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Dean Middlemiss

@the_retro_hiker

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Tape Rolls On in the Lakes 📼⛰️

Back home now after a fantastic few days in the Lake District — tired legs, full heart, and a phone full of memories.

From campsite mornings and VHS mountain views, to Buttermere, Honister, Haystacks, Innominate Tarn, good food, quiet moments, and roads that felt like they belonged on an old 1985 cassette tape… this trip gave me exactly what I needed.

This little film is my way of keeping those moments alive.
A retro hiker adventure, stitched together with music, memories, and the magic of the fells.

The trip may be over, but the tape rolls on… 📼🌄

If you’d like to support a cause close to my heart, please consider donating here:
https://www.cambodianchildrensfund.org/donate

#TheRetroHiker #TapeRollsOnInTheLakes #LakeDistrict #RetroHiker #VHSAesthetic #80sVibes #HikingLife #CapCut #SunoMusic #Roga #Buttermere #Honister #Haystacks #InnominateTarn #FellWalking #MountainMemories #OutdoorAdventure #RetroAdventure #cambodianchildrensfund by @the_retro_hiker

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a month ago

HARESHAW LINN — THE ADVENTURE THAT WENT OFF SCRIPT 📼🥾🌲

Today’s Northumberland adventure started with a route, a plan and a waterfall waiting at the end… but the countryside had other ideas.

After meeting a herd of cattle and spotting a young calf, I made the sensible decision to turn around and find another way. Safety first — because no photograph or destination is worth taking unnecessary risks for.

Plan B took me through Bellingham, alongside the peaceful River North Tyne and eventually into the dramatic wooded gorge of Hareshaw Linn. A little Stand by Me beside the river, a touch of The Goonies as the path disappeared into the rocks and trees… and one brilliant waterfall finale waiting at the end.

7.6 miles completed, plenty of photographs captured, and another reminder that the best adventures don’t always follow the original script.

Andrea’s Facebook post inspired today’s walk — and I’m very glad it did. What an incredible place to discover only an hour from home.

The route changed, but the tape kept rolling… 📼💦

Supporting the Cambodian Children’s Fund through my adventures. ❤️
https://www.cambodianchildrensfund.org/donate

#TheRetroHiker #HareshawLinn #Bellingham by @the_retro_hiker

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5 days ago

HARESHAW LINN ON TAPE 📼💦

After a change of route, a riverside detour, and a little bit of countryside drama, the grand finale was worth every step…

Hareshaw Linn is absolutely amazing — the sound of the water, the rocky gorge, and that proper hidden-gem feeling. The kind of place that feels like it belongs on an old 80s adventure tape, with the camcorder rolling and the soundtrack swelling in the background.

Sometimes the best adventures don’t go exactly to plan… but they still lead to something brilliant.
The Retro Hiker made it to the waterfall — and what a way to finish the day. 🌲🥾📼💧

#TheRetroHiker #HareshawLinn #Bellingham #Northumberland #WaterfallWalk VHSAesthetic RetroAdventure HikingUK by @the_retro_hiker

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5 days ago

RIVER NORTH TYNE ON TAPE 📼🌊

Plan B has brought me to the River North Tyne, and I’m not complaining… because this place is pure peace.
The water drifting by, the trees leaning over the banks, and that calm Northumberland atmosphere — the kind of scene that makes you slow down and just take it all in.

It’s got that 1980s movie moment feel… like Stand By Me, if the adventure swapped the railway line for a quiet riverside trail and a VHS camcorder rolling in the background.

Sometimes the best part of the hike isn’t the big finale — it’s the quiet little moments in between, where the tape keeps rolling and the countryside does the talking. 📼🌿🌊

The Retro Hiker — pausing by the river, soaking up the view, and letting the day flow on.

#TheRetroHiker #RiverNorthTyne #Bellingham #Northumberland #VHSAesthetic RetroAdventure HikingUK StandByMeVibes by @the_retro_hiker

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5 days ago

RETRO HIKER UPDATE 📼🥾

Plot twist on today’s Bellingham adventure…

The original route threw in an unexpected countryside obstacle: cattle and a calf. So, in true sensible-hiker fashion, I made the safe call, turned back and changed course. No waterfall is worth taking risks around protective cattle.

The mission is still on though — just a different route, a fresh plan, and the same goal: Hareshaw Linn. Sometimes the adventure isn’t about sticking to the script… it’s about reading the scene, staying safe, and letting the day roll on like an old VHS tape.

A little detour, a bit of Northumberland scenery, and a reminder that on any hike, safety always comes first.
Now… rewind the route and press play on Plan B. 🌲💦📼

#TheRetroHiker #Bellingham #HareshawLinn #Northumberland #RetroAdventure HikingUK StaySafe CountrysideWalk VHSAesthetic by @the_retro_hiker

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5 days ago

Northumberland on tape… 📼🌾

Taking the scenic route today and saving Hareshaw Linn for the grand finale.
Sometimes the best part of the adventure is slowing down and letting the countryside roll by like an old VHS tape — golden fields, wide skies and that peaceful Northumberland feeling.

