looks like a nice place to hide cattle.

Heading for Tom a' Choinnich, we had come off the Munro just in time for the cloud to settle back in for the afternoon.

Stepping down off the shoulder of Tom a' Choinnich, we were heading for the treeline.

Resting at Allt a' Gharbh Bhaid, and looking back up the slope of Tom a' Choinnich, Ben Wyvis' northern top.

Almost back at the track to the car park. A 7 hour trek. Once there, we agree to meet up in Drumnadrochit for tea and then head for Cluanie, and the next part of the trip.

I got slightly delayed by scenes like this as I drove down Loch Ness.

SeAL

Spent much of the Minch crossing taking photos of the sea, air and land. Especially the play of light on them. Sadly, the best light was mostly lost by me being in the queue of cars waiting to board the ferry.

Goat island, Stornoway.

Beasts of Holm.

Point.

South Lochs, with the Harris hills behind.

North-west Highland hills as the ferry sails towards Loch Broom.

Engebrets

Engebret's Filling Station and Shop, Sandwick Road, Stornoway. They have maps, books, even saw some Haglof kit and a collection of Optimus Prime stoves. And the gas to run them. Lots of other mundane things like magazines, food, drink, oh, and petrol/diesel.

Nothing compared to where Roman hopes to be going in a couple of days time. But I'll make do with a copy of Colin Demét's "Cúchulainn" (publisher: Wordcatcher). Summary of the hero's life on Wikipedia.

European OutDoor

Friedrichshafen. They have a zeppelin museum. Nice.

Oh, and the annual outdoor gear show is happening there shortly.

Air pirates. Outdoor gear. Is there a link? I blame Studio Ghibli

Trail will be there (Gear blog), not sure if Chris Townsend is going. I don't have my copy of TGO here to check.

Drove Roads of Scotland

"The Drove Roads of Scotland" by A.R.B. Haldane (publishers: Birlinn)

This was the 'other' book that I didn't buy when I bought the book on cattle raiding.

Researched over a decade from 1942, the author spoke to some old drovers, still alive:

There are still (1952) men living who have seen the cattle boats sailing into Loch Dunvegan with the Uist droves, or the ferry boats from Lagg bringing the Islay cattle across the Sound of Jura. Others tell how they helped in their youth to bring droves from Kintyre and Knapdale by Inveraray and Loch Lomond to Falkirk, or from Don-side across the Dee to the Angus glens on the road to Perth. Their part in the last of the droving days is recalled with pride in an old and honourable trade; with regret too for the passing of the peace of mind and the contemplative outlook of those less hurried days.

The brown sails of the cattle boats have gone from the Minch. On slipways and jetties from Skye to Kintyre thrift grows undisturbed in the crannies of stones once smooth and polished with the tread of hooves. The hills round Loch Ainort look down on lonely saltings where the Uist droves once grazed, while throughout the Highlands, in hill pass, moorland and upland valley, as in the minds of men, the passing years increasingly dim and obscure the mark and memory of the men and the beasts that once travelled the drove roads of Scotland.

I look forward to reading this book. Skimming through it, I read that cattle were driven over the "saddle between Ben Wyvis and Little Wyvis" as a shortcut on the road to Dingwall. And area I may be hiking in on Friday.

Sunny Sunday

Sun finally broke through on Sunday evening. I reckon for the first time in 10 days, but I could be mistaken. Took camera off down Broad Bay to Traigh Mhor.

Broad Bay, towards Tiumpan Head Lighthouse. Mainland hills beyond.


Above: Traigh Mhor looking northwards.
Below: Traigh Mhor looking southwards.

TGO LoM

Okay, so it's just a bit of computer trouble across at the TGO forum, but I get the mental image of Cameron in a sheepskin coat, fitting up some nonce who doesn't agree with lightweight hiking, whilst Chris T is wondering where his GoreTex has gone.



ToR links: one, two.

For more information, call Hyde 2612

Na Drobhairean

Caught part of an intriguing programme on TeleG, the local Gaelic Community Channel: "Na Drobhairean" (The Drovers).

Presenter Peter Macaulay will examine the ways in which the drovers enriched the songs, stories and poetry of the Highlands...Scotland's drovers enhanced the economic well being of rural communities as they plied their trade from the north and west to the markets of the lowlands. They also contributed a great deal to the culture of the country. (link)

Supermarkets Swept

A number (maybe 11, maybe around 14) Tesco supermarkets have been closed by police across the UK today. News broke around 7pm tonight. When we checked BBC News online, a webpage hadn't been created for it, and it was just a "breaking news banner". BBC News24 on Freeview were asking viewers for information.

Shortly afterwards a webpage was created here; and the public were sending in reports and photos to the BBC tv news. By 8.20pm, the BBC had their own footage of a closed Tesco store.

