A Simple Life of Luxury

Tales from a down-shifted family
- Making the most of modest means

Category: Sports

1

Camping / Hiking

West Highland Way Day 2: Ptarmagin Lodge to Tyndrum

Embarking on day 2 of the West Highland Way, I broke camp early to avoid rain and made steady progress along the scenic path despite muddy conditions. Social encounters and magnificent waterfalls dotted my trek to Inversnaid. Despite tempting lodging options due to worsening weather, I chose to push on, ending the day in Tyndrum, setting up camp amid rainfall and securing halfway completion of my journey. With challenges like blisters managed, I readied for the next day’s adventure.

3

Camping / Hiking

West Highland Way Day 1: Milngavie to Ptarmagin Lodge

After much anticipation the day had finally come for me to head to Scotland and embark on the West Highland Way. Typically the van had developed an issue a few days before but Matt at VW T5 Upgrades got it sorted for me in double quick time so I was hoping it would make the...

2

Hiking

Ooops – I failed on The West Highland Way

Embarking on the West Highland Way I turned a leisurely 6-10 day hike into a 4-day aqua-adventure. Despite the intended easy pace and soggy shoes spawning a blister bonanza, my internal speedster ignored the ‘take it easy’ memo, galloping to the finish with an unanticipated sprint. I almost tackled another trail, but my painfully protesting feet staged a rebellion, demanding rest. Blog updates pending – stay tuned for the blister count!

1

Camping / Hiking

Not Planning the West Highland Way

Part of the fun of a little adventure or an activity such as backpacking along the West Highland Way is the planning. mapping out your route, deciding where to stay and how you’ll get there, searching for things to take in along the way and making arrangements and schedules. Sometimes it’s also nice to just...

8

Camping / Hiking

West Highland Way Packing List

The backpacking packing list for hiking the West Highland Way focuses on balance between weight and comfort. It includes an Osprey Talon 44 pack, a Nordisk Telemark tent, a Thermarest sleep system, and clothing for various conditions, totaling a base weight of 8.35kg without food and water. The list further details kitchen essentials, hygiene products, a comprehensive first aid and repair kit, electronics for communication and navigation, and additional accessories for convenience and safety on the trail. The aim is meticulous organization and preparedness while maintaining a manageable pack weight.

Blasting on the Slalom Board 1

Wales / Windsurfing

Easter Windsurf

I haven’t been able to get out windsurfing for a while. Conditions and commitments just haven’t permitted any time on the water. I was therefore a little rusty whilst out for the first time in ages last weekend. The conditions were perfect with a decent Easterly howling down through the valley and a midday high...

What a spot! 1

Camping / Hiking / Wales / Weather

The Wild Welsh Wilderness

Having been away for work last week we had a fairly quiet weekend. I did some work in the garden and we headed out to Cross Foxes on Sunday for a Mother’s Day lunch – well, Morgan isn’t here to treat Anna, so I did instead. I of course went along for the meal too....

Crack in Side of Ski 2

Surf Ski, Kayaking and Canoeing

Another Broken Ski

Having not been out on a surf ski, or paddle boat of any description for a while I was quite excited to get out there on Saturday. There was some decent surf rolling in at around 2-3 foot and little wind but the waves were still a bit messy. Not ideal for board surfing but...

1

Camping / Hiking / Wales

Another Practice Camp – Best Spot Yet!

Saturday started with a busy day in Aberystwyth for us. We did some shopping, collected my glasses and then test drove a very nice Hyundai Ioniq 6. We hadn’t looked at the Ioniq 6 before but they saif they had some good deals on it and the figures they quoted did sound good so we...

Breakfast Coffee in the Forest 1

Hiking

Machynlleth to Tre Ddol – Wild Camping

With a new rucksack to try out, and what looked like a break in the weather I decided to head off on a wild-camping adventure on Monday. I don’t officially work on Mondays or Tuesdays, but often end up doing so, especially if I’m at home. A couple of days in the hills would mean...