Any other Celts call a walk a dander here?

Daunder, in Glaswegian.

My wife and I go for walks regularly. It's a good thing to do and we are lucky where we live. I'll try to dig out pics.

sheesh, you look pretty dreamy there reg.

Big Niall. Good lad.

Nope, it's defo you i'm looking at.

Went for another jaunt up Helm Crag yesterday – trying to get my times down and fitness up. Managed it in 45 minutes from car park to topping out, and only stopped twice for a quick gulp of water and a breather, which isn't terrible. Long way to go though – would like to be able to crest it in 30 minutes without having to stop once.

Got Skiddaw planned for a couple of weeks time (weather permitting, no point hiking up there for 2.5 hours if the view's obscured), then a quick ascent of Coniston Old Man and some off-piste exploration of the mine-shafts there after that. Stunning place, will post some piccies – the shafts branch off under the mountain for 2 to 3 miles and all the old steam pumping equipment, chainwork and rails etc. are all still in place. Modern day Moria.

Noooo. Nightmare mate. Top tip – Thermos workmen's flasks. Metal vacuum liners (so won't smash), nearly indestructable and stay hot for 12 hours or more. Indespensible for long winter hikes.

It will always be raining so there's no guarantee of avoiding that. But the best window is the summer as it's cool enough up there while still being nice weather. August will be packed with people so either July or the beginning of September is probably the best bet. I'd recommend staying in Las Arenas de Cabrales if you're planning on hitting the main Picos routes.

The food is great there too! That lovely Cabrales cheese, fabada all year round, thick chunks of prime beef...

Very nice, Stop. Great having that on your doorstep!

Good for the soul that Jim.

Yeah, my therapist has encouraged me to get out into the countryside more – I'm never happier than when I'm up a hill somewhere. Still working on Mrs J allowing me to get a pupper to accompany me. We're moving house in a month or so and will have a much bigger garden – so a four-legged walking companion may just find it's way into my life...

Yossarian wrote:

Dogs am so best.

Always.

Last hike we did ended up with us having really wet feet and that also answered the question we had when starting "why is the parking lot full with horse trailers?". Turns out they don't care that much about wet feet.