Sunset from Glaramara

It's just brilliant here tonight...

Saturday 11 April 2015 – The Calderdale Hike

After some delays in returning from Mallorca, due to a French air traffic controller strike (we chose Jet2 whose flights were merely delayed, whilst Ryanair and EasyJet flights were being cancelled), Friday was spent sorting out at home before Ken arrived from Ottawa to join me on the Calderdale Hike.

Entered as runners, we enjoyed the luxury of a 9am start, the walkers having left at 7am for the 37 mile route and 8am for the 26 mile route. All the runners leave together, and we spent the first half of our walk with those doing the 37 mile version. That had more entrants as it is on the ‘Ultra-running’ calendar that is currently quite popular. Here are the runners, amassing at the 9am start, just as the rain stopped.

Ken and I were dressed more appropriately for hiking, though we did do a bit of jogging.

It was a new route this year – full details are on the Calderdale Hike website (note that the route changes, so in time this link will show a different route).

I was fooled at the start, as everyone headed across some playing fields by way of a short cut to Bowood Lane. No doubt it was shorter, but due to the long queue to squeeze through a narrow gap, it was probably slower for those of us at the back. Never mind, it helped everyone to spread out and find their own pace.

There were very few people behind us as Ken and I headed up Rishworth Moor.

As we got higher, a buffeting NW wind ensured that very little running took place, with Ken rather keener than me on that form of perambulation.

We moved relentlessly towards a checkpoint on the Oldham side of the M62 motorway, reached via the Pennine Way footbridge that rather puzzlingly had rather a lot of mud on its convex surface.

After this, Ken forged ahead along the easy slabs of the Pennine Way, towards the summit of Blackstone Edge. By now we were passing many of the walkers who had set off in heavy boots at 7 or 8 o’clock. Ken and I used trail shoes today. My four year old Keen Targhee ll shoes with nearly 2000 km under their soles performed brilliantly and with the aid of some sealskinz socks kept my feet dry and warm.

I tried to find the actual summit of Blackstone Edge, then went to the trig point (pictured at the head of this post, not the true summit), reached via an awkward step.

Ahead of me, Ken fell over near here and hurt his ring finger – eventually requiring a hospital visit when he got back to Ottawa. I caught up with him at White House checkpoint, the sixth of nine checkpoints for the short route, excluding the start and finish point.

We watched those on the long route (the majority) jog off down the hill towards Sladen Fold, and I left Ken munching sandwiches and headed off towards several reservoirs beside which the Pennine Way passes. Here’s the good path beside Head Drain, leading towards several small reservoirs.

Ken soon passed me – “see you at the end”. This is a flat path. It should have been ideal for a little gentle jogging, but unseen in these two images is the strong, buffeting, cold NW wind that led to instant dismissal of any thought of making progress in any other way than walking.

Eventually the Pennine Way turned right and the recommended route turned left. Given that the next checkpoint, Lumbutts Church, was more or less straight ahead, that’s the way I chose despite the paucity of a path.

Across Langfield Common, the ‘path’ was a little tricky to follow, but I soon encountered some runners who told me they’d had a navigational nightmare. I suspect that was true as they were much quicker than me and soon sped off into the distance.

Lumbutts Church is always an excellent support point. I enjoyed a butty and a drink and the obligatory banana and jelly babies here, before setting off along the Pennine Bridleway below Stoodley Pike, which unusually was not on today’s itinerary.

I hadn’t been doing much running, so it was surprising to be passed by quite a few short route runners. It seems they had chosen a more elongated itinerary than mine. This event has no set route – you are simply required to visit all the checkpoints in the correct order.

Here’s a short route runner passing me, and in the distance is Ian Symington, the eventual winner, about to overtake me after he had gone 30 miles as opposed to my 19 miles. Well done Ian, who just carried on running and finished nearly an hour ahead of me. He completed the 37 mile route in about five and a half hours. (The results haven’t yet been published as I compose this report.)

Some time later, three or four miles from the end, Ken caught up with me. Strange, as I thought he was ahead of me. Anyway, he soon dashed off and finished the 26 mile course in 6 hours 19 minutes. I managed a steady jog for the last downhill mile, to come in 3 minutes after him, though if I’d taken it a bit easier I may not have felt stiff for so long afterwards!

All in all, an excellent day out, and thanks for your company, Ken.

Thanks also to all the numerous helpers and marshals who made the event run so smoothly, and to those responsible for the lavish amounts of food at both the checkpoints and the cricket club at the end. Brilliant!

Here’s the 42 km route, with 1300 metres ascent, taking me 6 hours 22 minutes.

(Click for a larger image)

Previous reports on this walk:
2014
2012
2011
2009

Wednesday 8 April 2015 - Puig Tomir (1103 metres)

Whilst Robert and Lyn drove off somewhere to base themselves for a bike ride to and from sumptuous café and lunch breaks, Sue and I drove up to the small car park, Es Pixarells, at kilometre 17 on the Pollença to Lluc road.

