tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35044694602691103312012-01-25T23:43:32.238ZBigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.comBlogger1331100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-21684778747616980812012-01-08T20:02:00.004Z2012-01-08T22:34:04.422Z

I normally have a wee internal chuckle to myself every year when folk rave on about their New Years Resolutions. I usually resolve to not make any empty promises (even if it's just to myself) but this year, given the state of my lungs, I decided to get on board and have resolved to get my hill fitness back to a fashion. Last year was a monumentally crap year for me hill wise due to a number of

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-88637890541184571892012-01-01T16:24:00.002Z2012-01-01T16:45:40.135Z

...consisted of a nice long lie in, followed by a "blustery" walk along Ayr beach... ...before retreating to the back of Daphne for a bowl of delicious home made soup followed up with some home made scones complete with cream and jam.Later we went to a pals house and saw the old year out and the new one in with a few (too many) cocktails. A nice day to end the year with. What did you get up to?

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-70647451700789130732011-12-29T10:13:00.004Z2011-12-29T15:45:48.439Z

I've been keeping quiet on here of late but then there hasn't been much hill action (for me) recently anyway. What there has been is a lot of is stress. After my last update regarding the Sarcoidosis I was referred to the chest clinic in the local hospital. I went through a repeat of all the lung function tests, blood tests and X-ray's again before being sent for a CT scan of the lungs to get a

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-38324470279189320002011-08-11T21:44:00.006+01:002011-08-11T22:23:54.827+01:00

Some pictures taken on last weekends jaunt up to Ullapool. We didn't hit any big hills whilst we there (although I believe some have now been climbed in our absence) as the weather was a bit pish after we arrived. It was very nice and relaxing though to have a change of scenery and some nice company for a few days. How many OM'ers can you spot? Looking over the Aultguish Inn towards Ben Wyvis

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-66980450055726032822011-08-08T23:57:00.003+01:002011-08-09T00:10:13.185+01:00

Just back from a long weekend spent in Ullapool with some great friends that we don't see often enough. Sorted through some of the photies and about to head off to bed now to read Harry Potter with a wee(ish) half and some fudge. Life is good sometimes...

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-25059631467004510922011-07-22T21:46:00.003+01:002011-07-22T23:24:42.931+01:00

Reading between the lines on here, you may be able to see that my "hill fitness" has been suffering somewhat of late. Since being on my winter skills course a couple of years ago with the excellent Kendal Mountaineering Services I noticed a dramatic downturn in my output and I've struggled really to get it back to what I would say is my "normal" level of fitness.Last Christmas there, I was quite

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-17699159207914340692011-07-10T21:08:00.005+01:002011-07-10T21:49:42.372+01:00

After a few years of digging my trusty old and rusty BMW 3 series out of the snow at least a few times every winter. After a few years of standing at the back of it trying to dodge raindrops whilst getting changed out of wet gear into dry clothes after coming down off the hills. After getting fed up paying someone else to fix it and service it I started to want something else to drive. Not

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-51740129544584151802011-06-24T21:36:00.003+01:002011-06-24T21:45:07.621+01:00

GrowingGoingGone!Finally we got to enjoy the fruit, and I mean literally the fruit of our labour. One strawberry between the two of us! Damn it was sweet and tasty though, and there should be a few more soon once they ripen!

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-51642624483183745092011-06-19T14:31:00.002+01:002011-06-19T14:47:55.632+01:00

Coughing my guts up on the ridge just below the the summit of Spidean Mialach. The summit itself was shrouded in mist when I was there and the view was just of a white nothingness. I recorded this after the cloud had lifted out as I dropped down off the summit along the ridge towards the bealach above Coire Dubh.Transcript: (For those who can't cut through the accent, puffing and panting or hear

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-19388906725925627852011-06-18T17:52:00.002+01:002011-06-18T17:55:59.500+01:00

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-74545163567629821992011-05-29T16:51:00.004+01:002011-05-29T17:35:56.435+01:00

After such a long period of fine weather it has to be said that recently it's been rather pish. We didn't let it stop us going out last weekend, although if we're honest we did modify our plans somewhat. We were originally going to sneak off just ourselves for a quiet weekend to camp somewhere and climb a Mamore or two but the incessant dampness saw us sticking to a lower route and swapping the

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-9912146353182309102011-05-08T11:03:00.002+01:002011-05-08T11:19:11.281+01:00

Yesterday was a good day and all is well in the world...well, in my wee world at least anyways. I have my wife back and the rain stopped briefly enough for the sun to come out, which meant that a wee walk in the park seemed just the thing to do before we went for what was quite frankly a fantastic dinner at The Cricklewood before a few quiet drinks and then home.A quiet and simple day spent with

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-85999268958091824292011-04-30T15:52:00.003+01:002011-04-30T16:23:35.892+01:00

...but we aren't sitting still either. I've been back on the bike commuting in and out of work every day for the last 2 weeks which has been an utter joy in this recent glorious weather we've been having. I've not had time much to get out at the weekend due to the massive amounts of overtime I've been doing so the bike is my chance to get some "Sandy time" even if it is only for a short while it

