I've done nothing this weekend, Friday I was supposed to be going to the Lakes to walk Bowfell, Scafell Pike & Sca fell but my partner in crime is/was ill and there was gail force winds. So I went nowhere and have been nowhere since.
All I've done is watch, films browse the web and listen to music. Haven't even watched any TV. I have done a little bit of work on my walking website. Although I have come to the conclusion I need to do masses of reading. I need to properly read up on PHP, Javascript, MySQL, XML, CSS and the Google Maps API. I have dabbled with all of these at some point but need to know a lot more for this project.
I realised last week that I learn best visually and by hands on messing around with things, seeing how stuff works. I get bored quickly reading computer books and tend to jump ahead. Looking back I have alway been like this with everything I do. I lose interest quickly if anything drags on. I need quick fixes or rewards to keep my concentration. Although I learn very quickly, maybe its because I miss out the waffle when learning stuff?
One thing I don't normally do is work very well with structure or plans. I create them but find it incredibly hard to stick to them. Its them same with the lists and aims I've created on this blog many times before, I rarely complete any. I start at a pace then very quickly become fed up and move onto the next thing.
I need to figure out how not to do that with my website project, I have been thinking about doing this for ages and want to actually finish it or at least get it to where I am happy with it. But how do I do that?
I mentioned above all the things I need to learn more about, but know if I set off reading a book on each one at a time. I will be sick by the time I get half way through the first, with my mind wandering to knew ideas for the site. I guess I probably already answered my own question. I probably have to learn by hands on, looking up the things I need to know for the task I'm trying to do. This often feels like I'm going around the houses to find out how to do a simple task because I haven't got full knowledge in the language.
I'm rambling once again, just really want my website project to succeed, putting off starting because I don't know where to start :-(
Showing posts with label planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label planning. Show all posts
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Challenges
I have just updated the challenges on the side of this page. I still want to do the Wainwrights but I don't want to have to rush them, if it takes years then so be it. The 1001 albums to listen to before you die challenge got boring because lots of the albums were rubbish.
So the new challenges aren't too hard and are certainly achievable.
So the new challenges aren't too hard and are certainly achievable.
- Learn to Snowboard - already done this although need to go back for more practice
- Learn to climb - I have found a couple of places locally where I can learn on a climbing wall but would then like to climb outdoors.
- Smile and have more fun - may sound stupid but I have been known at lots of points in my life for not smiling and being miserable. I feel better if smiling and obviously need to be having fun to feel happy and want to smile :-)
- Walking Website - I mentioned this in a previous post or hinted at it. I have had an idea in my head for months, mainly because I haven't found a website that does what I want. There are some that offer very similar services but they are often pay for sites or are badly designed. When I have something up and running I will post more details. I don't think anyone else will be bothered, but will be useful for me and my dad if no one else.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
New Website idea
I have had an idea for a website I've wanted to do for months but never got around to actually doing it. Recently I've started being a bit more pro-active and reading up on various topics and thinking of web site names.
Wont say too much at the moment in case I never get it off the ground or change my mind. It does involve walking and other outdoor activities.
Recently more and more I've realised how much I love being out walking and I guess the 2 things I love to do the most are walking and computers. So its natural to try and join them together in some way.
I'm not going to have much time to do anything with the idea over the next month due to work, have already worked a load of overtime this last week and will be doing more probably most nights in March.
I need to keep the website project moving, so hopefully writing it on here will keep me motivated!
Too often I never do any of my ideas and I have seen a few make lots of money for various companies. Not that there is any money in this one.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Organising and where have I been?
I wrote a few posts ago that I probably wouldn't be writing on here as much, this must be about the longest break I've had over the last couple of years (13 days).
I'm not sure I should write everything for the whole world to read anymore. Yes I want to record my walks and runs on the internet for me, not for everyone else. The things in my head are possibly better kept to myself or if I feel I must write them down, keep the privatively. I don't know yet!
