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What else has Aspect Mountaineering been up to....?
During my time off I spent an awful lot of time exploring the woods, parks, walks and riverside walks in and around Stewarton and the one thing that stood out, was the sheer volume of litter. It was just about everywhere you looked.
I decided to set up a community group Stewarton Against Litter, and do something about the litter within the local area. At first things started small with Aspect donating the first of the litter pickers, high viz vests, reusable bags, gloves and bin liners. Once established the The Groom Room, Stewarton, donated more high viz vests for the larger litter picks that were organised. The Cup and Saucer a local cafe, came onboard to supply the volunteers with hot drinks post litter picks. The group now has the support of East Ayrshire Council and East Ayrshire Vibrant Communities, that donated more litter pickers, an endless supply of bin liners, reusable gloves and arrange collections of the litter that we remove.
So far this community group has cleared the Stewarton Medical Practice grounds of litter and fly-tipped rubbish. The High Street and surrounding areas the heart of Stewarton. The Riverside Walkways, Cunningham Watt Park, Clark's Wynd and Cocklebie Park, including the hedgerows. The play area at Springwell Park, Kilwinning Road, Standalane and the grassed areas surrounding the Rose Reilly Sports Centre. The Railway Station, including both car parks, the rail bridge on Standalane, the rail bridge on Dunlop Road and the viaduct area on Lainshaw Street.
It has a been a great experience and I've met some truly inspirational people along the way. We have been out in all weathers, rain, sleet, snow and gale force winds. Not once has this put any of the volunteers off. We've laughed cried, had our ups and downs. But the main thing is, we have significantly reduced the litter within and surrounding Stewarton.
Andy, 30th April 2023 🙂
Twisted Empire Bakes, JK Church, Senjokai Karate Academy, Stewarton United Ladies, Stewarton United Football Club,
#aspectmountaineering
#stewarton
#thebonnettoun
#ayrshire
#scotland
#litterpicking
#litterfree
#wecandothistogether
#greenspaces
#greenspacesinurbanplaces
You've done a fantastic job xxx
Yass, its good to back! It has been a while since I last posted... So where have I been and what have been doing?
Unfortunately at the end of the season last year, I was very ill. I approached things with the typical "man" response. Ignored it, in the hope things would go away. As I found out the hard way, this was perhaps not the best approach to the problem. In the end I registered with the local medical practice and sought professional help.
I was suffering with serious skin hacks on both hands, which became incredibly painful and very unsightly. Something I tried to hide as I became very self aware of how unsightly it looked. I was also suffering with incredible pains in my joints, chest, I was having difficulties with my breathing and to make matters even worse I developed an inner ear infection not just in one ear, but both.
Following numerous visits to the doctor, it turned out I was suffering with anxiety and stress. The pain I was experiencing in my joints, chest and breathing difficulties was the long-term effects of COVID, although I am not sure when I got it. As I always tested negative. The ear infections were something I suffered from during childhood and it did require surgery, but has never bothered me during adult life until now.
All of these combined left me in a pretty bad way. I decided it was time to take time out and focus on getting myself well physically and mentally. I have spent a lot of time taking things easy. Enjoying the flat I moved into at the beginning of last year. I've spent a lot of time cooking, one of my favourite things and something I really enjoy.
During and after COVID I was not allowed to go home to visit my family due to my Mar being at high risk. By the time I was allowed to visit Mar almost two years had passed since I last saw my Mar in person. Whilst back at home in the Northeast of England I spent a lot of time down on the beach enjoying early morning sunrise walks and evening sunset walks. I even spent sometime re-learning old skills and rebuilt the brakes, both front and back on my car.
I was prescribed anti-biotics and pain killers to help with the aches, pains in my muscles/joints and to ease the pains in my chest. I was given an anti-biotic spray for my ears. It took a little longer than expected for things to clear up, but it has. And I am now physically feeling much better.
During this time, I realised my eyesight was not quite what it should be and I went to get my eyes tested. Something that was long overdue. As it turned out it was not all bad, I now need glasses for reading. I'm not going to lie it took a while to adjust to wearing glasses and using them when I should. But in all honesty, I've come to like them.
Last but not least, during this time I was diagnosed with a hernia. I had suspected it. But like most men, I put off getting it checked out. Fortunately for me the doctor noticed it during an examination. Its not the end of the world, it will certainly not stop me enjoying the things I like, being in the outdoors, climbing and the mountains. The treatments available now are incredible and pretty straight forward. Not sure when I will get the surgery I need to put things right. But lets be honest, there are a lot of folk out there that need surgery more than me.
