Author Archives: MART IN THE HILLS

About MART IN THE HILLS

Hillwalker with dodgy knees and dodgier sense of humour. Lover of the outdoors, Lakes, Highlands, Cheviots, nature, good food, real ale and leaf tea.

A Blog From The Blue Tit Box – Week Two

Posted on June 3, 2014 by MART IN THE HILLS

Following last weeks blog here’s a quick update 14 days after the eggs hatched. There’s still 9 chicks in the Blue Tit box making excellent progress with nature showing it’s kinder side. Monday’s constant rain brought a reminder of how finely balanced this can be with … Continue reading →

Posted in Random Stuff, Tit Cam - Blue Tit Nest | Tagged Blue Tit, Blue Tit nest, Camera nestbox, Nature, Nest box, Nestbox, North East nest box, Springwatch, UK Birds | 1 Comment

A Blog From The Blue Tit Box – Week One

Posted on May 26, 2014 by MART IN THE HILLS

And now for something completely different; some pictures and videos from my garden nest box camera in north east England. A pair of cute Blue Tits moved in and are currently feeding 9 tiny chicks. I say currently as last … Continue reading →

Posted in Random Stuff, Tit Cam - Blue Tit Nest | Tagged Blue Tit, Blue Tit nest, Camera nestbox, Nature, Nest box, Nestbox, North East nest box, Springwatch, UK Birds | 2 Comments

A Wander on Wansfell and Baystones (but not necessarily in that order) – 4.5 miles

Posted on May 21, 2014 by MART IN THE HILLS

A short circular walk taking in the two tops of Wansfell, Ambleside’s very own Wainwright. We were en route to Grasmere for the weekend so Troutbeck made a convenient starting point after the drive over Kirkstone Pass. The trusty Met Office … Continue reading →

Posted in Lake District | Tagged Baldrys, Baystones, Eastern Wainwrights, Grasmere, hiking, Lake District, Loweswater Gold, Social Hiking, The Mortal Man, view from Wansfell, Wainwrights, walks from Troutbeck, Wansfell, Wansfell & Baystones route | Leave a comment

North Eastern Wainwrights, Bonscale Pike, Arthurs Pike, Loadpot Hill, Wether Hill and Steel Knotts (Pikewassa) – 8 miles

Posted on May 13, 2014 by MART IN THE HILLS

A fairly straightforward afternoon taking in 5 Wainwrights whilst trying to beat some dismal Lake District weather. The Met Office suggested possible afternoon brightness in the north east Lakes, so this was an opportunity to make first ascents of Arthurs Pike, Bonscale Pike & mini mighty Pikewassa (Steel Knotts). There was … Continue reading →

Posted in Lake District | Tagged Arthurs Pike, Bonscale Pike, hiking, Lake District, Loadpot Hill, Martindale, North East Wainwrights, Pikewassa, routes from Martindale, Social Hiking, St Peters Church, Wainwrights, Wether Hill, Wether Hill & Pikewassa route | Leave a comment

Hadrian’s Wall – 7 miles out and back on the high section from Housesteads (again)

Posted on April 6, 2014 by MART IN THE HILLS

Some pics from another quick dash along the high section of Hadrian’s Wall today, followed by pub refreshment, (posted via the mobile for the first time too)! Parked at Housesteads walked up and along to Winshield Crags then turned around taking the … Continue reading →

Posted in Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland | Tagged Hadrian's Wall, Housesteads, Northumberland, Winshield Crags | 1 Comment

Fifty Shades of Green – Cheviots Walk from Alwinton via the Pass Peth path, Shillmoor, Shillhope Law, The Middle and Clennell St (13.5 miles)

Posted on February 20, 2014 by MART IN THE HILLS

Starting from the village of Alwinton this route covers 13 miles of typical Cheviots terrain. There’s undulating paths, dense forest, wide bridleways, rolling hills, rolling valleys and lots of rich green green grass. This was a first walk from Alwinton as I … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheviot Hills, Northumberland | Tagged Alwinton, Cheviot Hills, Cheviots routes, Clennell Street, Fairhaugh, hiking, Kyloe Shin, Pass Peth, routes from Alwinton, routes from Shillmoor, Shillhope Law, Shillmoor, Social Hiking, Upper Coquet, Upper Coquetdale | 5 Comments

A Favourite Walk in the Cheviots – 10 miles over Shillhope Law and Windy Gyle from Trows Rd End (Slymefoot) in Upper Coquetdale

Posted on February 13, 2014 by MART IN THE HILLS

This has become my favourite walk in Northumberland’s Cheviot Hills and is strongly recommended. The Upper Coquet valley is particularly attractive with small streams cutting through green rolling hills rising up to the Border Ridge & Pennine Way. Whilst lacking … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheviot Hills | Tagged Barrowburn, Cheviot Hills, Cheviots, Cheviots routes, Fairhaugh, hiking, Kyloe Shin, Routes from Barrowburn, Rowhope, Shillhope Law, Slymefoot, Social Hiking, Trows, Trows Road End, Upper Coquet, Upper Coquetdale, Windy Gyle, Windy Gyle route, Windy Gyle The Street, Windy Gyle video panorama | 6 Comments

Making a Break for Mellbreak and Hen Comb – two Windy Western Wainwrights

Posted on February 6, 2014 by MART IN THE HILLS

A 7 mile Sunday Lakes walk up two windy western Wainwrights, with an extra advantage. You get to frequent one of Lakeland’s best country pubs, the Kirkstile Inn, where they serve proper ale. Not that I’m obsessed about proper pubs … Continue reading →

Posted in Lake District | Tagged Hen Comb, hiking, Kirkstile Inn, Lake District, Lake District walks, Loweswater, Loweswater Gold, Mellbreak, Mellbreak & Hen Comb route, Social Hiking | Leave a comment

Happy Christmas to All My Readers (always wanted to say that)

Posted on December 23, 2013 by MART IN THE HILLS

Many thanks for viewing my ramblings and for all your kind comments. Thanks to the mountains for being there, the Lakes, the Highlands, Skye, Plockton, good pubs, local breweries, oh & that bloke Alan too. Here’s to another great year … Continue reading →