2024 Reya Sunshine

 2024 A Rey-a Sunshine to come into our lives... a yearly catchup

January, as always starts of a little bleak added with no dog to keep me busy, a lack of people doing much and not any big plans for the year, it felt like a right drag and still scarred by the tragedy of losing Lola last year - has it really been nearly a year!!

Started easy with a few flooded runs. Hip and hammy will be a constant niggle throughout the year, which certainly puts a dampener on wanting to get out for a run. a good excuse not to run was to take my mum out somewhere fancy, Chewton Glen, for a wonderful afternoon tea then a beach walk.

With nothing much on i headed down to Plymouth for some nice walks, cold swims and some dancing. Always fun times catching up with Greg. Once back it was more exploring, this time lots of long walks in the New Forest, finding some gorgeous winter hikes.

Lee came back from Singapore so got to hang out a bit, eat a bit and drink a bit more.

Then over to Austria for some skiing with Dave. Beautiful place just sketchy snow conditions. The adventurous ski touring days seems far away nowadays. I am hopeful for 2025.

With a year gone I still felt immensely sad not having Lola with me. Loss takes time and that dark hole needs replacing.

Inching into March the weather improved and i had that Deja Vu feeling. Back to explore the New forest with lots of long hikes and down to Greg's in Plymouth for more swims, hikes and dancing. Fun times again, very much needed.

Then i saw her. Nothing special but after months and months of searching, looking, even fostering 2 dogs. I saw something, a goofiness, something, a similar sad soul in need of a spark. 

We went and saw Reya, twice. We had reservations and the fosters/Charity also weren't sure she was for us and so it felt like another one had slipped the net. But, days later a flicker of hope. The fosterers were going away and needed someone to look after Reya for 2-3 weeks. No problems, we jumped at the chance. What better way of knowing for sure if she was right if we could actually have her for a time.

How to mend a broken heart ..

Reya moved in and within 4 days i knew. So she never has to find another home. She is loved and will be with us from now.

                  

The constant sadness was quickly replaced with joy, fun walks, play fights and horsing around. A lovely well mannered girl with energy to burn, friendly with other dogs and good with people.

With her being over 2years old I could chuck her in the deep end and off we went on all day hikes, long runs and an overnight camp in the first month. She took it all in her stride.

 

With energy to burn i joined up the the local Canicross group and unfortunately on one outing another dog bite Reya. Her first war wound a few stiches' and a cute onesie to wear. 

All this before we had officially adopted her. So working out the insurance was tricky. But things get sorted and we adopted her on 21st April. I will be forever grateful to the charity SOS Oroklini from Cyprus and to Sarah and Dave (and Trina) who fostered her to the UK.

With the new family member in tow we headed, with my folks, down to Cornwall for a holiday. A stunning place in Polzeath, a great location to walk the coast, the beaches, trips out to explore the old towns and places with good food, beer and company. Even got dad to go for a swim.

At the end of the trip and being so far down I decided to start my long adventure with Reya. I had done the SWCP with Lola and so wanted to start something with Reya. I decided to do the End to End Trail. Hiking from Lands End to John o'Grouts.

E2E Section 1, was everything i wanted and more. Wondering the coastline, stopping for swims, coffees, beer and food then pitching up as the sun sets satisfied and eager for the next days adventure. After 3 days I finished in Newquay and headed home.

Days later while runnign around the local woods Reya managed to cut her paws up on broken glass!!

The poor thing had to take it easy for weeks and even to this day the web part of the paw has a tendency to split. Just when life gets great we will always, it seems, get knocked back by unforeseen events.

With Reya resting i went away on a stag do, not been on one of those in a while,  to Bristol with my old welsh friend Dave and all his pals. A fun weekend ensued.

Still reeling from the hangover I headed back to cornwall for Section 2 of the E2E. This time Greg joined and we shall endeavour to finish this together now.

A top coastal section from Newquay to Boscastle. Although cut short as on the last morning Reyas paw opened up so we stopped at Tintagel and came home.