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-35004783187390596922011-04-21T12:15:00.003+01:002011-04-21T12:25:35.407+01:00

Some photies of the rest of my trip down under to see Louise while we wait for her visa to come through. For those who don't already know, the good news is we actually already have the visa. The UK border agency actually processed it a whole lot quicker than they were estimating which is nice. You don't often see the wheels of bureaucracy turning so efficiently!!Although I've been back for a few

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-46139699281074585082011-04-20T01:49:00.003+01:002011-04-20T02:12:18.265+01:00

When I travelled to the other side of the world. To the other hemisphere no less, and found myself looking at something so familiar...yet something just didn't seem quite right...Hmmm.

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-3273068763025383222011-03-31T07:54:00.004+01:002011-03-31T08:43:07.938+01:00

Well we've had the Australian Wedding Ceremony On Saturday which was a fantastic day of celebrations starting with the ceremony itself, a fabulous afternoon tea at Woodend including a Croquembouche and finishing off with beers around the bonfire. On Monday Louise and I headed off up "The Great Alpine Road" to Bright in Alan's (Louise's Dad) big red Landy...I'm sooooooo getting myself one now! We

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-89900222645823377902011-03-24T04:05:00.004Z2011-03-24T05:20:07.997Z

Well I've arrived safe and sound in Woodend albeit almost a full day late thanks to lady luck and Qantas. My flight down to London went without a hitch apart from when the check in lady asked if I had a Visa for entering Australia? Eh? I lived there and worked there for best part of a year previously and now I need a visa to just go on a fortnights holiday to see my wife!!! After she stopped me

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-28006577170274089682011-03-16T11:47:00.006Z2011-03-16T12:27:31.682Z

Photo's are a great thing. A snapshot (literally) of a moment, visually frozen in time forever...actual, physical memories you can hold in your hand.Next week won't be my first visit to the land down under...I hope the slide show I've embedded up there will work but it's the first time I've tried it in a post and anything could happen. I took these pictures back in 2005 when I spent the best part

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-87486945278890037902011-03-13T17:47:00.003Z2011-03-13T17:56:20.690Z

Just spotted this on the bottom of the sandals I picked up yesterday...Spider Rubber eh?That'll be for stamping on any of the little scuttling bastards I come across in Australia next week then!Whatever will Vibram come up with next?

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-13162404503902712822011-03-12T23:57:00.002Z2011-03-13T01:13:46.643Z

...is another mans sandals. Or something like that?First Saturday off in 2 weeks and I spent it in the shops and not on a hill. 3 weekends ago my wife (Louise) had to go to the other side of the world so she can fill out a few sodding forms that takes our wonderfully efficient government several months to process. The last 2 weekends have been spent working so that I can afford to go out to

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-46666541961245068952011-03-01T19:25:00.003Z2011-03-01T20:00:42.889Z

It's starting to feel a wee bit strange at home in the flat. I'm no' liking Louise being away...and no, it's not because I've run out of clean dishes. I still haven't washed any yet mind... It's a weird and a little eerie feeling if I'm honest. Coming home and finding the place dead quiet and everything exactly as I left it. I find myself sticking to the same rituals and habits you get into over

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-23596884291215125302011-02-20T11:36:00.002Z2011-02-20T12:18:45.545Z

I like the fact that like us humans, the hills are also capable of displaying a variety moods. This weekend has been a strange one for me. It's been a mixture of emotions and feelings. Due to the ridiculousness of the red tape and bureaucracy that we have in this country, it's the last weekend we have together before my wife has to go home to her country of origin (Australia) for what could be

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-85005601353352131702011-02-17T09:27:00.006Z2011-02-17T12:41:24.433Z

Stob Ban in the Mamores has been a thorn in my side for quite some time now, and on Saturday there I finally got the wee figurative tick. I'm not one who goes into the hills to just tick them off like they are some sort of trophy to be collected before moving on to the next one. That attitude towards hill walking normally irritates me. For me it's about spending time outdoors and moving through

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-9348714293561873432011-02-13T13:08:00.003Z2011-02-13T13:14:40.603Z

I had a great day playing out in the mountains. Tell me what you did.

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-30597265397407266952011-02-10T08:08:00.001Z2011-02-10T08:11:13.349Z

...you're on the sodding list!

