THE HUNTSMAN

Shot off to Scotland in March to climb the mighty Liathach.

Went on the train from Inverness to Achnashellach and hiked about 27km over the hills to the base of the mighty mountain. Usual 4 seasons in a day Scottish weather. Was stunning and lots of stags and amazing bird life. Camped out at the base of the mountain ready for climbing the next day.

Day of the climb ... the weather started well. Sunny spells and drizzle. The higher I climbed the worse things got. It was a hard slog with a pack but stunning views and fun to scramble around the rocks.

The longest trail of my life, over 3000KM, the TA, the Te Araroa trail covers both islands of New Zealand. I started at the top of the north Island and finished at the foot of the south island. ...was the most amazing experience of my life. So many incredible days. It took nearly five months and I never grew bored. Thanks New Zealand, what an amazing place! Details here.  

Officially opened in 2015, the Affric Kintail Way runs from Drumnadrochit on the shores of Loch Ness, to Morvich in Kintail, near the west Highlands seaboard. The start point enables it to be linked to the Great Glen Way and through that to much of Scotland's long distance footpath network. The end point at Morvich enables a link with the much more challenging and serious Cape Wrath Trail.

The route initially runs through forestry high above Glen Urquhart before reaching the village of Cannich in Strathglass. This is the gateway to what many regard as Scotland's most beautiful glen - Glen Affric. The route continues right up Glen Affric, through magnificent pinewoods and past stunning lochs, and then on up through the very wild and remote upper reaches of the glen, with the chance to stay overnight in Scotland's remotest youth hostel. Finally the route climbs over the main watershed before descending through the dramatic mountainous landscapes of Kintail.

It was a fantastic winter trip, just what I needed to get my head out of the editing process for a few days! Edie was all the better for it!

I love the German capital. It’s one of my favourite places in the world. So I nipped away from Doha’s heat to spend a long weekend there. I possibly spent too long at the Christmas markets drinking Glühwein - but it was magical,cold and wonderful. Went to the German historical museum which I have been to so many times. Always like to see a bit of Bismarck! I can never tell what I think about this towering stateman of 19th century Europe. Sometimes he’s an athoritarian Prussian keeping iron rule over the newly united Germany. Other times I think he is one of the greatest statesmen in the history of Europe, a man that help kept the peace in Europe in a way the Kaiser Wilhelm 2nd failed to do. Love him or loath him, he was a fasinating man. He always thought he was the most intelligent man in the room … and he unquestionably always was! (if you’re interested in Bismarck then you should read Jonathan Steinberg’s excellent biography of him. If that’s just too much work, have a listen to Neil McGregor’s excellent 15 minute program about the man from his series Germany Memories on a Nation on BBC Radio 4.