TGO Challenge 2015: Challenger People

Mick 'Crocodile' Dundee: One of the Southern Hemisphere's finest sons

 As I walked along the road by the Ruthven Barracks outside Kingussie I spotted a familiar face dawdling on the grass verge.  He responded cheerily to my greeting.  In that strange accent of his, from that far away southern land, he shouted "G'day cobber, you going in to Glen Feshie mate? You mind if I tag along?  Been a long while since I went walkabout in this part of the bush and I was worried I'd get lost and not find the billabong.  I'll just pack up me tucker bag and I'll be right with you." And so, to my delight, I was able to start walking for three days with none other than legendary, sixteen times Challenger, Mick 'Crocodile' Dundee.  Mick comes from a place called Croydon which, I guess from his strange accent and his frequent references to his childhood in the capital, is within commuting distance of Canberra, in the land of Oz. And Mick has had the most interesting life of anyone in the world.  Unfortunately, none of his many anecdotes are suitable for writing about on my blog.

Mick and I walked from Kingussie to Braemar together.  He seemed content to follow my lead in Glen Feshie, not bothering to consult his map, but demanding absolute precision from me. "You said it would take 45 minutes from the bothy to get to this camping spot you want us to head to", he said at one point, "you ought to know that we have exactly 8 minutes 42 seconds left to get us there or you'll be eating my old jockstrap for your pudding this evening.  And there had better be a nice flat spot for my tent, and I expect the creek to have plenty of the cold crystal clear stuff in it for me to cool down my tinnies before I get me barbie going".  As we arrived he stated that we were 17 seconds late but he'd let me off my jockstrap dessert as he'd stopped for a pee, which just goes to show the magnanimous nature of our colonial cousins.  He showed further generosity of spirit the following day when I took him off route from White Bridge up to the Chest of Dee in the rain and wind. I had been assured by another Challenger, who I will not name publicly, but just refer to as a retired Professor of Software Engineering, 'IS' from Aberdeen, that there was the best wild camping spot in the whole of Scotland if not Europe there, but all Mick and I found was a pretty stream, lots of deer shit and ruffty tuffty hummocky stuff. As it happens, we were happy to walk on towards the Linn of Dee and a very pleasant spot to pitch.

It was great walking with Mick. I had thought that my planned route would see me having another social Challenge but this hadn't entirely been the case.  On the first day I walked a short way with Ray Disson. Then from 1.30 on Friday afternoon I didn't see a soul for over 49 hours until I was approaching Cannich in the middle of Sunday afternoon. The next day saw me walk with the Clegg brothers, Roger and Peter and occasionally others, and then all my walking in the Monadliath for two days was on my own, as was almost all my final two days. Allt na Goire saw about 10 lovely people, and me making 11, squashed around the Sutherland's dining table for dinner and breakfast, and from Kingussie to Tarfside there was much company and sociability.

To me there is only one real advantage of entering the Challenge, and that is to be amongst fellow Challengers, at least for parts of your walk. Almost all the rest of the great things about it could be had simply by going off on your own, and walking a route across Scotland. And Challengers are an incredible bunch.  Most exude fantastic traits.  They come from a very diverse range of backgrounds and places, most have amazing outdoors curriculum vitae, and many have shown vast amounts of determination and courage in adversity.  Some are gobby extroverts, some are quiet introverts, some are cerebral or cultured - and some are not.  There is much humour, much self-deprecation and much friendly mickey taking of others. And quite a number not only carry hip flasks but they pass them around in the evening too.

Challengers lazing around having lunch at the bridge into Glen Feshie near Stronetoper. Gerard(?), Mick Hopkins, Martin Rye, Keith Willers and Steve Rouse.  Martin and Keith, being flatlanders, were keen to take the opportunity to bounce off up some seriously big hills whilst I contemplated dragging myself a few more km along the glen for a brew and early camp

And so from Kingussie I enjoyed Mick's company and along the way that of several others. Braemar was less busy than in my two previous years, what with the Fife Arms being closed.  The Old Bakery Cafe also seemed quieter when I arrived, although I fortunately found Linda Griffiths and her husband lunching there, so I wasn't quite Billy No Mates.  I spent much of the afternoon sorting and washing in my B and B.  I had, however, arranged in advance to meet up with four people with whom I had walked in 2014 and had booked a table for six at the Braemar Lodge Hotel, confident that we would find another to join us. In fact, the booking turned into one for eight, and it was super to meet up again with James 'Bongo' Boulter, Ian 'Steve Ovett' Sommerville, Hugh and Barbara Emsley, Vicky and Toby Grace and Stan Appleton for what turned out to be a more than decent meal.

