Euan Semple's Blog, page 40

Hmmm…

Last night I dreamed that me and another bloke had reversed our truck up to a loading bay in a factory.

It was a biscuit factory so concerned about hygiene. The shutter on the bay opened and this guy in overalls called us over and in an embarrassed, confidential tone, said: “There is something you need to know about this factory. When we built it there was a pig farm on the site and one of the conditions of being allowed to build here was that we had to keep the pigs”.

As he said this a MASSIVE pig backed out of the loading bay and shit all over the platform.

Make of that what you will…

Progress?

When we first moved here thirty years ago our Serbian neighbour David used to build traditional hayricks in the small field behind us which he owned and farmed. I wonder what he would make of this monster in a nearby field. The photo doesn’t really do the scale justice. It is the size of a mid sized office block!

Textures

Among the many things that bring me joy on walks in hills and mountains are the shapes and textures.

The textures of the rocks, the grasses, and the muddy boggy paths. The shapes of the trees, the dry stone walls, and the patchworks of fields in the valleys below.

The combination is in assault on the senses and one that so many people never get to experience.

And relax…

I keep asking Alby to give me lessons.

Knowing what’s good for you

I used to drink a lot, smoke a lot, and was one of the world’s most enthusiastic carnivores.

I gave them all up.

In each case it was easy. It was easy because the still quiet part of me knew what was good for me and told the chattering monkey bit of me to shut the fuck up and get on with it.

There are so many situations in life we we know what to do. We don’t need told, we don’t need taught, and we don’t need experts.

We just need to listen to ourselves, trust ourselves, and get on with it.

The Brecon Beacons

Another great day, this time with my friend Mark on the main Beacons ridge.

In my happy place

Black Mountains 2

Another cracking day and another 7.5 miles, two vehicle linear walk. Pictures and route map below.

Bit blowy up here today

The Black Mountains 1

Super day yesterday with Dave and his friends Brenda and Paul. Overnight in Cwmdu in the van, 7.5 miles linear walk with cars at either end, and a great meal in The Red Dragon in Crickhowell to end the day.

About to to another one today