Lynn Jackson
LightNews LightNews
banner
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Lynn Jackson
@lynnjuk.bsky.social
330 followers 180 following 860 posts
I walk, and draw and write badly.

My hiking journals aren’t very interesting, but they’re very me.
Posts Replies Media Videos
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Hmm, closer but I’m going to be more careful regarding which pencil I pick up! (It’s an Inktense Christmas this year) #Christmascard #art
A stylised drawing of a snowy scene. A cottage surrounded by pine trees with a mountain in the background.
November 18, 2025 at 2:33 PM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Christmas card design decisions once again in our household. There’s no getting away from it, I’m going to need to include a house with a light on somewhere in it. #christmascard #art
A stylised drawing of a snowy scene with pine trees and a mountain in the background. And there’s not a house in sight.
November 18, 2025 at 1:50 PM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Had a great time today. I saw the folklore exhibition and toddled over to the British Museum, all in fine autumnal sunshine. No going home.
A sign showing a painting of a naked man looking over various building and people. The sign says ‘Ben Edge - Children of Albion’ ‘The Fitzrovia Chapel 6 - 26 November 2025’ The entrance to the British Museum.
November 13, 2025 at 3:10 PM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
And now - breakfast!
A skillet with back peppers, tomatoes and 2 fried eggs.
November 13, 2025 at 9:06 AM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Excellent night, chaps! I knocked them dead , ate a pretty good meal and had some decent wine and didn’t have to be poured into a taxi back to the hotel. A big win in my book!
A woman in a black evening dress taking a selfie in a hotel room. A lot of people seated at tables in a ballroom. The same woman in front of a stage that is decked out in bling.
November 13, 2025 at 8:44 AM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
I’ve had a lovely afternoon perusing the shops of Covent Garden and Seven Dials and eating nice nibbles. I walked u through Piccadilly to Green Park deciding on tomorrow’s breakfast (F&M?). Now to get ready for The Do!
A bright yellow helter-skelter type structure with a spiral of baubles, in a high ceiling mall. A plate of 5 dumplings with a portion of grated carrot.
November 12, 2025 at 4:30 PM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Well, this is a bit of a change! Off to The Smoke for a freebie night to an IT award’s ceremony with a slap up meal and a nice hotel. I’ll try and squeeze in a bit of touristy things tomorrow (I have walked 10 miles around London last time I was here).
On a train, with a view of a table and the seat opposite which has the words ‘First Class! Embossed on it.
November 12, 2025 at 10:40 AM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
And only 1000 miles? I think that’s a wild under estimate.
I’ll bet there’s almost that in Derbyshire alone.
A man on/in a path covered in brown leaves with a fallen tree from the high side of the path in front of him. He is able to walk under it.
November 10, 2025 at 8:39 PM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
You do what some whizz kid has recently thought up - you charge people to jump the queue (I was patronisingly to that ‘GP’s are private enterprises’ when these buggers tried to advertise it on FB.
A webpage from a company called Doc Select “How much does a DocSelect consultation cost? We offer both pay-as-you-go and monthly subscription options. Pay-as-you-go prices start from £45 for online consultations and £90 for home visits. Membership details can be found on our website. Go check them out!”
October 14, 2025 at 1:53 PM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
I was hoping to make apple butter, but after an hour’s cooking and a 2 week set it appears that I’ve just made 6 jars of apple sauce.
A jar with a hand written label saying ‘Apple Butter 09/25’ sitting on a table. It contains a smooth, light coloured substance.
October 13, 2025 at 1:04 PM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Today is scratching and juicing day in the Jackson household. #apples #homebrew
Cut apples in a bucket being crushed with an adapted meat hammer screwed to a plate lank. Crushed apples being squeezed in a homemade apple press and the juice pouring into a large white bucket
September 23, 2025 at 9:46 AM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Spent a lovely day wandering around Fountains Abbey today but I did not expect to see The Green Man on one of the East windows.
An arch window of a ruined abbey with a stone carving of a man with tree branches coming out of his mouth and wrapping around his head.
September 9, 2025 at 5:09 PM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Gotham (village) is very proud of its favourite son.
A knitted tableaux on top of a post box. It depicts a knitted Batman and Robin, the bat cave (with a bat coming out of it). The air raid light and the bat signal behind it. And let’s not forget Commissioner Gordon’s police car. All fronted by a large yellow and red ‘KAPOW!’ sign A knitted tableaux on top of a post box. It depicts a knitted Batman and Robin, the bat cave (with a bat coming out of it). The air raid light and the bat signal behind it. And let’s not forget Commissioner Gordon’s police car. All fronted by a large yellow and red ‘KAPOW!’ sign
August 28, 2025 at 3:28 PM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Day 15 – The End.