Meeting old friends in Braemar gave me the chance to walk in the slip stream of Ian Sommerville again.  We arranged to walk together to Ballater and were careful not to disgrace ourselves as we had done in 2014 by getting off route (ie a bit lost) between the town and the Lion's Face, and we sustained interesting conversations for the entire walk - well Ian was interesting and he certainly listened politely to my wittering.  As we gorged ourselves on over priced refreshments at the Balmoral Castle Tea Shop Hugh, Barbara and Stan arrived.  I had walked with Hugh and Barbara for a few days in 2014, and the meal the previous evening and this lunch stop confirmed that Barbara oozes loveliness from every pore.  And Hugh?  Well Hugh wears his Paramo smock and his buff as if they were a silk cravat and smoking jacket.  The word 'urbane' must have been invented for Hugh. I cannot think of Hugh without transporting him in my imagination to a bungalow on a tea plantation in Darjeeling in the 1930s, pouring a gin fizz for his guests as the sun sinks behind the hills, and the insects start to chirp their evensong, a jazz record playing quietly on the gramophone in the background.  I suppose it is just possible that in real life he leads the Portsmouth Headhunter gang of football hooligans or some such, but somehow I doubt it.

Hugh Emsley, Stan Appleton, Barbara Emsley and me, myself and I suffering in the sun at the tea shop at Balmoral Castle. Ian, who is something of a photographer, had insisted we move the lunch debris from the table before he could take the photograph

This enjoyment at meeting fellow Challengers is, I suspect, what brings so many back year after year. This results not just in delight at seeing old friends and making new ones, but also brings frustrations as routes don't coincide with those you would like to see again. Even when they do there can be so many people you'd like to have a chat / meal / drink with that you do not have the time to do this justice, as was the case in Ballater this year.

It did seem that one of the social hubs of the Challenge had shifted to Ballater from Braemar.  The camp site was heaving, and others were staying in town in more luxurious accommodation.  So the camp site was choka bloka with Challengers and I had a big man hug with my Twitter pal Carl 'the Birdman of Alkatraz' Mynott, and a girl hug with lovely Lyndsey Pooler who had escaped her mum duties for a fortnight leaving Alistair holding the baby.  And not only that but Challenge legends Alan Sloman and Phil Lambert were drinking beer in a camper van, with Alan's spitting image of a brother Dave. Which meant that in that van there were exactly the right number of human kidneys - although not necessarily shared out two a piece.

Standing on the camp site, Ian telephoned the Indian on the Green to book us a table. "I'll book for four", he said, "we are bound to find a couple more who want to go". Before he had finished the sentence not only had the two other places gone, but I was calling across to Ian to change the booking to one for six as Gordon Green, Roger and Peter Clegg and Stan were all shouting "and me and me". And an excellent meal it was too, with various freebies provided to supplement our order, and I got to have a decent chat with Gordon, too, who I had last seen limping down the road from Tarfside with a very poorly foot in 2014.

Stan, Roger and Peter Clegg, Gordon Green, me and Ian Sommerville at the The Indian on the Green in Ballater

I could, and should, go on and mention all the others who made my Challenge special, and those who I missed or hardly saw or didn't see enough off, who would have made it even more specialyier. At the real risk of inadvertently missing people out, there were the fabulozy and unfeasibly youthful looking John and Norma Keohane, who unbidden altered their dining plans to come to the Park Hotel dinner with me on the Wednesday.  There were Martin Rye and Keith Willers, James of the Bongo, Vicky and Toby Grace, Andy Walker, Robin Evans, Emma Warbrick, and John Jocys who I missed or didn't see much of.  Johnboy Sanderson whose legs I had planned to hobble like a camel so I could keep up with him going up Mount Battock.  Steve Rouse who kept me going as I flagged in the rain over the last few km to Tarfside and as I tired again towards North Water Bridge, David and Margaret Brocklehurst who added sanity to a meal with some rather more raucous Callengers in the Tipsy Laird (you know who they are Andy and Carl!), Graeme and Marion Dunsire....and others I know through social media and didn't get to see such as Ali Whitaker.  I could go on and on.  And I usually do, drone, drone, drone.....

Thanks to all named and to many others for their companionship and good humour and tolerance, and especially to Mick, Ian and Steve who were prepared to plod along the miles with me and make the experience so memorable.

