El Perro Negro

Grumpy old mountain man living in Spain

Making a Splash - River walk at Albunuelas, Lecrin Valley

Making a Splash - River walk at Albunuelas, Lecrin Valley

A superb way to spend a hot summers day! Walking up the river gorge outside The village of Albuñuelas in the Lecrin Valley near Granada, Spain.

Walking, Andalucia, Nomads

Cerro de los Machos, Sierra Nevada

Cerro de los Machos, Sierra Nevada

Yesterday's trip into the dramatic Corral del Veleta. Still plenty of snow remaining. A steep climb up to the wonderful viewpoint of Cerro de los Machos.

Walking, Sierra Nevada, Nomads

Wedding Anniversary

Wedding Anniversary

It's my wedding anniversary so I asked my wife to pack for an overnighter. She started to pack her rucksack, sleeping bag etc, expecting yet another cold mountain bivouac 😅. I actually booked a posh h...

Miscellaneous

The Northern 3000m peaks of the Sierra Nevada

The Northern 3000m peaks of the Sierra Nevada

An amazing 2 day trek covering the northern 3000m peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Circular walk to camp at Lavaderos de la Reina and next day over the northern mountains

Trekking, Sierra Nevada, Nomads

Cerro de Caballo, Sierra Nevada

Cerro de Caballo, Sierra Nevada

Yesterdays walk up Europe's most south westerly 3000m peak, the Cerro de Caballo. The old legs feel a bit tired today, my first time at altitude since the heart problems and definitely struggled getting enough oxygen circulating through the body. Must go even slower next time!

Sierra Nevada, Nomads, Walking

Exploring Andalucia with the Nomads - the first 11 trips

Exploring Andalucia with the Nomads - the first 11 trips

During the onset of the Covid crisis in 2020, I decided to form a small local walking group. The objective was simple, weekly walking & meeting people once lock down restrictions were lifted. I named the group "Alpujarra Nomads". We go all over Andalucia in our search for nature & mountains!

Walking, Video, Andalucia, Nomads

The Mountain Stream

The Mountain Stream

Woke up at 2am yesterday evening with head filled with the previous days events. A particular memory came flowing back. For some strange reason the words started to flow and I had to write them down. Is it poetry? Is it prose? The words don't rhyme. So here it is.

Miscellaneous

Walking in the Footsteps of the Moors in the Alpujarras

Walking in the Footsteps of the Moors in the Alpujarras

Describes a walk alongside ancient irrigation channels originally installed by the Moors high above the town of Lanjaron in the Alpujarra

Alpujarras, Walking

Water, Water, Everywhere in the Alpujarras

Water, Water, Everywhere in the Alpujarras

In the UK we just got out the hosepipe and watered everything. It was easy. Just turn a tap. Not as easy in a hot country like Spain where water is at a premium. This is how we water our land in southern Spain.

Alpujarras

Trips to the wild and windswept Patagonian Icefield

Trips to the wild and windswept Patagonian Icefield

A summary of our expeditions to the Southern Patagonian Icefields

patagonia, Expeditions

Trips to the wild and windswept Patagonian Icefield

Trips to the wild and windswept Patagonian Icefield

A summary of our expeditions to the Southern Patagonian Icefields

Patagonia, Video

A Collection of My Favourite Mountaineering Quotes

A Collection of My Favourite Mountaineering Quotes

Some of the best ones are here, some happy, some sad. But mountaineering quotations that will make you think!

Miscellaneous

Debilitating effects of Snowblindness, a personal experience

Debilitating effects of Snowblindness, a personal experience

My own personal experience of the effects of becoming snow blind, after a tough time on the Patagonian Icecap

Patagonia

Debilitating effects of Snowblindness, a personal experience

Debilitating effects of Snowblindness, a personal experience

My own personal experience of the effects of becoming snow blind, after a tough time on the Patagonian Icecap

patagonia, Expeditions

Early Days in Andalucia

Early Days in Andalucia

A collection of emails sent home in the early days of my arrival in Spain. In late 2002 packed up my pickup truck with my worldly possessions and Rocky, my black Labrador and headed south. The first place we came to was Lanjarón in the Alpujarras.

Alpujarras, Miscellaneous

The Road to Self Sufficency, Alpujarras

The Road to Self Sufficency, Alpujarras

We are not naturals at the self-sufficiency game. Were not experts either. But, it is fun and there is a certain satisfaction at growing your own!

Alpujarras

Investigating My Grandfather’s Part in World War One

Investigating My Grandfather’s Part in World War One

I have kept sane during the enforced Covid19 lock down by getting involved in projects that normally I wouldn't have time to complete. One such project is researching my grandfathers role in World War One. Below is a summary of my research including battle maps

Miscellaneous

Deliverance (The Sequel) - In The Wilderness No One Can Hear You Scream

Deliverance (The Sequel) - In The Wilderness No One Can Hear You Scream

So there we were. A nice warm day, no clouds. What to do? So why not try that flat topped mountain that we can just see from our house that's in an unknown and remote location?

Alpujarras

Queen Boudica (Boadicea) of the Iceni was my 66th Grandmother!

Queen Boudica (Boadicea) of the Iceni was my 66th Grandmother!

Yes, it's true! I came from Granny Boadicea. My 66th Grandmother in fact. Here is the research done by my father establishing that. Thanks Dad.

Miscellaneous

Oh, Patagonia, to leave you we shall weep

Oh, Patagonia, to leave you we shall weep

Brilliant Poem by Michelle Wakeley about her time spent on our 2010 Southern Patagonian Icecap Expedition

Patagonia