More fastpacking trips followed with Reya. An overnighter on the Jurassic coast with Dan. Then up to the Brecons all nice easy training mileage.

My uncle, Patrick Humphrey, passed away in June. He kept himself to himself sadly and a sobering reminder to my dad that time is ticking away too fast for us all. One thing is sure in life is that none of us make it out alive.

Lee came back from singapore for a summer break so was good getting out and about with him.

To blow out the cobwebs it was back for Section 3 of the E2E, Tintagel to Barnstaple. 

The SWCP just keeps giving. Wonderful time enjoying the outdoors. Being able to hike and stop for a swim, a coffee, a beer from town to town is just a great way of life.

Then it was up to Snowdonia for a last long training weekend. Instead of more miles i went for elevation and with Reya we scramble dot the top on Snowdon and then the top of Tryfan. 

Each scramble she gets more confident and is amazing to see her from being nervous and clumsy to now moving over rock extremely gazelle/goat like.

Being this far north i wa also able to stop of in Shropshire to drop in on Dave which is always good to catch up on busy folk.

Was i ready. Who knows. My one and only big race had come around The UT Monta Rosa, 100miles around this mountain range in Switzerland. 

I travelled to Sass Fee first and acclimatised with a Via Ferrata and run down. 

Then met up with Paul in Grachen where we waited and waited for the race. 

The weather was looking ominous for race day. But we kept busy with some hikes/runs. They cancelled the 100miles to a 100km race due to the snowstorm so we went hiking more. They then cancelled the 100km due to landslides and didn't know what to do so we went for a 50km run up the valley. When we got back we heard they were putting on a 50km run - up the valley. We did it as there was little else to do and the mountains and trails were majestic.

It was a fun race, started way too early, 3am. But was a stunning race along the mountain trails and good to chat to all sorts of different folk.

After the race we had a few beers and then next day headed over to Kanderstag. A place i had wanted to visit for years. And it did not disappoint. We had a shake out hike up to the lake shrouded in clouds and mountains.

Next day was one of those never wanting it to end. Fueled up on Rosti and chucking it down i headed over to the Via Ferrata. The mountain cliff was overhanging so i was sheltered from the rain. On my own, Paul decided to opt out of this and meet up later. 

The VF did not disappoint and was even though i was a little apprehensive going solo i soon was fueled up on adrenaline and loving the climb.

From the top i decided not to take a the lift but run down and met up with Paul and with it raining hard down we headed up a very isolated valley to explore. Again this did not disappoint. Majestic mountains surrounded us with huge waterfalls tearing down the vertical cliffs. We made our way up the valley and approached the largest waterfall and had fun getting near it. The wind, the water, the noise was beyond comprehension and we just hollowed with laughter.

What a day an amazing experience elevated that no-one else was around.

Our time had passed and it was time to go home. To be able to travel these lands with time and money is my dream for one day soon.

Back to reality, I got back into the normal, it was good to be back finding places to go with Reya.

Dave and Kerry got married in their 'back garden' in Shropshire so that was a lot of fun catching up with old friends and family. 

Then back on the trails with Section 4 of E2E, Barnstaple to Bridgwater. This time heading away from the coastal path and inland over and across Exmoor and the Quantocks. 


Before winter fully arrived I had (i was rather drunk at the time at Daves wedding) offered my services to help prepare to complete the Welsh 3000s next year.

First up was a recce to Snowdon. Nicely tying in with Dave and the boys being up there.

A good recce and Reya proving more than capable in the mountains, just dont let her off lead near sheep!

We topped out at a busy Mt Snowdon and next day topped Tryfan as well. Now we just wait until the weather breaks and train again.

I just hope my hip and hammy tendinopathy doesnt hinder me too much. It certainly puts the brakes on hard training.

Back at home it was a restful month catching up locally and trying to enjoy the Six Nations. The beers and steaks helped, the rugby was pretty average.

More exploring walks including the Basingstoke canal with dad and also some first time snow for Reya, which was amusing to watch her play in.