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-13606933348238904242011-02-08T08:30:00.005Z2011-02-08T11:20:22.138Z

Now that the wedding is over the kit embargo has had it's sanctions relaxed slightly, however I already have most of what I need and the "want list" is exactly just that. A list mainly of "wants" rather than needs. My thoughts have been turning recently to boosting my current kit to get me that little bit further in winter conditions and one area in which I felt that my gear was letting me down

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-66604965516223242122011-02-01T11:27:00.003Z2011-02-01T13:31:45.069Z

On Friday there, I was free to get out for a walk. I had originally intended to go for my first wild camp of the year on the Saturday night but we ended up making plans to visit friends over the weekend, so a wild camp over Sat/Sun turned into a wander on Fri. And, if I'm honest, it actually turned out for the best as I was craving some peace and quiet and some solitude in the hills. The hills

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-66273982635784264172011-01-28T16:35:00.004Z2011-01-28T16:52:41.178Z

Just arrived on the summit of Beinn an Lochain about 5 minutes after the cloud-base dropped. I was hoping for it to keep dropping 'till I popped out the top but it wasn't to be. Still, it was nice to get out to play. I intend to be getting out much more this year than last so maybe my next hill will have a clear summit?

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-84698103023395817262011-01-27T17:35:00.006Z2011-01-27T18:20:55.933Z

...aye, a weather windae that is.Now that the wedding is over, the guests are all away home and the flat has almost been put back together, it feels good to have some normality creep back in. Louise was back at work today while I had my first real lie in since I went off on holiday nearly 2 weeks ago. I woke up naturally around midday and had a leisurely bath and shave before brunch and then

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-5333422268118612342011-01-25T11:48:00.004Z2011-01-25T12:17:59.804Z

I was going to write something humorous at first. I nearly put up the pic Louise took of me behind a portcullis at Stirling castle last week (looks like I'm behind bars). I was going to ask silly questions about dealing with a nagging wife but somehow I just couldn't write it down in a way that seemed appropriate so I'm not going to.Instead here's a wee excerpt from our speech that I nervously

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-36333581967677915422011-01-14T13:26:00.003Z2011-01-14T19:05:54.903Z

...since I had been out to play in the hills. So long in fact that it took me an embarrassingly long time to pack for Sunday there. I had to keep going through the mental checklist of stuff I'd need and stuff I should carry whether I'd need it or not. I was glad then that I'd packed the night before so that when the alarm roused me I simply got washed, dressed, fed, had my caffeine hit and then

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-20527662905819194592011-01-13T20:29:00.006Z2011-01-13T21:04:24.840Z

It's not been 2011 long and already it's shaping up to be a very busy year indeed...In less than 2 weeks I shall be a married man!...assuming I survive the stag weekend that is. We have a trip to Oz in March to see Louises family to organise. There's the never ending pile of red tape which must be gone through for Louise's visa. It's looking like I may have Asthma which would go someway to

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-45107476208968895952011-01-09T23:23:00.002Z2011-01-09T23:27:57.884Z

Predictably the clouds cleared out about 20 min after I dropped of the summit and I'd descended too far to go back up! Bah! Them's the breaks I suppose.

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-44734886480519799192010-11-20T15:30:00.003Z2010-11-20T15:56:32.527Z

...well it's me, or at at least it's "Ms Taboureau" and as there's only one "Taboureau" at this address for the next 2 months then it must be me. What did I win?A not too shabby £250 voucher from the very nice people at Evans CyclesWhat did I do to win it?Quite possibly the quickest and worst review I've ever written in my life. I wrote it at 7:30 in the morning after a night shift which goes a

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-38586803310601209832010-10-16T11:08:00.003+01:002010-10-16T12:28:05.891+01:00

Sometimes coming off of nightshift isn't all bad, it can have it's perks. I finished yesterday morning around 07:00 AM and got home for a few hours kip before forcing myself to get up about midday...ish. That meant I ended up back in bed not long after 01:00 AM, after vegetating on the couch, and finding myself awake and staring at the ceiling at 06:00 AM this morning. Not wanting to wake Louise

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-91414260321698778932010-10-09T04:47:00.004+01:002010-10-09T06:03:10.397+01:00

Since I got the road bike for commuting and pleasure I've been toying with the idea of clipless SPD pedals. Having read all the warnings and scare stories of folks falling off whilst unable to clip out on the forums, and being a bit of "a big jessie" I've been putting the moment off. Well, when my foot slipped off the flat pedals supplied with the bike in the wet last week it was for the last

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-90146988629955245992010-09-21T12:24:00.007+01:002010-09-21T13:15:57.476+01:00

...well actually I have, but not like the proverbial couch potato.With all the time spent working recently (got m'self a wedding to pay for you know!) and not really all that interested in getting up the hills in the heat anyway I'd been missing out on some much needed "me" time. I was also beginning to feel very unfit due to the lack of activity.I'm not sure if it has anything to do with being

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-47926378763203137762010-09-04T07:34:00.004+01:002010-09-04T08:05:23.944+01:00

Well that's really been about the size of it for the last couple of months...The photie above reminds me of this place of late...desolate, lonely and empty.I've not been out at all really since the the last post on here. For me the hills lose their shine during the summer months. I don't function well in the heat, it makes me a crabbit bastard and I don't enjoy the exertion at all. I find the

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-65544175495990662742010-06-09T14:54:00.003+01:002010-06-09T15:37:26.773+01:00

Deciding to head for the hills after night-shift is always a dilemma for me. Do I just go straight from work first thing in the morning or do I grab some shut eye in the morning and head out in the afternoon? The answer is usually decided by my level of fatigue and or the weather.With the hot and humid weather of last week I didn't sleep well at all during the days all week so come Friday morning

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-20259908694664023412010-06-06T11:59:00.003+01:002010-06-06T12:06:57.333+01:00

There really is something glorious about waking up naturally as the daylight gently illuminates the inside of your tent/bivy and realising that you have the whole mountain to yourself...for a little while at least.

