Well hello
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This all feels rather like 1989 when as a fresher we introduced ourselves to each other on the basis of which A 'levels we'd taken. So that tells you for a start that I was either a child prodigy or that I am almost 50...
I've been backpacking since I was 13 and started to enjoy it when I was 16 and because of that transition have continued until this day. When I married I spent my time cycle touring rather than backpacking and enjoyed the journeys and did not miss the sore shoulders. Back then it seemed a struggle to get my kit down to 20 kg. Time has passed, technology has improved, experience has been gained and Mrs W went cold on cycle touring a few years back so I returned to my first love of hill walking with a tent and found that my kit need now only weigh 8.5-10.0 kg. Being fortunate to live on the edge of the Forest of Bowland I thought I'd have a go a wild camping (something I did in my youth simply because of cost) and I've become hooked. I suspect I am preaching to the choir.
I think I've now walked every path within the Forest of Bowland and visited each peak that is more than just an elevated bog. I am thus hoping this forum will be the place for inspiration for new multi-day walks as I head further from home. I've found 2-5 days works well for me, weekends away in the hills are a real treat and I'm indebted to Alastair Humphreys for opening my mind to the value of just nipping for a couple of days. When I return home I enjoy writing up my micro adventures as a way to relive the experience and share inspiration with others. When I've passed the initiation ritual of this forum I'd love to share some links to save lots of cutting and pasting. In the meantime searching for westonfront + wordpress, should that be of interest, will give you more of an idea of my exploits.
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Finally, I'm looking for a proof reader for an article I've drafted on lightweight tent design, what I hope is a compressive summary of design principles, pro's and con's. Perhaps this forum could be the ideal place to get feedback before I publish to the world?
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Will