Global Recorder

It's doubtful that a full Welsh Breakfast is the ideal preparation for a trek up a mountain. None-the-less with this inside us we set off out of Llanberis into the heart of Snowdonia National Park. The landscape looked hugely awe-inspiring. Boulders that had been deposited by the slow moving glaciers more than 12,000 years ago loomed above us, it felt as if we had entered another world, an inhospitable world lacking any life aside sheep. The road meandered around and shortly led us to Pen-y-pass, the starting point for a variety of routes to the Snowdon Summit. It seemed colder, windier and less inviting than previous days. Perhaps the novelty of it all had worn off. We set off up the broad and gently climbing track passing the Gwynant Valley on our left hand side. The ... read more

There are very few places on Earth that are free of the heavy hand of human life, we are able to infiltrate even the most wild of places. Bako National Park is one of the places that has managed to resist the expansion of civilisation. If you become lucky enough to land on its wild shores you may find a roof over your head and may even find a cafeteria but do not expect comfort and don’t bother bringing your soap. Unreachable by land the only way in is via boat. This has enabled wildlife to rule and it is hard not to respect this fact when you arrive. Wildlife remains wild and unlike other National Parks they will dictate what you see, when you see it and how comfortable they want your stay to be ... read more

There are a variety of routes up Mount Snowdon but the more achievable of these is the Llanberis Path. Despite this we were still feeling anxious and concerned about heading into the unknown. The ascent begins on the High Street but quickly we were confronted by an incredibly steep hill. It was still a tarmac road at this early stage but the incline was severe. Our calf muscles were burning whilst every step became harder and harder. Surely it can't be like this all the way? Luckily it flattened out or we wouldn't have climbed 100m let alone 1100m. The path was originally used as a pony and mule track. The poor asses were used to carry tourists up from Llanberis. To our right, as we steadily climbed, were stunning views across the Rushy Valley, named ... read more

Meet my partner; packed with the kind of enthusiasm and endeavour that enables her to achieve the unachievable. Boasting the experience of a childhood trip to the Breacon Beacons she is in good shape to laugh off any physical challenge. Alongside her, my good self; determination oozing out of my eye balls. A swagger in my step having successfully scrambled up the Balham Hill with only two puffs of my inhaler. Together we were to embark on a three day expedition in Snowdonia National Park, entirely ill prepared and with an incredible lack of idea of what we were letting ourselves in for. After 268 miles of driving we knew we had entered Wales firstly because the road signs read like anagrams and second when we spotted a cow ambling across the bridge above us. Base ... read more

We stood with a map in our hands debating our chances of getting from one side of Budapest to the other. Ideally we wished to achieve this with both of us arriving unscathed. Being the coward that I am and not wanting to engage in the trials of foreign public transport I was putting my meaningless vote to a walk across town. Reality suggested this would be a long, long walk. The alternative filled me with stomach churning dread. However, this dread was going to have to be confronted and defeated in the form of the Budapest Metro; a place of nightmares. A look at the Metro sign comforted me in no way. I couldn’t pick one word out that even began to register sense. Half the words didn’t even have a vowel in them and ... read more

Now this is why we came to Fiji; the weather idyllic, the ocean waters crystal clear, the palm trees posing a natural shelter as you kick back and think of sweet nothings. For those that live on the island, Tiger Woods’ exploits or the latest outbreak of George Bush meltdown matters not. The islanders bask in paradise!! South Sea Island is a coral outgrowth no bigger than a football pitch. Its amenities totalled a puddle sized swimming pool, a rickety table tennis table and a row of inviting hammocks… Now maybe I’m alone in experiencing hammocking difficulties, certainly many ‘hammockers’ appear incredibly content, nestled in their roped cocoon. But I write to you today to think long and hard the next time you wish to hammock down for some quiet time. My initial hammock mounting attempt ... read more