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-7877082936078719662010-05-29T02:41:00.002+01:002010-05-29T02:47:07.040+01:00

I ended up not going oot last night. A better proposition came my way. A proposition that glugs gently when it comes out the bottle and the glass it lands in has a nice "Ting" when pinged with a finger.I haven't had too much of the amber liquid though.I'll still be up (not bright and early mind) tomorrow. I will be heading oot and good news is my pack shall be even lighter ;o)

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-44815577535211742732010-05-28T13:11:00.002+01:002010-05-28T13:43:08.423+01:00

I'll know when I'm leaving work tonight at 23:00Hrs and I'll be keeping a beady eye on the weather out the window whilst I'm there. The rucksack's all packed and the headtorch has spare batteries just in case I do...

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-75681490685928092792010-05-23T14:54:00.005+01:002010-05-23T15:15:01.053+01:00

...I'm not sure if there even are any but if there are, then I've probably broken every one of them.Well now that there's a proper ring and all, I suppose we can put this up here. I'd kept this off the forums and blogs, mostly... but seeing as half of you know anyway I thought you might like to see a pic of the ring in question....and yes we went into every single shop, then bought one from the

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-86715966912804006162010-05-14T17:34:00.003+01:002010-05-14T18:16:03.038+01:00

Last week I recieved a mssg from a fellow OM member who remembered my cheeky request that he make me one also after he posted some pics of his DIY half hex inner tent for his Shangri La 3/Hex 3. He was working on a revised model and was I interested in purchasing it? Hell yeah!So thanks to the combined magic of DW's memory, Paypal and the Royal mail I now have a shiny thing I've been hankering

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-179477973175269242010-05-11T21:52:00.004+01:002010-05-11T22:33:09.224+01:00

After recieving some gentle nagging about the lack of updates recently I did what any self respecting lazy arse would do...get somone else to do it for me!Since Sandy seems to be either overwhelmed by his month of trips or suffering from writers block I thought I would cave into a suggestion I laughed off almost a month ago & write up my first wild camp for him…It was sometime during the second

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-69480451633486620002010-04-19T19:18:00.006+01:002010-04-20T09:35:14.093+01:00

...I slowly began to realise that I could see the orangeness of the inside of my bivy bag and therefore it must be daylight outside. With an almost sheer panic I thought I'd slept through sunrise as I frantically fumbled for the zipper pull. My head popped out and the cold morning flooded in.The sun was still below the horizon but the pre dawn colours had magical qualities of their own. You know

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-71216748769620170282010-04-16T11:00:00.003+01:002010-04-16T14:00:50.048+01:00

Waking up on the couch at 05:00 with a hangover is generally not the best way to start a trip to the hills but I had plenty of time time to get my act together as we weren't planning on leaving until 16:00 hours. Eventually the fuzzy head wore off and I slung some gear into my pack and headed for the rendezvous near PTC's hoose picking Elaina up on the way. We rolled into the car park and and met

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-39509621643890065182010-04-14T21:10:00.002+01:002010-04-14T21:33:09.733+01:00

Just back after 2 glorious wild camps in quick succession. The first one can be read about already here and here and probably coming soon here also. My version of events will be up soon enough.Last night was Louise's first proper wildcamp, and damn was it a good one!Rucksacks shall be unpacked tomorrow and the words and photies will be up soon enough. For now I'm on the couch awaiting delivery of

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-79628174986101951782010-04-12T12:15:00.003+01:002010-04-12T12:26:23.855+01:00

Ye cannae beat gettin' oot tae play in the snaw wi' yer mates!

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-76346159699022739502010-03-30T10:54:00.003+01:002010-03-30T11:12:01.551+01:00

I hate day's like today. Today being the day before I start night shift this evening. Today is a wasted day spent mostly on the couch with the blinds closed and a never ending cycle of cuppas, hobnobs, crap TV and un-restful dozing while I wait for the inevitable alarm clock of doom to ring in my ear and send me to work for a full shift armed with only half the required sleep.I'm going to write

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-27342791075581907822010-03-23T08:35:00.003Z2010-03-23T09:19:55.048Z

That's pretty much the main noise I'm making now interspersed with a hacking tickly cough just for variety. I'm sitting here wrapped up in my Oscar the Grouch fleece that I couldnt resist, seeing as it was on the Tiso sale rail.Grouch is probably a good way to describe my mood too. Going stir crazy stuck indoors due to a combination of back shift/night shift rotation and illness. There's been the

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-45427949768353687212010-03-16T11:06:00.003Z2010-03-16T12:37:54.233Z

While the offer to go shopping and gear fondling with the girls was tempting I opted out in favour of a wee daunder up Cairn Table. It's one of my favourite spots for a bimble underneath a big sky with only my thoughts for company and I hadn't been up there yet this year.I alway's enjoy the drive to Strathaven and then Muirkirk, its so close to the city and towns but yet it's still very rural and

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-71508726706736729122010-03-14T14:57:00.002Z2010-03-14T15:03:48.760Z

Extensive gear testing in the "rainroom" at Bigbananatowers!