Ian Sommerville basking in glorious late May weather on the summit of Mount Keen

TGO Challenge 2015 - My Route

Route Overview - Strathcarron to St Cyrus

In my previous two Challenges I had set myself a simple aim which was to reach the east coast.  This year I submitted a slightly more challenging route, with more in the way of ups and downs, hills, bog and pathless stuff.  I should stress that this was 'more challenging' by my standards, not by those who set out to tick off Munros and Corbetts.  As it happens, I varied my planned route quite a lot after about Day 6, and made it easier.  I then often used my Foul Weather Alternative (FWA) routes, partly because there was still a reasonable amount of snow lying up high, but also because I was starting to feel both very tired, far more so than in previous years, and quite 'run down' with a sore throat and temperature and stuff, which may well have been connected with the tiredness.

What follows is a description of the route, with a few asides, which may be (no it will be) a bit turgid at times, but if you are planning on coming this way and the area is new to you, it might contain some nuggets about paths, bridges down, landslips, camp spots and the like that may be helpful to you.

Leaving the Strathcarron Hotel

Days 1,2,3,and 4 (Friday to Monday) - Strathcarron to Ault na Goire

The first four days took me from Strathcarron to just over the Great Glen, via Bendronaig Lodge, Loch Calavie, Pate Lodge, Strathfarrar, the Liatrie Burn, Cannich, Drumnadrochit and Loch Ness to Allt na Goire.

The Friday, and the first part of Saturday, was splendid walking in fabulozy weather, with perfect blue skies, a light breeze, and yet not overly warm.  The path as far as Loch Calavie was reasonably well defined, but gradually disappeared after that, which left me yet again wondering whether the OS surveyors actually just sat in pubs drinking Guinness and 'avin a larf' as they invented paths, rather than studying their hi-tech satellite imagery.  I wild camped the first evening at one of the best spots I have ever had on the Challenge, just where the 'path' crosses the Allt Coire a Charra at GR NH 093393. Photos will appear in a subsequent post.

The route for Saturday was less satisfactory, although it started well. I made my way to Pait Lodge along the non-existent path, over pretty wet and marshy ground, dodging a few peat hags on the way. Having studied the map again the night before I had started to get a bit anxious about the need to cross the fast flowing river there.  I worried that what had looked like the symbol for a bridge when I planned the route might, in fact, be a weir, but as I lost height I could see what must be the most spectacularly placed washing line in the whole of the UK on my side of the river, linked by a very fine bridge to the lodge on the opposite bank.
 

Pait Lodge

Dodgy Bridge at NH 125391

After Pait Lodge is a good Land Rover (LR) track and I headed to a bridge not marked on my map at NH 125391, which my vetter had advised I use.  It was, however, now fenced off, and a sign warned it was dangerous, which was pretty evident. Fortunately, the stream was easy to ford in many places a few hundred metres upstream, and then it was pathless, but certainly not heatherless or peatless, up to the col between Meallan Buidhe and Meallan Buidhe na Fhedain, and down the other side, heading towards Strathfarrar.  Now Strathfarrar is lovely, and I had really wanted to see it, but I hadn't realised that what I though was a LR track was actually a metalled road beyond the hydro-electric plant at NH 182381.  So I found myself on tarmac for a couple of hours more than anticipated, to a gorgeous area to wild camp that could have accommodated all 300+ Challengers near the wonky footbridge at NH 261383. This glen has a massive population of red deer and I was able to sit out in the evening sunlight watching these superb animals grazing within a few metres.  Unfortunately, this also meant masses of ticks in the grass and I spent a goodly amount of time removing 20 or 30 of these from the tent before I could settle down for the night.

My third day saw me headed up by the Allt Innis na Larach and then down through the woods near the Liatrie Burn. I found this pretty tough going, and it took me 3 hours 15 minutes to do the first 5 or 6 km of the day.  From the footbridge, there is a very obvious track up the west bank, which my vetter had rightly advised me not to use as it soon disappears.  Instead, I followed the east bank which, contrary to what the map suggests, does have a followable path almost to the col at the top.  The way is blocked by a number of landslips from about NH 258367.  These were avoided by crossing the stream for a short distance - easy today, but this might be problematic after heavy rain.  The top has a short section of peat hags to negotiate after which a faint path materialised.  I hadn't been exactly clear how near the Liatrie Burn I would need to be to get through the forest, and found that the answer was 'not very'. If you go this way you might want to note that there is a deer fence barring your route, so head to the gate at NH 255339, follow a faint path through the wood and  emerge from the forest at another deer gate at NH 256332. Also, the forest is pretty open and not an unpleasant tangle of roots and conifers and stuff.