A 10.20 start found us walking under a blue sky along the main road to km 17.4, before heading up a quiet tarmac lane past Menut to Binifaldó.

From here we enjoyed a classic five and a half hour circuit over Puig Tomir in perfect weather. A brilliant way to conclude our short trip to Mallorca. Sue is pictured (top) on the summit.

Our route is well described in Paddy Dillon's Cicerone guide - route number 21.

Highlights of the day include:

• numerous frolicking goats 
• an entertaining ascent of a rock band aided by wires and stemples 
• masses of bright blue rosemary on the ascent 
• eagles and other birds of prey soaring near the summit 
• good access - not always the case in Mallorca - though some of the ladder stiles (see middle picture) were not for sufferers of vertigo
• a huge green grasshopper 
• fabulous summit views, especially to the Formentor peninsula and across the sea to Menorca 
• I spotted a couple of small orchids, one of which was a very small and very pretty new one for us - more on this in due course
• several lime kilns near Binifaldó 
• a huge snow pit below the summit - it must have been a good eight metres deep, with accompanying corrals for mules
• brilliant wilderness paths that were once mule tracks
• afternoon tea in an olive grove on a thin path with two mules (pictured - bottom)

We saw a few folk, including a dozen or so German women on the summit, but a lot of the time it felt like just us in the wilderness.

The total walk was 17 km in six and a half hours, including ascent of around 700 metres. An excellent excursion. Highly recommended.

Later - a most enjoyable final evening with Robert and Lyn in the apartment.

That's it from Mallorca for now. I'll try to produce a slideshow when time permits.

Happy Birthday Dot – 90 Today

Many Happy Returns, Mother! (Pictured here with Sue at Shugborough, on 24 August 2011.)

Tuesday 7 April 2015 - Sa Gubia (609 metres) and Pas de sa Fesa

Yesterday Sue went up Mola, a small hill near Cala de Sant Vicente. Her report on that and a small extension to the walk described in Paddy's guide book will follow.

Today we planned to walk up Es Teix and wander along Archduke Lluís Salvador's 19th century pathways. But the high peaks were in cloud, on a drafty day. So we chose Paddy Dillon's route number 37 instead. 

As it turned out, the original plan would have been fine, but the alternative was also a good choice, with excellent views from the summit, where I took today's pictures.

Coffee at our parking spot at Ca'n Penasso would have been a nice way to start, but the restaurant has had its day and needs pulling down.

Two types of spurge accompanied us up the gently graded switchback track past two sheep shelters, one with a deep well. There were more shelters near the summit.

Birds of prey circled above, one, a brightly coloured kite, coming low above our heads.

Three people followed us up the path, but it was a different German couple who appeared on the summit as we were finishing our lunch. A chaffinch lurked expectantly. Seagulls floated on the breeze - we could see the sea in several directions.

We descended back to the track at a col where there's a plaque erected in 1958 in memory of Leandro Ximenis, a well-known Mallorquín mountaineer.

The route down took us through a deep cleft, eventually reaching two sets of locked gates that we skillfully negotiated before completing our 13 km circuit past hedgerows laden with wild garlic.

In fact, we avoided a kilometre along a main road by diverting to the main square in Bunyola. Coffee and coke at Café Ca S'espardenyer was a good way to complete the outing, especially as nearby Café Tramuntana didn't seem to notice us.

A major navigational error on the way home didn't detract from the day. Robert and Lyn returned from a good ride to join us for afternoon tea by the pool, then we adjourned to 'Stay' in Port de Pollença for a meal to celebrate Lyn and Sue's recent birthdays.

Another fine Balearic day...

Monday 6 April 2015 - Out With The Peleton

Today I discovered what it's like to ride with the Peleton. 

The bike rides with Robert and Lyn are very gentle. Some would regard them as meanders. Many large groups of club cyclists whizz past us from time to time.

Today, battling after 60 km against a light headwind, I was passed by a group in yellow uniforms. They gave me very little space, cutting in front of me. So I tried to follow them. Suddenly, instead of battling the breeze, I found myself freewheeling in order to avoid a bump with the person ahead. I was quite oblivious of the team cars with flashing blue lights that were behind me, with Robert pedalling like fury behind them. They are the only team cars we have seen.

So the old man in the M&S tracksuit joined the Peleton for a while. From this day on he will view with admiration the efforts of those who either break away from the Peleton or find themselves having to catch up with it.

This morning we left the apartment in cool sunshine, soon passing lovely blossom and fine views to the nearby mountains. Lyn and I sauntered whilst Robert returned to base for her windproof jacket. Mallorca is very 'green' just now, the summer heat and dryness not yet having arrived. It's excellent cycling and walking weather.

There were lots of cycling groups out today. We got mixed into one of them before pausing at the Saint Miquel chapel, where cakes were being brought out in anticipation of a profitable day.

