Sunday, 10 June 2018
Emergency phone procedure
I came across this video on The Two Blondes site. I was aware of most of this information and already had my iPhone registered but the video fills in a few things I was a bit hazy about and which I found interesting, so worth sharing.
CLICK HERE
Tuesday, 5 June 2018
A monumental day
Monday 4th June 2018 - Raven's Barrow monument* and circuit
*SD 412 879
Today I awoke without a plan.
I have done gardening to death over the last few days; I have scant knowledge of the subject and generally dislike the activity, especially lawn mowing, but I watch Gardener's World because it seems to be good for my soul, and I do feel proud of my garden on the spasmodic occasions when a burst of energy has conquered it, but the problem is that the makeover lasts for such a short time before you have to start again. Gardening guru friends advise me that "a little and often" should be the plan, but that is easy to say but not to achieve, especially when one has another pass-time that takes precedence.
Fellow blogger beatingthebounds who lives within a couple of miles of me has a habit of posting about places in our locality that I have not been to. That is despite me having lived here for eighteen years and egotistically believing I have walked the majority of footpaths and visited most items of interest on the map within a fair radius of our abodes.
Back in May btb included a visit to an enigmatic cairn on Raven's Barrow fell CLICK. and it was promptly added to my mental "to do" list.
As I lay in bed I knew the larder was nearly bare and I would have to submit to the chore of shopping but my thoughts rebelled and turned to that cairn, and I convinced myself that one of my curries from the freezer would see me through my evening meal, and I was up and about and motivated.
I plotted a four mile route to take in the cairn halfway. The whole walk was on perfect tracks, some hard core, and some cropped turf, varied through woods, and then open fells, and never a cow trodden field. I diverted to access the cairn from the west using the height that I had gained rather than having to make a steep ascent later from the east, and just before seeing the cairn I mounted a hillocky high point which dropped suddenly and steeply away giving a surprise and dramatic view down into and across the Winster valley - magic.
The cairn is designated as a monument on the OS map but I can find no history of its origin, so perhaps OS are being presumptuous? I would be interested to hear if anybody knows any more. There is a recess which makes a good seat and I had taken a flask of coffee and some biscuits and took much pleasure in soaking up the extensive views.
*SD 412 879
Today I awoke without a plan.
I have done gardening to death over the last few days; I have scant knowledge of the subject and generally dislike the activity, especially lawn mowing, but I watch Gardener's World because it seems to be good for my soul, and I do feel proud of my garden on the spasmodic occasions when a burst of energy has conquered it, but the problem is that the makeover lasts for such a short time before you have to start again. Gardening guru friends advise me that "a little and often" should be the plan, but that is easy to say but not to achieve, especially when one has another pass-time that takes precedence.
Fellow blogger beatingthebounds who lives within a couple of miles of me has a habit of posting about places in our locality that I have not been to. That is despite me having lived here for eighteen years and egotistically believing I have walked the majority of footpaths and visited most items of interest on the map within a fair radius of our abodes.
Back in May btb included a visit to an enigmatic cairn on Raven's Barrow fell CLICK. and it was promptly added to my mental "to do" list.
As I lay in bed I knew the larder was nearly bare and I would have to submit to the chore of shopping but my thoughts rebelled and turned to that cairn, and I convinced myself that one of my curries from the freezer would see me through my evening meal, and I was up and about and motivated.
I plotted a four mile route to take in the cairn halfway. The whole walk was on perfect tracks, some hard core, and some cropped turf, varied through woods, and then open fells, and never a cow trodden field. I diverted to access the cairn from the west using the height that I had gained rather than having to make a steep ascent later from the east, and just before seeing the cairn I mounted a hillocky high point which dropped suddenly and steeply away giving a surprise and dramatic view down into and across the Winster valley - magic.
The cairn is designated as a monument on the OS map but I can find no history of its origin, so perhaps OS are being presumptuous? I would be interested to hear if anybody knows any more. There is a recess which makes a good seat and I had taken a flask of coffee and some biscuits and took much pleasure in soaking up the extensive views.