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-62352978462990063132010-03-10T10:19:00.004Z2010-03-10T11:34:42.145Z

There's an old tip that everyone who goes for the occasional "proper" walk, reads the forums Like OM or magazines like trail and TGO must be aware of yet I'm starting to wonder how many actually use. I've been aware of it for a long time myself but I've never seen it put into practise. At the winter navigation/snowholing trip everyone (including me) seemed to have ten cordlocks on a string to

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-68781260034251418472010-03-04T21:14:00.002Z2010-03-05T01:31:45.554Z

After spending two days wandering around the hills of Cromdale while practising using my new shovel and practising some winter skills I picked up at last years OM /KMS course I was ready on Monday morning for my two days on the edge of the Cairngorms plateau brushing up on winter navigation skills and learning how to dig snowholes as a temporary or emergency shelter.We picked up our "poo pots"

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-66529880604825152302010-03-03T20:28:00.007Z2010-03-03T21:00:43.646Z

I'd have missed it if I'd taken a pee pot along with my poo pot!After a day spent on the edge of the plateau brushing up on winter nav, we descended (along with the weather) into Coire Domhain. We dug in, in foul whiteout conditions coupled with a bitter knife-edged wind. It was worth it for the morale boosting sunrise alone and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-24929828173202830692010-02-25T22:14:00.003Z2010-02-25T22:55:25.720Z

I'm sitting here eatin' ma tea, nearly all packed and gettin' all excited about the coming weekends adventuring. Assuming of course that the man opens some of those closed roads from today's snow and I can actually get up to Aviemore...I nipped out to Cotswolds on the way home from work today to grab some last minute essentials and in the corner of my eye I caught a glint of shiny blue. I was

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-78747226044889252842010-02-23T16:46:00.005Z2010-02-23T19:36:41.078Z

The milder side eh? I was all ready to get out at the weekend with the new bivy but ,as it is often prone to do, life kind of just got in the way. No matter though, the weather was gorgeous and Louise's pal Molly was up for a visit so that was all the excuse we needed for a day trip to show a tourist just how beautiful this bonny wee country can be. It wasn't even a disaster when some pillock

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-34552222101120137082010-02-13T04:01:00.001Z2010-02-13T04:05:01.329Z

Who's a charlatan now then?

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-72383486648518874262010-02-11T18:55:00.004Z2010-02-11T20:04:05.959Z

I'd just sat down with a cocoa the other morning after nightshift and there was a ring at the door. I was excited as I knew who it would be and what he would have with him.I'd uhmmed and ahhhd about getting one of these for a while, I like the idea and simplicity of a bivy but have had some concerns about losing the usefulness of my Laser Comp's porch for cooking.I have many plans for using a

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-18473493856151480342010-02-09T16:33:00.004Z2010-02-10T08:30:18.368Z

For once my planned alpine start went to plan. Instead of just saying I was going to get up early on my day off, I actually had to do it as I was meeting folk at the other end. I might get into the habit of it too as my drive up the usual A82 was clear and uneventful for a change. I ended up making such good time that I had time for a wee catnap in the motor while the Corran Ferry trundled back

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-4383132967548269032010-02-08T10:31:00.004Z2010-02-08T10:43:08.905Z

I'm not long in from a rather hectic nightshift. I've sorted out the pictures from the weekends adventures but I've run out of steam. Nodding off on the couch is'nae a good idea. The words'll come later...Aye, and it's great to catch up with pals you hav'nae seen for a wee while :O)

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-74640484986342453582010-02-05T16:46:00.005Z2010-02-05T18:00:50.656Z

...I suppose everything balances out in the end anyway. I got a wee package in the post at work today from those nice chaps at Needle Sports. A while ago when I was ordering my Kahtoolas from them I mentioned my Grivel Airtechs with the dreaded GSB. I had read somewhere that you could "mod" them at "your own personal risk of course" to get rid of the prong and fit a Cramp-o-matic bail. The nice

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-36247194918812456422010-02-04T18:05:00.003Z2010-02-04T19:07:37.418Z

During my walk up An Caisteal and Beinn a Chroin the weekend before last I spent the first half of the day on snow capped hills with blue skies behind. As I scrambled down off An Caisteal and made my ascent of the second munro the weather closed in fairly quickly. I had biting winds in almost (but not quite full) whiteout with the windblown ice crystals stinging my face and eyes. I pulled up my

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-442997781581389952010-01-30T03:56:00.003Z2010-01-30T04:37:13.086Z

Tomorrow's...today's, aye whatever, Saturday's plan of walking up something pointy has changed. The "Band Of Brothers" DVD boxset has come into my possesion for a brief period, therefore my arse shall be in constant contact with the sofa this weekend only to be broken when on a brief mission across the room to put the kettle on (and find the biscuit tin). Beside's, the forecast is pish.