#hiking #Art #journal #TGOC25
A journal log with a small ink and wash drawing of a pair of booted legs, standing on sand and foamy sea water, with the caption ‘Aberdeen beach - The End’. 22 May 2025 – TGO 25 day 15, Peterculter to Aberdeen. Distance: 17 KM walks: solo weather: cloudy, a little rain. I had the best breakfast of the whole trip today – salmon and scrambled eggs. Leaving the B & B I started the walk on the temporary diversion (which looked pretty permanent to me). I was soon looking over pleasant lowlands once I was back on the path. This part of the Deeside Way is a very visible disused railway line, running straight as a die from Peterculter to Aberdeen. I passed many dismantled stations along its length, with each one having an information board explaining where it sits on the line and its history. I passed many dog walkers and others enjoying the sunshine and the view. A pleasant morning walk found me on the outskirts of Aberdeen, crossing the Holburn Street footbridge. The side way ended shortly after the last station sign of Duthie Park. The last part of the walk was a bit of an anticlimax – a wide, busy road of tire repair shops on the way to the port. it took far longer than I expected to get to the beach but I got there in the end. By this time the weather had turned, blustery, cold with rain in the air. I dithered over where to touch the sea, but touch the sea I eventually did and ended my walk across Scotland.
August 27, 2025 at 7:39 AM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Day 14 – balm for battered soles

#hiking #Art #journal #TGOC25
A journal log with a small ink and wash drawing of a two bridges, the smaller bridge beyond the larger bridge, with two people walking across it. 21 May 2025 – TGO 25 day 14: Banchory > Peterculter Distance 19 KM, Walkers: solo, Weather: sunny No breakfast at the Inn, so I bought a bacon cob from a bakery nearby and ate it on one of the benches by the bakery wall. On starting the walk, I entered King George V park to continue on the DW. Leaving the park the path ran parallel to the River Dee. I came upon a very photogenic site of bridges side-by-side, a pack horse bridge and a younger vehicle bridge and at this point the D W became recognisable has a disused railway line. Railway buildings and maintenance yards appeared at regular intervals, some in better condition than others. At Caithes I passed a café and toilets from here. The D W went beside fields and I lost sight of the river. I walked to Drumoak and a sharp right turn led me under a shady lane which opened onto Parkland, busy with dog walkers. Here I sat on a bench and had lunch. After lunch I continued on my way, to meet up with the Dee once again and Peterculter. I chatted to a man who had asked me where I was going. It turned out that his sister lived 30 mtrs away on the DW. I was invited to tea and home-made biscuits. She pointed me to a B&B that had a room. What a lovely day!
August 26, 2025 at 7:36 AM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Day 13 - more hills??

#hiking #Art #journal #TGOC25
A journal log with a small ink and wash drawing of a wall painted light blue with paintings of sunflowers, ballon’s and trees, behind a red bench and a square of painted tyres set into the ground, with the caption ‘Banchory Wall’. 20th May 2025 - TGOC25 Day 13: Aboyne > Banchory Distance: 24.3 KM Walkers : Solo Weather: Sunny with clouds After a pleasant night I had breakfast, packed up and continued on My way from the campsite. There was no problem finding the Deeside Way, it was a quiet path away from the busy A93. I walked into Dess Wood and passed two rambling groups enjoying the sunshine. The route passed through woodlands and by fields before jorning the lane into Kincardine O'Neil. I walked through the village and stopped at the Post Office where I had a second breakfast of coffee and a jumbo sausage and onion roll at the pavement table as I watched the world go by . Once finished , I continued on the DW until I got to Potarch. Crossing the bridge, a short walk got me back into woodland/forestry. This was the least pleasant part of the DW (others differ, I know). It was hilly and there were some nice views but generally it felt like a green factory plus production line, with chunks of forestry cut down. The crushed stone lanes hurt my feet, but at least it was well signposted. I saw more people walking their dogs as I got closer to Banchory. I walked over the bridge and almost immediately came to the Ship Inn where they found me a lovely little room. A shower and a pub meal and I was happy.
August 25, 2025 at 9:04 AM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Day 12 - decisions were made.

