Getting Prepared

[Fishtales]

Well the season has started and time to think about my week in the hills somewhere. It is time to check all the gear and make sure nothing has deteriorated over the winter In the process I reread an old book I have in my Kindle, Smart Backpacking After 50, which sets out most of what I have done myself over the years. It is worth a read even for those younger than 50

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Smarter-Backpacking-after-trekker-fitness-ebook/dp/B008CMW83U

[Wildfisher]

make sure nothing has deteriorated over the winter

I wonder how much I have deteriorated over the past few winters Sandy   

Out on the hills tomorrow so I'm about to find out!   

[Fishtales]

I wonder how much I have deteriorated over the past few winters Sandy   

Out on the hills tomorrow so I'm about to find out!   

I'm not too bad Fred.

Walking three days a week to school and back which is usually 1.5 Miles up to 5 Miles occasionally depending on weather and how I feel and not carrying anything

I am still doing the weights too. Twenty Kilo rucksack; 10 lifts from mid thigh, bending my knees slightly, lift to shoulder using just my arms and then slow lower keeping my back and legs straight and tightening my stomach muscles; !5, or if I feel like it 20, squats onto my toes with it on my back; 15 to 20 alternate leg stands and bending the knee slightly and holding for a second or two, as if I was walking on the spot, with the rucksack on my back (this one is good for ankles and balance too).

[Wildfisher]

Have you and George thought about where you are going yet?

[Wildfisher]

In NZ this year I realized just how much older I am compared to last time I was there. Just had my 70th birthday, I was 65 last time. I feel a lot more than 5 years older. 

Point of this is - if you are thinking about doing something then FFS do it while you can. That was my 7th trip to NZ and it was my last. The travelling, the tough going, the long days etc - well I'm just no longer able to take them in my stride.

I can still manage to fish at home no bother, if slower,  so this year I'm going to spend more time at my old haunts. Starting with a season ticket on good old Loch Beanie. Travel is great, it helps you keep things in perspective, but there is no place like home. 

[Fishtales]

Have you and George thought about where you are going yet?

The Scourie angling club lochs are the front runner at the moment. It is a flat walk in and with George's health problems the best bet.

[Fishtales]

In NZ this year I realized just how much older I am compared to last time I was there. Just had my 70th birthday, I was 65 last time. I feel a lot more than 5 years older. 

Point of this is - if you are thinking about doing something then FFS do it while you can. That was my 7th trip to NZ and it was my last. The travelling, the tough going, the long days etc - well I'm just no longer able to take them in my stride.

I can still manage to fish at home no bother, if slower,  so this year I'm going to spend more time at my old haunts. Starting with a season ticket on good old Loch Beanie. Travel is great, it helps you keep things in perspective, but there is no place like home. 

It is a mind thing too. I am off to Tenerife with the family, ten of us, for our golden wedding for two weeks and I am looking forward to it

[arawa]

It is a mind thing too. I am off to Tenerife with the family, ten of us, for our golden wedding for two weeks and I am looking forward to it

Congratulations. It is our Golden Wedding Anniversary this year too. We thought of a celebration inviting the guests from our wedding. Strangely, there are not many left

[Fishtales]

Congratulations. It is our Golden Wedding Anniversary this year too. We thought of a celebration inviting the guests from our wedding. Strangely, there are not many left

Same here

[Bobfly]

We went off for a Japan tour four years ago for our 50th. Had a great time on that but a few years before there was a school year reunion and that had quite a large and sobering "departed" panel of young photos taken back in the mid sixties.