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Lockerbrook Farm and the memorial to Tip the loyal collie on Howden Moor

Here is the story of Tip the dog, who stayed for 104 days with the frozen corpse of her master on the hills above the Derwent Dams. Joseph Tagg, the shepherd who got caught out on the moors, used to stay occasionally in a lean-to at the end of the old barn on Lockerbrook Farm. The barn was demolished in the 1970s, but last month one of Lockerbrook’s volunteers rescued a little stone drinking trough and returned it to Lockerbrook to mark the 65th anniversary of the discovery Tip alive and by her masters side. If you bring a group to stay at Lockerbrook Outdoor Centre you can visit Tips grave and sleep in a room named after the loyal collie.

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Tip, the brave little collie, and her 15 week vigil, on bleak Howden Moor

Summits in Shropshire.

I’m in my sixtieth year and am planning on climbing 60 summits to celebrate. There are no criteria about height, and I can do more than one in a day. It’s half way through the year and I’ve knocked off 50! Last weekend a small window of opportunity opened up to escape to Shropshire for a couple of days and I jumped at it.

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Running Long Mynd from All Stretton Bunkhouse

Exploring Old Banffshire

I travel with a group of lovely girls on our “expeditions” to see Scotland’s garden and landscapes. The Sailloft at Portsoy is a good as a base for exploring old Banffshire and Aberdeenshire.

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Pennan in Banffshire

The Lonely Tree of Llanfyllin

A story of a local landmark and the attempt to save it.  The Lonely Tree was an iconic part of the community and the fact it was horizontal was not stopping anyone!  It was entered into the competition to be Welsh Tree of the Year in the October after it blew over, and won! Then in 2015 it was entered into the European Tree of the year competition.  This is a story of community endeavour, tenacity and wishful thinking.   It only needs a Hollywood ending to finish the tale.  

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Llanfyllin lonely tree sign close to llanfyllin Workhouse Bunkhouse

Farewell to Jaffa

Our many readers who have enjoyed reading about Alex and Jaffa’s adventures while testing out various of our dog friendly hostels will be saddened to learn that Jaffa is no longer at Alex’s side.

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Jaffa while staying at Star Bunkhouse Bwlch on the Beacons Way, Wales

Arnside Knott and Yealand Old School

Arriving back at Arnside Hostel all the village lights are on which is serenely picturesque and both comforting and charming in equal measure. The sun has disappeared into the sea for another day.

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Carnforth Station while staying at Arnside Hostel

Cycling on the Kintyre Peninsular and Arran

We make it to the ferry port just as the ferry is docking, we cycle onto it, lock up the bikes, and head into the passenger cabin to eat lunch! We were on the ferry from the tip of the Kintyre Peninsula to Lochranza on Arran.  After 30 minutes of eating, we cycle onto Arran for the next stage of the journey with our tanks refueled.

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cycling on the Kintyre to the arran ferry from campbeltown

The Bob Graham Round for Walkers.

For years I’d heard talk of the Bob Graham Round, and I was intrigued by it. I knew that it was impossible for me to travel 66 miles and climb 42 peaks (27,000 ft of ascent) in 24 hours. So I decided to do it my way, take it much slower and stay overnight in hostels along the way.

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A summit on the Bob Graham Round

Yorkshire Three Peaks Fell Race

Ever since I started fell running almost exactly 3 years ago it had been an ambition of mine to run the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Fell Race – the ‘Marathon in the Mountains’ and the blue-riband event of the fell running calendar. The races takes on three highest mountains in Yorkshire – Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough over 23.3miles and over 1600m of ascent, quite a daunting prospect!

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Yorkshire Three Peaks Fell Race

Highlands and Islands of Scotland: Hints & Tips for Travellers

The highlands and islands of Scotland are most beautiful. The scenery is magnificent. The fresh air is plentiful and bracing. The islands are isolated and amazing and the hills and mountains are out of this world. Here are some tips and advice to help you make the most of your time in this wonderful country.

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Gower Peninsula, Beaches and Castles

The Gower Peninsula juts out of the south Wales coastline, westwards from Swansea. It was the very first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is well know for the many beaches along its coastline. I have also discovered a handful of glorious castles , much less well known, but brilliantly adapted for visitors. This combination of good facilities and emptiness make these castles feel like a personal discovery, set as they are in atmospheric rural locations.

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Rhossili Bunkhouse Gower Beaches

Fresh air holiday on the Isle of Mull

An opportunity for me and my family to spend five super days on a fresh air holiday on Mull, which is fast becoming my favourite island. We did see Eagles on three separate occasions but sadly, look as we did, the shy elusive otters evaded our attention. What better reason to come back.

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famous tobermory Cat Isle of Mull

Geocaching at Kettlewell

Yorkshire like a good deal of the countryside has plenty of caches to find. Kettlewell and the surrounding area is no different having plenty to crack on with.

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Above kettlewell

Holy Island of Lindisfarne

On a summer holiday in Northumberland we were staying in Seahouses and had taken our bikes across the causeway to Holy Island. The tide was coming in but the romance of the island was luring us to stay longer.

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Lindisfarne Causeway by bike

Falmouth Hostel Holiday (now closed)

I plan on spending around 6/7 days on my Falmouth Hostel holiday (closed Nov 2023). My intention is to explore this area of the Cornish Riviera by walking, assisted by various train journeys where and whenever required. My base is Falmouth Backpackers Hostel five minutes stroll from the town’s rail station.

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boats in the river harbour viewed on a Falmouth hostel holiday

North Norfolk Coast in a self catering bunkhouse

The North Norfolk Coast belongs to the sky. It is filled with coastal wildlife, salt mashes and picaresque villages with ancient roots. There are stunning seascapes, seaside towns and not much evidence of the hurley burly of modern life. That is why Deepdale is such a useful find, unusual in rural North Norfolk, there is tourist information, shopping with great food available, camping and hostel accommodation all in the authentic relaxed village of Deepdale.

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Deepdale Granary