Helen Rose Outdoor Diary: Kilpatricks. January 2021

Happy New Year! As lockdown continues due to the Covid 19 Virus, I am still keen to do weekly walks as being out in the fresh air is good for the mind and body. This walk in the Kilpatrick Hills, near Glasgow, was with the walking club Glasgow HF outdoors The Kilpatrick Hills are a […]
Read the full article: Helen Rose Outdoor Diary: Kilpatricks. January 2021
Friday, January 1, 2021 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary, Pat's Home Page Blog
Rouken Glen Park. December 2020

Helen Rose Outdoor Diary As the Covid 19 virus continues to affect our communities, we are still restricted in travel and advised not to go far from home. I have another local park to write about just when you thought I had finished parks in and around Glasgow! There are still more to come over […]
Read the full article: Rouken Glen Park. December 2020
Tuesday, December 1, 2020 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary
River Clyde. November 2020

Helen Rose Outdoors – River Clyde The River Clyde is the eighth-longest river in the United Kingdom, and the second-longest in Scotland at 105 miles. Travelling through Glasgow it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire. The Romans called it Ciota and in early medieval Cumbric it was known as […]
Read the full article: River Clyde. November 2020
Saturday, October 31, 2020 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary
Helen Rose’s Outdoor Diary: The Whangie October 2020

The Whangie As lockdown continues due to the Covid 19 virus, it has been fortunate that walking clubs can continue to programme walks as being outdoors in the fresh air is so important during these terrible times including for both mental and physical health. The HF Outdoor Club organised a walk to the Whangie and […]
Read the full article: Helen Rose’s Outdoor Diary: The Whangie October 2020
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary, Pat's Home Page Blog
Helen Rose Outdoors Diary: Dunblane

Dunblane, September, 2020 We are still in lockdown due to Covid 19 virus but the walking club continues to programme walks with limited numbers. We can travel on public transport provided we wear a face covering and the number of people on the bus is limited to allow social distancing. This means I could now […]
Read the full article: Helen Rose Outdoors Diary: Dunblane
Monday, August 31, 2020 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary, Walks
Helen Rose Outdoors: Victoria Park August 2020

Victoria Park Victoria Park is located in the West End of Glasgow and is within walking distance of my house. The Glasgow Parks have been a life saver for me during the Covid 19 virus pandemic lockdown. On Sunday afternoons I have walked around them discovering the historical connections and enjoying the outdoor beauty. The […]
Read the full article: Helen Rose Outdoors: Victoria Park August 2020
Friday, July 31, 2020 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary, Pat's Home Page Blog, Walks
Helen Rose’s Outdoor Diary, Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow. July 2020

Kelvinbridge We continue in lockdown here in Scotland due to the Covid 19 virus but it has given an opportunity to discover the wonderful parks in Glasgow and to write on another of my favourite local parks at Kelvingrove. Glasgow is known as the ‘Dear Green Place’ and the coat of arms of the City […]
Read the full article: Helen Rose’s Outdoor Diary, Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow. July 2020
Tuesday, June 30, 2020 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary, Pat's Home Page Blog
Helen Rose’s Outdoor Diary – Glasgow Botanic Gardens

In the lockdown during the Covid-19 virus, we have been lucky to have a spell of prolonged dry, sunny weather. Very unusual for Scotland and even facing a drought. My friend, who lives in rural Perthshire was concerned that her private water supply was running low. Anyway, I am writing about my visits to the […]
Read the full article: Helen Rose’s Outdoor Diary – Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Monday, June 1, 2020 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary, Pat's Home Page Blog
Helen Rose’s Outdoor Diary: Binghams Pond and Dawsholm Park

We are still in lockdown from Covid 19 virus and I have to limit my walks to local parks in the hour per day we are permitted to exercise. Fortunately we have several parks in Glasgow’s West End. Glasgow is known as the Dear Green Place as it has so many beautiful parks – around […]
Read the full article: Helen Rose’s Outdoor Diary: Binghams Pond and Dawsholm Park
Monday, May 4, 2020 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary, Pat's Home Page Blog
Helen Rose Outdoor Diary Renton to Balloch. April 2020
Covid 19 Virus Lockdown Renton to Balloch is the last walk I did with a small group before the lockdown in Scotland from the Coronavirus pandemic. I travelled by train to Renton to meet the others at Renton Station. The train was empty but I was very careful wearing gloves at all times and avoiding […]
Read the full article: Helen Rose Outdoor Diary Renton to Balloch. April 2020
Thursday, April 9, 2020 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary, Pat's Home Page Blog
Rivers Almond and Avon. March 2020