I will write a few things I've been up to over the last week, Monday last week I went to the lakes and walked up Scafell Pike from the bottom of the Hardknott Pass. The fog/cloud was terrible and I couldn't see anything on the top. I had decided to take an off track route up. A very bad idea in those conditions, as I found out as I was literally climbing up the side of Scafell Pike. I got a bit worried at one point but carried on regardless. I will probably post the route and stuff at some point.
I have put some weight on over the last few weeks and I don't like it. Lots of people have told me I needed to put weight on, one person who I don't know very well said I looked very gaunt and drawn. Maybe I did but I felt a lot better than I do now, I don't feel very motivated and have been getting worse over the last couple of months.
As I just said I have had a total lack of motivation recently, in everything. I find myself sitting doing nothing at home for hours which is very depressing. At work I have also found it hard to get interested in what I'm doing and have found myself putting sticking plasters on problems, because I haven't had the time to find proper solutions so they don't reoccur. I realised I was working from my inbox constantly waiting for the next thing to come in and deal with it. Even though I had loads of old emails and tasks just sat there waiting for me to do something with them.
I decided over the weekend that I needed to do something about my motivation and organisation at work. I have over the last 10 years or so tried most tech solutions to getting organised from PDAs, Mobiles phones, online calendars and task schedulers but there had been problems with every one of them. I have also tried a standard diary but a normal diary was too limiting and mine was too big.
I realised I needed to find something that was gonna work for me and the way I think and work. Going low-tech is the solution, I hope, after reading several articles over the weekend. I have ordered a FiloFax (yeah they still exist) but I intend to not just use it in the way most people would. I have also ordered "Getting Things Done" a book that has almost cult following among tech people. The way this works appeals to me and I'm hoping will start to sort me out. I intend to use some of the templates form DIY Planner instead of the standard stuff that comes in a FiloFax. This will take a while to implement but one thing I did start today was "Inbox Zero", its a very simple way to deal with your emails and it worked today. I felt so much better and had more time to concentrate on my work.
The guy behind the "Inbox Zero" idea gives presentations on it and I enjoyed (if thats the right word) watching his presentation at Google. Much better than reading through all the stuff on his website.
I'm not sure if any of this stuff will work because one of main problems is sticking with something, I become bored easily but if I can see this working I'm hoping I will stick at it. We will see over the next few weeks once I have everything in place and I tailor it to me.
I'm not sure I should write everything for the whole world to read anymore. Yes I want to record my walks and runs on the internet for me, not for everyone else. The things in my head are possibly better kept to myself or if I feel I must write them down, keep the privatively. I don't know yet!
I will write a few things I've been up to over the last week, Monday last week I went to the lakes and walked up Scafell Pike from the bottom of the Hardknott Pass. The fog/cloud was terrible and I couldn't see anything on the top. I had decided to take an off track route up. A very bad idea in those conditions, as I found out as I was literally climbing up the side of Scafell Pike. I got a bit worried at one point but carried on regardless. I will probably post the route and stuff at some point.
I have put some weight on over the last few weeks and I don't like it. Lots of people have told me I needed to put weight on, one person who I don't know very well said I looked very gaunt and drawn. Maybe I did but I felt a lot better than I do now, I don't feel very motivated and have been getting worse over the last couple of months.
As I just said I have had a total lack of motivation recently, in everything. I find myself sitting doing nothing at home for hours which is very depressing. At work I have also found it hard to get interested in what I'm doing and have found myself putting sticking plasters on problems, because I haven't had the time to find proper solutions so they don't reoccur. I realised I was working from my inbox constantly waiting for the next thing to come in and deal with it. Even though I had loads of old emails and tasks just sat there waiting for me to do something with them.
I decided over the weekend that I needed to do something about my motivation and organisation at work. I have over the last 10 years or so tried most tech solutions to getting organised from PDAs, Mobiles phones, online calendars and task schedulers but there had been problems with every one of them. I have also tried a standard diary but a normal diary was too limiting and mine was too big.