With Section5 of E2E (Bridgwater to Bristol) pencilled in and Storm Bert approaching. We brought a poncho and ditched the tents for BnBs and went out. 

It was a section i thought would be dull, uninteresting and just get it done. It ended up being very enjoyable, we were back on the coast but in more built up areas but i liked Weston Super Mare and all the other coastal towns we visited.

The year ended with more walks and runs. The Jurassic coast, the beaches around Poole, The rivers Itchen and Hamble all make for a great day out in all weathers.

I even went to the beach Christmas morning for a dip, brrrrr.

Plans for 2025 are sparse. Injury seems to breed demotivation. I hope to ski tour, i've was asked to go to Georgia but hope something else comes about. There are a couple of longer races to consider, Utmb Nice 100miler. But i like the E2E so will concentrate on that this year and if not a race, an adventure in the dolomites and doing the Alta Via 2 would be a one to go for, both VF and fastpacking.

2024 was a busy year with regular climbing. I started the year climbing my first 7a. Then overdoing it I have now spent the rest of the year rehabbing my climbers elbow tendon issue. I think this is now fully healed so i can concentrate fixing, if possible my hip/hammy tendons now this year? And maybe another 7a project.

Running took a back seat, a shame as Reya loves to run and i'd like to try canicross again. Here's hoping for an improvement, be good to enjoy those long runs again.

Micro adventures seem to have gone by the wayside. i love going away with the guys but it seems only Greg is interested nowadays so hopefully others will get an interest this year so i'm not on my own too much.

 Not much swimming or biking either but again swimming comes and goes but i'd like to try biking with Reya, now that could get interesting, let's see.

2023 loss of love

A tough year and not just physically. 

Started on New years day running a marathon on the SWCP with the boys. Beginning to be a yearly event.

Soon after in January we noticed some lumps on Lola. Just old age we thought and had them removed but also sent off for a diagnosis. 

Whilst waiting for the results, life does not stop and went for a winter bike packing trip where we all picked a random spot on a map and then just had to link them all up over a couple of days. It nearly worked and definitely one to try again.

Then it was over to the Alps for my first ski trip in 3 years. It was a good time and a nice distraction from the constant worry of what was happening to Lola. Unsure if it was Lola, the conditions or something else but sure didn't fall back in love with skiing. Maybe its a thing of the past now. 

Back home whilst we waited on Lolas results i got a scan on my dodgy hip and the results weren't that good for me. Plenty of degeneration and the only hope was that strengthening it will improve it. I am still strengthening it to this day with hope i can enjoy my running again one day.

The shit news just kept coming. 

Lola, my baby, my gorgeous girl was terminally ill with bone cancer. We spent what little time we had with her with love and going to all her favourite places. 

The day we had to say goodbye was peaceful, she was ready. I'm sure she dreamed of the 10000 walks we had with her, chasing through the woods, hiking the SWCP, scrambling up mountains, taking it easy down rivers, camping in all weathers. What a wonderful life she had and gave.

You were the best baby, i miss you and think of you every day x 18.2.23

Its hard to know what to do, where to go after such a loss. I certainly had too much time to grieve, gone were the wonderful everyday walks with her giving me such happiness each day. Sadness and emptiness were overwhelming.

I got back into running, a bit, doing the Clarendon Way, more of the Jurassic Coast - my favourite place to explore with Lola. Including running 43miles from Weymouth to Poole again with Dan. 

Did some weekends away, something not done in years and so caught up on some favourite bands like Kasabian, Ocean Colour Scene and Xavier Rudd. All great shows.

Then my one and only Ultra race for the year. Azores Ultra Trail.

Having more time on our hands rather than flying in, racing and coming home I extended it into a roadtrip. So we went out to Lisbon, Portugal for a long weekend. Great city. Then flew over to the Azores to run a 120km race around the Faial Island. Weather was not good so missed out on running the ridgeline of the volcano. Instead it was hanging on and not getting blown into the volcano instead. 

After the race, we relaxed with great food and Whale watching, seeing a few Sperm Whales and calf's plus loads of dolphins. A superb experience.