A side road past a busy rat got us to coffee in the sunshine at Moscari, before leisurely continuing our gently undulating route to Biniamar, and a jovial bar after 35 km for a huge lunch (pictured). We finished it all and were rewarded with a discount. The sun beat down. It was glorious weather today.

The afternoon was spent completing an 80 km circuit back to Port de Pollença. It took us seven and a half hours, of which four and a half were in the saddle, which I'm happy to report has not resulted in anything worse for me than a cricked neck.

After the Peleton incident at 60 km we entered the Nature Park where lots of birds can be admired, including rare crested coots and many other species. My banana - the only food I carry on such trips - was enjoyed at the top of an observation tower.

Back roads then delivered us back to 'poolside' (pictured), in my case after Ambrosio had been returned intact to Bruce at Pro-Cycles.

Our route today, for the record, was:

Port de Pollença >  Saint Miquel chapel > Campanet > Moscari (coffee - Bar es Poulton) > Binibona > Calmari > Mancor de la Vall > Biniamar (lunch) > Lloseta > Inca > Sapobla > Parc Naturel de S'Albufera > Port de Pollença 

More details will be posted when the records from my Garmin gadget and my Canon camera have been downloaded.

Sunday 5 April 2015 - A Bike Ride to Coll d'Honor (550 metres)

Whilst Sue had a mini adventure on Puig Caragoler (report to follow in due course), I joined Robert and Lyn for a bike ride from Biniali.

We set off at 10.30 on the following 57 km circuit:

Biniali > Santa Maria > Bunyola > Coll d'Honor > Orient > Alaro > Santa Maria > Biniali, taking minor roads wherever possible.

Jumpy the van found his usual spot by the roundabout outside Biniali, from where we cycled casually past vineyards and flower meadows towards Santa Maria. A busy spot with heavy traffic. 

After a 'Robert's Ramble' in search of the correct exit from town, Robert and Lyn headed off in a third random direction. Unfortunately the traffic intervened and I had no idea where they had gone. Luckily it was sunny in the central square where I'd last seen them. Just as well as they'd gone 5 km up the unsigned road to Bunyola before realising I was missing!.

After some text messages, 45 minutes, and a futile attempt on my part to purchase a map, my two companions rather sheepishly reappeared and I finally escaped from the bustle of Santa Maria. That was an extra 10 km for Robert and Lyn, and a free coffee for me. The story will no doubt amuse Marcus.

Unfortunately, having passed some Little Egrets and ensconced ourselves outside a café in Bunyola, we were put off by the smoke and our apparent invisibility (Robert is a 6ft 8in dwarf) and moved on to commence the 40 minute climb to today's objective, Coll d'Honor. Apparently we passed an excellent cake shop on the way out of town - Robert noticed it was open but overlooked broadcasting the fact.

Anyway, there were good views back down to the town, and across to the nearby mountains.

A Blackcap narrowly dodged my spokes during the 350 metre ascent to the Coll. Once there, Robert kindly took today's photo of me and Lyn, with Hewie and Ambrosio in attendance.

A short descent saw us outside the restaurant at Orient, where I washed down their pasta bolognese with some cold San Miguel whilst the others washed down a sandwich and some salad with some cold coffee. Oh dear! especially as it had clouded over and cooled down, with Robert even alleging 'rain'.

It's a fast descent to Alaro, even with dangerously skinny tyres and a buffeting wind. Good fun though, especially with the added comfort of a windproof top and some warm legs.

Alaro was full of people, who we saw more than once as Robert once again wrestled with the geography of a Mallorcan town.

Eventually we found our way out and rode slowly back to Biniali, via Santa Maria, much less busy on the overcast afternoon, passing lots of swooping Hoopoes on the way.

I recorded 57 km in 3 hours 20 minutes cycling time, 6 and a half hours altogether. The others rode at least an extra 10 km, bless 'em!

Saturday 4 April 2015 - Cuculla de Fartàritx - 711 metres

On another 'partly sunny' day I decided to give myself a rest from a rather firm saddle and join Sue for a 'hill day'.

This was walk 19 in Paddy Dillon's Cicerone guide, but we aren't convinced that he's done the whole walk.

Almonds and orange trees accompanied us on the track out of Pollença, from where the paths gradually diminished in width and ease of surface, finishing on a stone path that had clearly once been a good old mule track to the high farmhouse of Fartàritx Gran.

The local variety of cyclamen, with small white flowers, grows in this vicinity, but the rich crop of orchids that Sue found yesterday wasn't in evidence here - just a few interesting lilies to be identified when we return home.

There was cloud on our summit for a while, but it soon left in favour of the much higher top of Puig Tomir (1104 metres).