I realised I needed to find something that was gonna work for me and the way I think and work. Going low-tech is the solution, I hope, after reading several articles over the weekend. I have ordered a FiloFax (yeah they still exist) but I intend to not just use it in the way most people would. I have also ordered "Getting Things Done" a book that has almost cult following among tech people. The way this works appeals to me and I'm hoping will start to sort me out. I intend to use some of the templates form DIY Planner instead of the standard stuff that comes in a FiloFax. This will take a while to implement but one thing I did start today was "Inbox Zero", its a very simple way to deal with your emails and it worked today. I felt so much better and had more time to concentrate on my work.
The guy behind the "Inbox Zero" idea gives presentations on it and I enjoyed (if thats the right word) watching his presentation at Google. Much better than reading through all the stuff on his website.
I'm not sure if any of this stuff will work because one of main problems is sticking with something, I become bored easily but if I can see this working I'm hoping I will stick at it. We will see over the next few weeks once I have everything in place and I tailor it to me.
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Previous challenges and some music
I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I was gonna set some plans for the future but failed to mention about the ones I set at the beginning of the year. 2 of them recorded on the right side of this site have stalled. Wainwrights and 1001 Albums.
The Wainwrights I changed my outlook to walking during the West Highland Way, I decided that its not necessarily about racing over peaks, its about enjoying it and taking in the views. So I decided I wouldn't try to do all the Wainwrights this year but over the next couple of years. I have been busy with other things like sorting out my Holiday the last few weekends. I will resume the Wainwrights after the holiday :-)
The 1001 Albums I can't see me completing this year, but I don't need to unless I die at the beginning of next year. The full title is 1001 Albums to listen to before you die. I said I'd die young but don't think its next year but you never know.
I still like my lists of music, started working through someones 100 Best Songs Ever list from Last.FM. He has similar music to me, so thought I'd give them a listen. Here's the list, I'm working back over from 100. So far I'm up to 63!
The Wainwrights I changed my outlook to walking during the West Highland Way, I decided that its not necessarily about racing over peaks, its about enjoying it and taking in the views. So I decided I wouldn't try to do all the Wainwrights this year but over the next couple of years. I have been busy with other things like sorting out my Holiday the last few weekends. I will resume the Wainwrights after the holiday :-)
The 1001 Albums I can't see me completing this year, but I don't need to unless I die at the beginning of next year. The full title is 1001 Albums to listen to before you die. I said I'd die young but don't think its next year but you never know.
I still like my lists of music, started working through someones 100 Best Songs Ever list from Last.FM. He has similar music to me, so thought I'd give them a listen. Here's the list, I'm working back over from 100. So far I'm up to 63!
The Future
I suppose first I should mention the job. I have spent dozens of posts moaning about it. I read a post from June 29th last year moaning about how sick of it I was and needed a kick up the arse to sort the situation out. Little did I know that less than a week later I got a fucking pile driver. Yet rather than jumping and giving in which would of been all too easy I stuck it out. At the moment things are looking better and for the first time in a long long time I've stopped back later at work a few times of my own choosing in the last couple of weeks. Even more strange is I spent 6 hours last night, 2 of them on my Birthday (midnight-2am) doing stuff for work. Don't worry sneaker pimps I haven't brought any international secrets home that I was intending to mail to the News of the World (not last night anyway). I was sat writing code that I could use for some stuff at work, now that's more like it, something useful to both work and me. They get my time (wont be claiming it) and skills and I learn something and feel happy.
So now that work is starting to get better until the next crisis, I will probably now decide to leave. Gemini's always like change and hop from thing to thing, rarely completing stuff. There are just to many things to learn and experience. Life is becoming a bit too mundane and I'm feeling old. So I need something to challenge me:
I will be looking the the future for the rest of the week and planning a few things. Although this time I am going to try as hard as I can to stick to the plans. Yes I make plans constantly and very rarely complete any, because I quickly lose interest. Variety and new experiences it what I need.
Time for a bit more think, the one thing I do so well :-)
So now that work is starting to get better until the next crisis, I will probably now decide to leave. Gemini's always like change and hop from thing to thing, rarely completing stuff. There are just to many things to learn and experience. Life is becoming a bit too mundane and I'm feeling old. So I need something to challenge me:
I will be looking the the future for the rest of the week and planning a few things. Although this time I am going to try as hard as I can to stick to the plans. Yes I make plans constantly and very rarely complete any, because I quickly lose interest. Variety and new experiences it what I need.