I had not properly thought through the route after this. So keen had I been to head the way I had already come, and to see Strathfarrar, that my mind when planning had minimised the next section - a long trudge along the minor road to Cannich and the main road to my hostel at Bearnock.  I had sort of thought I could cross the river and follow a track for a few km before having to take the road, but I hadn't emerged from the woods where I had expected to. So I just put my head down and ground at the kilometres as fast as I could, in heavy rain for a good portion of the way.  The only relief was a pit stop at the excellent cafe at the Cannich Campsite where I filled my face on a bacon roll and mugs of tea.  And then on another bacon roll and more mugs of tea. The route, but not the weather, improved muchly the following day as I followed the Affric - Kintail Way through the forests to Drumnadrochit, and more bacon rolls, crossed Loch Ness courtesy of Gordon Menzie's First Mate, and then camped in the Sutherland's field at Allt na Goire.

Days 5 and 6 (Tuesday and Wednesday) - Ault na Goire to Kingussie

The next two days were possibly the highlight of my whole route.  I had never walked in the Monadhliath Mountains before. I was slightly apprehensive when setting out.  I was walking on my own.  I had heard much of the peat bogs and featureless terrain.  There was still some snow about, and mist and cloud was intermitently masking some of the tops.  I was also concerned that, despite the best advice of my vetter, Alan Hardy, and fellow Challenger and blogger Alan Sloman, who knows about these things, I might spend much of the time walking between the new wind turbines and dodging heavy construction traffic.

As I walked passed Dunmaglass Lodge it looked like the wind farm construction would, indeed, spoil the walk.  The track had been widened and I was passed every couple of minutes by lorries or vans heading upwards to inflict more pointless damage on this precious landscape. Fortunately for me, but not for our wild land, the wind farm traffic headed off the old track at NH 603198 and up a massive new track.  From then on I was completely alone for the next several hours.  I had worried needlessly about the nature of the terrain, following an easy track as far as the newish Diamond Jubilee Hut at NH 602160 which Alan Hardy had told me about as it isn't on the maps yet. The hut was really welcome, as I had forded a number of streams and was getting quite cold by the time I arrived, so much so that I had a lengthy stop here to brew up, add layers and get some body heat back. After the hut there followed a nervy hour as the track disappeared under deep snow drifts, as did the adjacent stream, leaving me trying to pick a route around the snow, but frequently crossing it, post holing at times, and at other times not being certain whether I was over the stream or not.  I headed up to the summit of Carn Mhic Lamhair at 781 metres and then down through some increasingly horrible peat hags before picking up a good LR track all the way to Dalbeg, where I pinched the most sheltered camp spot in the lee of this shuttered up bothy.  Three other challengers arrived later having followed my footprints through the snow at the top, all expressing some appreciation that I had been first along the route.  And the wind turbine count on this route? One baby turbine, broken and still.  Not another in sight.  Make the most of this whilst you can.
 

The Diamond Jubilee Hut

My second day in the Monadhliath was really splendid. A combination of pathless stuff and LR tracks took me over the ridge and on to Carn an Fhreiceadain (878m) and Beinn Bhreac (843m) and then down to Kingussie. The weather held, then the sun came out, and the views were superb.  The Cairngorms came into view to the east for the frst time. And I felt really proud looking back from the top, over mountain range after mountain range, and thinking 'you walked from all the way over there matey. That's not a bad achievement by most people's standards'. So my route took me into Kingussie, straight down the High Street and into the Tipsy Laird for Guinness, noting on the way the excellent wild camping spots on the Kingussie Golf Course (the green at the ninth hole looked particulalry nice, but using it might give the Challenge a bad name.).

Snow Bridge in the Monadhliath

Days 7,8,9 and 10 (Thursday to Sunday) - Kingussie to Ballater

The route for the next few days does not need writing up in any detail.  I decided against the Lairig Ghru, given the snow that was still around, and took the Challenge trade route up Glen Feshie and over to the Geldie, then on to White Bridge.  I had considered stopping the night there, but it seemed a bleak, inhospitable place in the squally rain that we were having, and so I went on and camped three km short of the Linn of Dee near the woods before heading in to Braemar via Tomintoul. And from Braemar, I went to Balmoral via the Lion's Face.  This is an easy walk, but the woods are delightful and there is a tea shop at Balmoral Castle, which makes a good half way stop before the road trudge to Ballater, with the only off road section after Balmoral being via the woods and the Polhollick footbridge as Ballater is approached.