#hiking #Art #journal #TGOC25
A journal log with a small ink and wash drawing of a country lane with gorse bushes on either side and trees in the background. 19th May 2025 - Day 12: Ballater > Aboyne Distance: 20.8 Km, Walkers: Solo, Weather: Sunny. I woke up and gave the last part of the Challenge a lot of thought. Although I was fit enough physically to complete the Challenge (just!), mentally I just wanted it to end without much thought or adventure. So I decided to change my route and go via the Deeside Way, to get to the beach at Aberdeen. After a leisurely hostel breakfast and a Co-Op resupply, I found the beginning of the Deeside Way out of Ballater. Almost immediately I walked by the Old Royal Station which is now a visitor cenbre. Shortly after that I passed Tulloch Kirk - one of the oldest churches in Scotland. I walked with views of the River Dee und the lovely Cambus O' May Bridge (sister bridge to Polhollick). I was in the shade of trees when I passed Dinnet (I walked a short way with Anthony to this point). Shortly after this I left the trees behind and walked beside gorse bushes going past the Deeside Gliding Club at the Aboyne Airfield. From here it was a short walk to Aboyne and I Knew that only a little way beyond that was my destination-Aboyne Caravan + Campsite where I pitched, had a shower + a meal.
August 24, 2025 at 10:47 AM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Day 11 - Zombie walking

#hiking #Art #journal #TGOC25
18th May 2025- Day 11: Braemar > Ballater Distance: 33Km Walkers: Solo Weather: Cloudy An early start today. A short walk and into a hilly wood, walking steadily until I found a bench to have breakfast. I walked past the Lion’s Face, completely missing it (I don’t think I have the imagination) . The woodland continued for most of the day, running parallel to The Dee. I passed Connachat Cottage and Invergelder to get to the entrance of Balmoral. There was a sign on the gate to say that here-on-in you had to pay to get in Apparenty this was for cars rather than pedestrians but I didn’t know this so proceded to walk around the castle. I walked on footpaths, on lanes, on roads on More footpaths, on roads... I saw the only raptors of the brip, a pair of red kites. Eventually I came to an eventually I came to a lane that took me in the direction o The Dee. Warning signs told me that the footpath was closed due to river bank erosion, but I guessed that locals would have found a way to get to Polhollick Bridge and I was right. I was so tired that there was no way I was going to take a detour so .. I plodded my way over the fallen trees, the bridge and the road to find the riverside footpath that took me into Ballater. I stumbled into the Alex Hotel and burst into tears. Challengers took care of me, fed me and put me to bed.
August 23, 2025 at 8:01 AM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Day 10 - SHADE!!

#hiking #Art #journal #journalling #TGOC25
A journal log with a small ink and wash drawing of a long single story building with a large entry arch surrounded by trees, with the caption ‘Mars Lodge’. 17th May 2025 - Day 10: Red House Bothy > Braemar Distance: 21.6 Km Walkers: Solo Weather: Sunny + hot. An earlier start today 7.45 am. I had breakfast early and so was able to walk before it got too hot. I got to White Bridge to see Sophie finishing her pack up. Unusually she was the only Challenger there. It was a really nice walk to get to the Linn ofDee and shade. I saw an increasing number of people the closer I got to Mars Lodge. It really was lovely walking in the woods. I got to Mars Lodge for lunch time, so stopped for free tea and biscuits along with my dehydated meal. hots of hatting and eating ensued . But this wasn't getting me closer to Braemar, so I returned to My pack and crossed the Victoria Bridge to continue on my way. I had a short walk along a road until I came to a turn in the road where the tootpath began So I walked back into woodland that would take me up to Tomintoul. From there it was a straightforward walk into Braemar. The village was heaving and because I was out by a day I had lost my accommodation. Fortunately Jenny had told me of a wild camping spot a couple of kms out of the village, so after a lovely dinner of fish and chips I made my way there and shared a spot with a nice German lad who was doing his ML assessment. (I hope that he passed !)
August 22, 2025 at 7:23 AM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Day 9 - a long, long, LLOOONNNNGGG day.

