Trail talk

Trail talk: choosing a loupe

The study of many aspects of natural history, both indoors and in the field, can often be aided by the use of a magnifying lens, also called a hand lens, or loupe. There are cheap loupes and there are expensive loupes. There are really poor loupes and there are excellent loupes. What there isn't, is a really good cheap loupe. But it is possible to buy one that isn't too scarily expensive.

Trail talk: Lego Backpacker (2022)

Lego backpacker is not confining herself to life on just one trail. She stopped off in Lego Boutique Hotel in 2022 prior to continuing her world travels.

Trail talk: Lego ‘Creator’ Boy Camper (2016)

This little Lego minifigure is a young character released in 2016 as part of a remarkably well designed 'Creator' set that could be used to construct three very different builds. Add a backpack to our Boy Camper and he is ready for the hills.

Trail talk: the Pembrokeshire Coast Path: a backpacking itinerary

There are many ways to tackle the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Section-hike, thru-hike, bed & breakfast or backpacking. If camping, which to choose- campsites or wildcamping? What follows is simply how Three Points of the Compass tackled it in September 2022.

Trail talk: Pennine Bridleway. Settle to The Street, Ravenstonedale

My final days on the Pennine Bridleway. The walking steadily improved but the rain continued to laugh at the concept of summer. However, I had Kirkby Stephen in my sights, and nothing was going to stop me

Trail talk: Pennine Bridleway. The Settle Loop

The 205 mile long Pennine Bridleway has two included loops. The first is the 47 mile Mary Towneley Loop that I completed on my way up from Middleton Top. The second is the ten mile Settle Loop. My plan was to traipse round it in a few hours and call the remainder a day off in Settle. But first I had the aftermath of a night of torrential rain to contend with.

Trail talk: Pennine Bridleway. The Mary Towneley Loop to Settle

My Pennine Bridleway continued. I had walked the 72 miles from Middleton Top in Derbyshire to the Mary Towneley Loop. Having walked all of that 47 mile loop, I was now continuing to trail's end in Cumbria. But before then, I had to get to Settle for yet another optional loop.

Trail talk: Pennine Bridleway. The Mary Towneley Loop

Three Points of the Compass walked the 205 mile Pennine Bridleway during the summer of 2022. Hot weather had given way to frequent days of rain. I had already walked some seventy miles from the start of the trail at Middleton Top. I now had the forty-seven mile Mary Towneley Loop to complete before I could continue my trail northward.

Trail talk: Wainwright’s Coast to Coast- a new National Trail

Three Points of the Compass recently walked the Pennine Bridleway. My last night was spent at the Pennine View Campsite at Kirkby Stephen. This is also a popular halt for those walking the Coast to Coast and I spent some time chatting with a handful of backpackers following that route. What was all too apparent was the daftness of my having just completed a National Trail that (in my opinion) shouldn't be one, while they were following an 'unofficial' trail that should be a National Trail. Well, at least part of that is to change.

Trail talk: dry stone walls on the Pennine Bridleway

An image heavy look at dry stone walls of the Pennine Bridleway

Trail talk: Pennine Bridleway. Middleton Top to the Mary Towneley Loop

The Pennine Bridleway doesn't get a lot of attention from backpackers. Cyclists will tackle much of it over a couple of days, horse-riders will go out for a day's hack along parts of it, however few people walk the complete path. Three Points of the Compass ventured out in the summer of 2022 to walk the 205 mile National Trail from south to north.

Trail talk: Lego Mountain Climber (2013)

We have previously glanced at some of the little backpacking and hiking minifigures released by Lego over the years. The company has also produced quite a few climbing characters. Three Points of the Compass looks at one of the best of these- Mountain Climber, released in 2013.

Trail talk: The first Lego ‘Creator’ backpacker (2011)

The Lego Creator theme started in 2001 and building sets are normally based around buildings, vehicles and animals. They focus more on the creative building element of the plastic bricks rather than the playability. The first minifigure to be included was 'Log Cabin Guy', a canoeing and backpacking log cabin dweller and we take a closer look at him here.

Trail talk: Maps and guidebooks for the Pennine Bridleway

The Pennine Bridleway is a peculiar trail. Not only is it multi-user, it has a couple of add-on loops and link routes, and... years after it opened, it still isn't complete! Finding maps and guidebooks for both planning and use on trail can be a challenge in itself. I know, as I searched them down in advance of my own hike in summer 2022

Trail talk: Lego BRMC Camper (2018)

Lego's Brand Retail Manager Conference minifigures were extremely rare and only given to attendees. The 2018 offering was Camper

Trail talk: Lego Boy Camper (2018)

A glance at the the little camp cook minifigure from Lego City People Pack Outdoor Adventure set 60202.

Trail talk: a birthday reminisce

It's my birthday this week. Not a biggie, just a day. But a 'special day' nonetheless. So I had been casting around online looking for something a little special for Mrs Three Points of the Compass to buy me. Then I came across a name that took me back almost four years, to two days on my Three Points hike across Britain- Ardnamurchan

Trail talk: ‘treasure’ on the Southern Upland Way

The Southern Upland Way has an additional exciting element about it. A Treasure Hunt! Hidden 13ths are to be found in Kists along the trail. These tokens are based on an art project that commenced in 2002- Waymerks

Trail talk: Ninjago Zane Hiker (2017)

Lego Zane was a character in the martial arts comedy based Ninjago Movie and the Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu video game released at the same time. In both film and game he appeared as a ninja warrior character. Zane was also included as a casual backpacking 'Hiker' minifigure in a set of minifigures released by Lego in 2017

Trail talk: The Thames Path- Shillingford/Warborough to Goring

Shillingford/Warborough to Goring, 12.5 miles (20km) The day started hot. […]

‹ Newer 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Older ›