Comments on: The Sierra Nevada: Two Peaks, Two Countries

By: andywham

andywham — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 14:36:21 +0000

I know a few routes, it’s true, but you have covered some ground I’ve never been on so I’m sure you could show me a few new places. ;-)

A beer in the Sierra… now you’re talking!

By: McEff

McEff — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 14:17:41 +0000

Hiya Andy. Good to hear from you. I bought your guidebook for my first visit to the Sierra Nevada and have used it on every subsequent occasion. You must really know your way about up there because those mountains are big and some of the walks long and arduous.
I think I’ve mentioned your book on several posts, so perhaps it has helped to shift one or two copies for you. I hope so because I know a great deal of time and effort goes into compiling a guidebook like that.
Pass on my regards to Andrea. And if you do decide to move out to Spain, and we decide to move too, we’ll have to meet up for a beer sometime.
Cheers, Alen

By: andywham

andywham — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 12:41:38 +0000

Hi Alen,

Fantastic post about Baja Montana! Those excellent photo’s really took me back there and I enjoyed the story (especially the rant) immensely.

I’m the Andy Walmsley who wrote the Sierra Nevada guidebook you mention so thanks for your kind comments and glad you beat the “guidebook time” for the ascent of Cerro del Mirador. :-)

Spain is indeed a wondrous place and now I’m in my fifties I too am thinking (not for the first time) “I could live there”.

I only discovered your blog thanks to my daughter Andrea, who sent me a link to it after she stumbled upon it whilst surfing the ‘net “dreaming of Spain”. I’m glad she did.

Salud!

Andy W

By: McEff

McEff — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 16:58:03 +0000

Blimey. I didn’t know that. At least neither of them spoils a couple, as the saying goes. Talk about all the bad apples in one barrel.

By: Scotlands Mountains

Scotlands Mountains — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 16:50:58 +0000

On the subject of Ms.Price Alen it would seem she hasn`t learned her lesson.After the disaster of her previous relationship with Mr.Huhne it would appear that her current squeeze is about to leave her for an extended spell in HMP.Step forward the expense fiddler Mr.Denis MacShane :)

By: McEff

McEff — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 11:25:07 +0000

Hi Chris. Thanks for that. We appear to be living in times when society is becoming increasingly polarised, where in order to succeed you have to be a member of the elite or a ruthless, power-hungry individual. Compassion and integrity are regarded as weaknesses by the ones who pull the strings. Anyway, it’s nearly Christmas.
All the best, Alen

By: Chris Lamb

Chris Lamb — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 21:36:22 +0000

Alen, your images and passion for the environment are a real pleasure. This is made more poignant by your obvious and understandable anxiety. I am usually very optimistic, too. Recently, however, I am shocked at how terribly those made unemployed or who are less able to cope are being marginalised and denigrated. Best wishes, Alen. If decency and integrity were rewarded you’d be fine. Sadly, mate, the opposite seems to be the case far too often.

By: McEff

McEff — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 23:03:19 +0000

Thanks Mark. I appreciate that. I too have been made redundant before. So if it happens again I shall make the most of every opportunity.
Cheers, Alen

By: markswalkingblog

markswalkingblog — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 22:55:32 +0000

Hi Alen, I am really sorry to hear that. I have been there before and I hope that does not happen to you. I would not wish that on anyone. But you know that actually turned out to be the best thing that happened to me, although it didn’t feel like that at the time. A mortgage and year old son at the time really focuses your mind to find another job and this lead ultimately to me with two other colleagues buying the business I got the job in, but I guess that probably is something that most people in your situation don’t want to hear!
You have a real skill in writing and observation and I am sure that will hold you in good stead.
All the best
Mark

By: McEff

McEff — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 21:44:26 +0000

Hiya Mark. Thanks for your comment. It’s always healthy for democracy to get an alternative view on these things. At least in Spain you can be miserable in the sunshine.
What lies at the bottom of my grumbles in this post, and which I haven’t mentioned up to now, is that I’m expecting to be made redundant in the near future, so perhaps that has coloured my view of things. But that will be for another post.
Cheers, Alen

By: markswalkingblog

markswalkingblog — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 20:55:05 +0000

Alen, some nice photographs of a area I had not visited for many years. It is always nice to get away to try and hang on to the warmth as long as possible. While I would agree there are issues with Britain and there has been for years, not just the last few, I find it difficult to align your picture with what I see. I still see much good in the country and I travel regularly the length and breadth of the UK. It ain’t that great in Spain 26% unemployment and 56% youth unemployment and a economy in a real mess.
Sorry, I don’t normally comment on politics on blogs, but I’m naturally optimistic and don’t feel that our country is going down the toilet so to speak. Don’t believe everything you read in the papers or on the news :)

By: McEff

McEff — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 21:44:50 +0000

Greg, you always make me laugh. I thought about you the other day when I drove through Tebay in low cloud, dodging the traffic cones on the M6. Bloody things, they’ve been there for ages ??? just like the Tories.
I’m still smiling at you dancing to Nutbush City Limits. There should be a mandatory Top 20 of songs that must be played at weddings for people in their fifties.
Hang on to that camper van dream.
Cheers, Alen