Days 11,12,13 (Monday to Wednesday) - Ballater to St Cyrus

Ballater to Tarfside via Mount Keen should be an easy walk, other than for the distance involved and the height climbed. Approaching Mount Keen, the heavens opened, and as height was gained the rain turned to snow and the final hour to the summit, on the mainly snow covered rocky, then bouldery, path became somewhat tougher than it would be in decent weather.  I was glad to be walking with Ian Somerville, and we were both following in Martin Rye and Keith's foosteps - if I'd been on my own I would probably have contoured round the shoulder path well below the summit.  The path down is much better thankfully, and it even dried up for an hour before the rain really came down again as I approached Tarfside, got my tent up on the sports field in the deluge and then legged it to get my bacon butties at a packed and steaming St Drostans.

The top of Mount Keen in the clag and snow

After Tarfside?  I was knackered. I was interested in only one thing - getting to the coast. I ditched my planned route for the last two days completely, which had included a 28 km slog on the last day, much of which would have been on roads to Johnshaven.  Instead I put my head down again and headed for the Tuck Inn and the pie shop in Edzell, the walk being vastly improved this year as I found the 'Blue Door Route' from the Rocks of Solitude, which was an hour of picture postcard loveliness, and then on to North Water Bridge Campsite, followed on my last day by an early morning start, and the lanes to St Cyrus, briefly leaving the roads to summit the magnificent Hill of Morphie, before the cliff path and the beach and the sea and the end.

Blogging the TGO Challenge 2015

All on my own on St Cyrus Beach 9.45 am Wednesday 20 March 2015

This was my third TGO Challenge.  In previous years I have written blog posts about my experiences, describing my day-by-day journey across Scotland.  In common with several other Challenger bloggers I am going to try a different approach this year, and do some thematic posts. I have no idea how they will turn out, but first thoughts are that I will do a post about each of the following:

Route - Strathcarron to Johnshaven (planned) or St Cyrus (actual), with one or two specifics that might help others who follow any sections of this, such as OS grid references for deer gates, wonky bridges, non-existent paths,new motorways to the wind turbines, etc.

Wining, dining and sleeping – wild camps, pubs, cafes and the like

Fellow challengers – get your libel lawyers ready folks,   although I may anonymise these comments by using initials so that readers cannot possibly work out who they are. You know, things like "Professor IS", "Croydon Mick" or some such. 

Gear used and abused

Personal reflections

So, the next post will feature my route. Probably.

Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Grand Gear Sale

I am selling off an eclectic mix of gear which I no longer need. Some is hardly used, whilst some is years old.  Prices of items available range from £2 to £85! It is all accurately described below, and the reasons for sale are included.  If you are interested in purchasing, or if you have any queries please contact me via the contact form on this blog or via Twitter (@Fellbound).

I will be donating 10% of all profits to Keswick Mountain Rescue Team.

Summary of items (details below)
Lightwave Ultrahike 60 litres pack - current model, used four days SOLD

Karrimor Hot 45 Rucksack (an oldie but goodie)
Berghaus Freeflow Day Pack (a moderate oldie) SOLD

Vaude Triset 15 Day Pack (brand new, with labels) SOLD

Osprey Chest Pack / Bum Bag (used once)  SOLD

Everlight Ultralight Titanium Pot (hardly used) SOLD

Primus 3279 Gravity II EF remote cylinder gas stove (used on one trip)
Caldera Cone and meths burner (hardly used) SOLD

Titanium knife, fork, spoon set (used one trip) SOLD

Dehydrated meals  SOLD

Sealskinz Socks (used once) SOLD

Sealskinz Gloves (used once)
Lifeventure Treking Towel (brand new) SOLD
Selection of dry bags


Detail

Lightwave Ultrahike Pack  SOLD
Backlength M3 (ie long for taller folk up to height 6ft 2inches)
60 litre capacity
Weight approx 1.25kg

This is a superb pack, highy rated by Chris Townsend who, I think, used it on his Scottish Watershed walk.  Many of the seams are taped or welded so it's got much better water resistance than many packs on the market.  It has an excellent back system and has a good size lid pocket (claimed to be waterproof by manufacturer although I would never rely on such claims), two treking pole/ice axe loops, side mesh pockets and side compression system.

