The first couple of weeks after I retired at the end of May I surprised myself by doing some decent mileage walks with a hefty rucksack on me back. The first time with the pack was a bit of a disaster, however, as I slipped on a log crossing a stream and the weight of the rucksack pushed me face down into the mud at the bottom. Soaked as an otter ( a stinky one).

I got better at walking and did the three Yorkshire Peaks over two days, sleeping under my tarp at the top of Whernside. Bloody freezing and the climb up Ingleborough nearly killed me; but I did it and that’s what counts. I took it steady doing shorter walks and then we went on holiday to France and Spain for nearly six weeks. This cut my training right down but it was a brilliant holiday.

Of the walking I did in Spain the most spectacular was a ridge walk along the western summit of Sierra Bernia, seen here in all its glory. 

Adam Carter was with me and we felt like kings of the universe going up the north face and traversing along to the summit. Great day!!