Postcard from Timperley

Saturday, 13 September 2008

Friday 12 September 2008 - Follow the Dog

Today I was required to act as chauffeur to Her Majesty, as she would be 'too relaxed to drive' after her visit to the 'Spa Resort' at Hoar Cross Hall.

I didn't mind. It gave me the chance to 'Follow the Dog'. My only previous experience of 'single-track' mountain biking was an encounter with The North Face Trail at Grisedale, a couple of years ago, as part of a longer ride.

It was a dull day, but fine for mountain biking along the forest trails of Cannock Chase. The 7 mile trail is mainly through trees.

Obviously such paths are very easy at low speeds, but if you prefer a bit of momentum they can become a bit of a tree dodging exercise. I'm reasonably used to this from cycling in Delamere Forest, where there is no bespoke 'single-track' route - you just devise your own way through the trees. In Delamere there are steep drops and deep bogs to negotiate - if you feel like leaving the broad forest tracks. But here in the Chase they have spent a fortune in sanitising the ways through the forest, resulting in an experience almost anyone - at their own speed - would enjoy. And to go really fast would indeed be challenging. It took me just over 45 minutes to get round, excluding a short break to chat to another 'biker' (yes, that's what they call us here!) who was waiting for his mate. This chap had recently been the British Mountain Biking champion. He looked at my old bike with neither suspension nor disc brakes, and suggested I take care over the next section. I didn't, but I still couldn't keep up with them. The hardest bit was actually a short section of board about two feet wide, but that was easy compared with the boggy alternative.

So it was fun, and it's a shame we have nothing like it close to home, though some of the Peak District routes I follow are far more technical in nature.

I notice that a longer route, the Altura Trail is opening up in Whinlatter Forest, so the bike will have to visit the Lake District to try that one out.

Anyway, 45 minutes doesn't make for a day out. So, suitably refreshed, I headed off along a trail marked with green numbered signs. This was logging country.
There's a large Shaggy Ink Cap in this picture, dripping with ink!

I followed the signs for over an hour - from about 115 to 167 before suddenly, after about 14 miles, finding myself back at number 127 for the run back to the Forest Centre. These tracks were quick, easy and enjoyable.

I was envious of another cyclist (sorry, 'biker') who was on a ride out from his home in Rugeley. It's a shame that the facilities weren't there when we were children in this area.

But all was not entirely as it should have been. This was meant to be a picture of a deer, but the animal moved to fast for the camera!

After a fine cheese and pickle buttie and a flask of tea - whilst Sue was enjoying fine food at her Spa - I set off again, this time on foot.

Woodpeckers were pecking, squirrels were - well, running everywhere - and coachloads of youths were pretending to be apes. The newly opened 'Go Ape' course did look good fun, if very similar to the one at Delamere.

The path seemed to be taking me on 'The Route to Health'.

This wildlife did remain still enough to be photographed.

And these made me feel as if I may be in an aquarium rather than a forest!

I didn't know what to make of this!

Maybe Weird Darren had built it to support his tarp whilst in the area, modelling for this:

There were some nice 'textures' to be captured as well.

I was back at the car by 3 o'clock, when it started raining.
That was a fine excuse for a lazy afternoon reading the selection of fine literature I carry around for such occasions and admiring the wildlife at Blithfield Reservoir.

And then it was time for my chauffering duties. Her Majesty enjoyed a lovely sunset whilst my eyes were glued to the road as we cruised up the slippery M6 in Friday evening traffic at a steady 20 mph.

Friday, 12 September 2008

Following the Dog

Today is 'Follow the Dog' day in Cannock Chase.

It was quite energetic following the dog this morning, but I'm now following a different dog - the one in this picture.

It's quite (well, very actually) restful. I may be here for some time!

Thursday, 11 September 2008

Wednesday 10 September 2008 - A Pyrenean Adventure in Stockport

Tonight we trundled over to Stockport for Andy Howell's presentation to the Stockport Walking Group. We had previously supported him on his visit there last year to talk about the TGO Challenge. This time Baz (from London) and Shirley (Peewiglet) from Southport also made the effort to attend, and it was good to see my old workmate, Garry. It's a very friendly group, and the atmosphere in the Grapes afterwards was exceedingly convivial. Mr Sloman would not have been out of place in these surroundings. It was an ideal venue to catch up with Andy, and make new friends. About 30 people attended, despite the competing attraction of World Cup qualifying soccer on TV (not to mention a judo class).