#hiking #Art #journal #journalling #TGOC25
16th May 2025 - Day 9: Ruigh Aiteachain > Red House Bothy Distance: 22.4 Km, Walkers: Solo, Weather: Sunny + hot A breakfast porridge and I was off (still didn’t manage gelling out earlier 9.00) The day began with an unexpected walk through scrub and woodland to get to the scramble above the riverside landslips. I was grateful for my gym work as I worked my way s the steep little 'steps’ that had the lightest of paths along them. I was almost stopped in my tracks by a stone wall but fortunately John B once again came to my rescue and instructed me on hand and foot placement. I was soon back on track and said goodbye to JB soon after. And so began the long, long day into Glen Feshie. The rewildeng Soon ended and gave way to brown bracken and unshaded sun. At one point I caught sight of Jenny and Gordon fording close to the feshie as I was making my way to a bridge further up the hill. I realised that bridges werent needed and so forded burns the rest of the way. One for two people passed me but it was a never-ending slog to get to the Red House Bothy. I Made it by 8.30pm there I gratefully look the last bunk ( thanks for saving it Ann!). The wind was getting cold as I made dinner. A cosy bed missed the frosty tents that night.
August 21, 2025 at 6:42 AM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Day 8 - I REALLY wished I’d got those boots that I had promised myself.

#hiking #journalling #TGOC25
15th May 2025 - Day 8: Newtonmore → Ruigh Aiteachain Distance: 25.4 KM, Walkers: Solo, then Jenny + Gordon, Weather: guess. Another glorious start to the day. I just couldn’t face more porridge so walked out of Newtonmore past the Co-Op where I bought lunch and a Huel Breakfast drink and had that instead. I walked the path by the road to Kingussie with the gorse in bloom-vibrant yellows to show me the way. A brief toilet stop at Kingussie and I was away. I walked up the road and stopped to view Ruthven Barracks then walked on to Insh Marshes Nature Reserve where I came upon a school group also walking to Ruigh Aiteachain - it was going to be cramped there. I walked a forestry track to field then back to the forest and then decided to change my routine to eating my main meal at lunchtime to keep my energy up. This worked well enough but the crushed stone played havoc with my feet - in my pain I stopped by Gordon and Jenny and didnt even notice them. I stopped not 30 mtrs later and Jenny dashed after me asking me if I was OK. I told her about my feet and she and Gordon look care of me for the rest of the journey. (I would have hare preferred to cross the bridge, but we all forded the feshie and it was fine). We got to Ruigh Aiteachain and the warden Lindsay made me a lovely cup of Assam! I stopped the night in the bothy + avoided the frost (!).
August 20, 2025 at 6:59 AM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Day 7 - I got by with a little help from my friends.

#hiking #journalling #TGOC25
A journal log with a small ink and wash drawing of a small stone building with an orange roof, with the caption ‘Glen Banchor bothy’. 14th May 2025 - TG025 Day 7: Laggan > Newtonmore Distance: 17Km, Walkers: Me, John, Sophie, Jessica, Weather: Sunny, hot. I had a good nights sleep but I was still a bit low and not sure if I was going to follow my route through Glen Banchor. I mentioned this to Sophie who was having none of it. She said that she was going to walk with me and John added that he would join us. We walked as far as the Laggan Cafe where we stopped for a second breakfast. After that we continued up the road boget to the lane that would take us up through woodland and onto Glen Banchor. It was a bit boggy one out of the woodland so hond Knors shat it must be like after rain. We found the track to take us into the Glen and chatted away until we got to the bothy where we stopped for lunch. It was here that Jessica caught up with us. We then carried on along the valley, Keeping as close as we could to the River Calder. As we got closer to Newtonmore we met up with other challengers arriving from all directions. Andrew Cooke bold us to Keep an eye out for the ceramic (?) wild cats dotted throughout Newtonmore. We reached Newtonmore Hostel around 4.30 pm and I was able to find a pitch in the garden. A shower, a pint and a pub meal with friends and all was once again right with the world. It was a Marvellous day all in all .
August 19, 2025 at 6:45 AM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Day 6 - hot and slow, but at least it was flat.