SUGGEST CLICK FIRST PHOTO TO ENLARGE FOR SLIDESHOW
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| This and next two: Sow HowTarn. Very pretty, but difficult to photograph without trespassing, but there are some good photos if you Google |
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| The only people I saw on the walk were a couple sat at the bottom left hand corner of this farm building. They didn't see me passing so there was not even a greeting. |
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| On the way to the cairn/monument - just over the horizon |
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| South down the Winster valley to the Kent estuary, and across to Arnside |
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| Mission accomplished |
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| North-ish up the Winster valley with distant Lake District hills, and the northern end of Whitbarrow intruding from the right. I was fascinated by the larger than usual expanse of irregularly shaped fields. |
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| Foxfield |
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| One for Alan R. looks a bit different? |
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| If you click to enlarge you will see red dots marking my outward route. The cairn/monument is just on the other side of the righthand end of the central light green plateau |
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| Clockwise starting from left at carpark annotation |
Saturday, 2 June 2018
REPLIES TO COMMENTS
I attach importance to replying as promptly as I can to comments. I normally receive an email informing me of each new comment. I have just discovered that Blogger for some unexplained reason has stopped sending me the emails. First of all I will now reply to outstanding comments before I investigate. Apologies, although not my fault, for my lack of response.
I haven't done the TGO but...
Reading various TGO* accounts over the last week or so there have been several mentions of Drumnadrochit, a village on the edge of Loch Ness, so already there is a mythical association which enhances my own experience in that location a long time ago.
Back in the early 60s, long before any of us were married, we heard of a doctor's wife who was nurturing some wildcat kittens in Drumnadrochit and along with two of my pals we drove from Yorkshire camping along the way. What happened about finding the doctor's wife and the kittens I can't remember, but I know we ended up in the pub at Drumnadrochit. We befriended a local gamekeeper type and we drank an awful lot of beer. We had left our tents wild camped in the forest above the village. We should have known better, but the gamekeeper invited us back to his cottage so off we went taking with us one or two bottles of Scotch and imposed ourselves on the gamekeeper's long suffering, I guess, wife. We left there in the wee small hours.
I was in my tent with Pete (he now features here when we still walk together most Thursdays - Pete is now eighty three and I am seventy eight, so all that was over fifty years ago.) Not long after snuggling down there was the most appalling, blood-curdling, high volume scream from the forest that I have ever heard. We were petrified.
Pete said "What the **** was that?" Are you going to go and see?"
"Not likely" I said.
* The Great Outdoors Challenge: an annual event organised by TGO magazine when challengers cross Scotland coast to coast back packing, having plotted there own routes. This is not a race just a social event. Numbers are limited to 300 (I think) and this is always over subscribed.
Back in the early 60s, long before any of us were married, we heard of a doctor's wife who was nurturing some wildcat kittens in Drumnadrochit and along with two of my pals we drove from Yorkshire camping along the way. What happened about finding the doctor's wife and the kittens I can't remember, but I know we ended up in the pub at Drumnadrochit. We befriended a local gamekeeper type and we drank an awful lot of beer. We had left our tents wild camped in the forest above the village. We should have known better, but the gamekeeper invited us back to his cottage so off we went taking with us one or two bottles of Scotch and imposed ourselves on the gamekeeper's long suffering, I guess, wife. We left there in the wee small hours.
I was in my tent with Pete (he now features here when we still walk together most Thursdays - Pete is now eighty three and I am seventy eight, so all that was over fifty years ago.) Not long after snuggling down there was the most appalling, blood-curdling, high volume scream from the forest that I have ever heard. We were petrified.
Pete said "What the **** was that?" Are you going to go and see?"
"Not likely" I said.
*****************************************************
* The Great Outdoors Challenge: an annual event organised by TGO magazine when challengers cross Scotland coast to coast back packing, having plotted there own routes. This is not a race just a social event. Numbers are limited to 300 (I think) and this is always over subscribed.
Thursday, 31 May 2018
Lord's Lot or Winster Valley - 3
Wednesday 30th May 2018 - Lord's Lot circuit.
Although not intentional this is like one of those films that repeat with new numbered versions.
Last November, before my knee op I walked in the Winster valley and spied a distant mini peak, Hollow Stones, and vowed to make its ascent as soon as possible after The Knee, which I did on 15th March: CLICK . There is alink on that post to the original Winster Valley walk.