Purchased at the start of 2014, I have only used this pack for four days and it is in excellent condition. So why am I selling? At just over 6 ft 3inches I am too tall for the hip belt to sit perfectly on my hips and I have replaced it with a custom made longer pack.

I paid about £140 for this and given the newness / condition / lack of use I would accept £85 plus p and p. (I'm checking best way of sending this and will discuss with potential purchaser).

Karrimor Hot 45 Rucksack 



Buy yourself some history!  This is a basic, medium volume, one compartment, heavy duty sack with a good sized lid pocket.  I used to use it to carry my climbing gear to the crag back in the 1990s. It's not been out of a garage or the loft for the last 15 years. Whilst old it is still very serviceable. Some deterioration to the lamination on the internal closure collar. Back slightly dirty.

£15 + p and p (estimated £10, to be confirmed).

Berghaus Freeflow 35+8 Day Pack SOLD



An older model Freeflow day pack. Whilst it is a few years old (7/8?) now, it is in very good condition and hasn't been used for the last 3 or 4 years.

£15 + £5 p and p.


Vaude Triset 15 Day Pack SOLD

 
This is brand new, still with label attached. A nice little summer day pack that would also be suitable for outings in town or as a school bag. Unneeded gift.

£12.00 + £5.00 p and p.

Osprey Chest Bag  SOLD

 

This can be used as either a bum bag or small chest pack.  It's designed to fit to Osprey packs but I believe it would fit many other makes (eg it fits the Lightwave pack advertised above). Comprises one subdivided, zipped main compartment and an outer mesh pocket.  Smallish capacity - will take things like your snacks, compass, hat or gloves. I only used it once as, quite frankly, I decided I didn't like a chest bag.

£5.00 + £3.00 p and p.

Evernew Ultralight Titanium Pot   SOLD
1.3 litres capacity, Evernew model: ECA-253


Evernew pots are widely regarded as the bees knees! This has only been used a couple of times.  I'm selling it as I usually use a smaller Evernew pot.  This one is big enough for two people but at approx.135 gr is still light enough for one.  Comes with the Evernew mesh stuff sack. Very slight, normal discolouration to base from its use with a meths burner.

New these cost £58.99.  I will accept £30 + £3.00 p and p.



Primus 3279 Gravity II EF Gas Stove
With piezo ignition


A stable gas stove, with a pre-heating coil.  Relatively light (stove weighs c270 gr) for a remote cylinder stove, with stuff sack. It's only been used a couple of times.  I bought for cold weather backpacking but do not do enough of this to justify its retention as I have other stoves.

New they cost about £60.  Will accept £25 + £3.00 p and p.

Trail Designs Caldera Cone and 12-10 Alcohol (Meths) Stove  SOLD

Suitable for Evernew 0.9 litre (ECA-252) pot or Vargo 0.9 litre
Comes with instructions, caddy, meths measuring cup and meths holder (meths NOT included).

The Caldera Cone is regarded as one of the most efficient ways of using a meths stove, combining a pot stand and excellent wind shield. The burner and cone weigh about 60 gr. I have a titanium version of this cone and so no longer need this one.
 

Price new is about £39. Selling for £10 + £3.00 p and p.

Lifeventure Titanium Knife Fork and Spoon Set SOLD
In a carrying pouch.

Used once on a teenager's D of E Expedition and surplus to requirements.
£2.00 + £3.00 p and p.
 

Dehydrated Meals SOLD

As pictured. Both best before some time in 2017. Personally, I'd rather eat dog vomit, but we all have different tastes :-)

These would retail at about £11.00 for both.  Selling both meals together for £2.00 + £3.00 p and p. 

Sealskinz Socks (Used once) SOLD

Large (?) size. They fit about shoe size 9 to 11.

I wore once and hated them. Others swear by them.

(£2.00 + £3.00 p and p).

Sealskinz Gloves (Used once)
XL, medium warmth rating.
They didn't work for me but, as with Sealskinz socks, some swear by them.

£5.00 + £3.00 p and p.

Lifeventure Giant Trek Towel (brand new, unused) SOLD

Unwanted gift. Never used. With stuff sack. In a tasteful shade of dog shit brown. But hey, it still works as a towel!

£4.00 + £3.00 p and p.

Three Dry Bags
Three fairly heavy duty, black dry bags. Two by Trekmates (sized XL and L).  One further heavy duty bag by unknown manufacturer (approx 50X30cm). All unneeded and almost unused. Would be good for lining day sacks, for backpacking (subject to weight) or simply for storing gear.

£4.00 for all three + £3.00 p and p.