What now? I am feeling much better physically and mentally. I am going to continue enjoying a more balanced lifestyle. Its no longer going to be work work. I am going to pay more attention to my mental wellbeing and physical wellbeing. Something I have definitely ignored and learnt the hard way. Most importantly, I am looking forward to the summer, coaching climbing and being back in the mountains guiding. 🙂
More to follow, Andy 28th April 2023 🙂
#mensmentalhealth
#menshealthawareness
#hernia
#mentalhealth
#mentalhealthawareness
#mentalhealthmatters
#sunset
#beach
#balance
#balancedlifestyle
Glad you are on the mend Andy, life and age catches up with us sometimes. Take care
Big Hugs mate, you only get the one so your life shouldn’t just be a chore. Keep us updated, right now I’m super busy work wise but if you’ve any nearby crag days I can get onto I’ll do my best cos I’m working on logging some of that stuff. I’ve just done Lowland Leader training this week so getting in my days pre-assessment is more of a focus but I want to log some climbing stuff as well.
Blimey, thanks for sharing Andy and glad to hear you're looking after yourself.
Speedy recovery 🙏🏼
Self care is so important and often neglected. So pleased you managed it. See you soon xx
Wow Andy please take more care of yourself from now on.I have done similar in the past. Broken hip in 2007. I could not rest. Beating my time and others in Time trails was more important . Now since COVID spending time with the people I want to be and relaxing is way more important. Hopefully see you soon 😊
Jeez, you've not had the best of luck. Good to see you're back on the road to recovery. 👍👍
Sorry to hear that but glad you are recovering and managing to deal with things.
Glad to hear you're feeling better Andy. Great to see you back in the hills ❤️
Wow so glad you shared, glad you are on the mend. Looking forward to - albeit slightly terrified - about my June adventures. ⛰️
Good to hear you are back feeling better. Definitely take it easy and look after yourself. Fab pics 👍
I wonder3d where you had gone. Take care of yourself and get better reqlly soon. Ita good to see u have taken time out to recover and u will be back up those hills in no time x
Wow, sounds like you've had a tough time Andy...was nice to see you last month at bennybeg. Take it easy dude!
Good to have you back pal and hopefully see you in the wall or outside climbing having fun for yourself 😉
The Fannaichs is one of my favourite mountaim ranges within Scotland to guide on. And for some reason every season I seem to get the weather and the views! 😀 This season's trip was no exception. 😀
This is day 1 of a guided trip I did with members of the Scottish Women's Walking Group. We took in the summits of Meall a' Chrasgaidh, Sgurr nan Clach Geala, Sgurr nan Each, Sgirr Breac and finished with A' Chailleach.
The Ladiee set a steady pace, making the most of the day and taking every opportunity to tak photographs and enjoy the views. 😀 A huge well done to all those that came along and made it such a special day! 😀
Dates for next year are live on the website, link in bio! 👍🏻⬆️😀
#aspectmountaineering
#hikingculture
#hiking
#hikingadventures
#hikingtrails
#mountains
#fannaichs
#explore
#explorescotland
#exploremore
#walking
#guiding
#scotland
The Fannaichs is one of my favourite mountain ranges within Scotland to guide on. And for some reason every season I seem to get the weather and the views! 🙂 This season's trip was no exception. 🙂
This is day 1 of a guided trip I did with members of the Scottish Women's Walking Group. We took in the Munro summits of Meall a' Chrasgaidh, Sgurr nan Glach Geala, Sgurr nan Each, Sgurr Breac and finished with A'Chailleach.
The Ladies set a steady space, making the most of the day and taking every opportunity to take photographs and enjoy the views. 🙂 A huge well done to all those that came along and made it such a special day! 🙂
Dates for the 2023 season are now live on the website www.aspectmountaineering.com Hope to see you next year! 🙂
Andy, 23rd October 2022 🙂
#aspectmountaineering
#hiking
#fannaichs
#explorescotland
#walking
#guiding
#scotland
Had a fab time, thanks again Andy for your guidance 😎
Was a brilliant 2 days doing this range of Munro’s 👍🏻👍🏻
Was a great couple of days 👍
Yass! Climbing! 🙂 Back to Rosyth Quarry today with Fiona, Maria and son Aaron. All Aspect newbies! 🙂
It was a nice relaxed session today, making the most of the autumn sunshine. Fiona has tried indoor climbing and just wanted to get a taste of outdoor climbing. First time climbing for Maria and Maria's son Aaron is a regular at Ratho climbing wall in Edinburgh. 🙂
Today we went through the basics, a little refresher on belaying and our stance whilst belaying and being aware of our surroundings whilst belaying. Cementing the importance of buddy checks and clear communication between climber and belayer. It was busy in Rosyth Quarry today and something that is quite often overlooked is clear communications. 🙂
Another thoroughly enjoyable session with good company. With Fiona, Maria and Aaron all completing routes ranging from Moderate right through to Severe. 🙂
A huge well done to all, including Mary. Who has recently been brave enough to complete her RCI training and is now getting stuck in with shadowing sessions during her consolidation period! Keep up the hard work, it will pay off at assessment! 🙂
Andy, 16th October 2022
Simply drop Aspect Mountaineering a WhatsApp on Yass! Climbing! for availability! 🙂
#aspectmountaineering
#climbing
#rockclimbing
#rockclimbinglife
#rosythquarry
#rosyth
#edinburgh
#scotland
#explorescotland
Thanks again Andy and Mary for a great day! Looking forward to the CMD next year 😃
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