The section from Fartàritx Gran to the summit was the bit that Paddy may not have walked. His route description sent us to the right of the waymarked path. There's a spring above the farm at the edge of a wood, where we thought we were supposed to contour a little further. But the path now seems to ascend up above the farmhouse, rather than to its right. Anyway we climbed up to an imposing rock face and contoured left on animal tracks over rough ground, eventually reaching the waymarked path that led in easy zigzags through a rock band to the summit plateau. From there it was an easy 400 metre stroll to the summit cairn.

There were fine views in all directions, as intimated by today's picture. These, together with the arrival of a Scottish pair, resulted in an hour's sojourn at this scenic spot. Goats frolicked nearby as we chatted.

Eventually it was time to descend back to the rock band, after the descent of which we turned right and continued down to L'Assarell farm, from where a surfaced lane led past assorted species of lily back to Pollença. A bit tedious, this last bit, but apart from that, an excellent 18 km walk taking six and a half hours, including an hour for lunch and socialising on the summit with the only people we met all day outside Pollença. Back in town, ice creams were welcomed before we said goodbye to the goldfinch on guard at the car park - he had done a good job - the Panda still appears to be free from damage!

Friday 3 April 2015 - A Bike Ride to San Llorenç

Sue went up sa Talaia Fred and Puig de sa Creu today in lovely weather. Her report will follow in due course. 

Meanwhile, I went to Bruce's bike shop, supposedly to pick up a hybrid bike for a few days. I came away with Ambrosio, who has the thinnest tyres I've ever ridden on. Lyn and Robert have their own bikes, so we loaded all three into Jumpy the van and set off to Ariany.

There followed a 68 km bimble on the following route:

Ariany > Petra > Ma3330 > Bosch Valley > Sant Llorenç des Cardassar > Ma4022 > Ma4021 > Manacor > beside Ma15 > Ma3310 > Petra > Ariany.

It took 3 and a half hours moving time but about 5 and a half hours in total, reflecting the leisurely nature of the day.

There are lots of cyclists here, so riding on tarmac is much less stressful than in the UK, as drivers are more considerate.

Hawks hovered over a plethora of smaller birds, and regiments of telegraph pole trees sprouting pink flowers puzzled us as to their identity.

The pie shop in Sant Llorenç proved an excellent lunch venue, though the small town (pictured) proved less than easy to leave - we spent 8 km searching for our planned exit. My walks may include unexpected meanders; Robert's bike rides certainly include unrehearsed 'rambles'!

The evening was spent in a nice restaurant in Pollença, before we adjourned to watch a long Easter procession that seemed to me to feature numerous chapters of Klu Klux Klan, followed by Christ (a dwarf) on a byre, and a brass band. All slowly marching down Pollença's 400 Calvari steps over a period of 45 minutes.

Some photos were taken - I'll try to provide a better commentary in due course with the slide show. It was actually an important event, attended by thousands and with Balearic TV broadcasting live. So we may have been on local TV tonight, especially 6 ft 8 inch Robert.

Thursday 2 April 2015 - Port de Pollença

It doesn't seem four years since we were last here. It isn't four years since Robert and Lyn were last here; they have been coming to Xypres Apartments for the last eight years.

Luckily there is a spare room, and Sue and I were quick to jump at the opportunity to join them again for a week. It was good to leave Timperley's wind and rain and escape to weather that is reminiscent of an English heatwave.

Jet2 were ahead of schedule and our bag took no longer to appear than it took me to reach the head of the car hire queue. Bad news on the car front - how are we possibly going to keep a brand new black Fiat Panda free from the sort of wear and tear that could eat into our deposit. (We are insured, but could do without the hassle.)

We are now sitting by the burbling pool outside the apartment in easy chairs with glasses of wine. The aroma of pork tenderloin is drifting through the kitchen window.

Happy Days!

Sent from my Samsung device

Martiflette (2 servings)

This is a dish based on the traditional 'Tartiflette' that we enjoyed with French friends earlier in 2015. When I told Chantal that I included mushrooms in my recipe, and that I didn't use Reblochon cheese, she said "That's not Tartiflette, you can't call it Tartiflette". So this is my take on this traditional Alpine dish, perhaps also suitable for a cold March day in Timperley.

INGREDIENTS

350 gm potatoes (waxy/red are good) - thinly sliced
250 gm bacon (smoked is good) - get two hand-cut slices from the butcher and cut into small squares (or buy lardons)
4 shallots or a small red onion - sliced
2 cloves garlic - crushed
150 gm chestnut mushrooms - sliced
200 ml double cream
250 gm Linset Chaorce cheese
White wine

Salad ingredients of your choice

PROCESS

1 Heat oven to 200 degrees C.

2 Boil the potatoes in salted water until they soften (6-7 minutes).

3 Drain and cool the potatoes.

4 Fry the bacon, garlic and onion/shallots with a dash of olive oil for 5-6 minutes until they soften, then add the sliced mushrooms and continue frying for 4-5 minutes.

