Walking the North Highland Way

Tina Irving    ash, trekkingholidays     Dunnet Head, Great Highland Way, John o Groats, scotland, Tourism Scotland, trekking, Walking

The North Highland Way has been mooted for many years, but not come to fruition – so I started a blog myself and am busy writing about it.

Walking the North Highland Way

About the route

The burgeoning North Highland Way will eventually link up with the West Highland Way. The full length of the route is 673 miles – John O’ Groats to Cape Wrath is 114 miles, Cape Wrath to Kyle of Lochalsh is 310 miles, and Kyle of Lochalsh is 249 miles.

The route takes you through some of the most scenic landscapes in the world with long white beaches backed in places by high mountain peaks. The criteria for being on the North Highland Way is that it is within 10 miles of the coast.

John O’ Groats is well known as the destination for the end to end route from Lands End. The promontory of Dunnet Head is actually the most northerly point on the UK mainland and a great place to get out and about.

About my journey

I’ll be coasteering, kayaking, surfing,  windsurfing, horse riding, waterskiing, diving, wildlife watching while on my trek across the north coast….. blogging as I go etc, so check back here for updates and stunning images of one of the last wildernesses and most spectacular coastlines in Europe.

I am  alsocurrently writing a book about the long awaited North Highland Way – the first section will be from John O’ Groats to Thurso – a fabulous trek with lots of opportunities for activities en route – complete with places to stay, eating out, and supplemented with things to do see and do.  This will be the first time such a venture has been undertaken…. so a great opportunity to learn about the north coast!

The Basic Science of Surfboard Fins

Jeff    surfingholidays     how to surf, Surf, Surf gear, Surfboard, surfers against sewage, Surfing

At some point in the progression of your surfing, you’ll inevitably find yourself questioning the performance of your equipment. Of course, initial inquires will be directed at your board. Once you’ve developed a preference in the length, width, thickness, and rocker of your stick, you’re certain to shift attention to the fins.

Learn your fins Image: Flickr/igb

While it’s difficult to conceptualize how much of a difference fins can make, just remember that without them your ride would hinge completely on the will of the wave behind you. It stands to reason, therefore, that fins bridge the gap between simply being pushed by a wave and actively riding a wave.

Fins are to the surfer what tires are to the driver: without them there is no point in getting behind the wheel. And, of course, the type of driving you’re planning to do heavily influences the type of tires you’ll need. Such is the case with surfboard fins. The following is a short overview of their function and corresponding shape.

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Would-be explorers, join the Ice Warrior Project

Mark Pawlak    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts     Adventure, explorer, exploring, north pole, Overlanding, trekking

One of the most inspiring things is learning that there are still places to be discovered. I really thought that we’d pretty much been there, done it and got the T-shirt, but I was very wrong!

Ahead, the Northern Pole of Inaccessibility

‘The Northern Pole of Inaccessibility’ is still waiting for the first batch of explorers to arrive, and in early 2012 a team led by experienced polar explorer Jim McNeil will be gathering data from this most remote region.

They will be visiting the furthest point from land on the Arctic Ocean – 270 miles from the Geographic North Pole.

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Crash and Burn or Crash and Learn?

Tala    kiteboardingholidays     kiteboarding, kitesurf, kitesurfing, kitesurfing world tour, learning to kitesurf

A good friend of mine, also a professional kitesurfer, once told me when I was starting out “while one person hesitates because she feels inferior, the other is busy making mistakes and becomes superior”.

I never forget these words when I am out on the water; progression in kitesurfing comes from not being scared to try!

Every crash takes you one step closer to learning that trick you’ve been attempting. It’s true that crashing is not pleasant. Still, I believe that with every crash you spot that little mistake to avoid next time.

When I am out on the water I focus on learning one trick at a time. I will try let’s say ten times, and with every crash I feel like I am one step closer to landing the trick that at first seems impossible.

You have to be willing to push yourself but to also know your own limits. Riders should go out and try the tricks most appropriate for their skill level. You cannot expect to learn one manoeuvre before first having the basics, and getting ahead of yourself is how injuries start happening.

An important phase in learning a new move is understanding it step-by-step, but most of all it’s committing 100%. When I’m training, I’m focused on what the trick looks like before I even attempt to try it, only then do I commit to it.

Tricks and clever moves aside, the most important thing when kitesurfing is to always have fun and to be safe on the water.

Why take mountainbiking holidays during the Tour de France?

Mark Pawlak    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts     Adventure Travel, cycling, mountain biking, mountainbiking, sponorship, tour de france, trekking

It’s ‘Tour de France’ time and seemingly the whole world and its dog are in Lycra and cycling. But while the Tour still inspires, for lovers of the rougher stuff it’s a wasted opportunity. How could you cross France and ignore the off-road sections? Why make all that effort to get to the Pyrenees and not take a mountain bike? And how do you cycle for six hours and not go to the toilet?

Image: Flickr/ LeeBrimelow

Here’s a few prime spots for mountainbiking holidays in France that will help you take off your aero helmet, get out of the peloton and get onto the really challenging routes.

Isn’t it about time you stopped dreaming of a maillot jaune and got your maillot muddy?

Chamonix/ Mont Blanc Valley

Fantastic scenery and miles of tracks to explore, Chamonix is a top skiing destination also favoured by mountaineers. Dominated by Mont Blanc, it’s a glacial valley of 17 km within just 15 km of both the Swiss and Italian borders. The peak of Mont Blanc’s not on the cycle route of any mountainbiking holiday. Even so, the ascents here will lock your thighs and burn your lungs within minutes. The Chamonix Valley is more suited to experienced riders as tracks here are often very technical.

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AZAB racers: Back from the Azores

Mark Pawlak    sailingbreaks     AZAB 2011, AZAB race, Sailing, sailing events, Sailing for charity

And we’re back!

(Position 13 (of 60 boats), time taken – 7 days 8 hrs 55 min – distance 1140 miles +)

We have now (finally) finished our Azores and back race (Falmouth to the Azores). After an eventful trip of nearly hitting whales bigger than the boat, boat breakages, violent broaches (where boat skews round out of control) and generally living in a washing machine of a boat with 2 hrs of sleep for days on end – we came about 13th (yet to be confirmed on handicap). Which for my 1st Ocean Race is a great result. We pushed hard and got a pleasing result!

In fact iGOSKi was the first Cruiser/racer over the line and we pushed her hard for 9 days out and 7 days back – across part of the Atlantic in a bid to raise funds (and my blood pressure!) for Sail4Cancer. Thanks ever so much to all those who have pledged, there is still time for those who haven’t. I will get around to more personal thanks if I can, but so many of you have been so generous to this great cause.

Find out more about the race at AZAB 2011 and more about the crew’s nominated nominated charitySail 4 Cancer