When I ascended Hollow Stones, which, by the way is on a parcel of CROW access land with no public access, see map below, what a nonsense, I realised that there was a superior mini peak a kilometre to the north: Lord's Lot, 209m, and was motivated to cross country and ascend, BUT I could clearly see the way was barred by field wall boundaries and fences with no indication of footpaths so I retreated.
Today was number three in the saga with an approach to, and circuit of Lord's Lot on public rights of way.
This was a worthwhile walk, would I repeat it again?
Plus factors were the view from Lord's Lot summit, and a number of old packhorse lanes which always affect me with a sense of the past and the pleasure that we can still walk there seeing them almost unchanged and ponder on the lives of those who trod that way long ago. There is also the attraction of these hillsides intermittently populated with gorse, hawthorne and other smaller trees and shrubs showing a wide variety of shades of green and a unique terrain on these edges of the Lake District.
But, detracting, there were a number of severely cow-trodden fields which were today dry, but in wetter conditions would have been shin depth stinking gloop, but even as dry they make for difficult and potentially ankle twisting walking giving frustration rather than pleasure.
Although not intentional this is like one of those films that repeat with new numbered versions.
Last November, before my knee op I walked in the Winster valley and spied a distant mini peak, Hollow Stones, and vowed to make its ascent as soon as possible after The Knee, which I did on 15th March: CLICK . There is alink on that post to the original Winster Valley walk.
When I ascended Hollow Stones, which, by the way is on a parcel of CROW access land with no public access, see map below, what a nonsense, I realised that there was a superior mini peak a kilometre to the north: Lord's Lot, 209m, and was motivated to cross country and ascend, BUT I could clearly see the way was barred by field wall boundaries and fences with no indication of footpaths so I retreated.
Today was number three in the saga with an approach to, and circuit of Lord's Lot on public rights of way.
This was a worthwhile walk, would I repeat it again?
Plus factors were the view from Lord's Lot summit, and a number of old packhorse lanes which always affect me with a sense of the past and the pleasure that we can still walk there seeing them almost unchanged and ponder on the lives of those who trod that way long ago. There is also the attraction of these hillsides intermittently populated with gorse, hawthorne and other smaller trees and shrubs showing a wide variety of shades of green and a unique terrain on these edges of the Lake District.
But, detracting, there were a number of severely cow-trodden fields which were today dry, but in wetter conditions would have been shin depth stinking gloop, but even as dry they make for difficult and potentially ankle twisting walking giving frustration rather than pleasure.
CLICK FIRST PHOTO TO ENLARGE FOR SLIDESHOW
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| On the way to Lord's Lot |
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| From Lord's Lot summit: mid-centre, green, is Hollow Stones from where I first saw the summit of Lord's Lot a kilometre away |
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| Just to show the variation of greens and other colour in this locale |
Monday, 28 May 2018
Miller Ground - Windermere
Sunday 27th May 2018 - Miller Ground, Windermere
Just a day out with granddaughter Katie and daughter Jill and her friend Charlie and boy Barney and Charlie's mother.
Miller Ground is a little bay just out of Windermere and near the famous Michelin Star hotel: Miller Howe. Free parking is possible in a lay-by or one of two pay and display car parks. Access is down a path to the shore. I was very much surprised to find this delightful spot not hopelessly busy on this bank-holday Sunday. There were plenty of people about but it was a pleasant place to be on this hot sunny day. I had taken a camp chair and sat and read my book and watched Jill and Katie having a ball in the water. Next time I would be in there myself if my knees would allow.
Jill with her friend Charlie went off a couple of times on quite long swims into the lake. They towed floatation devices to provide additional warning to boats and also to act as buoyancy in the case of difficulty.
Just a day out with granddaughter Katie and daughter Jill and her friend Charlie and boy Barney and Charlie's mother.
Miller Ground is a little bay just out of Windermere and near the famous Michelin Star hotel: Miller Howe. Free parking is possible in a lay-by or one of two pay and display car parks. Access is down a path to the shore. I was very much surprised to find this delightful spot not hopelessly busy on this bank-holday Sunday. There were plenty of people about but it was a pleasant place to be on this hot sunny day. I had taken a camp chair and sat and read my book and watched Jill and Katie having a ball in the water. Next time I would be in there myself if my knees would allow.