5 De-glaze the pan with white wine.

6 Put the bacon mixture in a buttered gratin dish, then layer the sliced potatoes on top.

7 Pour the double cream evenly over the top of the potatoes.

8 Season with salt and pepper.

9 Overlay with slices of Chaorce cheese. This is more readily available in the UK than Reblochon, which can also be used, as can other soft, melty cheeses.

10 Bake in the oven at 200C until the cheese is golden and bubbling.

Enjoy with some green, or more elaborate, salad.

Based on a Tartiflette recipe from Robert, the Solitary Walker. Thanks Robert.

Saturday 28 March 2015 – Wythenshawe parkrun

I did my 70th Wythenshawe parkrun (I’ve now learnt that it is all one word, with a lower case p) on Saturday and was nabbed afterwards by Andy to write the weekly report. He chose the right moment, as I’ll only be able to get to the event one more time before the end of May. You’ll gather from the report that is duplicated below that there weren’t many, if any, photos taken on Saturday, so I’ve pulled some from the 27 December 2014 archive, showing the Park, Oliver, and a different Run Director, Paul M, giving a rather longer briefing than we ‘enjoyed’ on Saturday.

I won’t go on any more, other than to emphasise the enjoyment and camaraderie generated by parkruns all over the UK. Go on, get your barcode, and then use it!

Here’s my report.

Event number 180 – 28th March 2015

Posted on March 29, 2015 by wythenshaweoffice

Well, what an honour! I've been asked to pen this week's report. Was that a hint of desperation I detected in Andy's voice when he asked me?

I had planned to bring 'cake' to celebrate my 70th Wythenshawe parkrun, but having looked at the forecast I decided against being remembered as the person who brought the soggiest cake! What a contrast to last week's conditions.

Cycling from Timperley was not actually unpleasant, but by 8.45 even Oliver had deployed his brolly and was enjoying a chuckle whilst 197 masochists assembled under the large trees next to the 16th century hall that his mate Captain Adams had laid siege to some 370 years earlier. "I'm glad I wasn't there" pondered Oliver,  recalling that Adams had got his head blown off in the fracas.

Anyway, the rain thickened and 9am came and went. Technical problems with the timing device were skilfully 'patched' and today's Run Director, Paul L, piped up and led his victims to the start line. It's a requirement to provide a briefing at this point, so the dogs were gagged whilst Paul quickly welcomed tourists, explained the route, briefed the first timers, explained that we don't have sole use of the park, asserted that children must stay with and look after their parents, reminded Andy that 'it's not a race', encouraged everyone to follow the signs ("but not the yellow ones, they are for a different event"), etc, etc.

To Paul's eternal credit he managed all this, and a countdown to the start, in about ten seconds.

It was crowded and wet. I'm sure Matteo was pleased to have his new Sealskinz waterproof socks. I was certainly glad of mine, but very soon my feet were the only dry bits of my body.

The 'mud splash' was just that - a bit like the water splash in a steeplechase, but 20 times as long and full of mud. Great fun!

Slithering around the football pitches was, well, a slither. But the fast descent to the far bridge was (relatively speaking) a pure delight, especially for 'it's not a race' Holloway who managed to sprint ahead of a youthful rival.

So PBs would not feature today, would they? Well, they did! Congratulations to 14 of you who managed just that - Jaya, Jacqueline, Amy, Lindsey, Heather, Jane, Paul, Samantha, Philippa, William, Gareth, Stuart, Adam and Andrew. There were also PBs (obviously) from today's 26 First Timers, only 7 of whom had done parkruns before elsewhere. So well done to those folk for starting their parkrun careers on such a grotty day. Do come again!

First home was Andy 'it's not a race' Holloway, and bringing up the rear today, just beating the tail runner to the tape, was Jill 'I'm going as fast as I can' Holloway. Three more 'Holloways' were amongst the list of finishers, and it's not beyond the bounds of possibility that there were a further 11 Holloways masquerading as 'Unknowns', not forgetting any more Holloways listed amongst today's volunteers.

We all know (especially those of us of a certain age) that Andy 'it's not a race' Holloway is quite right in his assertion. It's all about percentages, of the age-related variety, with a talented lady once again taking the bow. Not many may know this, but our queen of the percentages today is currently rather high in the UK lists for 10km races in her age group. We salute you Jackie Cordingley, for your 'Performance of the Week'.

Percentages are of course important to the OAPs amongst us, and congratulations go to Michael Dunne for being first home, in 29th position, amongst the nine 'over 65s' included in today's soggy participants.

Today's Tourists - they must be seriously addicted to turn out in such vile weather whilst on holiday in Manchester - appear to come from the height and breadth of Greater Manchester, apart from two significant chaps, Ben Barton and Rob Partington, who despite their Northern Names ventured out from the Isle of Wight and Greater London respectively. I hope you enjoyed your visit, and a cuppa at the café before your long journeys home! Well done to all of you, and on behalf of the 'management' I do apologise for the time that it took to scan your barcodes at the finish.