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-70522375783709299762010-01-26T12:51:00.003Z2010-01-26T13:10:32.525Z

Back at the start of November I received a shiny purple walking pole extender, very kindly sent by Bob from www.backpackinglight.co.uk I've been using it since then and it's quickly replaced my home made effort from an old Alpkit Carbonlite handle section.In......out.Like all of the best ideas it is both simple yet ingenious. It weighs in somewhere around 45 grams and when using my Golite

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-32426766562427665822010-01-24T11:30:00.004Z2010-01-24T11:46:50.935Z

The view from Sron Gharbh on the way to An Caisteal yesterday

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-45984122023123188232010-01-19T18:24:00.002Z2010-01-19T18:29:33.472Z

Hopefully it'll stay that way and BT have finally managed to catch whatever nasty wee gremlin it was that was screwing up my broadband.There's been a fair bit of change here recently at Bigbananatowers with Louise taking teaching a job down in Dun's I'm left home alone to my own devices through the week (telly and beer!). It's nice and peacefull at times but it still feels a bit strange coming

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-12101077101365914482010-01-18T19:22:00.000Z2010-01-18T19:23:08.584Z

Not really :o(With an extremely slow connection I was connected to rest of the world for about an hour before the connection dropped out again.I really am getting monumentally sick of BT and their piss poor service. It's been well over a month since they've provided any and they keep failing to fix it. Thats 2 home hubs, 5 engineers and a 6th one swapping cards at the exchange today.I'd get

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-78988648389530550122010-01-05T19:41:00.001Z2010-01-05T19:46:09.117Z

That'll be BT providing their usual unbeatable service again. If this carries on any longer I'll be refusing to pay their bill. Maybe then they'll fix it.-- Posted from my iPhone

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-16654900519826398542010-01-02T19:55:00.002Z2010-01-02T20:29:53.303Z

Well, certainly a couple of pints at one's local helps bring out the inner child :o)All the best for 2010 everyone.Sandy and Louise.

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-2306145845802639422009-12-28T23:08:00.002Z2009-12-28T23:56:02.333Z

By the time I had found a reasonably flat pitch just behind the summit, I was enveloped in a swirling and fast darkening sky as the breeze picked up and the sun disappeared. I was using the SL3 which is fast becoming a favourite but wishing I had brought my trusty Laser Comp instead. Conditions were good but it was cold and I was feeling it. Maybe it's just my familiarity with the Laser Comp and

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-660125971354590182009-12-23T04:54:00.000Z2009-12-23T04:54:23.740Z

Pfnng, whassat? uh? Oh. "Click" I switched the alarm off and rolled back over. It was my day off and I wouldn't be hurried. Anyway, the rucksack was already packed. All I had to do was strap myself to it and I would be ready. The drive along the M8 was slower than expected until I hit the A82 where the roads were clear. I always forget to take in to account the clowns who drive at 15 MPH in the

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-56878788950441146582009-12-23T00:09:00.001Z2009-12-23T00:09:52.442Z

Well, after a week long battle of words and wits speaking to call centres on the other side of the world I eventually got those gits at BT to send out an engineer from Openzone, who after his second visit told me that my line was fine and that it was a problem with either my equipment or BT's. After yet another irate phonecall to India (bear in mind this is a company called British Telecom!) they

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-27898219423294224352009-12-17T00:36:00.001Z2009-12-17T00:36:13.435Z

Sorry folks, due to the piss poor service thats being provided by those utter tossbags at British Telecom the nice big post of the weekends wildcamp on Beinn a Creachain complete with pretty mountain photies will have to wait.Luckily my iPhone still works and I shall be using it in the morning to tell them what I think of them. -- Posted from my iPhone

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-84729011135395817692009-12-14T11:14:00.004Z2009-12-14T11:39:46.722Z

I'm sore all over. I feel like I've gone ten rounds with Tyson and I've got to go to work this afternoon. Kit is being admined very slowly as I hobble around the flat not looking at the dishes in the sink and drinking endless cuppas. One thing is for sure though, I must get get fitter and maintain it!BrrrI'll write this up later...after work with a wee half...or two.

