A great little town for relaxing with a castle and quaint wooden streets full of local crafts and produce. There's also a great covered market with some excellent food and old arcade machines. I really enjoyed it here - it was nice to get away from the bigger cities.
Tag: photos
Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park, Nagano; Japan
My friend is a primate keeper and really wanted to go and see the Snow Monkeys (Macaca fuscata) and who was I to argue? Monkeys are amazing after all. We spent a long time amongst them watching them knock about, feed, fight and play. They are endlessly fascinating. There was a brief moment when I thought one … Continue reading Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park, Nagano; Japan
Trains and Tracks, Japan
Okay - doesn't sound exciting, but one of the highlights of a trip to Japan is using the transport. I've travelled in Japan from Nagasaki in the south to Rishiri in the North and always enjoy the journey. The Shinkansen are ,of course, great and they were the only place I was sleeping properly last … Continue reading Trains and Tracks, Japan
Rishiri Island, Hokkaido; Japan
This is a small island off the North West of Hokkaido. My friend and I rented mountain bikes and cycled round the island (Roughly 50 miles or so I think) and I also cycled up a HEP service track until it turned into boulders which my non elite skills didn't allow me to surpass. It's … Continue reading Rishiri Island, Hokkaido; Japan
Kamikawa & Kurodake, Hokkaido; Japan
Well, it's taking me a long time to get round to posting photos, but better late than never! Kamikawa is very small and fraying at the edges with lots of abandoned hotels around. However, it's a stunning valley reminding me of Yosemite Valley. Beaten back from the last few metres of Kurodake due to very … Continue reading Kamikawa & Kurodake, Hokkaido; Japan
The Cape Wrath Trail, North West Scotland; July 2015
“It’s at this point I learnt that the CWT is the Buckaroo of long Distance Paths; you know for sure that the path is going to turn to a boggy, hellish quagmire – you just don’t know when!” Route Unfortunately there was not enough time to cover the entire trail as we only had 7 … Continue reading The Cape Wrath Trail, North West Scotland; July 2015
A Hike Across the Peak District from Sheffield to the Buxton Brewery Tap!
Well I'm a bit behind here as I was busy preparing for and then walking along the Cape Wrath Trail (that's coming) and thought I better put a quick post up about this walk I did the week before Scotland. The walk crossed the park from Sheffield, across the Mam Tor Ridge and eventually Buxton … Continue reading A Hike Across the Peak District from Sheffield to the Buxton Brewery Tap!
A Couple of Days in the Northern Pennines
Each year we try and fit in a trip to Greg's Hut which is on the Pennine Way just off the summit of Cross Fell. It's one of very few bothies in England and a nice alternate to putting a tent up after walking all day! Wee disclaimer: If you plan on walking this route, … Continue reading A Couple of Days in the Northern Pennines
Blencathra & Skiddaw in VERY high Winds , Lake District.
After having food poisoning last week and being in a pretty bad way I wanted to do something after to start to feel human again. I was keen to go with Mike, Ross and Dean to the Lakes as I had missed out on the Peaks earlier this year due to flu. So a nice … Continue reading Blencathra & Skiddaw in VERY high Winds , Lake District.
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is probably the most known town after Tokyo in Japan and known for it's temples. These are scattered over the city and if you insist on seeing every temple you would take days and days over it and, unless you are a real enthusiast, you are going to get sick of looking at them - even … Continue reading Kyoto, Japan
Mark's Hikes & Travels 