Well hello one and all and a very belated Happy New Year to each and every one of you me hearties. Please excuse my tardiness in not keeping up with my postings but what with the festive spirit (yes I filtered and consumed most of the sloe gin!), working every hour I could over the ‘holiday’ (this bit through gritted teeth and with clenched fists, hard to type like this you know!), to claw back some money from my tight fisted employers who believe that operations and recovery time do not require paying for, especially just before Christmas, and getting some suburban walks in to raise my now extremely poor fitness level I’ve been a tad busy to say the least.
Looking back over my first tentative months of blogging I’ve really enjoyed myself and it has been a pleasure to meet (in a tippty tappty keyboard sort of way) so many like minded people. I don’t usually like singling out specific people as all of you add warmth, knowledge and a sense of belonging but I’d just like to thank Albert Rasch, Hubert Hubert, Wandering Owl, Mel, Wolfy, Le Loup, SBW, Gabe, Kari, Emily, T.Micheal, Dan, and Amber for their support, encouragement and great blogs which I hope one day to be equal to for the wealth of life, amusement and knowledge that they bring.
As for what good old saint Nick brought me two items stood out head and shoulders above the rest (and no it wasn’t the socks), firstly is the my new “stealth” coat by Jack Pyke and bought for me by my beloved Clare (oh she knows me so well) and secondly was the .177 Diana mod 52 air rifle bought with me crimbo money, needs an overhaul but me thinks it’s going to be a very good 'stationary' rifle.
Enough of that, tis time to be looking forward to the year ahead in what (I really do hope) will be full and rude health. As seems to be the custom I’ve compiled a short list of what will be attainable (we’ll see!) goals for the forthcoming year:-
Walk; - At least 15 ‘day’ walks at a minimum distance of 15 miles, with at least 5 different routes used, and at least 5 ‘night’ walks at a minimum distance of 5 miles, with at least 3 different routes used
Climb; - Cadair Idris, Snowdon, Ben Nevis and a minimum of 5 other peaks over 3000 feet.
Fish for and catch; - Carp (10lb plus), Perch (2lb plus), Pike (5lb plus), Wild brown Trout (1lb plus), Bass (3lb plus), Tope (10lb plus), Mullet (3lb plus), Conger eel (5lb plus), Wrasse (2lb plus)
Photograph;- Buzzard, Red Kite, Merlin, Any British owl, Fox, Badger, Stoat, Weasel, Hare, Door Mouse, Coastal whale or dolphin, Any British reptile, Any British bat, Grey seal, Dragonfly, Golden Eagle, Otter, and Red deer.
Clear all debt (excluding mortgage) by the month of September, 2010.
Sail in a race single handed without coming last!
Enjoy wild camping in Scotland.
Kite buggy with Jim.
Embark on a survival course.
Three long breaks away with Clare;- Scotland, The Mumbles and the New Forest being preferred locations.
Navigate (properly) using only a map and compass.
Learn to sing fully the welsh national anthem
Ok so it’s a small list (ish) but it should keep me going this year at least. Of course there will be changes and additions as time, money and circumstance change throughout the year but without targets or dreams then what do you have to aim at? So that’s about it for now, I really hope that the New Year brings you all that you desire and that you all stay healthy and safe ‘out there’. Till the next time……
17 comments:
Glad to see you're back John!
Looking forward to seeing pictures of all those fish you catch, critters you see, and hearing about all the adventures that go with.
Happy New Year to you! May it be the best yet.
Hey Keri, Thanks for the comment, hope that your year is the best yet.
May this New Year bring within reach, all of the items named upon your wish list John!
And I am with you on the visit to Scotland, hope to look up some "o" me distant relatives there.
I hear that the Riddle's are of the Highland persuasion?
And the Scotch/Irish & Native American blood in my veins all combined might explain my need to be way up high on a mountain top!
A very worthy list John & wish you all the luck in completing it.
If you can't clear all your debts and have to leave the country, I have a spare house here you are welcome to use.
Regards, Le Loup.
Happy New Year to you, John! We've all enjoyed your musings here. Good luck you on your list!
-Emily
Looks like Santa was good to you. Best of luck with everything on your list! Hope you have a great 2010!
appreciate the mention and I love the monte carlo stock on that air rifle. gives it a classic look. I can see Peter Capstick holding it while Stalking some small rodent in his later years in Florida. And if you get half that list done this year I will personally submit your name for review by the Nobel prize committee. Your pal the Envirocapitalist.
That is quite an impressive list of goals. You will be a busy man, my friend, working on accomplishing them all. 2010 will be a fine year for you to reach for your goals. By the way, thanks for the mention in your post. I have enjoyed getting to know you through your blog.
Murphy - good to see you back. I like the looks of that Diana.
You say your "to-do" list is smallish - I'm just hoping I can walk to the car and not hurt myself this year!!
I look forward to reading your missives about your wanderings, and anxiously await a photo of a trophy conger eel from you!!
All the best in 2010
Wolfy
Great list - good luck with it all.
After the way I've mouthed off in recent years (and then failed miserably) I'm keeping Shtum.
SBW
Native – it does seem to be in my the blood, the constant urge and need to be a part of the out doors, thanks for taking the time to drop by.
Le Loup – now that would be a dream move for Clare and me! Any room for that fiend, Lucy, the bog monster? As always your comments are appreciated my good man, thanks for dropping by.
Emily – Thank you for dropping by and your kind words.
Bill – Cheers my man, and the same good wishes to you.
R. Gabe – get ready to notify the committee, I’m on a mission!
Mel – Always a pleasure hearing from you, and like wise getting to know you.
Wolfy – you want photos as well!! Ok I’ll do my very best, take care getting in that car!
SBW – cheers for the comment, you could post a little list my man.
Providing she can be trained not to chase the wildlife away, or chase stock & our chooks, not a problem.
Le Loup.
Le Loup, Consider her trained (er would that be Clare or the bog monster?)
John
I just knew you were going to say that!
Le Loup.
Ah my good man did i not mention that predictable is my middle name?
John
Looks like a long list to me. I'll settle for not freezing today. Like the looks of the air rifle, been wanting one myself. I wanna see some pics of those fish. Good luck and a Happy New ear.
thanks for the kind words. I also am saved by the spell check, though it has made me a very poor speller naturally.
r.
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