Some shops had been closed just after noon (1230BST).

If you notice the time delay, and the lack of professional journalists being involved, maybe the question shouldn't be about the rise in user generated content, but the reliance by professionals on user generated content. Did the BBC chiefs sack all the local journalists in the last pay cuts? Six hours, and no-one at the news desk got wind of a story?

Am I being unkind? Police cordons, supermarkets shut, nothing, not important. Not newsworthy - like a LEJOG walk, it happens daily. But 11+ across the UK? Even Julia Sawalha in a dressing gown would have found a story there (ToR link).

Arai Tents

So, as the day is still overcast, I went for a wonder round the Net and found Arai Tents in Japan. Some nifty shapes of their shelters. If you have the right fonts, and don't need the translation page, click this link.

A Google of the tent gave me Daisuke Takeda's site (famous surname, Daisuke). Motorcycling around Japan, he wishes not to be added to the Engrish.com site.

Once more, I feel bad at not being able to speak a foreign language. So much for that jaunt round the Net cheering me up. Is it wrong to find humour in the fact that people have difficulty communicating in a foreign language? Although I think this means what it says. And this could be a new Gordon Brown initiative to retrain druggies. At least it's not "Tintin in the Congo"!

Rainy Days

As the weather seems to be set in its ways, I'm loading up the mobile phone with some podcasts to listen to without the old computer groaning under the weight.

Some of Bob's from The Outdoors Station can be found via iTunes or links on OM. Others are coming from the US BackpackingLight.com site.

I've previously tried using my iPod as an mp3 player (if you catch my drift), but it caused serious problems when I later tried to re-sync it to the base computer. So much so, that I can't be bothered risking it. So, another piece of gear that I don't trust to do its core job (portable entertainment).

Callanish

It stopped raining, so I jumped in the car and went to the standing stones at Callanish for the evening.

Situated at the head of a sea loch.

The main cluster of stones have been re-erected after lying in peat for many a year.

Unlike Stonehenge, you can get in amongst the stones, and tonight a shower drove off the only other people present.

The tourist photo done (darkened the clouds).

The hills are supposed to look like a woman lying down. The moon is supposed to pass along her body at certain times (link). Would the ancients have bothered with this? Who knows. It's not as if they had Freeview to keep themselves entertained.

The rest are as is. The only Photoshopping has been to crop and resize. In some, I've removed the colour from the land to accentuate the sky.

tvwalks.com

Read the guidebook? Now see the movie at tvwalks.com.

Is this the future? With the ability to download movies to your portable player, you can see the next day's trail on your iPod and read about it in the guidebook.

I note that Anthony Burton wrote and co-wrote guide books on the West Highland Way and the Southern Upland Way.

Of much lower quality, and minor interest to serious outdoors folk: my video can be freely viewed (heck, download it if you wish) on YouTube.

Many rivers to cross

I caught some of Radio 4's "Women's Hour" today. They talked about an author's book of her struggle to survive being put into "a category that is sometimes described as “inspirational memoirs” ". Is there a comparison here with blogs? The woman in question had had a horrific upbringing, and I wouldn't want anyone's hiking experience to be as traumatic.

I wondered if blogs fit into the category of inspirational memoirs. Do people want to read the mundane? Probably not, as it already happens in their life daily. They want the sensational. Rock slides, fighting against evil empires (or at least businesses that won't complete a contract), wild animal attacks (maybe something a bit bigger bigger), overcoming hardships, etc etc.

Strange - when I look at outdoors media, I look for the empathy. Not the extravagant.

So, while Andy starts a new ultra-lightweight mission, I see Mike "GoBlueHiker"'s pack and read that he's away for 15 days unsupported in Alaska (thanks, Sarah). His pack includes an inflatable raft and lifejacket. It reminds me that the word "river" is like the word "mountain". Recently I was asked about some mountains I had climbed - "none" said I. For me a "mountain" is something big, something dangerous, something that needs special equipment and skills. So, I ask myself today, "how many rivers have I crossed"? None.

Many rivers to cross
And it's only my will that keeps me alive
I've been licked, washed up for years
And I merely survive because of my pride

Background music

Trail Price Improver

I saw this on the Trail Gear Blog:

Every month we scour the internet to find the best prices on the gear featured in the new issue of the magazine. Where we find savings over the rrp, we let you know here.

(link)
Sounds great, and a lot of work done by Trail...err, Foundem.com?

Hey, BG, fancy a bivi/bivvy from GearZone? 70 quid cheaper than Field & Trek are selling it.

Me? I'm saying nothing, nor shall you infer anything from my comments or silence.

--
Settling on spelling: bivouac ; bivvy .

Trail Forum

The Trail forum seems to be going well. A lot of active banter across there. 9,770 posts since February this year.

A way to go yet to beat Ninja Pussy Cat's 24,600 posts on OutdoorsMagic.