Time for a bit more think, the one thing I do so well :-)
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Another 10K
My last post was about having a few days off exercise, but what I forgot to mention was that I entered the 3M Newton Aycliffe 10K which is on the 17th June (3 days before my birthday!)
I'm gonna have to get back into training, serious training. The race is all on the flat and is supposed to be good for setting personal bests. I would like to approach 50 minutes which looking how I ran the Raby 10K (conservatively) should be achievable.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Good Weekend
For a change I feel like I have done something with the weekend, I put my shed up on Saturday which took a while. The longest part was laying the paving level, so the shed would have a level base.
Yesterday I ran the Raby 10K and achieved my target time. Then after the race Kay came over and we spent hours and hours going through accommodation and stuff for our Canada trip. We haven't booked any more than the original first week in Toronto but we have a more firm intinery for the second and have picked out 3 or 4 hotels in each place. We can now finally see a picture of the room (Rose Suite) we booked in Toronto.
Rose Suite (our room in Toronto)
We still have to book the second week but I think we both know what each other likes now and are thinking along the same lines (I hope). It looks like we have decided to drive the second week, not 100% but the train takes as long as driving for some reason?
Today I had a lie in, which I needed. Then I went to Ikea and Ilva with my parents for a look out. I found a table I liked in Ikea but wasn't sure if the colour would go in my dining room. Then walked over to Ilva and saw several tables I liked, at twice the price and most too big. I did find one the looked perfect, it was a Solid Mango Wood Table at £297. I didn't buy it though, can't afford too.
Yesterday I ran the Raby 10K and achieved my target time. Then after the race Kay came over and we spent hours and hours going through accommodation and stuff for our Canada trip. We haven't booked any more than the original first week in Toronto but we have a more firm intinery for the second and have picked out 3 or 4 hotels in each place. We can now finally see a picture of the room (Rose Suite) we booked in Toronto.
Rose Suite (our room in Toronto)We still have to book the second week but I think we both know what each other likes now and are thinking along the same lines (I hope). It looks like we have decided to drive the second week, not 100% but the train takes as long as driving for some reason?
Today I had a lie in, which I needed. Then I went to Ikea and Ilva with my parents for a look out. I found a table I liked in Ikea but wasn't sure if the colour would go in my dining room. Then walked over to Ilva and saw several tables I liked, at twice the price and most too big. I did find one the looked perfect, it was a Solid Mango Wood Table at £297. I didn't buy it though, can't afford too.
Monday, May 07, 2007
I wanna, I gotta, I need to..
...Run the Las Vegas Half Marathon.
I saw this mentioned in an advertisement in Runners World, they wanted £1200 for 4 nights in Mandalay Bay. I'm sure I could do it for 5 nights at a lot less money than that, this would be absolutely fantastic, running along the Las Vegas Strip being set off by fireworks and Elvis "Viva Las Vegas".
Before I even saw this race I had said that I really wanted to go to Vegas in December. I can't really afford it but it would be absolutely fantastic. I wonder if Kay fancies Vegas, the Half Marathon would only take up 2 hours of the 4/5 nights/days.
It sets off at 6am (what the hell), suppose its the only way they can let you run the strip by doing it early.
The Marathon would be great but not ready for that, but the Half.
I gotta do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I saw this mentioned in an advertisement in Runners World, they wanted £1200 for 4 nights in Mandalay Bay. I'm sure I could do it for 5 nights at a lot less money than that, this would be absolutely fantastic, running along the Las Vegas Strip being set off by fireworks and Elvis "Viva Las Vegas".
Before I even saw this race I had said that I really wanted to go to Vegas in December. I can't really afford it but it would be absolutely fantastic. I wonder if Kay fancies Vegas, the Half Marathon would only take up 2 hours of the 4/5 nights/days.
It sets off at 6am (what the hell), suppose its the only way they can let you run the strip by doing it early.
The Marathon would be great but not ready for that, but the Half.
I gotta do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hotel Booked
I have booked a hotel for after I have finished the WHW and Ben Nevis for Friday 18th May. The following day I'm getting the train back home.