After the R&R it was back to Portugal for the road trip. Lisbon to Porto. Taking in lots of sites - Sintra, Obidas, Nazare, Busscaco. 

What a country. Obrigado Portugal.

Back home the Micro boys decided to do a remembrance walk for Lola. So we headed up to the Brecons for a hike and wild camp. She would of loved it.

As it was a bank holiday we also managed to get back home and enjoy a get together with the other halves. 

More quickfire turnaround and next was Switzerland with the Czech boys. The weather looked unpredictable and thunderstorms so the plan changed from A to D. Although it was not quite a fastpack adventure that we sought it was a great few days exploring the mountains around the Eiger. Amazing valleys and once a little way away from the tourist hotspots we could of been in any remote mountain region. 3 days running around the Jungfrau with a bonus days Via ferrata. Something i need to do more off.

With summer drifting along with bike rides, runs, walks and trips to friends to catch up. One day an emergency Greek foster dog came up and we said yes. 

Ronnie came into our lives. It was a shock first of, getting use to a puppy, he was 9months old, his nuances, which took a couple of weeks to get over. But then it clicked and he was a lovable character. But just had one or 2 traits that we did not want in our next dog and so after a couple of months looking after him he went to his forever home and we hear he is doing great.

Extremely sad to see Ronnie go, you made me smile again.

I feel you can always get by in life if you stay busy with the things you like and want to do. With losing 2 dogs now this year, emotions were a little rough. But i was always able to take myself away with running and more recently climbing. Now though with a bad hip and hammy my running was reduced significantly but i had climbing and then i blew that, more specifically a finger tendon. pop. The end of summer felt like the end of happiness for me. 

No climbing, for months. Lucky i had a couple of trips
coming up otherwise god knows where i'd be. The finger injury took months to heal and now at the end of the year i am back climbing 6c's and back into it. Just need my hip/hammy to feel better and that gets me back on the running path.

To take my mind away from the doom and gloom I headed of to the Lake District with Dan, he was running a 100miler. I just went up to explore the Lakes and did a load of Ghyll scrambling, again something else to do more of. 

Then the Rugby World Cup started and for us it was 3 years of waiting and planning. During lockdown a couple of us over a zoom call decided to get some RWC tickets. And now the day had arrived for us to head to France. RWC23 Roadtrip.

In Gregs campervan we headed of for 25days of travel and vanlife down and up the west coast of France. A great way to explore, with the right people.

 

We saw 4 great rugby games in the city of Nantes. The fans made it from all corners of the world. We sung with the Irish, drank beers with the Tongans, danced with the Argentinians, got our face painted with the Japanese, bantered with the Welsh, laughed the Chileans. All rugby fans drawn to enjoy sport and other cultures. Great times with lovely people over a endless indian summer.

But it wasn't just the rugby that made this trip memorable. We travelled, a lot. Nearly 2000miles down the Atlantic way stopping here and there and exploring, Ile de Re we biked the island. The Atlantic coastline we swam with the surfers. 

We hiked those majestic Pyrenees mountains. In Spain we city toured Pamplona and San Sebastian. 

Back into France we sought solace on the Camino Way and bike toured Bordeaux.

Then back north for more rugby and swimming, collecting Tony and exploring the NW part of france. Each area with its own wonderful distinct vibe.

A magnificent month and quite the come down on return to a gloomy England. But at least you go to taste this lifestyle and one which seems to suit me if i could ever find the money to buy a van and go exploring. Let us wait and see.

On return we finished of watching the rugby tournament. Great games and England could of/shoudl of been in a final. What might of been.

Afterwards the BBQs and beer were put away. Autumn or what felt like winter had arrived. I gave up booze for november a novel feeling but one i coped with with ease. 

Then into december i finally saw a dog i liked the look off. I have been looking and looking and looking and nothing. But this guy popped up and was already reserved but this fell through and after a few visits we had Stanley home with us. 

A happy content home again. Or was it. It soon became apparent that Stanley was more than we bargained for and after much discussions and heartache we returned him to be rescued by people more adept to handling a collie x needing a ton of training, agility, classes etc etc. 