Today's event was plagued by technical problems, with large numbers of soggy barcodes contributing to the delay. I thought everyone was very patient whilst the hard-pressed volunteers refused to panic and eventually de-camped from the dubious shelter of the trees to finish their task in the warmth of the café, albeit the soggy runners still had to wait to get to the head of the queue before gaining shelter from the weather.

Talking of volunteers, as you know, the event couldn't take place without them, and today's team of Run Director Paul Lockett together with his finely honed squad of Beatrice Cordingley, Anthony Harrison, Andy 'it's not a race' Holloway, Richard Kenny, Katharine Lay, Alex Lay, Dorothy Muldoon, Anthony Southworth, Susan Steindorff, Martin Stratton, Margaret Tunney and Emma Willert are to be applauded, together with all the additional folk who stepped in to help move the scanning firstly from in front of the hall to under the trees, and then to the café.

(Well done - I can hear the clapping in Timperley.)

Volunteers are always needed, and I'd encourage you to take your turn - we should all volunteer at least three times a year - by sending an email or a facebook message, or by filling in the sheet on the table at your next parkrun.  There are always plenty of slots available which really do need filling, and it's fun and satisfying.

Almost finally (should that be penultimately?), a word to the 16 under 15s who took part today. I'm really impressed that you ventured out on such a grotty day, but I'm also envious of you all having years and years of PBs in front of you - enjoy that whilst you can.

Finally (post penultimately?), Andy has scripted a message that says  "I may have mentioned it before, but please, please, please Don’t Forget Your Barcode". (You may need to re-print and laminate one if those I saw at the finish are anything to go by.) Andy harbours a dream of one day having a run with no Unknown Athletes in the results table so go on, make him happy!

See you next time

Martin

Our Wine List

 

This is just testing my new phone prior to the next bout of mobile blogging.

(Mine's the Rich Cape Burgundy please, I hope it improves with age!)

Austrian Alpine Club Photo Competition - 2014

Readers may recall a diplomatic incident several years ago when I entered a winning photo in the AAC competition. ‘Butterflyfest’ had actually been taken by Sue!

We judged the competition the following year and submitted our 2013 entry too late. But we recently submitted a fairly random selection of snaps taken in 2014.

It’s not a big contest, and the winners simply receive certificates. This year just 21 members sent in a total of 128 images, including 4 sketches.

The hasty and random selection of the images, coupled with my very average snapping skills, meant I had no expectations of success. Sue and I each submitted 5 entries.

Yesterday the results were announced, with some 20 of the 128 images, taken by 13 of the 21 entrants, receiving awards or commendations.

Sue was pleased to discover that one of her pictures was commended, though on this occasion I missed out.

The pictures we submitted are shown in chronological order below. Can you spot Sue’s commended entry?

Wild Camp at Annat

Lochan na h-Earba

Long Flowered Primrose

Round-leaved Saxifrage

Botany Calling


Sassongher Awaits


Crocodile in Badia


Rhaetian Poppy


Mountain Houseleek


Marsh Helleborine

The Austrian Alpine Club has several thousand members. Membership includes some insurance cover and members receive 50% discounts on their accommodation in affiliated mountain huts, so it’s worth joining for no other reason if you are going to spend a week or so in such ‘huts’.

Friday 20 to Sunday 22 March 2015 – Rentahostel in Slaidburn

I’d intended to continue with the mobile postings during this trip, but with Slaidburn not having wifi or a reliable mobile phone signal (not a bad thing), I gave the phone a rest. In fact it may be having a long rest, as it’s overdue an upgrade and I’m fed up with being pestered by call centres.

Back then to Friday morning, the day of the 85% eclipse, of which Sue and I had excellent views whilst driving around the M60 squinting through a bundle of photographic slides when the clouds weren’t shielding our eyes from the sun.

Reaching Sabden at 10.15, we found Ken and Anne and discovered that the antique centre’s café, where we had planned to meet, had been closed for two years. So we plonked ourselves outside the amenable Malkin Pie shop, which also did coffee - very friendly it was too.



Luckily, it wasn’t too cold, as the rest of today’s 14 strong team arrived in dribs and drabs over the next hour or so. Eventually we all set off up Calf Hill on the misty day, along the easy path up Pendle Hill.

Here we are, on track, near Churn Clough Reservoir.



Up into the mist we went, soon taking a path to the right. The wrong path. My incompetent navigation (a ‘Martin’s Meander’) resulted in a joyous yomp across the moor towards Ogden Clough. Keith and I soon found the easy track, but for some reason the others, just visible through the mist, continued their clumsy yomp through peat hags, about 50 metres to our right.

However we were reunited further up Ogden Clough for the final storming of Pendle Hill summit (557 metres), where a much anticipated cloud inversion sadly eluded us.



Lunch was taken 10 metres from the summit in the forlorn hope of sunshine that never arrived. Then we descended north to the wall that heralds the path down to a waymark post that looks ancient but is actually quite new. From there, a path of well laid and well used stone slabs lead down towards Barley.