Helen Rose Outdoor Diary I write this as we are in lockdown in the UK due to the Covid-19 virus pandemic. The walk I am going to describe was done a few weeks before the virus was confirmed in Scotland. Within the next few months or even longer it will be difficult to go anywhere […]
Read the full article: Rivers Almond and Avon. March 2020
Saturday, March 28, 2020 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary, Pat's Home Page Blog
Dunkeld and Birnam, Helen Rose’s Outdoor Diary February 2020

Train from Glasgow Birnam and Dunkeld are twin villages situated north east of Glasgow in Perthshire – 2hours 40 minute train journey from Queen Street Station in Glasgow to Dunkeld and Birnam Station. Although I have been there in the past, I have never really explored the area. However, recently, I had the opportunity to […]
Read the full article: Dunkeld and Birnam, Helen Rose’s Outdoor Diary February 2020
Tuesday, February 4, 2020 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary, Pat's Home Page Blog
Largs and Knock Hill January 2020

Helen Rose Outdoor Diary Largs On a crisp January day I went to Largs with the Bearsden and Milngavie Ramblers to climb the hill above it called Knock Hill. Largs is a town on the Firth of Clyde in North Ayrshire on the west coast of Scotland, about 33 miles from Glasgow. The original name […]
Read the full article: Largs and Knock Hill January 2020
Thursday, January 23, 2020 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary, Pat's Home Page Blog
Helen Rose Outdoor Diary River Seine and Normandy Part 2

River Seine and Normandy Part 2 – December 2019 Following on from the last blog in November on the Seine Cruise, this is part two. Bayeux Tapestry I have always wanted to see the Bayeux Tapestry which is housed in its own Gallery in the little town of Bayeux. In fact, it is not a […]
Read the full article: Helen Rose Outdoor Diary River Seine and Normandy Part 2
Monday, December 2, 2019 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary
River Seine and Normandy Part One. November 2019.

Helen Rose Outdoors Paris by Night There are some places on the River Seine in France I have been keen to see for some time. The best way to include all of them was on a river cruise departing from Paris to Normandy. Fortunately, the boat we were on was small enough to cruise up […]
Read the full article: River Seine and Normandy Part One. November 2019.
Thursday, October 31, 2019 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary
Helen Rose’s Outdoor Diary: Strathpeffer. October 2019
Strathpeffer Spa The Glasgow HF outdoor club organised a weekend of low level walks at Strathpeffer, an enchanting Victorian spa village located only 4 miles from Dingwall in Easter Ross in the north east of Scotland. The spa was based around the Victorian obsession with healing waters but this picturesque village is unlike any other […]
Read the full article: Helen Rose’s Outdoor Diary: Strathpeffer. October 2019
Sunday, September 29, 2019 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary
Helen Rose Outdoor Diary: Languedoc

September 2019 I have been to the Languedoc in France many times on visits but never when it has been so hot. This summer they had several heatwaves or Canicules as they are called there. This part of France is so steeped in history that there are always new places to explore with lovely little […]
Read the full article: Helen Rose Outdoor Diary: Languedoc
Monday, September 2, 2019 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary
Norway, Rondane. August 2019.

Helen Rose Outdoor Diary Venabu We were on a trip to Norway to Venabu which is north of Lillehammer on the edge of the Rondane National Park. We flew to Oslo and took the train direct from the Airport to Lillehammer and then on to Venabu by coach, a total distance of 230 kilometres. We […]
Read the full article: Norway, Rondane. August 2019.
Wednesday, July 31, 2019 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary
Harris. July 2019

Helen Rose Outdoor Diary. Outer Hebrides. The last time I went to Harris was ten years ago and I decided it was my favourite island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Situated on Europe’s Atlantic edge, the Scottish Western Isles of the Outer Hebrides are a diverse chain of inter-connected islands with their own unique […]
Read the full article: Harris. July 2019
Saturday, June 29, 2019 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary
Melrose. June 2019
Helen Rose Outdoors Diary Tweedbank Train. The last time I was in Melrose was many years ago to do St Cuthbert’s Way walking from Melrose to Lindisfarne. Recently, I went with the Glasgow HF Outdoor Club www.meetup.com/Glasgow-HF-Outdoor-Club/ for a walking weekend based in Melrose. We were staying at the very comfortable Waverley Castle Hotel just […]
Read the full article: Melrose. June 2019
Friday, May 31, 2019 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary
Colorado and the Rockies. May 2019

