Week 4 - 100 miles!

I can't quite believe it, but I have walked my first 100 miles in just 4 weeks. Feeling extremely pleased with myself as I really didn't think it would happen so quickly.
I have been trying to keep myself ahead of my targeted 20 miles a week as I know there are going to be some times when I can't get out.
With working 3 days this week I thought I would aim for a really long walk on Monday. I parked at the Pontcysyllte aqueduct and headed for Llangollen, a 9.5mile round trip!

Its a good walk to do as it is mostly flat and you do pass some beautiful scenery and interesting features.

This interesting derelict boathouse was behind a large hotel complex and it seems such a shame.

Then next to it was this gate to nowhere!

The walk to Llangollen was fine. I really enjoyed it. The weather was ok but the landscape got a bit "samey" so I didn't take too many pics.

In Llangollen stopped for coffee and a very small cake (please, I had just walked over 4 miles!) and then headed back. I was ok for the first 2 miles, got a bit tired the next mile but the rest of the walk was hard. I had aches in places I didn't know I had places and every step hurt. My thighs, my hips, my ankles all started complaining and my back pack felt like a small child had climbed in! Most of my layers of clothing had been removed and I have never been so glad to see the car.

Had a bit of an attack of the crazies later on tho as I thought it was a shame I hadn't managed to make double figures, so had a short hike around Ellesmere before the school run. I know, glutton for punishment, but....

The rest of the week has been a bit more sedate with some good but shorter hikes and I am finding it a challenge to keep as local for these as possible. I don't have a huge amount of time between school runs so don't want to be spending most of it in the car. So I am spending a lot of time around Ellesmere and the challenge is to look at things differently so that all the photos don't look the same, after all, the photography is and always has been the priority with all this new stuff I do.

I was very happy with this shot of the warehouse on the Canal Wharf and the 3 ducks taking off at just the right time was perfect. I liked the b&w of this as to me it looks more timeless. I wasn't sure how it would come out as I was shooting into the sun, but I was pleasantly surprised. Fastest shutter speed as possible to capture the birds clearly.

So overall its been a great week. I have hit my 100 miles, booked my extreme activity for February (more on that another time) and had a very interesting invitation from my new young surfer friend that I am seriously considering (and that one I am keeping to myself)

Lessons Learned: I am amazing! I have walked 100 miles in 4 weeks and have enjoyed practically all of it. You never know what you will or won't like until you have a go. So to quote a well known sports retailers slogan "just do it"

Diet Diary: Little disappointing, just dropped a pound this week, had hoped for more, but its still in the right direction and I am extremely determined.

Rambling Record: I may have mentioned previously, but 100 miles!!! In fact 100.31 miles to be exact. Just 899.69 to go!

Pontcysyllte aqueduct and Chirk Castle

I had hoped that as I get out more that my enthusiasm would be boundless, but I must confess to almost having a bit of a lapse yesterday.

I had the day planned, aqueduct then Chirk Castle. Got to the former and was sitting in the car listening to the radio, Josh Groban singing February Song live and I had to wait until it had finished. It had got a bit chilly outside, but the car was warm and comfy, the music great and I had a flow of laziness wash over me. I had planned to walk the aqueduct as the gardens at Chirk don't open until 10am, so it was sort of killing time, and the thought did cross my mind that I could kill time just as well at home with my feet up and a nice cup of coffee and a biscuit!

Not sure what finally convinced me to get up off my seat, whether it was the thought that I have 2 camera bags in weight to lose, or that I knew I'd regret it if I didn't, but with a burst, I got out of the car and walked to the aqueduct. So glad I did, as I always enjoy the walks.

I am getting used to the height now and actually enjoy the walk. I have visited many times and the challenge today was to try to make the pictures look a bit different to all the others.

Took this with the telephoto, leaning against the railings to steady the camera. Bit of cropping but not too much processing.

This one however, I have processed with vigour! Cropped, straightened, tinted, aged and generally enhanced and am really pleased with it. What do you all think? Could I have gone further or is it too much.

So off to Chirk Castle. I decided as it was a lovely bright day, if a little breezy, that I would concentrate on the grounds rather than the castle itself and there are some hidden gems.

This gate led from one part of the gardens into deep woodlands and it gave me the impression that things would be completely different the other side. Unfortunately it was locked, so I will never know.

On my travels I have found some benches in the most gorgeous settings. I think I will have to start a Facebook page of Benches in Interesting or Beautiful Places. This might be my cover pic.

I have an opinion to share and I am not sure how many will agree, but I detest topiary with a passion. There is a gorgeous form and beauty in nature, so why would you want to make it square.

There was what looked like a random planting of daffodils in front of those hideous boxes and I know which I would rather look at.

There are many parts to the gardens at Chirk, with many secluded walled gardens which were sheltered and delightful where I found these.

I know its all very chocolate box and probably not "art" but I thought they were really pretty.

I did have a quick walk around the Castle and the state rooms are gorgeous of course, but that's not really where my interests lie at the moment. Although I did notice a lamp and the gorgeous patterns it threw out.

Lessons Learned: Sometimes I need to give myself a stern talking to so that I get up off my bottom and don't slip back into old ways. I realise now that it could happen all too easily. But I also have to accept that there are some times when I really won't feel like it and so mustn't beat myself up too much! Its all about getting the right balance.

When exploring, get off the beaten track and explore all the nooks and crannies, and don't forget to look up!

Avoid listening to Josh Groban.

Diet Update: I am thinking that if I have to post how the diet is going, it might help me stick to it better, so this will be a regular bit at the end of a post.

My camera bag weighs 10lb and I reckon I have 2 to lose, so this is my progress.

Camera Bag 1 (10lb) 4.5lb down, 5.5lb to go.
Camera Bag 2 (10lb) Not started.

Wish me luck!

Chirk Aqueduct

Having worked all weekend, felt in need of a walk today but the forecast hadn't given great weather so decided to stay reasonably local and visit Chirk Aqueduct. This is a beautiful structure, standing 70ft high and overlooking some lovely countryside.

I have visited the aqueduct a few times before, but never been brave enough to tackle the Darkie Tunnel. At 421 metres long, it is a bit scary to say the least. But armed with this new sense of adventure I seem to have found, I ventured forth!

It is certainly very dark in the middle and my little torch didn't throw out a lot of light, just enough to get me through and out the other side. Did it, don't want to do it again! Decided to follow the road above the tunnel on the way back. 

I am not sure how far you can follow the canal for but I walked for just under 2 miles to the Chirk Marina. However, in this short time the weather threw everything it had at me. I had gorgeous blue skies and sunshine, then it rained, sleeted and snowed on me, finally finishing off with very strong winds! Certainly an unbelievable mix of weathers, but I am glad to say that I wasn't the only person daft enough to be out in it!

The changing weather meant the light quality was a bit hit and miss, but I was able to do a bit of tweaking on Lightroom to bring out the colours. Still exposing for the lighter areas which seems to be working for me, but still so much to learn!.

Lessons Learned: Be brave, but don't overdo it!