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-50727936592944369472009-12-02T16:46:00.008Z2009-12-02T17:44:39.544Z

Dear Santa Claus,This year I have been a very good boy and been on my best behaviour all the time. I've been very helpful to my Mummy and to Louise. I've done all my chores like washin' the dishes and keeping my room clean.This year for Christmas I'd like a pair of super tent slippers in a size large to keep my big banana feet warm in the mountains.I'm not sure how you are going to get in this

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-37241581431820548182009-11-26T08:52:00.009Z2009-11-26T11:57:31.338Z

From inside my new Haglofs LIM Ozone things looked fine.Anyway, just think how annoyed I'd be spending all that dosh on some shiny new gear to then just stuff it in my pack never to be seen again? That's what this is for ;o)I started in the car park in Arrochar, but instead of making my way off up the usual switchback path to the Cobbler or Beinn Narnain. I took the more direct, steeper and far

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-56494814485599215902009-11-20T08:38:00.005Z2009-11-20T10:28:28.970Z

It's a fair description I'd sayAfter settling nicely into Bigbananatowers the shiny sheen has been tarnished somewhat. Sure, the comfy leather sofas have been installed facing the big new telly and the "gear room" is coming together nicely but we recently discovered that the damn shower has been leaking. For the last two months the water has been running out from underneath the shower and under

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-76442627981312035872009-11-14T01:41:00.004Z2009-11-14T02:28:37.607Z

There are bad, bad men who work in shops who tempt and prey on innocent types."Yes mr Bigbananafeet, just try on this other one from Haglofs on. Its the same shape. Here try a fleece underneath, yes lovely. See the way the arm articulation prevents the jacket riding up at the back and they way the hood moves with your head. Beautiful sir and it even fits your helmet underneath. Very fetching sir.

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-58206560914005082152009-11-11T14:00:00.001Z2009-11-11T14:03:10.869Z

At the weekend there I did nothing but work. The weekend before that was also spent at work. The one before that however was spent doing something entirely different though. Louise still has a lot of Scotland to see, so I had booked tickets for us to go to the Enchanted Forest. We decided to make a weekend of it. We went up to stay at my Auntie Susan's, who lives in a wee farmhouse on the

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-22347284026861483602009-11-06T11:57:00.005Z2009-11-06T14:23:49.298Z

Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest...In amongst the mail I picked up from my mum's the other day I discovered a short thin surprise package from some very nice people, Bob and Rose.It's used to connect two walking poles together which can then be used to hold up some tipi style tents such as the Golite Shangri La 3 also known as Bigbananafeet's Bigbananatent. It means if you use trekking/

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-4629136803330274612009-10-30T18:53:00.007Z2009-10-30T19:44:09.742Z

I've finally been reconnected to the weird and sometimes disturbing world on the internet. It was nice at first to have a wee holiday from the world of technology but after a while it just got annoying not being able to post on here, read emails, internet banking etc, etc.Anyway winter is just around the corner and I've been thinking about my winter gear recently, specifically footwear. I've just

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-52213685416305997362009-10-24T09:48:00.005+01:002009-10-24T10:24:00.493+01:00

It seemed the order for good weather finally went through this time, every time I checked the forecast for last last weekend it seemed to get better and better. The plan was simple. Find a hill, walk up it, put up a tent and watch the sun go down in a blaze of glory. I sorely needed some time out on the hills. A bit of me time.As I was coming of nightshift on Friday morning I packed on Thursday

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-16278798034360348212009-10-08T01:14:00.000+01:002009-10-08T01:26:01.935+01:00

Assuming I still have any readers/listeners/followers given the absence of any content on here I feel I should offer a wee update of events.First of all the move into "Bigbananatowers" is almost complete, we're living in there and are very happy. The blinds are now installed so we can sleep in the bedroom instead of camping in the hall (its the only bit in the flat that has no windows) which is

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-31718499598320558352009-09-14T22:10:00.003+01:002009-09-14T22:34:44.376+01:00

This morning at 6:30 I came down the stairs all bleary eyed muttering under my breath "where's ma boots? where's ma boots? Och, Ahm gonnie be late! Wait, aye they'll be in front of the couch where I left them after going for a wee half hour when I got in from work yesterday..." when the cat (Wolfie) came running out to see me, tail straight up in the air and purring like a chainsaw.I thought "

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-30898941408396054192009-09-09T21:37:00.006+01:002009-09-09T22:24:18.945+01:00

We slipped in under cover of darkness, moving swiftly and silently between the shadows. We were a small crack team carefully selected for our ability to evade detection behind enemy lines, deep within the forbidden zone. Trust was everything; there were only two of us. I'd watch his back, he kept mine. It meant we could stealthily manoeuvre ourselves into position without raising any alarms. The

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-6497269275546407912009-09-02T08:47:00.003+01:002009-09-02T10:16:49.410+01:00

On Saturday Louise and I went to Arrochar for a walk. We were planning to do either The Cobbler or Beinn Narnain. We had no particular plan in mind just wandering up the path enjoying being outside for a change and would decide which hill when we got nearer. We did neither but they looked rather nice from below ;o)The weather on the drive up was very changeable but there were definite patches of

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-77641777767640275872009-08-31T21:34:00.003+01:002009-08-31T21:58:14.842+01:00