Helen Rose Outdoor Diary Colorado During the Spring break I made a family visit to Colorado. This was my first visit to the environs of Denver which is a ten hour flight from London. I was aware that it was six thousand feet above sea level and there may be a period of acclimatisation. On […]
Read the full article: Colorado and the Rockies. May 2019
Saturday, May 4, 2019 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary, Pat's Home Page Blog
Ben A’an April 2019

Helen Rose Outdoors Diary It is twenty years since I last climbed Ben A’an in the Trossachs. It is a short sharp climb but well worth the effort as there are outstanding views from the top. When I was last there there was a lot of forestation on the lower slopes but this has now […]
Read the full article: Ben A’an April 2019
Sunday, March 31, 2019 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary
Glen Nevis – March 2019

Helen Rose Outdoors Diary Corran It is some years since the HF Walking Club ran a weekend to the Corran Bunkhouse. This year it was decided to revive it as it had been so successful in the past. However, Corran Bunkhouse is a misnomer as it is very upmarket accommodation and does not have any bunks! […]
Read the full article: Glen Nevis – March 2019
Wednesday, March 6, 2019 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary
Danube, Austria. February 2019

Helen Rose Outdoors Diary River Danube Locks The second part of the Danube river cruise was in Austria. Throughout its length the Danube has locks like a canal. In the region of Vienna there is a braided river system on a floodplain and since the 17th century there have been efforts to control the Danube, […]
Read the full article: Danube, Austria. February 2019
Friday, February 1, 2019 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary, Pat's Home Page Blog
The Danube. Hungary and Slovakia. January 2019.

Helen Rose Outdoor Diary River Cruise on the Danube River cruising only gives the traveller a taster particularly of cities and time on shore is limited. However, it is very enjoyable drifting along past settlements and watching people on the banks. The cruise was from Budapest, in the eastern part of the river, to Linz […]
Read the full article: The Danube. Hungary and Slovakia. January 2019.
Friday, January 4, 2019 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary
The Steeple. Lochgoilhead. December 2018

Helen Rose. Outdoor Diary Tempting Fate My last visit to this area was seven years ago when I broke my leg in an accident coming down from a col on the other side of the village. I was concerned at returning to the same area to climb a hill with the same club and with the […]
Read the full article: The Steeple. Lochgoilhead. December 2018
Friday, November 30, 2018 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary, Travel
Berwick on Tweed Again. November 2018.

Helen Rose Outdoors Ramblers Weekend I was last in Berwick on Tweed seven years ago but was limited in walking as it was not long after I had broken my leg. This autumn I went with the Glasgow Ramblers and we had a great weekend with good, sunny and dry weather. It was well organised by […]
Read the full article: Berwick on Tweed Again. November 2018.
Saturday, November 3, 2018 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary
Stormy Dundee. V&A Museum. October 2018.
Helen Rose Outdoors Diary Dundee . I had a family visiting and we decided to go to Dundee and see the new Victoria and Albert Museum and possibly the Discovery ship. The day was particularly stormy but we made it to Dundee in gale force winds and rain. Dundee is a coastal city on the […]
Read the full article: Stormy Dundee. V&A Museum. October 2018.
Monday, October 1, 2018 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary
Algarve. September 2018

Helen Rose Outdoors Algarve The annual holiday of the walking club this year was to the Algarve. I have been to Lisbon and the area north of it but never to the Algarve. The Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region, is known for its Atlantic beaches and golf resorts. Along the southern coastline there are whitewashed fishing […]
Read the full article: Algarve. September 2018
Thursday, September 20, 2018 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary
Annual Munro. Beinn a’Chochuill. August 2018.

Helen Rose Outdoor Diary Munros It’s nearly eleven years since I completed the entire round of Munros in Scotland. These are mountains of more than 3000 feet that Sir Hugh Munro listed in 1891. When I compleated (original spelling!) them, there were 284 as more modern measuring devices have been used since Sir Hugh divided […]
Read the full article: Annual Munro. Beinn a’Chochuill. August 2018.
Saturday, August 4, 2018 | Filed under: Helen Rose Hillwalking Diary
