A mini post-hexmas blog for you this week, and only to bring you seasons greetings and some whimsical taxidermy discovered earlier today at Lickey Hills Country Park visitor centre.

Wishing you all the very best for this season and for the new year.

​This week I have mostly been contracting plague. Not contracting to clean my windows, you understand, in more of a *I am dying of dis-ease* kind of way.

In other words I have a cold.

To commemorate the timing of this auspicious occasion, I have today composed an ode in its honour. Please read on for my Ode to the UnCommon Cold.
​
Another flipping cold, I've got,
And now my lungs are full of snot.
I've used my hankies, tissues and more;
Even emptied out my knicker drawer
I'm coughing, sneezing, making noise,
Spreading germs to girls and boys.
Santa will get such a fright,
When he arrives on Xmas night,
To see the moaning, snotty dears,
With dripping noses and snotty cheers.
And that's why Rudolph's nose is glowing,
From all the time he's spent nose-blowing.
So walk by me, and hold your breath,
Lest you inhale my germs of death...

(well, they feel pretty deathly, anyway).

Happy hexmas, all. Stay germ-free!

A short but photo heavy blog this week, following a recent break to the Brecon Beacons in South Wales. Wales in December is always likely to be damp, and on this occasion it did not disappoint. Precipitation aside, the village of Talybont on Usk has a canal, two rivers, and if that wasn't enough, it boasts the largest still water reservoir in the Brecons. The area surrounding is a classic glaciated 'hanging valley', into which a large number of waterfalls cascade.

The abundant bracken lent some autumn colour to the grey day. The surrounding hills lay wreathed in mist and cloud, and everywhere, the water ran. A mysterious carved stone sits near the largest of the falls. Who placed it there, and why?

Later in the day the canals, man-made transport links, beckoned. They were flat and still and disturbed only by the steady patter of the falling rain, a stark contrast to the natural falls. Water, above, beside and beneath, yet not a drop to drink.

Fortunately the local pub had cider. Cheers! ​  

You  may or may not be aware that the GASP radio show on Midlands Metalheads had a special event on Saturday last. A walking themed show, where we played songs about walking (ahem), and occasionally about running. They were very good songs but that wasn't the only reason we played them. It was also to raise awareness of the charity Narcolepsy UK, and a charity event they are holding in January.

Narcolepsy affects the brain's ability to properly regulate sleeping and waking. Sufferers can experience disturbed night time sleep, excessive sleepiness in the daytime, and cataplexy - sudden muscular weakness. There are an estimated 30,000 people with narcolepsy in the UK, though it is believed that many of those are undiagnosed.
Narcolepsy UK aims to support people with Narcolepsy and their families. In January, the charity is holding an event to raise funds and awareness - 30 Walks in 30 days (you get New Year's Day off!). To find out how to take part, visit the events page on the charity's website.

And if you want music to walk to - the GASP radio walking special is now available for you to listen to as a podcast on the Midlands Metalheads website. That's right - three whole hours of walking inspired songs, plus info about the charity event as well! Happy feet? I should coco!