Letters Page

Martin asked:

I'm quite interested in how you're doing your blogging on the go. Are you still using your K800? I was wondering what s/w you used with it to update your blog. Ran a couple of searches through the blog and couldn't find many details, that's all.

I'm on the Sony Ericsson k800i mobile phone, and can email in directly to Blogger. You can tend to spot emailed blog entries, as they have lower case "i" instead of "I", lack paragraphs and have no photographs. I'll often return to the article and add in photographs.

I used to be able to email photographs to my blog, but the k800 has an annoying feature that allows you to "send photograph to blog". It is annoying in that Blogger then removed the facility to email photographs. When I can be bothered, I'll find a work-around (e.g. emailing Zooomr or Flickr), but I'm tired of finding work-arounds for problems that weren't there before. The "send to blog" feature doesn't allow queuing of posts, so is useless when out on the hills and you can't get a phone signal.

Normally, I'll post from a PC via Windows Live Writer, which I think is ace. Or Blogger's Posting Creator, which I think is old hat (except the automatic "save now" feature).

I'll post photos to my Zooomr account, and copy the HTML for the medium photograph in to the HTML view of the blog article. My Munro log is across at Flickr, so I'll do the same from there. Videos are on YouTube, and, again, they give you the HTML code to add to your article.

I try to remember to add tags (labels in Blogger-speak). Of course, I can't do that via the mobile phone.

Any editing of photographs will tend to be done on Photoshop Elements v2, and movie clips on Windows Movie Maker.

I hope that answers your questions, Martin.

Harris C2Cv2

Some of Colin's photos from the same coast-to-coast trek across Harris (3miles/5km in each direction).



My "hurry up an gerramoovon" stance.





Colin took his chunky Canon camera. I left my dSLR behind, too feart to risk it in the dodgy weather.

Harris C2C

Seilebost to Aird Mighe, Harris. Turned out to be an old "coffin road", just over 6 miles; 3 hours there and back including breaks.








The east side of Harris, feet wet.

Colin's thoughts on the matter:

Heron Hunting

Out a hunting heron which I'd seen on the walk in.


Twice I got close, but I think it heard the camera clicking. Shame, as it is a waste of energy for it to fly off from my innocuous camera.

Tourist shot - shame that the neds kept tooting their horns every time they saw another fellow ned. So loud was their mating call, that it drowned out the sounds of a pipe band practising. Who said the young give a hoot about their carbon footprint?

(Stray) Cat Strut

It may look sedentary, lazy even,

but can still move faster than the camera can refocus. (music link)

Playing around with failing sunlight over my parents' Gothic pile (without Photoshopping clouds).

Sunrise over Sy

Last year, I was able to get some sunrise shots when leaving Stornoway.




If you don't know the story of the Iolaire disaster, you can read about it here. The marker warns others to avoid those rocks.

Sunday in Sy

Overcast and showery in Stornoway.




Photo Notes:
1: Light levels changed on the clouds and then inversed. Old town hall has 25% black&white overlay. Even Stornoway is more colourful than this!
2: Cropped. A couple of blurred seagulls removed from the shot.

Excess Baggage

On Radio 4's travel programme, Sandi Toksvig (sp?) was speaking to a couple of folk about Britain's national trails.

Link, with listen again feature.

07070707

7 o'clock on the 7th of july 07. A series of perfect divine numbers, apparently. "out of doors" on the radio, chucking it down outside.

Quite a few deer were on the road, velvet obvious on antlers. Light was too poor for photographs.

Tescos self service

Just been forced through a Tescos self service til as no humans were on duty to accept my money. As a result, it took me at least twice as long to go through my meagre basket of essentials. As a result, i feel no customer loyalty, a mere bank account number. Where a statement that i can only buy 2 packs of aspirin is followed by "yes/no". I answer "no" as i'm only buying one pack and drop my stress cure into the bag. Alarm. Alarm. "you have placed an unscanned item in the bag". Actually, i had scanned it, but your programmer failed to ask the question correctly. They had failed to ask a question. Next time, i'll just cook some roadkill. Less painfull and more satisfaction.

Common as Muck

The sharp-eyed will have noticed that a Creative Commons logo has appeared in the sidebar. I went for the "Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 UK: Scotland" option. The full details can be found here. I went for the Scots law option, as it is more brutal than the Roman law of our southern cousins. As Scots Law is derived from the old Norse, it allows me to reclaim what has been stolen from me in goods, chattels and thing-days. A thing was the old Germanic name for a slave.

So, you steal from me, I can take the doors to your car, your wife, or get you to work for me until the damage and hurt you have caused me has been worked off. This is why Scotland has less crime per capita than the rest of the UK.

We also have more lying toe-rags than the rest of the UK.

