Welcome to part two of the OUTDOORSmagic 2007/08 Virtual Awards
Ceremony when we reveal the outdoor people and places you voted
for in this year's OM Awards.
Once again Alan Hinkes and Simon Yates do the
honours and once more, many thanks to everyone who voted and to the
OM team behind the scenes...
Best
UK Destination - The Lake District
We asked you to choose the UK mountain area of your dreams and the
answer you came back with was the Lake District with its mix
of craggy mountains, grassy valleys and, of course, its
characteristic Lakes. Wordsworth would approve - www.golakes.co.uk
Best
International Destination - New Zealand
More lakes and more mountains, but this time over on the other
side of the world. You chose New Zealand as the international
destination you'd most like to visit and we can't say we disagree -
www.purenz.com
BestOutdoors Caff - Pete's Eats, Llanberis
It's not for nothing that Pete's Eats is an outdoors legend
and arguably the definitive outdoors cafe with its steaming pint mugs
of tea, mahoosive portions of cheery nosh and a heritage that's
inseparable from the local mountain culture. Pete, your award is in
the post - www.petes-eats.co.uk
Best
Outdoors Pub - Clachaig Inn, Glencoe
And when it came to the best outdoors pub, the winner and your
number one choice for an apres mountain pint is another mountain
legend in the shape of the Clachaig Inn in Glencoe, the number
one choice for a celebratory post Aonach Eagach evening - www.clachaig.com
Best
Campsite - Wild Camping
We're not quite sure what to do with this one - pin it to a rock
by a deserted Laleland tarn maybe. At any rate, OMers would rather be
Wild Camping and waking up to a high mountain breakfast than
pitched in an organised valley site, even one with a pub next door.
Simon's looking a bit shocked...
OM
Personality of the Year - Edmund Hillary
The modest New Zealander who climbed Everest over half a century
ago and died recently after using his fame for so many positive
causes in Nepal was your fitting choice as the OM Personality of the
Year. Fittingly the award was accepted by the New Zealand Tourist
Board. Farewell to a great and decent man.
OM
Gallery Photographer of the Year - Rob Sutherland
There are so many great photos in the gallery that it was always
going to be hard to choose one photographer, but you did and the
winner is Rob Sutherland. Rob's album, Travels
With Rob is a lovely mix of landscapes mostly taken in
Scotland and the Lakes and well worth a browse. Congratulations,
Rob.
OM
Forum Personality of the Year - Metric Kate
'Is she a real person? asked Simon Yates. 'Or some sort of virtual
construct?' We've met Metric Kate in person, so we know she's
very real and also your choice as OM Forum Personality of the year.
We think that probably means that she's an all-round good egg, so
well done Kate. The rest of you had better buck up your ideas ;-)
OM
Reviewer of the Year - PTC
Last but very definitely not least, the OMer whose reviews you
trust most when researching new kit buys is Peter Macfarlane, better
known as PTC - you can read his reviews here.
Well done fella :-)
That's it folks... that's it for this year. Congratulations to
all the winners and thanks for taking the time to vote.
john hee (http://WalkaboutUK.blogspot.com)