#hiking #journalling #TGOC25
A journal log with a small ink and wash drawing of an a lane heading in the direction of woodland, with the caption ‘The River Spey valley’. 13th May 2025- TGOC25 Day 6: Melgarve ne Bothy > Laggan Hostel Distance: 17.8km, Walkers: Solo, Weather: Sunny, clear, hot. This was one of the shortest and also hardest days. I started at 9.00 am but it quickly heated up on the River spey ivervalley. My watch said 31c at one point (on my arm, but still). I started well enough but my feet quickly swelled and were painful through out Most of the day. The woodlands did give some shade but it really wasn't enough. I walked on until the bridge by the Spey Dam where I stopped for a drink and a bite to eat. It was here that the crushed stone tuned to tarmac with obvious evidence of farming. Here I passed a couple putting bikes back on their car, we chatted a little before I started off again. The last 1.5km seemed to take as long as the previous 16km. It was 4pm by the time I got to Laggan Village Hall, but it too 2 hours longer than I would usually do it. I was grateful for the Hall and there were a good few people there, but it was a subdued evening for me - a shower, a dehydrated meal and a bed on the indoor court. And a faint hope that it wouldn't be as hot tomorrow as it was today.
August 18, 2025 at 7:54 AM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Day 5 - a lovely day for a walk up a hill.

#hiking #journalling #TGOC25
A journal log with a small ink and wash drawing of a small stone building, with the caption ‘Melgarve Bothy’. 12th May 2025 - TGOC 25 Day 5 : Fort Augustus > Melgane Bothy Distance: 22Km Walkers: Solo Weather: Sunny, hot Bit of a late start today as I had to pick up my resupply pack. But I was out by 9am and once again it was a sunny morning. A quick stop for battenes and I walked out through a burial ground to get to the General Wade’s Road (path really). I passed Disney Pink castle and started my us up-hill day, And what a lovely day it was! The wide path was a steady pull and I met the odd person travelling in the opposite direction and we’d stop for a very brief chat sefore continuing our different ways. I crossed fords and footbridges to get to the Blackburn bothy. I Knew that other were stopping there but it was far too early for me so I made My way up, stopping for a bit of lunch. Although it was far more pleasant, the heat and my feet made for my usual slow ascent and I didn’t get to the top of Corrieyairack Pass until 5pm - 2½ hrs later than expected / hoped. The clouds appeared at this moment and I missed the path down as I put my coat on. I walked up Corrieyairack Hill b4 I realised my mistake. Fortunately John Berry turned up at this point and put me back on track. We walked down a little way and he carried on just as the clouds cleared. The zig-zag path was tough but I made it to Melgarve Bothy by 7.30pm. A happy meal with other Challengers then bed.
August 17, 2025 at 12:48 PM
lynnjuk.bsky.social
Day 4 - Maybe things aren’t as bad as they seemed.

#hiking #journalling #TGOC25
11th May 2025- TG0C25 Day 4 - Loch Na Beinne Baine > Fort Augustus Distance: 18.5km, Walkers: Solo Weather: Sunny, hot . 5:45 am and I woke up to another cloudless day, this time appreciating the colours and beauty of the landscape in front of me. Trevor Morgan passed me as I was collecting water. I told him that I was late and gong to miss the deadline for Montrose. He advised that a good breakfast and a coffee would perk me up and to wait until lunchtime to confirm my pull-out. I followed his advice and felt belter by mid-morning. I continued as long the path, getting to Torgyle Bridge for lunch-time. Feeling much happier, I called Challenge Control and told them that I was continuing (the '3 day blues' had struck me!) I then walked up pleasant fortpaths to get to the crustred stone lane (groan) by the electricity pylons. within Inchnacardoch forest. I got to a junction and made my way downhill, feeling better than I had the day before. The path led me down into Jerkins Park and Fort Augustus, It was a short WalK then to Morag's Lodge where I took the last remaining bed and had a great baked potato + haggis. Things were looking up.
August 14, 2025 at 7:36 AM