Andy's talk was, as always, relaxed and fluent. He was not fazed at all by the judo class taking place in the room above - he'd had previous experience of having to compete with a 'sexual awareness class', in comparison with which this was a minimal distraction. His travails between Lescun and the Néouvielle Lacs National Park were beautifully illustrated. The Pyrenees is indeed a wonderful place to visit. Thank you, Andy, for sharing your experiences and inspiring others to venture to the area, which has something for everyone.

One of the natural icons of the Pyrenees, the Brèche de Roland, is shown above. I took that picture on 23 June 2006, a lovely sunny day for a stroll up to Pic du Taillon (3144 metres) via the Brèche. This gap in the frontier ridge is about 40 metres across, with walls 100 metres high. Whilst geological fact indicates that it was formed when a heavily eroded ridge collapsed, legend has it that a heroic warrior, Roland, nephew of Charlemagne, attempted to break his sword on the rock in the year 788, rather than let it fall into the hands of the Saracens. But the rock, not the sword, broke - allowing Roland to escape through the gap.

Wednesday, 10 September 2008

Litter

Following our return from the Alps, I noticed an entry from Alan Sloman concerning his encounter with some 'Shaming Rubbish'.

Alan was distressed with his failure to remove the offending items.

I've encountered some rubbish myself, on the little circuit around which I cycle most days in a vain attempt to retain some of the fitness gained in the Alps. This is the small lay-by in Gorsey Lane, about half way round my route.

I've thought about following Alan's lead and taking a little away every time I pass. But that's not really practical. Perhaps I should just take a half time break in one of the armchairs, if they aren't too soggy.

Hopefully the council will do something about this, but as the tip is round the corner, and the rubbish has been here for over two weeks, I suspect there may be a bit more to this story.

I commented on Alan's blog that we saw very little litter during our recent Alpine perambulations. This does not mean that litter doesn't exist there. Last year, near the Edel Hut, above Mayrhofen in Austria, we found evidence of litter in the form of this 'NO-LITTERING MEMORIAL' - a huge cairn of litter having been collected by youths in this area in 2004 and 2005. 'Take all your trash home' was the message.

One of our friends from the TGO Challenge, Markus Petter, the Austrian who this year started from three different places, has now revealed what he does for a living during the summer. He has to be both admired and envied. He leads working parties like the one that created the cairn shown above.

Markus reports as follows:
'I´m attaching another photo which shows my working party (all students from Vorarlberg) after the successful removal of weights of old waste from a mountain hut in the Silvretta area at 2,400 metres. I´ve been working for an alpine littering project during the summer time. We´ve been active in many mountain regions in Austria over the last few months.'

So, there is litter in the Alps - some 30-40 bags of it here at the Tübinger Hütte.

Well done, Markus.

PS This is my first attempt at using Windows Live Writer. It seems popular with some of my fellow bloggers. Let's see if it works!

Tuesday, 9 September 2008

Sunday 7 September 2008 - Ancient Cheshire - Delamere

Sunday morning. Time for the walk that we postponed from Thursday evening due to John next door's birthday party.

The walk was along a route suggested by Tony Bowerman in his excellent book, 'Walks in Mysterious Cheshire and Wirral', and the historical information in this entry is taken from that book.

Sue and I set off with Night Bird and Birthday Boy (who for this morning came out of their retirement from walking) from Barnsbridge Gates car park, only slightly late after being held up by a slow load and a bicycle event. This is Sandstone Trail country. We joined the dog walkers and push chairs on the broad woodland path beneath tall oaks and sweet chestnuts. Soon after crossing the railway line we took a left turn and before long found ourselves at the Forest Enterprise Visitor Centre. I was looking for clear maps of mountain biking routes in the forest, but nobody has yet produced a guide of any interest - the trails simply follow the broad tracks, so if you want any excitement you have to devise your own route through the woods. I will return to do just that.

