Worst Snow and Ice in 20 Years?

The BBC said it was the worst winter weather in 20 years. From where I was standing I could only see smiling faces? It wasn't just the kids who had fun in the snow this Christmas though. More about that later.

Which way's North?

Only a fool would sleep out in Norway in February Right? Norway it is then! Flights are booked. The front end of February will see me in Nordseter with skis on my feet. It's been a while! If I can stay upright for long enough I might get to see something of the Hedmarksvidda. Dovrefjel it isn't. Just right to work on technqiue and build confidence it is.

Incoming!

A parcel landed on my doormat this morning. Gear heads will all know how good that feels. To say it's addictive is an understatement. This one was a real windfall. A rare bit of good fortune. A prize in a draw and, unusual amongst things won, something I realy want to own. Enjoying the anticipation, opening the box with care, I uncovered a lovely little anodised titainium pot and lid. Non stick to boot. Damn that Vargo kit is well made. Refined with non of the fresh-out-of-the-chineese-foundary look of my bargain basement Ti cookware. The lid actualy fits the pot. Feather light, at 111g, this little beauty will first take pride of place on my gear shelves and later (not much later by the look of things), will get a serious run out.

I'm very grateful for my good fortune, very grateful to Philip Werner (better known as Section Hiker) for his kindness, effort and expense and hopeful that a little of my good fortune rubs off on the sender!

Low pitched rumblings

Autumn has turned to winter without so much as a damp fizz. The view out of my window in December looks suspiciously like the view out of my window in November. Rain, rain and more rain. The long term forecast is looking up though. For a couple of weeks, there's been talk of a trip. A winter trip no less. Now a date has even been set. The beginning of February should bring me a fix of the outdoors. Only a short one, a long weekend, but most definately a sweet one: it will probably involve the white stuff! The last time that happened to me was winter 2005. Did I realy just write that? That's almost ancient history.

Deal done, date agreed, one small thing's been overlooked: we don't have the faintest idea what we're going do or where we're going to do it. Time's short, better get planning.....