Thursday walk with Pete 3rd August 2017
These Thursday outings are limited to four miles, preferably without too much ascent, and on surfaced roads in consideration of Pete's advancing years (83) and his arthritis. I have run out of circular walks within acceptable driving distance of home that qualify and am now settling for linear there and back routes.
Because we elect to stay on roads I do try to select quiet lanes where we will not be too bothered by traffic, and yesterday I thought I had found one that satisfied all parameters - a two mile cul-de-sac ending with a lonely farm. Have a look at the map below- what would you have deduced?
Within seconds of putting feet to Tarmac we had cars whizzing past us in both direction almost non-stop on this single track road. We had started walking at 11:45am in consideration of a forecast implying improvement from rain thereafter. Well, we guessed the only explanation could be a caravan or camping site - I observed none of the cars had tow bars so a static site would be most likely.
Old Park Wood, marked on the map is an up-market static site run by Holker Hall Estate. We reckoned the visitors had all decided, like us, to await the improving weather before setting off for the day. Once past the site entrance we had peace and quiet with the odd shower enabling me to test my new acquisition:
EuroSchirm Light Trek Umbrella bought from Ultralight Outdoors. I plan to take this on the resumption of my forthcoming backpacking walk - so far it seems to be a worthwhile addition considering weight is no longer critical having decided to forego tent and sleeping bag etc. and rely entirely on accommodation. Anyway, it is much lighter than the beast Nick Crane carries; I have the greatest respect for his achievements (and his writing). On the other hand the EuroSchirm may end up in that Davy Jones' locker of discarded rucksacks, gaiters, waist pouches, belts,
et al that "seemed like a good idea at the time."
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| Start/finish at junction with B5278 |
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Identification of any of the flora here and below would be welcome,
nothing unusual I am sure, but it is a blank area for me, much as I enjoy seeing it |
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| Note the walking poles holding the flowers steady against the strong wind |
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| A rare moment without traffic |
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| Beyond the caravan site it was tranquil. Just look at those huge blocks of stone used for this imposing limekiln - click to enlarge. |
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| Looking south to Morecambe Bay and the Leven railway viaduct |
I don't think you will be disappointed with the brolley. I have one and it's been a solid performer for about 5 yrs.
ReplyDeletethat's when local knowledge comes in handy - many goings on at the end of that lane - speed over humps testing being one
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are, in order, Rose Bay Willow Herb,one of the Vetches and Convolvulus [bindweed]. All a nuisance in the garden.
ReplyDeleteDon't know the berries.Suspect 'Beating the Bounds' will.
Just a thought Conrad - how do you hold the brolley when you are holding two walking poles?
ReplyDeleteA;an R - That sounds encouraging.
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gimmer - sounds as though you speak from experience?
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bowlandclimber - Thanks for the identifications. Pete thought the red berries were Bryony, but the leaf shapes don't correspond with my book. It was in amongst thick hedging.
With the brolly I was not using my poles, but I found I could stuff the handle down my zipped up coat, and experimenting at home I found it can be held by the chest straps on the rucksack which, by the way I don't normally use finding them too restrictive.
That Convulvulus chap is known to my family as 'Grandfather, Grandfather pop out of bed!'
ReplyDeleteThere was a chain link fence around a playing field on the way to our Infants School (should that be capitalised? I'm really hopeless...) covered with the stuff. You made a loop with a stalk and looped it around the base of the flower and chanted 'Grandfather Grandfather, pop out of bed! and with that you pulled the loop toward the flower and it popped away from you to your little brother or big sister.
Then you stuffed itching powder down the back of their shirts.
You can't do that with iPhones.
Alan Sloman - happy days!
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of brollies, and I carry one occasionally - but I'm always anxious about them turning inside out in the wind.
ReplyDeleteRuth - f you click on the link you will see there is a video demonstrating my brolly - it is designed to be capable of turning inside out without harm and can easily be turned back again - they actually show that in the video - this brolly is supposedly constructed to a high standard specially for rugged use by walkers.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that's Rose-bay - looks like Greater to me. But I am viewing from quite a distance...
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