A Happy New Year to you all.

We spent Christmas in Eskdale in the Lake District, the weather wasn't too good unfortunately, and that with a combination of a chest cold limited the amount of walking I was able to do.

However, there were some highlights, we visited Cockermouth and Keswick, drove over Hardknott Pass 2 times in a day to Ambleside, [which looked like it was about to get flooded with all the rain there], and had an entertaining if cold morning out watching the Eskdale and Ennerdale Hunt on Boxing Day. And I met Santa up on the fell above the village of Boot.

New Years Eve was spent trying to eat 2 of the biggest pies I have ever seen; [along with 3 other people I might add..] especially brought over from Wigan from Greenhalgh's. Apparently a very famous piemaking company and very tasty too.

Now we are all suffering from snug pants syndrome, so it's Alan Titmarsh time.. .....Eat less........drink less.....and do more excercise.

Let's all hope the weather is better in 2008 so we can spend more time out on the hills and on the water.

Here's a list of me favourite gear used in 2007; some old favourites and a few new ones, especially the Rab stuff.

Macpac Microlight tent
Rab Vapour Rise trousers
Rab Generator smock
Paramo Velez smock
Icebreaker merino baselayer
Keen Targhee mid boots
Jetboil PCS stove
Alpkit Fat Airic sleeping mat [car camping only!]
Lowe Alpine Mountain Cap

And here's some of me favourite pics of the year..