As a small detour on my way to Shrewsbury for Jem's 30th party, I decided to walk up the Wrekin and bag my first trig point of the year.  I knew my timings would mean sunset from the top, but I was lucky enough to get some good golden hour light too (not really what you expect in January, but I'm definitely not complaining!)

with the now decommissioned Ironbridge power station in the background

I mean, just look at this.  Completely unedited.  Thanks very much to the random people and dog for standing in just about the right place.

The other 'thing' to the right of the trig point and people is a toposcope.

Other than being steep, it's an easy walk.  Just off the M54, big free car park, and a wide, easy to follow path.  Despite it being a Friday afternoon in early January, I passed quite a few other walkers and runners.  Other things spotted en route - a soft drink vending machine.  Not what I expect to see half way up a hill!

I was going to return to the car via a different route, going around the side rather than back over the top but as I descended (again quite steep) I was aware that it was getting dark and I had no idea what state the other footpath would be in.

So I decided against the risk of dodgy/overgrown path and instead turned round to retrace my steps up and over.  Out and back is never as good as a nice loop, but in this case far preferable to potentially getting lost in a bog or something!

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My time off work over Christmas was mostly spent up north.

It's been a bit damp up there for the last month or so, resulting in horrendous flooding and a variety of road closures.  Not ideal really, and it's very sad to see ruined ovens/fridges/debris stacked up outside people's houses.

Our plans for a gentle boxing day walk all the way around Buttermere were ruined by the weather, and instead we popped into Keswick and briefly wandered around Derwentwater.

there isn't supposed to be quite this much lake

We got a little further than Friar's Crag, and then the path turned into a large puddle. By this point we were fed up of being rained on, so turned back and find a warm dry pub!

bye bye footpath!

Luckily the weather did improve over the next few days, and we managed a dry but windy walk in Ennerdale.

The waves were crashing over the path, which the dog wasn't very keen on!

Hopefully our next visit will have less rain, more daylight, and therefore some longer/more interesting walks!

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Yes, I have stepped onto the housing ladder at last!  No more renting - I'm now living in a 2 bed house of my very own (well ok, mostly the bank's)

The previous occupant was a smoker, so you can imagine how nice the decor was. Very definitely "Fagnolia" - yuck.  All the woodwork/radiators were also painted cream (with added stains) which wasn't helping anything.

My parents have been absolutely amazing helping out with all the DIY, cleaning, etc.  Big thanks to them, although I think they've enjoyed it too.

I had vague plans to take lots of before, during, and after photos - but mostly that didn't happen.  Plus everything is still a semi-unpacked mess...

A brief summary of what we've done:

• painted ceilings, walls, woodwork, myself
• replaced two rusty radiators
• replaced light fittings
• ripped up a manky carpet (only to find a second, even worse one underneath!)
• moved laminate flooring from main bedroom to second bedroom
• new carpet in main bedroom
• sanded and repainted front door
• changed the locks
• hacked at the jungle that was the back lawn, and discovered several stepping stones

Still plenty to be done, including repainting the kitchen and dealing with the hall and stairs (as yet untouched, and in desperate need of new non-stinky carpet)

As for cleanliness....well... Here's the oven, before and after mum attacked it with a lot of nasty chemicals and elbow grease:

What a difference!

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