Black Moss Reservoirs appeared through the haze, and the easy walk into Barley led inexorably to the Barley Mow, where the clientele unfortunately put off some of those disposed to nervousness amongst our number…



... so 9 of them disappeared into the nearby Pendle Inn.

The rest of us continued on beside Lower Ogden Reservoir, on the road – we missed the lower path due to some incompetence from our leader (oops!).

Further on, water cascaded with a degree of symmetry  from the upper reservoir.



We rose from there,with a bleak view down to the reservoir, heading over Driver Height towards Sabden Fold. On the way, Ken found the item he had earlier purchased ‘blind’ from an eBay seller. He joyously took possession of his new caravan. Anne looked on, puzzled.



We returned with no further incident, apart from deep mud, unexpected hills, and shadowy figures bearing broomsticks, to Sabden, and the short but convoluted drive to Slaidburn.

Our walking route, including my faux pas in the mist over Spence Moor, was 19 km with 700 metres ascent, taking 5.5 hours.



During the evening our group of 14 expanded to the weekend’s quota of 25, most of whom enjoyed the Hark to Bounty Inn’s fish night – a choice of about ten different fish dishes, all very good.

Saturday morning, and a fine day outside Slaidburn Youth Hostel saw all 25 of us milling around for some time. In other words, these two, Colin and Tove, were in for a long wait.



Some then went on a drive, leaving 12 of us to set off up the road. Foolishly, someone had appointed me leader again. I had to turn around and call back the vanguard in order to negotiate an unexpected turning into the enticing garlicky aroma of the woods around Tenter Hill.



Mud was encountered near Myttons, then high quality farming equipment adorned the landscape at Lanshaws…



... lots of it.



We headed on past Croasdale House and up to the Roman Road that stretched far ahead of us onto Croasdale Fell – see photo at the top of this posting.

'Elevenses' was soon declared.



Then we came across one of a number of memorial plaques erected in 2012 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the execution of the Pendle witches. There’s a website dedicated to the cause, here. A central feature seems to be a poem by Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Laureate. This is one of the ‘Tercet’ waymarks that carry stanzas from the poem on the top of the waymark, in this case the sixth tercet, with the whole poem on one side. (A tercet is simply a three-lined stanza or poem, that often contains a rhyme.)



Here’s the whole poem:

One voice for ten dragged this way once
by superstition, ignorance.
Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

Witch: female, cunning, manless, old,
daughter of such, of evil faith;
in the murk of Pendle Hill, a crone.

Here, heavy storm-clouds, ill-will brewed,
over fields, fells, farms, blighted woods.
On the wind’s breath, curse of crow and rook.

From poverty, no poetry
but weird spells, half-prayer, half-threat;
sharp pins in the little dolls of death.

At daylight’s gate, the things we fear
darken and form. That tree, that rock,
a slattern’s shape with the devil’s dog.

Something upholds us in its palm-
landscape, history, place and time-
and, above, the same old witness moon

below which Demdike, Chattox, shrieked,
like hags, unloved, an underclass,
badly fed, unwell. Their eyes were red.

But that was then- when difference
made ghouls of neighbours; child beggars,
feral, filthy, threatened in their cowls.

Grim skies, the grey remorse of rain;
sunset’s crimson shame; four seasons,
centuries, turning, in Lancashire,

away from Castle, Jury, Judge,
huge crowd, rough rope, short drop, no grave;
only future tourists who might grieve.

Suitably impressed, we continued along the Roman Road, unnoticed by courting birds of prey but viewed with suspicion by their minders. On the moor we saw the usual curlew, lapwings, oyster catchers and skylarks, to name just a few (Ken could I expect provide a long list) as well as birds of prey, the most conspicuous of which was a sparrowhawk.

A gateway indicated the point at which we should leave the track and yomp beside a fence, across peat hags to White Hill.

There's a 'Tower' near the summit. Graham Illing climbed it, perhaps trying, and failing to be first to the summit of the hill.



It was therefore Keith who made it first to the trig point at 544 metres which marks the highest point in the neighbourhood.



Ingleborough was visible in the distance, its summit ringed with the last vestiges of a wintry necklace, but it was only just visible through the haze (though today was by far the clearest day of the week).

It was time for lunch, in a more sheltered spot today, again by the highest point of our outing.



Then a downhill yomp took us back to the Roman Road for another sunbathing break before heading down Whitendale, a pleasant valley where we met just two people - one of whom I recognised as an LDWA member who had been on my recent Curry Walk.

After passing a lady enjoying afternoon tea in her garden, we headed steeply up into a cool breeze towards Dunsop Head.



Once the initial ascent was over we paused to empty our flasks before a final march to the high point, followed by an easy descent on a high path to the south of Dunsop Brook. There are some fine signposts around here!



