Sorting out a box of random stuff - I have lots of boxes of stuff needing sorting, it happens when you've lived somewhere long enough and don't like throwing anything away just in case - I came across a small print that reminded me that's it's 45 years since I did my first really long walk, 1250 miles from Land'End to John O'Groats.
In the picture I'm on the Offa's Dyke Path consulting Mark Richards guidebook, which I still have (I said I don't thrown stuff away). The photo must have been taken by my friend Graham Huntington who accompanied me for a few days on this section with my small basic compact film camera. It's a small print - 12.5 x 9cm - and quite soft and grainy. The colours haven't faded though.
For those interested I'm wearing a wool shirt, Rohan Super Strider breeches, and Scarpa Bronzo boots. The pack is a Berghaus Cyclops Serac.
I’m looking at the kit there & it takes me right back to being a kid spending hours in Greenfields the only shop close to me that sold camping gear, I was eight years old when this picture was taken & you would have been like one of the big guys I’d have looked up too & wanted to do what you were doing.
ReplyDeleteEvery camp I ever did was fine in a single skin tent costing six pounds which I bought in that shop, I had the same god awful brown nylon rectangular sleeping bag with bright orange inner & I don’t remember anyone having sleep mats back then, I only purchased a tent again in 2014 & rediscovered the love I had for this again.
I often think that in today’s world we may be much better off if GP’s started writing prescriptions for tents, backpacks & sleeping bags.