I have booked up to stay in the Alexandra Hotel in Fort William. I tried to book it online for £49 but I ended up with an error, checked that the payment hadn't gone through by emailing them then booked it over the phone. Luckily at the same price as it was on the web. If I walked in the door on the Friday it would cost me about £80!!
Sunday, May 06, 2007
WHW Update
Today I have decided on my rough plan of walking for the WHW next week. I have booked into 2 Youth Hostels and already booked the train ticket back home from Fort William.
Friday: Train from Darlington to Milngavie Travel Inn
Saturday: Start WHW, Milngavie - Garadhban Forest [16.5 miles] wildcamping
Sunday: Garadhban Forest - Inversnaid [19 miles] wildcamping
Monday: Inversnaid - Crianlarich [13 miles] Youth Hostel
Tuesday: Crianlarich - Inveroran [16 miles] wildcamping
Wednesday: Inveroran - Kinlochloven [18 miles] Camp site
Thursday: Kinlochleven - Glen Nevis [13 miles] Youth Hostel
Friday: Glen Nevis - Ben Nevis - Fort William [14 miles] Hotel
Saturday: Train from Fort William to Darlington My bed
The distances above are estimates because I haven't drawn the route out in Memory map yet, some ways I am tempted not too and rely on the Harvey Map but for backup purposes I guess I should draw it out and upload to the GPS. There are a couple of big days to Inversnaid and to Kinlochlevin but both times the days following are only 13 miles (only he says when he will have a heavy pack on). Ben Nevis will be difficult with the pack especially when I'm intending to go via the CMD arete, if I feel really tired I could totally miss this out and just walk the 3 miles to end of the way, but I think I will be too pumped up and will make it to the top and then to the end of the way somehow!
I have booked into Youth Hostels at Crianlarich and Glen Nevis. Which is at the half way point and then just before I climb up Ben Nevis again before then walking to the end of the West Highland Way in Fort William. I have yet to book into a hotel in Fort William but might do that now, then I know its done.
Friday: Train from Darlington to Milngavie Travel Inn
Saturday: Start WHW, Milngavie - Garadhban Forest [16.5 miles] wildcamping
Sunday: Garadhban Forest - Inversnaid [19 miles] wildcamping
Monday: Inversnaid - Crianlarich [13 miles] Youth Hostel
Tuesday: Crianlarich - Inveroran [16 miles] wildcamping
Wednesday: Inveroran - Kinlochloven [18 miles] Camp site
Thursday: Kinlochleven - Glen Nevis [13 miles] Youth Hostel
Friday: Glen Nevis - Ben Nevis - Fort William [14 miles] Hotel
Saturday: Train from Fort William to Darlington My bed
The distances above are estimates because I haven't drawn the route out in Memory map yet, some ways I am tempted not too and rely on the Harvey Map but for backup purposes I guess I should draw it out and upload to the GPS. There are a couple of big days to Inversnaid and to Kinlochlevin but both times the days following are only 13 miles (only he says when he will have a heavy pack on). Ben Nevis will be difficult with the pack especially when I'm intending to go via the CMD arete, if I feel really tired I could totally miss this out and just walk the 3 miles to end of the way, but I think I will be too pumped up and will make it to the top and then to the end of the way somehow!
I have booked into Youth Hostels at Crianlarich and Glen Nevis. Which is at the half way point and then just before I climb up Ben Nevis again before then walking to the end of the West Highland Way in Fort William. I have yet to book into a hotel in Fort William but might do that now, then I know its done.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
West Highland Way Update
I received my train tickets a few days ago which take me from Darlington direct to Glasgow, then the short trip from Glasgow to Mingavie. I then booked myself into a Premier inn for my first night, I had tried a B&B that looked OK but they were fully booked.
I decided I would pay a bit more for a hotel where I knew what I was getting and paid the extra for the full break fast in the morning. Which I will need before I set off on the start of the West Highland Way.