While doing a favour for a fellow blogger that involved going through some old photie's I found myself sticking an old CD of pics from my very first Munro...back when I was the electrical maintenance apprentice at Baker Oil Tools. I'd always done a lot of hiking with the scouts as a kid but going through my teens I drifted from it. I took the opportunity to do a charity hike with some work mates

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-85316439446471438052009-08-29T23:22:00.005+01:002009-08-30T01:08:24.956+01:00

As mentioned recently I've been spending some time at Glasgow Climbing Centre with Louise and Elaina. It was Elaina who originally twisted my arm to start going, although I didn't need much to encourage me. I'd always wanted to get into climbing (Indoors and outdoors) in the past but the usual problem of being unable to do it by yourself would always rear it's head. Now there's 3 of us and

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-50099445465413991032009-08-27T18:44:00.006+01:002009-08-27T20:04:52.200+01:00

OK...readers,listeners(or whatever it is you actually call those who visit blogs?)it has been brought to my attention twice now that this page has been lacking in content recently. I'll apologise and offer some pathetic excuses.The reality is the only mountains that I've been near to recently are the mountains of extra work I suddenly am expected to do. I'm stuck on stupid shifts and recently had

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-74458594897994359542009-08-13T00:54:00.003+01:002009-08-13T01:41:05.057+01:00

Typically as I go back to work the weather get's nicer, harrumph!With this flat buying farce(the end is almost in sight)and with work ramping up my hours without any consultation, I've not been getting to the mountains much recently and it looks like it'll remain so for a few weeks yet. It's not all bad news though, the weather has been a bit keech recently and I suppose I shouldn't complain

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-46775403408456450422009-08-06T21:52:00.002+01:002009-08-06T22:08:44.664+01:00

I know that I’m not the greatest photographer and I most definitely belong to the ‘point and click brigade’ but I’m generally pleased with how most of my photos turn out. I don’t do much editing other than the occasional slight rotation to make horizons not quite so squinty and wonky and maybe cropping a photo to make a small subject fill the picture. I’m starting to get slightly more adventurous

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-37886319769104742562009-08-01T20:33:00.003+01:002009-08-01T20:44:16.573+01:00

Well...with all this flat buying nonsense going on behind the scenes of Bigbananamountains I figured it was time to take a few tentative steps towards being a proper grown up, all responsible and everything!I bought my first hoover ;o)I'd been given a tip that there were a few going cheap in Asda but when I got there I was befuddled with the choice. I mean a hoover's a hoover right? Um, no. Not

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-82650018461105883752009-07-30T23:14:00.005+01:002009-07-30T23:42:02.658+01:00

The other day I came across an old Waterstones voucher that has been hiding at the back of my wallet and with the recent downturn in the weather I decided to expand my library. I got to thinking about my references and sources of info for outdoor’s stuff and realised that most of it comes from the interweb these day’s. (hardly surprising) The sheer number of routes available have made the SMC

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-77463519879580916812009-07-28T21:53:00.010+01:002009-07-28T22:27:18.981+01:00

As I lay half asleep on Sunday morning listening to the rain drumming on the car roofs out in the street, I was contemplating where to go today for a walk. Being stuck for a fortnight in the cleanrooms at work was driving me stir crazy. I needed to get out in the fresh air and feel the elements on my face. I had my new Haglof’s Oz to try out but planning to go up to summit height in the deluge

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-38518099134042578432009-07-23T20:42:00.003+01:002009-07-23T20:51:47.046+01:00

I know I've got a new waterproof shell to try out but this is ridiculous. I've just seen the forecast for Sunday. Maybe I'll manage out on Saturday then, hungover or not.See what I get for going and buying a sunhat!

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-52787694334215328122009-07-21T16:42:00.004+01:002009-07-21T17:49:57.819+01:00

Working the night shift you get used to the factory rhythms slowing pace, the open plan office is peaceful and actually productive for a change. It's a pain adjusting to the unsociable hours but it pays the bills...just.Sitting very very early in the morning enjoying a cuppa before going off to type up my shift report, we spotted through the window in the car park these two baby gulls. They must

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-64356268587028478872009-07-17T08:30:00.005+01:002009-07-17T09:47:23.762+01:00

My window of opportunity was small, the weather window even tighter but I wasn't complaining. You don't test a tent in good weather. There are far too many online reviews of tents which are just the writers' opinion on how they think it will perform in wild weather after having it up in the garden and given it a shake to simulate wind then turned the hose on to simulate rain. "Frankly, that's

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504469460269110331.post-35631042797347320272009-07-14T19:12:00.005+01:002009-07-14T19:57:11.602+01:00

This afternoon I got up after not much sleep (a combination of nightshift and the bloody council digging up the pavement outside) and got some chores out of the way before nipping into town to poke about the gearshops and have a coffee.The first thing I had to do was go to the post office and send back the Golite Shangri La 3 back to hike-lite as I discovered a couple of wee nicks in the silnylon

Bigbananafeethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544379734954486172noreply@blogger.com2