Jill with her friend Charlie went off a couple of times on quite long swims into the lake. They towed floatation devices to provide additional warning to boats and also to act as buoyancy in the case of difficulty.
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| Langdale Pikes and Scafell in the distance |
Bronte Way 3
Saturday 26th May. Bronte Way, Day 3 - Near Haworth to Denholme Gate.
Using two cars has gone as far as practical we think. It was an hour and a half for me to drive to Denholme Gate then another half hour or so to our parking near Haworth in BC's car. Having said that we were off walking by 9:35 am.
A short climb took us onto the Bronte moors followed by a steep descent to the Bronte Waterfsalls. They were a bit of a disappointment despite a decent dose of rain the day before, but even with meagre water it is a pleasant dell and potential picnic spot. Excellent, top of the world moorland walking followed. The GPX route I had downloaded did not go right into Haworth, but we did. Considering this was bank-holiday Saturday it was not badly overcrowded, and it was interesting to see again - my last visit must have been over forty years ago.
Descending from Haworth we came to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway terminus where a convenient bench above the track provided comfort for our lunch stop. The puffing steam train was arriving as we approached from above. Later we were treated to it moving out, fortunately with its smoke blowing in the opposite direction. BC seemed to be knowledgeable about these locomotives and was able to identify this black monster. Passengers disembarked and came past us apparently walking back to Haworth on the paths we had arrived on.
Approaching Oxenhope we missed a turn and continued high up Dark Lane before descending again to Lower Town, but it was worth it for a splendid view down to the valley. Out of Lower Town we had another diversion with minor roads that just didn't seem to correspond with our map, perhaps we were getting tired with the heat of the day? Back on track we passed to the west of Leeming reservoir, then to the east of Thornton Moor reservoir, and then a fairly stiff climb up to the spot height 361m. Here we had the most extensive view of the day's walk looking right back over the distance we had travelled, and we rested and refreshed for the second time - it was a magic spot on this bright sunny day. Another kilometre on a decent lane had us back to my car at Denholme Gate. This had been a varied and attractive walk with good views and interest all the way.
Using two cars has gone as far as practical we think. It was an hour and a half for me to drive to Denholme Gate then another half hour or so to our parking near Haworth in BC's car. Having said that we were off walking by 9:35 am.
A short climb took us onto the Bronte moors followed by a steep descent to the Bronte Waterfsalls. They were a bit of a disappointment despite a decent dose of rain the day before, but even with meagre water it is a pleasant dell and potential picnic spot. Excellent, top of the world moorland walking followed. The GPX route I had downloaded did not go right into Haworth, but we did. Considering this was bank-holiday Saturday it was not badly overcrowded, and it was interesting to see again - my last visit must have been over forty years ago.
Descending from Haworth we came to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway terminus where a convenient bench above the track provided comfort for our lunch stop. The puffing steam train was arriving as we approached from above. Later we were treated to it moving out, fortunately with its smoke blowing in the opposite direction. BC seemed to be knowledgeable about these locomotives and was able to identify this black monster. Passengers disembarked and came past us apparently walking back to Haworth on the paths we had arrived on.
Approaching Oxenhope we missed a turn and continued high up Dark Lane before descending again to Lower Town, but it was worth it for a splendid view down to the valley. Out of Lower Town we had another diversion with minor roads that just didn't seem to correspond with our map, perhaps we were getting tired with the heat of the day? Back on track we passed to the west of Leeming reservoir, then to the east of Thornton Moor reservoir, and then a fairly stiff climb up to the spot height 361m. Here we had the most extensive view of the day's walk looking right back over the distance we had travelled, and we rested and refreshed for the second time - it was a magic spot on this bright sunny day. Another kilometre on a decent lane had us back to my car at Denholme Gate. This had been a varied and attractive walk with good views and interest all the way.
CLICK MAP TO ENLARGE
CLICK HERE TO SEE SLIDESHOW IN DROPBOX
CLICK ON FIRST THUMBNAIL, THEN ON "FULL SCREEN" AT BOTTOM
TO SEE SLIDESHOW WITH BLACK BACKGROUND
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