October bivvy - sunshine but not in Wales.

October...

I usually do a localish woodland bivvy in October to recover from the BB300. However the BB300 never happened, or even the BB200 which I decided to do in view of a need to get to my parents on the Sunday. Yes once again I failed an ITT, not even getting to the start this time. And as with the Highland Trail a shocker of a weather forecast after a few weeks of nice weather was largely to blame. I'd hoped to get down on the Thursday evening but the forecast was horrible which combined with the horrendous traffic at the best of times on the M6 would make for a miserable journey. A call with Mum kind of sealed the deal then as by this time the weekend weather was looking desperate. Shouldn't I give it a miss and come and visit instead?

Heading south on the Friday confirmed my no show - the weather was worse and even on the quieter bits of the M74/M6, progress was slow. No way was I tackling the bit past Preston. Plus by this time, after a few ups and downs, it was clear that the actual ride itself would be brutal. So I turned left at Penrith and spent a quality weekend with Mum, Dad, Bruv, S in law; celebrating Dad's 84th. So disappointment reigned as this year has ended up being a bit of a none event in terms of ITT's, tours and challenges.

For my October bivvy I still fancied a local night out as I had a rare social occasion on the Saturday evening. Pertinent to my usual ruminations was a stunning forecast. So along, up, down and finally up to spot I'd used a few years ago and close to my July bivvy take 2.

Not quite a sunset shot...

After an extremely relaxing evening entertained by a couple of beers, a nip or three of whisky and various owls I slept soundly until just after 8.

Then...

Sausages! Inspired by some of the breakfast extravaganzas of other Bearbones BAM'ers I'd brought a Ti frying pan, sausages, a roll and ketchup (I have standards.) The end result was mighty fine but it took ages to fry the sausages as the wee gas flame only really heated the bit of the pan it was under, requiring much waving around of pan to heat them through thoroughly.

Good spot this - fairly sheltered but you get the sun shining in at you.

Various trails followed. I'd nearly gone with a high level bivvy somewhere, but cloud was lurking over the higher hills. I suspect there had been an inversion and this was it lifting out of the lowlands which would have created a damp morning. However my route, via various fun trails (plus one brute of a tussock infested climb, penance for my BB no-show) and a usual route back home, was in blazing sunshine.

Lots of Autumnal woodland colours around. Also pleased the Castlelaw res dam is back open again. There is a faint chance of another outing this coming weekend as the run of dry weather is set to continue to Saturday at least. Cairngorms maybe?!