Hiking
Hike in the Calanques from La Madrague-de-Montredon at the end of Marseille bus route 19. We started out late in the day as there were problems hiring a city bike as the app wouldn’t work. But hiking in the sunshine under the blue sky and in moderate temperatures is always a great tonic, even though we didn’t get that far in or up the Marseilleveyre Massif. Great views of the Baie de Marseille and even Mt. Ventoux far away.
More photos: Blue sky and sunshine - Parc National des Calanques
Landacre Bridge, River Barle
Withypool Bridge, River Barle
An enjoyable day’s hiking with my Brother in the valley of the River Barle on Exmoor, though wet underfoot and the bracken has already turned golden. The river and the valley area SSSIs are particularly protected within the national park for their international importance as an assemblage of upland dry and wet dwarf shrub heath, valley mires and breeding bird sites. One of the mires grabbed me when I was slightly off the path; a slight mis-step and the mire sucked me in up to my thighs, so wet gear and heavy boots for the rest of the hike. Finally an Exmoor Cream Tea back at the starting point of our hike, Withypool Bridge.
More photos: River Barle SSSI - South Exmoor SSSI - Exmoor National Park
Down from the ice kingdom at the Aiguille du Midi summit but not yet ready to rejoin normal life at ground level in Chamonix, my afternoon hike was in the middle-mountain environment, above the tree line but below the year-round ice. I hiked out from the transfer station of the téléphérique at 2310 m. Passing the Lac Bleu, where the surface was partly frozen, and on to a view point (2350 m.) at the foot of the Glacier de Blaitière.
More photos: Plan de l’Aiguille - Lac Bleu (2299 m.) - Mont Blanc 2
Stomping up the main path on Skiddaw. Blustery wind and not the weather for great views, this was a training hike instead of the gym.
West Beach Dunes SSSI
Our summer hike from Ford railway station down the west bank of the River Arun to West Beach Dunes, the nature reserve facing Littlehampton in West Sussex. One of the few sunny days so far this summer, bright and warm although the agitated state of the sea is a reminder the weather remains unsettled. Few insects, plenty of ripe blackberries for trail snacks but also chest-high nettles and brambles.</p?
