#19 Edale to Jacobs Ladder

#19 Edale to Jacobs Ladder

Distance - 6.15 miles
Ascent - 459 metres

Ok I will admit at the start that this wasn't quite the full route planned!  The plan was to walk to Kinder Downfall and back, the weather was due to be rubbish and the idea was that this would give me a good walk whilst sticking to a good path for navigation and sinking.  As it was, my legs never got warmed up after yesterdays walk and in the back of my head I had the idea of going home early and taking the tent down in the dry.

Mam Tor and Rushup Edge

Following the Pennine Way, the path is well maintained and well marked.  The weather today was meant to be worse than the day before, however apart from being overcast it was fine, no rain or snow.  Kinder was to the right and it looked like the rain of the night had fallen as snow, and to the left we had great views of yesterdays walk.

#18 Edale to Hope

#18 Edale to Hope

Distance - 8.76 miles
Ascent - 605m

This time last year I was getting a tan on the SWCP, this year I'm in a tent and its a bit nippy outside!  I suppose that why we love the weather in the UK so much!  A few days in the peaks was much needed and an awful weather forecast was not going to hold me back!  I arrived late the night before and hardly slept with the rain pounding the tent, remarkably it was only a few spots the next morning.

That's where we are heading, up there...

The walk started fairly easily from the Fieldhead campsite to Barber Booth.  The hills where I was heading were covered in low cloud and along with the lack of sleep were not encouraging me along at any great pace.  Oh well at least I get to try out my waterproofs!

When online shopping goes wrong - Update

In good news, the shelter appeared!  Admittedly it appeared back in America but at least it was found.  The packaging suggests that Royal Mail attempted delivery, but no one collected it.  Probably because they forgot to ask me to go and get it... Of all the deliveries I got a Christmas (all with the correct cards posted through the door) they had to cock up on this one!

Ron at MLD posted it back again, so this week I received my Duomid.  I have entered the lightweight shelter world.  The way MLD dealt with an issue that was out of their hands (postage) was exemplary and couldn't be faulted, they re-posted it at no extra cost and answered all emails swiftly.

Unfortunately the inner is still, after 5 months, undelivered.  No answers to emails (1 a month as not to pester) and a text (as suggested on website), so I have no idea where it is, if it's in a queue, lost in the mail, lost in the production queue.... humph.

#17 Minehead to Porlock

#17 Minehead to Porlock

Distance - 8.86 Miles
Ascent - 582 Metres

Well it had been a while since my last walk, I blamed the weather, everyone else blamed my laziness.  So what better than a stroll on the coast, something to ease back into it, fresh air, the sea, and a section of the coast path rated Challenging, say what?  Challenging?  Well that's a bit harsh!  So of I went to the coast to meet up with Nick, now a local to Exmoor.

The start of the SWCP

The first 3/4 mile is flat and mostly tarmac, this is to lull you into a false sense of security and is only just long enough to get the legs going.  The path soon starts climbing, with a short sharp section in the woods.  Despite the recent bad weather, the path is in pretty good nick, with only a few trees still blocking the path or muddy underfoot.

When online shopping goes wrong

When online shopping goes wrong

I buy a lot of things online, too many things to be honest...  However it's very rare that I have a problem with an order, issues are usually with the courier employed by the store (looking at you Amazon).  However a recent order (OK not that recent as the story will show) has left me in a huff.

Back in October 2012 (about 20 weeks ago) I placed 2 orders for items that will form my new shelter.  The tent/shelter was from the USA and the inner from the UK.  I have still yet to see either, which is the frustration.  Yet in both cases there seems to of been unfortunate circumstances.

With the shelter, it's basically got lost between the USA and UK.  Not much I can do and the manufacturer is going to send out a new one (which is good service I think), and did so with out any quibbles.  I alerted the manufacturer on the 1st of Jan and he suggested waiting a few weeks to see if it been returned.  He has now offered a replacement as it's clear it has disappeared.  The extra bad news is that the colour I want is out of stock for 8-10 more weeks, I'm not having it in yellow!

The inner has also not arrived due to issues with manufacture.  Postings on other blogs mean I know why it's likely to be late, and it's a unfortunate circumstance that I know too well can effect all sectors of one's life.  I have sent emails enquiring what timescales we are now on, but yet to receive any reply.  I am hesitant to send more (3 emails since 1st Jan) as I don't want to be a pain and hassle the guy.  However it would be nice to at least get a reply, even if it is bad news.  I have no idea on timescales or even if it has also been shipped and lost. 

*Not naming names due to the issues being outside of there hands.  It's not their fault just very annoying for me.