I was very sad to see Stan go but he made me realise that the home needs a dog and so we start to look again for a dog. Fingers crossed.

Stats for 2024.

 I kept myself busy, infact over 80% of the time. Ticked over enough running miles and climbed a lot and enjoyed the swimming.

Downside is that micro adventures seem to have died a death so I'll have to get an outgoing dog quick so that we can get back out into nature and explore.

Be good to sort my hip/hammy out so that i can get out and enjoy my running again.

Climbing - back from injury and doing 6c's so here's to trying that first 7a?

Unsure on racing this year but will try and do some Via ferrata trips and other fast packing trips.

Big goals/Maybes - HRP, crossing the Pyrennes and maybe to start a long term goal in the End to End trail, crossing Britain from Lands End to John o Groats?

2023 Photos

2023 Videos

Solvitur ambulando. Here's to 2024. I hope for better.

Lola - you are always in my heart x

2022 gone already...

 Started the year with a cancelled ski trip due to rising covid numbers we finish the year like covid never existed but we have all had it, had enough of it and just waiting to catch the next bout of bugs that are endlessly working there way around all community's. And moving from one crisis to another whether it be war, cost of living, migration. 

The naysayers/media will keep the masses in a perpetual thought of never-ending doom. Switch off the news and just look after yourself and others.

The world will keep turning so reflecting on my short year...

January started with a bang.. A Jurassic Coast Ultra on the 1st. Too old to party so get out running!! More running more climbing and another Ultra mid month with the 30m Winters Tanner.  With a few nights out before a friend Lee headed back to Asia.

A first race in absolute ages and it did feel good to be with other people, other runners at an event. 

Then down to meet the old boys (Greg and Tony) in dartmoor for a cold outing..brrrr.. the old fellas nice and toasty in their campervans whilst i hunkered down in my car with only the dog to keep me warm.

Feb brought severe back to back storms but managed to  get out on a water micro down the River Wye.. fun times trying to find campspots, even funnier, for those that stayed dry was the other canoe taking a fast flowing corner and getting sucked under a fallen tree with Rob being jettisoned. While he pushed the canoe all we could hear was him shouting at Mike to PADDLE, Mike was calmly waving at us for a photo.. with worsening weather the next day the trip was curtailed. 

Tring to do an ultra a month I went and did the the 30m Punchbowl Ultra. 

March with spring in the air i headed to cornwall for back to back training plan. 2 Ultras (29m+32m) on the coastal path meeting up my crew (Greg and Tony) on the first night to camp out on the beach with beers, bbq and swim.. what a great plan/trip.

Then a solo micro to the Black Mountains with Lola. Shes getting older  so these trips are extra special being able to spend long days in the mountains with her. Perfect weather and managed 60km over the weekend. Only downside was getting the trots after a bad dry food meal..ps.. do this trip every year.

April the colours are out and I got a place in the Tor des Glacier (450km race in Sept) So the hard training starts and typically i get an injury with a bad hip!! which still lingers to this day.

The month started with a nice trip with Pa and Bro to see my Uncle on the IoW. Then straight into the south coast classic SWCP Weymouth to Poole (42m) with Dan on a glorious day.

Finished with another classic in the Dartmoor field for Hikes, runs and swims with the micro gang.

May, another well conceived plan. Have a holiday in Cornwall and sneak in back to back ultras. This worked a treat so enjoyed some chilled days walking the dog and then banged in a couple of Ultras on the SWCP. Now i am thinking of linking up the entire SWCP with running legs ( I have already walked it). 
We then did a local micro with a bikepacking trip around Hampshire including over to the IoW.
The end of the month I met up with my Czech friends (Jaro and Milan) and went on a self made fast packing trip circumnavigate the entire country of Liechenstien. Magical trip and the type i feel like doing more than actual races in the future.