The guidebook was useful. Many of the paths are not marked on the OS 1:25000 map, probably because about 340 acres of farmland through which they pass (The Old Pale) were only purchased by the Forestry Commission in 2000. New paths led along the bottom of the hillside, with Eddisbury Hill and Pale Heights rising above us to the right as the drizzle started and waterproofs were donned.

As we passed below the ramparts of the ancient Eddisbury hillfort the view to our left encompassed the Cheshire Plain, with Joddrell Bank radio telescope's white dish in the middle distance and the western edge of the Peak District just visible through the murk. The hillfort is the largest Iron Age site in Cheshire, built to guard a trade route hundreds of years before the arrival of the Romans. The Romans overran it and levelled the rampart and ditch before perhaps using the hill as a signal station, after which it remained as a deserted ruin for some 800 years. Then in around AD915 the fort was rebuilt to help protect Cheshire against the Danes. Massive earthworks from that time still tower 6 metres above the silted up ditch.

Buzzards mewed above us, as herons flapped past, scouring the meres for food.

Beyond the hillfort the path emerges onto Eddisbury Hill Lane by a sandstone farmhouse. A right turn here led us over a small rise and past the 'Old Pale' cottages. Whilst the lane went left, we continued along a broad field path almost on the line of the old Roman road, the Watling Street, linking Mamucium (Manchester) with Deva (Chester).

Here we are on the path.

In 1885 one WT Watkin, the Victorian author of 'Roman Cheshire', made an exploratory excavation and found an 11 metre wide cutting near the path. He announced its discovery as 'the most remarkable section of a Roman road in Britain'. As you can see, it is now rather overgrown!

But we stopped for a spot of tea. Unlike Weird Darren, we do not have a Victorian cooking stove collection, so we made do with Richard's bottomless flask.

And there was chocolate caramel shortbread, of course. There always is.

A helicopter with a bright spotlight (sadly not reproduced very well) found us, then decided it was looking for someone else.
Never mind, we weren't lost, anyway.

My camera has become very difficult to use, so until the G10 arrives my snaps may be even worse than usual. The helicopter was difficult to capture. The lens cover of the Canon S70 refuses to stay open and has to be held firmly in the open position all the time, to prevent the lens from retracting, making image capture somewhat tricky.

Autumn is fast approaching. Even the willowherb is fading. But the yellow plumage of ragwort provided a little colour as we strolled along in the drizzle to rejoin the Sandstone Trail near King's Chair.

Then it was through mature woods, past shallow medieval quarries reputed to have been the source of the stone for Vale Royal Abbey, erected between 1277 and 1300.

In Nettleford Wood this steel and terracotta Sandstone Trail waymarker in the shape of a wild boar confirmed that we were on track.

Now we turned off the main path, along an alternative route to a viewpoint. On the way we spotted a kestrel in a tree. The perch commanded a fine view over grassland, and despite our close (and noisy) proximity the bird was not inclined to fly, preferring to survey its territory from this fine perch.

Then it was up to 'Pale Heights', in fine weather again, for panoramic views in the company of a collection of masts. From here we could admire the Welsh hills, the Dee estuary, the Wirral peninsula, the Mersey estuary, Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, Stanlow oil refinery, the Pennines and the Peak District.

A path below the masts brought us back around to the Old Pale ridge, where some new earthworks evidence the construction of a swirly sculpture. It's currently work-in-progress, awaiting completion and perhaps an information board.

Beyond this it was an easy stroll back down towards the Visitor Centre, then left past Eddisbury Lodge and its horse borne inmates, to rejoin the Sandstone Trail and the 'pushchair' route back to the car.

Our route is shown below - about 10 km, with just 200 metres of ascent. It took us 2¾ hours. Tony Bowerman's book suggests 7 km (incorrect) and 3-3½ hours.

Monday, 8 September 2008

Saturday 6 September 2008 - Red House Farm Maize Maze

Here we are, in the sunshine again, eating ice creams with Andrew and Kate and their parents, at Red House Farm after escaping intact from the Maize Maze. For the last few years the maze has become a summer fixture at the farm, and we got there on the day before the attraction closed, presumably for harvesting.

The maze incorporates a treasure hunt that makes sure all corners of the field are visited. You get a map, and a red flag to enable rescues to take place. (They do, frequently!)

There are quite a number of Dead Ends.