A little slice of 1985-style Retro Hiker before the waterfalls take centre stage.
The camcorder may be imaginary… but the adventure is very real. 🥾📼🌲💦

Supporting the Cambodian Children’s Fund through my adventures. ❤️
https://www.cambodianchildrensfund.org/donate

#TheRetroHiker #Northumberland #HareshawLinn #RetroAdventure #VHSAesthetic CountrysideWalk HikingUK ScenicRoute by @the_retro_hiker

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5 days ago

GEAR CHECK — STILL ON THE TRAIL SINCE ’21! 📼🥾

Before today’s Hareshaw Linn adventure begins, a well-earned shout-out to my trusty OEX X-LITE Carbon hiking poles from @oexoutdoors.

I bought these from @gooutdoors back in 2021, when I first started hiking, and they’ve been part of countless adventures ever since. They’re extremely lightweight, dependable and still going strong — proper reliable trail companions!

An honest gear note: the original rubber tips didn’t last very long, so I replaced them with some Eurohike tips, which I’ve found much more durable.

Five years of trails, climbs and retro adventures later, the poles are ready to roll once again…

Hareshaw Linn — let’s do this! 🌲💦📼

#TheRetroHiker #OEX #GOOutdoors #OEXGear #HikingPoles CarbonPoles HonestGearReview HareshawLinn Northumberland RetroAdventure by @the_retro_hiker

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5 days ago

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5 days ago

📼 13 JULY 1985 — LIVE AID 📺🌍

Forty-one years ago today, the world turned up the volume and came together for something much bigger than music.

From Wembley to Philadelphia, some of the greatest artists of the era took to the stage, televisions glowed in homes around the world, and for one extraordinary day, rock ’n’ roll carried a message of compassion across the planet.

The clothes, the hairstyles and the technology may belong to another time—but the message still matters:

When people come together, they can make a difference.

Today, I’m rewinding the tape, raising the volume and remembering one of the defining moments of the 1980s.

🎸 LIVE AID — 41 YEARS ON
📺 The music still echoes.
🌍 The message still matters.

Inspired by that spirit of helping others, I’m proud to continue supporting the Cambodian Children’s Fund:

https://www.cambodianchildrensfund.org/donate

#LiveAid #LiveAid1985 #41YearsOn #TheRetroHiker #1980s #80sMusic #RetroMemories #FeedTheWorld #cambodianchildrensfund by @the_retro_hiker

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12 days ago

Another adventure tape added to the archive… 📼🥾⛺

A chilled night at Bolbec Manor in the trusty green Hilleberg Akto, followed by a cracking hike around Derwent Reservoir and the beautiful County Durham countryside.

There were reservoir views, dam wall moments, sailing boats, quiet lanes, open fields, a few route changes, and just enough wind and weather to make it feel like a proper outdoor adventure. Not everything went exactly to plan — but that’s the beauty of it. The best memories are usually made somewhere between the map, the miles, and the unexpected detours.

11 miles walked, campsite calm enjoyed, boots tested, Akto dried and packed away ready for the next one.

Camp complete. Hike complete. Tape saved.
The Retro Hiker rolls on… 📼🌲🥾

As always, my adventures carry a thought for the children in Cambodia supported by the Cambodian Children’s Fund:
https://www.cambodianchildrensfund.org/donate

#TheRetroHiker #DerwentReservoir #BolbecManor #HillebergAkto #CountyDurham #RetroAdventure #VHSVibes #CampingLife #HikingLife #cambodianchildrensfund by @the_retro_hiker

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20 days ago

Back home, tape winding down, and the trusty Akto getting the full post-adventure treatment. 📼⛺

After a cracking little camp and hike, it’s time for the final scene of the weekend: gear drying out properly, everything packed away right, and the Hilleberg Akto left absolutely bone dry before storage.

No shortcuts, no damp flysheet, no soggy ending — just the proper old-school routine. Look after your gear, and it’ll look after you on the next adventure.

A little 1995-style reminder that the trip isn’t truly over until the tent is dry, packed, and ready to roll again.

Camp complete. Hike complete. Akto complete. 📼🥾⛺

As always, my adventures carry a thought for the children in Cambodia supported by the Cambodian Children’s Fund:
https://www.cambodianchildrensfund.org/donate

#TheRetroHiker #HillebergAkto #Akto1995 #CampingLife #RetroAdventure #VHSVibes #BackHome #GearCare #cambodianchildrensfund by @the_retro_hiker

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21 days ago

Route complete. Tape saved. Adventure logged. 📼🥾🗺️

11.16 miles around Derwent Reservoir, nearly 4 hours on the trail, and another proper Retro Hiker adventure added to the archive.

There were reservoir views, dam wall moments, sailing club pit stops, and a little route change along the way — but that’s all part of the story, isn’t it? The best adventures don’t always go exactly to plan… they just keep rolling.

A chilled camp, a cracking hike, and a map screen that looks like the end credits of an old VHS walking tape.

Derwent Reservoir: conquered the retro way. 📼🌊🥾

As always, my adventures carry a thought for the children in Cambodia supported by the Cambodian Children’s Fund:
https://www.cambodianchildrensfund.org/donate

#TheRetroHiker #DerwentReservoir #CountyDurham #HikeComplete #VHSVibes #RetroAdventure #WalkingLife #CampingLife #cambodianchildrensfund by @the_retro_hiker

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21 days ago