June, ramping up the training and started out with a Dan insisting a nighttime training run was required and so we headed down to the best spot the very cliffy Coastal path at night.. was good fun.
It was then time to taper for my first big race of the year. 3 years waiting for this one due to covid but i finally managed to get out to Norway Xreied 130k. The race, people and the country did not disappoint. The race was tough as nails but made up by the wonderful people in an outstanding country. 

July, after a quick rest it was back on the training trails.. another fantastic loop around dartmoor with Tony and the dogs on a hot weekend - refreshed by plenty of dips in the rivers.

then onto another fastpack.. 100k around the Brecon Beacons with a pub to overnight in at halfway. A great outing linking in as many waterfalls as possible.. and when not with the dog this might be an ideal weekend get away.

August, final month to bag as much training as possible. Started out well with a trip with Dan to North Wales and explored some good loops in the mountains as well as an uneasy Crib Goch ridgeline for Dan.. Then showed our age by celebrating DTs 60th with a cracking golf day where i got 2nd place even though i felt rough as rats but scored well. 

Just about recovered i headed over to the Alps, and the Valais region in Switzerland for a wonderful few days exploring the mountains and to get some acclimatising done...perfect way to finish 6months of training.

September and its all about the Tor des Glaciers. Its finally here. Meeting up with Paul its starts of bad witht he tunnel shut so we stay in Chamonix. But then we are in Aosta, Italy. we chill for a few days then we race the 450km TDGlaciers. Excitement was feverpitch. I enjoyed most of the race, the highs were just being out and testing yourself in moving around such a vast mountain area. the lows was simply the DNFs. Paul went first, he struggled for a couple of nights and then after a quick nap was violently sicjk and his race was over. I carried on and had had a wasp sting early that day and then suddenly whilst up high on a mountain my thigh stopped working and was extremely painful. I tried resting, massage, strapping, sleeping, even walking backwards etc but all to no avail the pain and slowness was too much to carry on for 100miles and so i pulled out as well. Gutting as i so felt good. We go again maybe in 2024?

So what do you do after that. The rest of the month i did nothing. Then when i did get out for a Beer Train overnight micro (great fun with the boys). I caught covid (finally) so that laid me out for more time. When i finally felt better i just had a lovely weekend with my old girl Lola, hiking and camping on the on the Coast - perfect. 

Also got back into climbing and deciding at this moment in time i'm prefer the climbing to the running. So thinking of mixing it up in 2023.

Another holiday down to Devon - this time North near Bude for a nice chilled out stay with no training required it was just long dog walks, cafes and pubs...lovely.

I finally got around to buying a new bike, the old one was just to broken to keep going with it. And with some deja vu my new bike broke within 5 miles of its maiden journey (its all fixed and had its first bike packing adventure in jan23 with no hitches)

December. I finished the year with a race. wanting to explore the Lake District more I did the Tour of Helvellyn on a cold weekend. So cold that they shorten the cours
e due to iced paths. But the racing was good and my spare day I got out into the hills for my own loop with was a nice little adventure to finish of the year.

That was the year 2022. Lots of training and a lack of motivation. Hard to understand the lack of impetus, the hip injury through out the year, the years of covid, less people doing the outdoor micros,  age - i'm getting older and depressingly so is Lola. Or a combination of it all i'm reckoning. 

So next year could be less racing (i dont have the time in any case as wil be off to the Rugby WC for a month) and to try and pick a few great trips to do with friends, mainly a climbing or Via ferata one. That should get the juices flowing.

Stats for the year. 

Impressively i have run the most with around 1650miles...not expecting to beat that again.

Have now done a ton of indoor climbing and enjoying then progression. I can now climb 6c and will aim to see if i can get this to 7a this year...

Not much biking but with the new bike and an old dog plenty of bikepack trips i hope will be planned. One challenge will be the SDW in under 12hrs?

Hopefully more micros, most of the fellas now seem distant from it so time will tell if i can persuade them to pick up the rucksacks again for more enjoyable outings in the remote outdoors.

Swimming has taken a backseat with more climbing but it will be good if i can still find time to fit in a session here and there.

2022 Pictures...

2022 Videos...