The skies were clear, offering good views towards Stocks Reservoir before we finished the walk on gentle tarmac past brutally coppiced hawthorn hedges. An excellent day out, the route of which is shown below - 23 km with 800 metres ascent, taking 7.5 hours.



Luckily, we were back shortly before the ‘driving’ contingent who had done a point to point walk using cars to ferry themselves around, so some of us got hot showers before the water went cold and then we adjourned for tea and cake, and later an excellent meal provided by numerous volunteers.

Thanks everyone, Sue and I took a break from cooking this year but we know all about the effort that’s required.

Sunday morning - Slaidburn's War Memorial sparkled in the sunshine as we passed to and from the car park opposite the village hall, before Jess, Elaine and Clare set off back to the south coast, and Andrew returned to Cheshire, leaving the remaining 21 of us to drive to beyond Dunsop Bridge, to Langden Brook.

All 21 set off along this fine avenue of trees at around 10 o’clock.



We soon turned off and crossed a bridge, warming up for a long ascent by strolling alongside Langden Brook. Then, while Keith nipped up the minor summit of Mellor Knoll, the rest of us tottered up Totridge, pausing for elevenses en route, at exactly 11 am.



The large group remained vaguely together, despite the efforts of some to drop off the back, and we all reassembled at Totridge’s 496 metre summit, having already completed most of the day’s ascent.
In 2011 there was a major incident when the body of Bill Smith, a famed fellrunner, was found on nearby Saddle Moor. He fell into a bog and wasn’t missed for nearly three weeks. He is remembered by way of a plaque on Totridge's trig point, but that plaque gives no clue as to the feats achieved by this legendary character who wrote a definitive history of fellrunning.

Here’s an extract from Bill’s Wikipedia entry:

The president of the Fell Runners Association, Graham Breeze, published a posthumous encomium and long-belated book review: "Considering the masterpiece that bears his name Bill Smith was a staggeringly modest and unassuming man ... I am privileged to have known him slightly and corresponded with him occasionally ... A few years ago I wrote a short piece about Stud marks on the summits and sent it to Bill for his approval. I wrote that I knew he would hate it but I would like it to appear in The Fellrunner in homage to his masterpiece. As I partly anticipated, he wrote back and asked me not to publish because it would embarrass him. We later talked about the piece at a race and I promised that, since all writers hate to waste material, it would only appear when he could no longer be embarrassed ... Fellrunners come and go, Champions come and go, but no-one will ever be as important to the development and history of fellrunning as the man who died in September on the Bowland fells."

We milled around at the trig point,  impressed by GS’s efforts to climb it (pictured below) before ambling off into the bog.



Neal soon attempted what, given the above story, could perhaps be called a ‘Bill Smith’. Luckily there were friends on hand to pull him out, and others to record the occasion. Mary Berry would not have approved of his ‘soggy bottom’!



The long section following a fence all the way to Fair Snape Fell’s summit measured 4.5 km as a straight line on my map, but the ‘bog dodging’ requirement of our actual route probably added quite a bit to that. Anyway, by the time we eventually we made it to the 520 metre summit, we were all happy to find a sheltered spot for our third ‘summit lunch’ of the trip – apart from Graham, who decided that in the absence of a trig point, he would impersonate one whilst downing his lunch, which I’m told comprised a can (or two?) of gin and tonic.



Then we set off to the actual trig/view point that overlooks West Lancashire from the lower height of 510 metres. There were paragliders and a proper glider vying for uplift, and whilst the usual landmarks of Blackpool Tower, etc, weren’t visible today, we could see smoke from numerous heather burning operations, and we could watch the paragliders as they attempted to take off from the nearby 432 metre summit of Parlick.

It was a busy spot, especially with our 19 marauding ramblers (Ken and Anne having gone ahead).



Soon it was time to return to the summit of Fair Snape Fell, from where two further kilometres of yomping led us to the narrow but excellent path that leads down Fiendsdale.



We got down to Langden Brook by 3 pm, just in time for a afternoon tea, more brownies and shortbread and various other goodies provided by an assortment of folk – thanks everyone - and a snooze for some.



A leisurely departure across stepping stones saw us on the last lap of the weekend, and we eventually exited from 'access land' and its list of 22 restrictions.

Langden Intake is the site of a water supply for Lancashire, guarded by a nymph - Miranda – she looked a bit tired today, as were the pheasants, who couldn’t be bothered to fly – they just ran ahead, guiding us back to the start of this excellent walk.



Here’s our route - 19 km with 650 metres ascent, taking 6 hours.



The end of a most agreeable little trip.

There’s a slideshow (95 images) here.

Some folk complain about the cost of youth hostels, but this rentahostel weekend cost each of us about £30 for the two nights plus the excellent two full breakfasts and  the Saturday evening meal provided by members of the group. Even adding the ‘fish night’ food (£7) at the local pub on Friday, and the cost of a few drinks, the outlay could be considered modest.