I also joined the Scottish Youth Hostel Association, it only costs £8 and allows me to use the the English ones as well, its about £16 to join the English YHA. I am thinking about stopping in the Youth Hostel in Glen Nevis before climbing up Ben Nevis again if I don't feel dead from finishing the WHW. I may also stop in another halfway along the way but have yet to draw my route, a job for the next 2 nights.
I decided I would pay a bit more for a hotel where I knew what I was getting and paid the extra for the full break fast in the morning. Which I will need before I set off on the start of the West Highland Way.
I also joined the Scottish Youth Hostel Association, it only costs £8 and allows me to use the the English ones as well, its about £16 to join the English YHA. I am thinking about stopping in the Youth Hostel in Glen Nevis before climbing up Ben Nevis again if I don't feel dead from finishing the WHW. I may also stop in another halfway along the way but have yet to draw my route, a job for the next 2 nights.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Weekend Planning
I am going to the lakes this weekend for an overnight wildcamp again. This time I'm not following anyone elses route. I am looking at walking the Greater Kentmere Horseshoe with some extras thrown in. The whole route is about 24 miles and would take in 16 Wainwrights.
It's only in the early draft planning stage at the moment but I have drawn a route out in Memory-Map and it looks do-able with hopefully plenty of possible camp sites. I walked the area last year and have looked back at my photos and from the various shots from High Street I can see almost every hill I plan to cover.
I may post the route on here before I go, but it could change as the weekend unfolds anyway.
It's only in the early draft planning stage at the moment but I have drawn a route out in Memory-Map and it looks do-able with hopefully plenty of possible camp sites. I walked the area last year and have looked back at my photos and from the various shots from High Street I can see almost every hill I plan to cover.
I may post the route on here before I go, but it could change as the weekend unfolds anyway.
WHW Planning
I booked my train tickets to the start of the West Highland Way in Milngavie. The train leaves Darlington at 11:34 on Friday 11th May. It was the only train I could get direct to Glasgow, wasn't any from Durham. Otherwise I had to switch trains at Edinburgh.
Once I get to Glasgow I have a ticket booked to take me to the starting point (Milngavie). I'm not setting off on the Friday but intend to stop in a hotel or B&B before setting off the following morning. I emailed one B&B but they haven't got any rooms spare. I am very tempted just to book into the Premier Inn because its just around the corner from the station and the start of the WHW.
I looked at booking tickets back from Fort William but I don't know what day I will be coming back. I will probably do the walk in 6 days, but haven't planned it out yet. I may walk Ben Nevis again, but it depends how I am feeling. I quite fancy doing the down hill mountain biking as well but after 6 days of walking I might just want to go home.
Once I get to Glasgow I have a ticket booked to take me to the starting point (Milngavie). I'm not setting off on the Friday but intend to stop in a hotel or B&B before setting off the following morning. I emailed one B&B but they haven't got any rooms spare. I am very tempted just to book into the Premier Inn because its just around the corner from the station and the start of the WHW.
I looked at booking tickets back from Fort William but I don't know what day I will be coming back. I will probably do the walk in 6 days, but haven't planned it out yet. I may walk Ben Nevis again, but it depends how I am feeling. I quite fancy doing the down hill mountain biking as well but after 6 days of walking I might just want to go home.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Work, route planning and general think
I am actually quite happy at the moment even though I have loads of pressure at work with being the only IT person. When I'm driving about the 2 counties listening to good music I can forget about the amount of work I have to do. My viewpoint is I can only do so much, I try to do the urgent stuff but I'm only 1 person and everything else will just have to wait.
I was supposed to be getting a temp while I'm on my own but over half of that is already over, there is no way they are going to sort anyone out in the next 2 weeks. Exactly as I predicted, HR are absolutely fucking shite. I get on well with a couple of the people who work in HR but its not with them where the problems lie.
I think one of the reasons I am happy is because of all the planning and looking forward to walking in the lakes. I intend to go away from the 6th April as long as all my essential gear turns up by then. I am thinking about walking from Ennerdale , a variation on this route. I may decide a lot of where I go as I'm on the fells but somewhere similar to that looks good. I wanted to walk the Langdales, and Scafell area but it will be Easter weekend so it will be very busy in that area. It will probably be busy around here too but hopefully not quite so bad.
