Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

And

Season's Greetings

Marc

Quick Review: Outdoors Grub

The reviews I have done this year of de-hydrated and freeze dried meals have been purchased from one retailer. I had been reluctant to mention a specific retailer, but an experience this week has changed my mind.

http://www.forgottentracks.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Meal%20Reviews

I have some plans for January, on a walking front, as long as the weather complies. Part of which is testing some water heating systems. So to make the project more interesting I thought I would purchase some nice freeze dried meals. I placed the order with Outdoors Grub on Friday 21st December with hopes that the packs would arrive maybe late next week. The website warned that no meal order would arrive before Christmas. What a shock when my order arrived this morning, Saturday 22nd December.

I'm not saying they will always deliver the next day, but I have to say the service from Outdoors Grub is always very swift. I have no connection to their company, but I think it's worth pointing out reliable retailers that are internet based. It's good to know that when you click on that 'Confirm Order' icon that you haven't just thrown you're money away on an unreliable retailer.

http://outdoorsgrub.co.uk/products.php

Hydration Bladder Longterm Review Part 2: Osprey Hydroform

Osprey, an American Backpack producer make, in my mind, some of the best quality backpacks around. Their build quality is high, for me, pretty comfortable and generally quite light considering the features. Their only downfall for me is their sometimes overly busy exterior and overly long straps. One can be easily solved, the other not so.

Osprey also make backpack accessories, you may have seen my AddOns review a while ago. Unlike many backpack manufacturers, Osprey also have a hydration bladder in their range, the Hydroform. This breaks the Osprey mould in a few ways which I will cover in my review.

Pendle Hill: Views not to be Missed.

Pendle Hill in Lancashire may well be associated by many with the Pendle witch trials. They occurred in 1612 with 16 men and women being committed to trial. More information can be found here http://www.pendlewitches.co.uk/.

For me, it was less about the witches and more about the hill. I have not walked anywhere in Lancashire for a long, long time. Pendle Hill looked like it might make for a nice walk, so I headed up there last weekend to find out for myself.