AktoSimpson

Hours of endless fun with the Simpsons Avatar Creator across at their movie site.


Hmm, just noticed there's a burning car on the splash screen, but no sign of John Smeaton running towards it.

Adult Hills

I do love seeing what the work's content filter blocks. Today it was Colin Prior's article on Suilven (link) , blocked for "under the category Adult\Sexually Explicit." I suppose someone out their might get their rocks off to it^^

Hydration Sack Refilling

I worked out this on the Southern Upland Way. Simple idea.

Take mouthpiece off carefully, insert tube into bottle, lift up bottle and squeeze bottle to start water flowing into the sack. Simple hydraulics. The bottle must be higher than the hydration sack for this to work.

With little practice, you can cut down the amount of air entering the hydration sack. You'll end up with some air in the hydration sack, but not enough to cause problems if you bleed the sack at the end of the day.

I've not seen anyone else talk about this or haven't read anyone else doing this, so it might be a world exclusive - but I doubt it. If I've thought of it, someone else must have.

Oh, and just carry the holed bottle lid in a pocket, and have a normal bottle lid to use when you want the bottle to hold water too. Extra weight: one plastic bottle lid with a hole in it (go figure).

Kinfauns Update

Ramblers' Association have decided not to appeal

“We remain disappointed by the judgement of the sheriff, Michael Fletcher, in the Kinfauns case. We believe it is incompatible with the provisions of the land reform legislation and does not reflect the intentions of the Scottish Parliament when it passed this legislation. We are advised that a case could be made to challenge this judgement in a higher court. Nevertheless, following discussion by the Ramblers’ Scottish Executive Committee, we have concluded that the best way forward is not to appeal the judgement ..." (link)

Other comments from the RA in their full statement:

• This judgement from Perth Sheriff court is not binding on other courts so, if the Kinfauns case is concluded at this stage, no precedent is set for cases involving other courts where landowners seek declarators.
• however, there may be a need to modify section 10 of the Act to make it clear that the Code has the role of explaining not only the principles of responsible behaviour under the land reform legislation but also in
  helping to define the areas of land and water to which access rights do or do not apply.
• We also regret that Mrs Gloag erected the mile long security fence without first obtaining the necessary planning approval. The process by which she obtained retrospective planning approval was unusual...Neither do we understand how the development control section of Perth and Kinross Council could have considered it sensible to grant this planning approval without reference to elected members and knowing that their own access officials were making it clear that access rights applied inside the fence. The Council’s decision to give retrospective approval for this fence, while at the same time providing no arrangement whereby the statutory access rights could be exercised within the fence, provided the starting point for this conflict. Local Authorities in future must not grant planning permission without first ensuring that such permission is compatible with the land reform legislation.

Previous AktoArticles:

Privacy Zone; One, Two, Three.

I hope the owner enjoys her privacy in the green zone.

Bennachie 29.06

10k in 2007

Well done, whoever was the 2nd visitor on the 6 readers who visited between 1300-1400hrs (BST) today. You are visitor number 10,000 this year.

As your prize, you can join me in humming this catchy song from Saturday's Dr Who.



{we're in the sphere, blogging with your master}

r u u?

From the BBC : "I met somebody the other day who told me that online networking was so important, and he didn't have the time, he was paying somebody to be him online. To blog, network, post etc . £1,000 a month too." (full story)

78Man

Just found this on YouTube. Thought I'd share it. I like this use of new technology. It shows the human spirit in the raw. 78Man

Oooh, "Lazybones" (how appropriate). Classic. Ahh, there only one song to play after that.

Almost at 10K

Google Analytics reports that this blog has had 9925 visitors to date this year. Unlike some hosts, this doesn't count media loads separately. I feel that there should be a prize, but the privacy of visitors is protected in the service.

As I won't be able to give a prize, I thought I'd share this link to my favourite advert on Jock TV just now. No matter what people say, these are goths, not emos. More Undertones please? Good excuse to dig out the "True Confessions" album:

1. Teenage kicks
2. True confessions
3. Get over you
4. Jimmy Jimmy
5. Mars bars
6. You've got my number
7. My perfect cousin

Secret Chamber

Someone passed their spot hidden roll, and found a secret chamber in the Chinese imperial tomb. The one guarded by the terracotta army. I wonder if it is the remote control (c Terry Pratchett) or if it houses a pair of terracotta dice and a set of wargames rules.

Historical records describing the tomb of Qin Shihuang, China's first emperor, do not mention the room which is 30 metres (98 feet) deep. The unopened chamber was found at the site near the old imperial capital of Xian using remote sensing technology.

One expert says it may have been built for the soul of the emperor.

More than 2,000 years old, the chamber is buried inside a pyramidal earth mound 51m (170 feet) high on top of Qin's tomb. [BBC story]

There's only one piece of music that fits this sort of news.