Macedonia

 I finally got to Macedonia! When we were driving through here back in 2014 we had to miss off both Macedonia and Kosovo as we would have had to pay 100€ total to drive through. So we decided to miss out both countries and drive down through Albania - which required a 50€ insurance fee anyway. I had a week off work so had a quick look online to find a return flight for 40£ I thought it would be rude not to.

Arriving at my hostel I met fellow travelers; Stefan a guy from Belgium who had rode here all the way on an electric pedal start bike. Rba who had been traveling for the past two years via hitchhiking, couch surfing and wild camping. We were soon joined by a Colombian called Hernando who was having a few months off to travel the Balkans.

 After wandering around the town center where statues are everywhere we headed to the little fortress which sat within walking distance. It is also known as Kale Fortress and was built in the 6th century using limestone. We found a discrete way in and also found someones backpack which I'm guessing they didn't want to lug around all day. After going in the wrong way we realised that you didn't have to pay anyway - or at least when we walked out the exit no one was sitting in the security booth.

 

Dinner is served

The next day we decided to get the bus to Matka canyon which was stunning! It didn't take long and the weather was perfect. We walked along the right hand side of the lake as far as the walkway let us. We didn't know what to expect but kept on walking anyway. We slipped over the barrier but the path eventually became unwalkable.

So much rubbish...

So so cold...

Realising that there were only two buses back to Skopje, one leaving in 10 minutes and another in 2 hours we began to run. I haven't sprinted like that in since an urbex gone wrong. People move out our way and watched as we dashed by. I'm red faced by the time we reach the bus stop and the bus has already left. We wanted a drink so went in search of a bar but ended up at a chilling spot for local kayakers. It also happened to be the home of a musician of a band called Karamela who was also an artist. We drank and listened to their music and were rode home with a police man friend of the musician. He spoke of his brief trip to the UK to understand how we do things and also what he saw whilst in Greece and the incoming of refugees. It was refreshing to hear his point of view.

Our last meal together was hot dogs and fried vegetables. Tomorrow we'd be going on our separate ways; Stefan back home - he was going to leave his bike here, Rba was hitching to Sofia, Hernando was continuing his tour of the Balkans and I was going to get the bus to Pristina.

3 days in the Peak District

My days-off were mid week and I'd gained a lieu day so with my 3 days off I decided to head to the Peak District. Finishing work at 22:30 I drove to the Lady Bower Reservoir arriving there at 1 am and rolled out my sleeping bag on the dam. It was a semi peaceful sleep once I got use to the water lapping up against the dam and eventually fell asleep.

Waking early I walked to the visitor centre nearby and brushed my teeth at the toilet block before heading to Stanage Edge - climbers paradise.

 

I headed out in a little circular route before returning back to Stanage Edge and then down in

Hathersage for some supplies.

 

 View from my cave room

 

 Robin-hoods Cave

I was the only person staying the night and it was bliss. I perched out before bed and took a few photos whilst enjoying the view from my private spot. Lights flickered from Hathersage and Hope in the distance. I could see a the cement factory, its red lights blinking. A low mist rolled in and swirled around submerging the whole village apart from the white industrial site. It looked like a castle.

I slept amazingly well snuggled down my sleeping and bivvy bag. There had been a slight wind outside but inside the cave I was sheltered.

Next I headed over to Hope and retraced my steps to a walk I did back in 2009.

I wild camped opposite Win hill and enjoyed the sun set. It was set to rain but thankfully didn't as I only had my bivvy. The sky for the most part was clear and starry - luckily.

Malham Tarn Wild Camp

So one evening I decided to wild camp above Malham Tarn in the Yorkshire Dales. I'd normally just cowboy camp but with the weather forecast to be pretty dismal I took my tent as well.
The rain wasn't due to hit until 18:00 so I set off an hour before to get set up. I'd spotted this location whilst out on a bimble with a friend so thought why not.

The clouds looked pretty foreboding as low mist hung in the air. I ascended the craggy hill which caused my feet to get soaked from the long grass. Pitching my tent on a flattish ledge over looking the tarn I relaxed bare footed. I chilled watching the white fog come and go over the water.
Birds called out randomly as the evening rolled in. I retreated to my tent as a layer of damp was beginning to cling to everything. I read for a bit - Eat Pray Love before falling into a nap. I woke at 22:30 to sound of rain falling. It fell for a good hour as I lay nice and dry completely content. Next came the wind which kept me up striking at my tent from all sides.

This was not as peaceful and I lay awake for the next hour trying to pretend my tent wasn't bending  in. Time passed over and soon did the storm. Poking my head out I was amazed to find that the fog and clouds had lifted to reveal a crescent moon shinning down over the glacial lake. I gazed out for long time and enjoyed the celestial beauty of the old hunting grounds.