I am going to have to do some more match betting to help pay for all the equipment I've bought over the last week (£1000 worth :-O)
I'm off on Friday afternoon because I am going to watch Nigel box again, he's fighting in the contender series. Each fight which all take place on the Friday will be broadcast over several weeks on TV. I am going out from 1:30 though in Crook, before getting the bus to Newcastle at 5, then the fights start at 7. I can't drink too much because I am running on Saturday!
I was supposed to be getting a temp while I'm on my own but over half of that is already over, there is no way they are going to sort anyone out in the next 2 weeks. Exactly as I predicted, HR are absolutely fucking shite. I get on well with a couple of the people who work in HR but its not with them where the problems lie.
I think one of the reasons I am happy is because of all the planning and looking forward to walking in the lakes. I intend to go away from the 6th April as long as all my essential gear turns up by then. I am thinking about walking from Ennerdale , a variation on this route. I may decide a lot of where I go as I'm on the fells but somewhere similar to that looks good. I wanted to walk the Langdales, and Scafell area but it will be Easter weekend so it will be very busy in that area. It will probably be busy around here too but hopefully not quite so bad.
I am going to have to do some more match betting to help pay for all the equipment I've bought over the last week (£1000 worth :-O)
I'm off on Friday afternoon because I am going to watch Nigel box again, he's fighting in the contender series. Each fight which all take place on the Friday will be broadcast over several weeks on TV. I am going out from 1:30 though in Crook, before getting the bus to Newcastle at 5, then the fights start at 7. I can't drink too much because I am running on Saturday!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Multi-day trip
I am planning on having my first multi-day walk over the easter weekend in the lakes. It will give me a chance to test out my gear before going to Scotland in May. I better get a move on and buy it all then!!
Friday, February 02, 2007
Finances
I have spent the last 3 hours or so organising my finances and setting up Quicken again from scratch. I have used Quicken for years to keep track of my finances but I have gradually let th details slide and since about July last year I didn't keep it up to date regularly. The last time I entered everything in was September and then I had 3 months to enter.
So I decided to make a fresh start from the beginning of 2007 and intend to keep it updated daily with whenever I spend anything (like I used to). I now know how much I owe on my 2 credit cards (did know but easier to see in Quicken). I have a fair bit on them but have applied for a new 0% one and have been accepted, once I sign the paperwork and receive it I will transfer the 2 balances before the current 0% expires. I think I may have to buy all my camping stuff within 30 days of getting the new credit card and transfer it onto the new card, it only has 0% until 2008 if transfered within first 30 days.
Anyway I'm on top of the finances now which means I probably wont be going to many concerts or festivals this year unless I get some money to pay stuff off (unlikely). Should be going to see a musical later this month but that may be the last thing I book for a while. I need all the money for my holidays!!
So I decided to make a fresh start from the beginning of 2007 and intend to keep it updated daily with whenever I spend anything (like I used to). I now know how much I owe on my 2 credit cards (did know but easier to see in Quicken). I have a fair bit on them but have applied for a new 0% one and have been accepted, once I sign the paperwork and receive it I will transfer the 2 balances before the current 0% expires. I think I may have to buy all my camping stuff within 30 days of getting the new credit card and transfer it onto the new card, it only has 0% until 2008 if transfered within first 30 days.
Anyway I'm on top of the finances now which means I probably wont be going to many concerts or festivals this year unless I get some money to pay stuff off (unlikely). Should be going to see a musical later this month but that may be the last thing I book for a while. I need all the money for my holidays!!
Trails To Do Eventually
I found some paper I had wrote some walks I would like to gradually do but all are several days or weeks. Thought I'd write them on here then throw the paper out (for recycling of course).