We must have walked quite a way in the hour and a half we spent in the field of maize, before finally escaping, victorious after having, led by Andrew and Kate, tracked down all the clues.

There are other attractions at the farm. This year they have a Barrel Train that was enjoyed by all those who tried it.

And the children played on the go-karts...
See Al groping for the gear stick!

Thank you to Al and 'Stay at Home Hazel', and Andrew and Kate, for a most enjoyable afternoon and a lovely meal afterwards.

Friday, 5 September 2008

Friday 5 September 2008 - A Ladybower Stroll

It has been a little damp of late. But today was the duly appointed shopping day on which I was to return the leaky (but exceedingly comfy) Asolo Fugitives, and Sue was to seek a replacement for the worn out Meindl boots that she binned in Saas Fee.

It's a quick tram ride to the centre of Manchester and a selection of gear shops that give good discounts. But we chose to return to the boot fitting team led by Mike, at Outside (no discounts - but superb service) in Hathersage, for this long awaited shopping expedition.

The Asolos were quickly dealt with - the soles had delaminated from the uppers. "You've been very unlucky" said Mike - seemingly indicating that Asolo's quality control was supposed to be very good. [Some - Mick included - may disagree!] They were duly dispatched to Preston to be glued back together.

The next hour (at least) was spent with Sue trying several possible victims for her awkward feet. She eventually came away with a pair of Hanwag Lima Lady GTX leather boots - weighing in at £140 and an acceptable 1400gm for the pair.

I had never heard of Hanwag.

Luckily, Outside has a good coffee shop.

We couldn't go to Hathersage without venturing into the fresh air, which came with its own brand of liquid refreshment.

The Heatherdene car park near Yorkshire Bridge sports a fine bench (above) with resident owl, woodpecker and mouse. An excellent construction. Sue wants one for the garden.

Despite having a waterproof map with us, we cheated. There's an easy 6km route - a circuit nearly to the top of Win Hill - that just requires moderate eyesight and the ability to follow a few green arrows. The information board allows 2½ hours for this walk.

We set off at 12.15 and after crossing the Ladybower Dam we discovered that the reservoir is far from full - it still has some way to go before the overflow valve is reached. Tomorrow may be a different story, judging by the weather forecast!

Anyway, this was our first proper walk in daylight - other than an evening excursion from Notchy's house, since returning from the Alps over two weeks ago! Doesn't time fly.
It was great to get into the fresh air. Everything was very green up to a certain height, then grey became the dominant colour. The blackberries are ready for harvesting, mushrooms abound, and the heather is in full bloom. There wasn't much wildlife in evidence; just a few soggy sheep and whingeing crows. Streams thick with peat gushed into the reservoir; rosebay willowherb struggled to remain upright, and cloud lingered near the top of Win Hill, which for once we didn't bother to visit.

This is the last picture - towards the summit of Win Hill - I took before my camera broke. Roll on the G10!

Here's our route - 6 km, with 260 metres of ascent. We were back at the car by 1.30, so it took us just 1¼ hours - half the 'advertised' time.

Thursday, 4 September 2008

Shopping in the Alps

Here we are, topping up our supplies in Pleyne on 15 July. This was a particularly well stocked alimentari (shop), once we had gained access. Husband (next to Sue) had clearly retired - or gone senile - leaving his wife to run the business. She also ran their farming business and had to be recovered from where she was gathering hay in a nearby field, in order to serve us. We were lucky to find packet soup here; previously stock cubes with various additional items had been used as our 'starter' on wild camps.

Tea bags, chocolate, soup, risotto, tinned fish, a jar of mushrooms, and a big box of croissants are lined up on the counter for our enjoyment later. Not quite the lightweight revolution, but easy enough to carry, and delightful to eat - together with other supplies already in our packs - this was just a top-up.

We met lots of lovely, helpful people in these little, out-of-the-way, shops - they were a pleasure to visit despite the general lack of lightweight food.

Back to the Report for 15 July

Wednesday, 3 September 2008

A Wriggler

Could this little 'wriggler', trying with valiant contortions to remove its 8 inch frame from my hand, possibly turn into one of these?

So is it a baby Slow worm? If not, what could it be? We saw a few of them on our Alpine trip, writhing in the undergrowth of forest paths at around 1500 metres.

Help George!

