Before the @keswickfestival@adidasterrex 10km trail run… and after.
What a way to see Cat Bells and Derwent Water! Even with the rain sweeping through in proper Lake District fashion, it was a spectacular route with amazing views.
A boat ride across from Keswick to Low Brandlehow to the start line, then south through beautiful (wet and muddy) woodland, up (and up) onto the Cat Bells terrace, down to Hawes End for a coke‑and‑crisps-filled checkpoint, and along the Cumbria Way back to Keswick and the finish at Crow Park.
6.6 miles, 825ft of ascent, 90 minutes (and 38 seconds). For a hiker doing a bit of running on the side, with somewhat questionable training regime, I’m very happy with that. And running with hundreds of others in the rain just made it better. As did having good friends cheer me over the finish line.
Now recovering… proudly wearing my finisher’s tee while I do.
#KMF2026
The famous bluebells of Rannerdale, seen on Friday morning on a high value walk up and over Rannderdale Knotts.
Local folklore says these bluebells sprang from the blood of slain Norman warriors, a legend tied to the so‑called Battle of Rannerdale, where native Cumbrians and Norsemen were said to have ambushed and defeated a Norman force in this hidden valley.
Some versions of the tale name a local leader, Jarl or Earl Buthar/Boethar, and place the Norman army under Ranulf Meschin, Earl of Carlisle, drawn into the side valley and routed by a surprise attack from above.
It’s a brilliant story… but almost certainly a romanticised one. There’s no evidence for such a battle, and the bluebells themselves more likely mark the site of ancient woodland rather than bloodshed.
Still - don’t let the truth get in the way of a good legend.
April became my (almost) accidental month of theatre. Seven musicals and one play filled my days with stories and escapism.
1. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (Theatre Royal Haymarket, London)
2. Barnum (Everyman Theatre Cheltenham)
3. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (Everyman Theatre Cheltenham)
4. Into the Woods (Bridge Theatre, London)
5. Avenue Q (Shaftesbury Theatre, London)
6. Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club (Playhouse Theatre, London)
7. Starlight Express (Wembley Park Theatre)
8. Waitress (Birmingham Hippodrome)
There’s a mini review of each in my new monthly journal.
Read at SplodzBlogz.co.uk
This photo of me standing on a frozen Baltic beach feels like the perfect metaphor for March - cold edges with some soft light. And it’s a good reminder that adventure is good for me. Really good for me.
My monthly journal for March is now over on Splodz Blogz. There’s heaviness in it, yes, but also talk of all the moments that brought colour to the month.
You know how to find it!
It’s ninety years (today) since the very first @ordnancesurvey trig pillar was installed at Cold Ashby - the starting point for the huge mapping project that eventually scattered more than 6,500 pillars across Britain’s hills.
This one on @cleeve_common is just one of them, a small concrete anchor on the edge of the Cotswolds that feels like a quiet companion on any day.
I love how trigs make planning and getting #OneHourOutside simple: pick a pillar, follow the path, breathe a little deeper. An adventure, ready whenever you are.
#SplodzDPC Day 28 - Taking a Moment
Nice to have a decent sunset to end February. Hope you were able to take a moment to catch it for yourself.
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Today is the last day of my daily photo challenge for February 2026. Thanks to everyone who has followed along and taken part - I hope you’ve found it a useful way to motivate you to get little bit of time outside each day and to notice the world around you.
#SplodzDPC #OneHourOutside
#SplodzDPC Day 27 - On the Horizon
Not much in the way of horizon views from Birmingham Library today - but still worth a look. Featuring @the_urban_wanderer for scale.
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Join in with my daily photo challenge every day this month. Use the given prompt to inspire a little bit of time outside, and make it a month of noticing the world around you each day.
Scroll to the second image for all the prompts.
#SplodzDPC #OneHourOutside
#SplodzDPC Day 26 - Pattern
Another urban entry for me in this year’s February photo challenge - these patterns can be found in the centre of Gloucester.
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Join in with my daily photo challenge every day this month. Use the given prompt to inspire a little bit of time outside, and make it a month of noticing the world around you each day.
Scroll to the second image for all the prompts.
#SplodzDPC #OneHourOutside
#SplodzDPC Day 25 - Hidden
The scenery did the work again for me today - stopped on the way to work to take a photo of this mist rising from flooded fields.
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Join in with my daily photo challenge every day this month. Use the given prompt to inspire a little bit of time outside, and make it a month of noticing the world around you each day.
Scroll to the second image for all the prompts.
#SplodzDPC #OneHourOutside
#SplodzDPC Day 24 - Favourite Place
Made even nicer because the good weather and my schedule today meant I was able to have a walk here in the sunshine after work.
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Join in with my daily photo challenge every day this month. Use the given prompt to inspire a little bit of time outside, and make it a month of noticing the world around you each day.
Scroll to the second image for all the prompts.
#SplodzDPC #OneHourOutside
#SplodzDPC Day 23 - Something Unexpected
If you go out for a lunchtime walk looking for something unexpected... can anything you find actually be defined as unexpected?!Â
Other than, perhaps, the fact it didn’t rain...Â
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Join in with my daily photo challenge every day this month. Use the given prompt to inspire a little bit of time outside, and make it a month of noticing the world around you each day.
Scroll to the second image for all the prompts.
#SplodzDPC #OneHourOutside
#SplodzDPC Day 22 - Perspective
Looking up or looking down? I guess that depends on where you are.
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Join in with my daily photo challenge every day this month. Use the given prompt to inspire a little bit of time outside, and make it a month of noticing the world around you each day.
Scroll to the second image for all the prompts.
#SplodzDPC #OneHourOutside