- Weardale Way - 77 Miles (complete tomorrow)
- West Highland Way - 95 Miles (doing in May)
- Rob Roy Way - 69/92 Miles
- St. Cuthberts Way - 62.5 Miles
- Great Glen Way - 73 Miles
- St. Oswalds Way - 97 Miles
- Pennine Way - 268 Miles
- Coast to Coast - 160 Miles
- Cleveland Way - 109 Miles
Friday, January 19, 2007
Walking
My last post turned into thinking about walking, I need to stop thinking and actually get out there. I will be over the next 4 days:
Saturday - Sunderland Bridge - Witton-le-wear
Sunday - Wolsingham Adopt-a-path walk
Monday - Witton-le-wear - White Kirkley
Tuesday - White Kirkley - Westgate
Sunday I'm not walking the Weardale way because my dad is walking with a friend and he wants to walk it with me, so I'm going to do my Adopt-a-path walk in Wolsingham. I had thought about walking along the cliffs by Scarborough but its supposed to be windy and I could do with saving the petrol money. I will complete the Weardale Way the following Saturday from Westgate to Killhope.
After the Weardale Way I am going to start on the Wainrights, for anyone reading this and wondering what the hell a Wainright is. Alfred Wainwright wrote several books covering the fells/hills of the lake district (214). They have become known as the Wainwrights after him. This year is the Centenary of Alfred Wainwrights birth and I think it would be good to walk all 214 this year, I have already walked some of them, but probably only about 20-30 if that. I bought a book that breaks them down into 30 odd walks but I wont just follow those because they are generally day walks and I am hoping to do several weekend wildcamps which should save me money on petrol and give a much better experience sleeping among them.
I will have to go some though to complete them this year with everything else I'm doing. There are several other walks I would like to do this year. I am already planning the West Highland Way in May possibly ending it by walking Ben Nevis via the CMD Arete. I am also doing the North Yorkshire 3 Peaks, need to do Snowdon and Buachaille Etive More (gorgeous mountain) and I have a Northumberland Coastal Walk in my calendar.
Besides for the stuff I have already planned there are lots of others I have long term:
Every mountain over 2000 feet in England and Wales
Welsh Three Thousanders in 24 hours
The Mamores
Great Glen Way
Rob Roy Way
Wainwrights Coast to Coast
Pennine Way
Cleveland Way
Hadrians Wall Path
Offa Dyke Trail
There are loads more but I think I need to retire now to give me the time. I have many long distance walks I would like to create and complete besides for names routes.
Saturday - Sunderland Bridge - Witton-le-wear
Sunday - Wolsingham Adopt-a-path walk
Monday - Witton-le-wear - White Kirkley
Tuesday - White Kirkley - Westgate
Sunday I'm not walking the Weardale way because my dad is walking with a friend and he wants to walk it with me, so I'm going to do my Adopt-a-path walk in Wolsingham. I had thought about walking along the cliffs by Scarborough but its supposed to be windy and I could do with saving the petrol money. I will complete the Weardale Way the following Saturday from Westgate to Killhope.
After the Weardale Way I am going to start on the Wainrights, for anyone reading this and wondering what the hell a Wainright is. Alfred Wainwright wrote several books covering the fells/hills of the lake district (214). They have become known as the Wainwrights after him. This year is the Centenary of Alfred Wainwrights birth and I think it would be good to walk all 214 this year, I have already walked some of them, but probably only about 20-30 if that. I bought a book that breaks them down into 30 odd walks but I wont just follow those because they are generally day walks and I am hoping to do several weekend wildcamps which should save me money on petrol and give a much better experience sleeping among them.
I will have to go some though to complete them this year with everything else I'm doing. There are several other walks I would like to do this year. I am already planning the West Highland Way in May possibly ending it by walking Ben Nevis via the CMD Arete. I am also doing the North Yorkshire 3 Peaks, need to do Snowdon and Buachaille Etive More (gorgeous mountain) and I have a Northumberland Coastal Walk in my calendar.
Besides for the stuff I have already planned there are lots of others I have long term:
Every mountain over 2000 feet in England and Wales
Welsh Three Thousanders in 24 hours
The Mamores
Great Glen Way
Rob Roy Way
Wainwrights Coast to Coast
Pennine Way
Cleveland Way
Hadrians Wall Path
Offa Dyke Trail
There are loads more but I think I need to retire now to give me the time. I have many long distance walks I would like to create and complete besides for names routes.
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