Help Darren!

I'm off to the pub now, so you have all evening for this challenge!

Tuesday, 2 September 2008

The Mullein Moth (larva) - Cucullia verbasci

Here's another image from the Alps - the Susa Valley area. I think the flower is Orange Mullein, but the caterpillar was a complete mystery.

The original text of this blog - headed 'A Mystery Caterpillar' suggested that "Perhaps that guru of all things lepidopteran, Weird Darren, will come to my aid. What is it, Darren?"

Within the hour, Darren had indeed correctly identified the little blighter, brightly coloured so as to remind anything that may consider eating it that it tastes most unpleasant. But not before George - London Backpacker - had provided the excellent and informative link to the UK moths website.

So, well done and thank you, George and Darren, and I will have another mystery item for you tomorrow.

Monday, 1 September 2008

John Carroll - 4 September 1922 to 1 September 2008

It has been a sad day.

John, our next door neighbour, passed away, peacefully, at home, at the age of 85.

He was a lovely man and the best of neighbours. We will miss our chats over the garden fence, our shared pots of tea, showing him the pictures of our trips, and chatting about mutually adored places such as the Pyrenees.

Our condolences go to all his family and friends at this sad time.

Sunday, 31 August 2008

Charlecote Park

Yesterday we enjoyed a picnic at Charlecote Park with nearly 50 members of Sue's family.
A lovely occasion.

Sue now has the job of compiling her family tree.

The family photos will be displayed elsewhere, but here are some photos of Charlecote from our recce on 15 June, and as you can see from the image below, the flower beds have filled out since then!

Saturday, 30 August 2008

An Italian Border Route - 24 June to 21 August 2008, incorporating part of the GTA - Index

This unidentified flower seems a suitable 'header' for the Index to our blogs for this trip. Sue took this photo on 13 August at about 2100 metres, near the Italian village of Argentera, to the north of the Maritime Alps. The diameter of the flower head is about 15-20mm. Unfortunately, the leaves are out of focus. Has anyone any idea what it might be? Marigold?

Index to Sue and Martin's blogs made during their 8 week 'Italian Border Route' walk from Menton to Saas Fee, incorporating part of the Grande Traversata delle Alpi (GTA)

Friday, 29 August 2008

North of Ullapool

I am enjoying listening to Bob and Lee's podcasts of their walk along the Cape Wrath Trail in early May, though the low(ish) route the walk takes is a little disappointing.

Mountains like Ben More Assynt, Quinag and Foinaven should surely be part of the itinerary!

The podcasts are easily found at The Outdoors Station, or from the links below:

Part 1:

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Part 2:

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Part 3:

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Part 4:

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Part 5:
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Today's image is from the area that Bob and Lee passed through on their saunter. It shows Dave Oliver on 26 March 2007, on one of Stac Pollaidh's many pinnacles, looking towards the Coigach peaks.

Here's a link to a report on that trip, including an excellent holiday cottage in Ullapool, should you be tempted. And here are some more images from 2005. Readers will possibly be thankful that I haven't got round to writing proper reports for our 2005 and 2006 visits to the area!

Thursday, 28 August 2008

Jordan

One of the pleasures of returning to civilisation is catching up with Podcast Bob's output on the Outdoors Station.

But it was Andy Howell who had the pleasure of interviewing Tony Howard and Di Taylor, who have contributed regular articles about their adventures in Jordan in Adventure Travel magazine.

As the podcast explains, Tony and Di have been climbing and trekking in the mountains of North Africa and the Middle East for well over 30 years. In 1984 they discovered the climbing and trekking area of Wadi Rum, and wrote the guidebooks to that area. They return to Jordan every year and their discoveries reveal an unexpected land of forested hills, dales carpeted in flowers, huge canyons sometimes with fast-flowing rivers, caves, perfect limestone cliffs in wooded valleys and high mountains with lunar landscapes. This is the country of world famous sites of antiquity such as Petra, Pella, Ajlun and Kerak.

The podcast is here:
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We had the pleasure of visiting the area for a week in November 2007. Here's a link to the blog label for that trip (finishing with this entry - you'll need to go to the bottom of the page to view the entries chronologically).

A really interesting destination. We would like to go again - our trip was really just a 'taster'.

Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019