These boots are made for walking

I've bought some new walking boots today. Why?....well, to go walking in of course. Firstly, it may be OK during the muddy winter months to be walking Barney in a pair of Smarties-patterned wellies, but I may start to look a little daft(er) in them once the weather starts to improve. Secondly, I'm going to be climbing Snowdon so possibly need something a little more substantial.

Last year I stupidly organised (and so had to take part in) a sponsored abseil to raise money for the charity for which I work. I was not keen on heights (or dangling from said heights on the end of a rope) before I abseiled; I'm no keener since, so this year's sponsored event had to involve keeping my feet firmly on the ground (please, no comments about someone having fallen from the Pyg track earlier this month). Bungee jumping and skydiving were completely out of the question......and the person who suggested swimming with sharks for next year's event can seriously think again!

There will be a team of around 30 of us taking part in the climb and I can't wait.... I love walking (though I'm not so keen on hills, which doesn't bode well!), I love North Wales and I love raising money for my charity. I'm also looking forward to being able to put to good use my recently purchased zoom lens. I hope the weather is good- I know from spending a great deal of my childhood holidaying in Snowdonia that invariably the mountains are shrouded in mist or fog. It will be a real shame if we reach the top and can't see anything! It will be fantastic to be back in Wales again though, it's way too long since I was last there- I have probably only been back half a dozen times since leaving Bangor University 15 years ago.

So, I now just need to get some hill/ mountain walking practice...I want to be the first to the top, not the last!

I hate Valentine's

What's the equivalent for Valentine's Day of saying 'Bah! Humbug' at Christmas? Whatever it is, I'm saying it. Not that I'm at all grumpy that another year has come round and the only Valentine's gifts that I have received are the ones I have bought for myself. Rant over. Hope you have all had a pleasant one!

Helping in the garden

Barney took advantage of the strong winds last weekend and collected up all the fallen branches in the garden. More here.

Birds

I took these pictures last week in the garden (a few more here). I've been waiting to catch a shot of the buzzard or the heron but they seem a little camera shy.

Robin
Blue tit
Long-tailed tit