Little Sealed Packages

Sunset from Millstone Edge

2012-03-09T22:43:00.000Z

The sunset from Millstone was stunning. Once again, the lads were pushing to complete climbs and retrieve gear but, once off belay duty, I was able to find the best vantage points and snap away to my hearts content.

I have struggled to decide which to share with you, so I'm indulging in two posts and I'm going to be silent to allow you to enjoy the scene in peace.

Invited, rather than Tagged

2012-03-08T21:28:00.001Z

Rosie, from Corners of My Mind, has been tagged. Being a gracious sort of soul, she offered up an invitation rather than sending out tags. Thank you Rosie, I would like to take you up on your kind invitation and join in.

This is how it works:

The rules:
Post rules
Post 11 things about yourself
Answer the questions posed by the one who tagged (invited) you (us)
Create 11 new questions for the people you tag (invite)
Go to their blog and tell them they've been tagged

11 things about me (in no particular order)

I'm delighted that Prodijig won 'Got to Dance' (but I felt really sorry for Kazzam)
I love ground coffee (always Fairtrade)
I enjoy the outdoors; especially high places
I am a Christian - faith and life go hand in hand
I have minimal fear of edges, spiders, or the dark but, at the sight of an injection needle, all of the blood rushes from my head. (Stick it in me and I won't be responsible for the consequences)
My favourite colour is blue
I love the coast - especially if it is rocky with bays, coves and inlets
I love to camp; especially when it means waking up to the sound of sheep and the view of mountains (preferably without rain)
I'm not an ornithologist, but I get excited when I see a buzzard
I once drove a train
One of these fine days, I'm going to get round to booking the hot air balloon flight I promised myself for my last significant birthday

11 things Rosie wants to know

My favourite flower - apple blossom because of the delicacy, the colour and the memories of home
Last time I went to the theatre - Macbeth (and, oh my word, how long ago was that!!)
Tea or coffee? - Coffee, no contest!
Favourite film - Help! I have so many!! Probably, The Fugitive (Tommy Lee Jones and Harrison Ford), but maybe Cry Freedom (Denzel Washington and Kevin Kline)
Book I'm reading now - The Backbone of England; Landscapes and Life on the Pennine Watershed by Andrew Bibby
Have you ever made your own bread? Yes, but only in a breadmaker
When did I last visit a museum? If an art gallery counts, I saw the Hockney exhibition in the Academy of Arts in February. If not, Shugborough Hall, 2 years ago.
Last big city - London in February
Favourite footwear - sandals
Where do I want to visit? - The Himalayas, just to see how majestic they really are!
What makes you happy? - Today, my eldest son grading 70% in his last assignment :D

11 new questions

If you could choose anywhere in the world to live, where would it be?
What languages do you speak?
Have you ever climbed a mountain?
Sweet or sour?
Which radio station do you listen to?
Can you swim?
Red or green?
What is the most daring thing you have ever done?
If you could begin all over again and choose any occupation you wanted, what would it be?
What is your favourite season?
Which super-power would you most like to have?

Okay. Open invitation. If you would like to join in, please do (but remember to let me know because I would love to read your answers!! - Or just half join in and post a comment)

Today, I'm linking with Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday where P is for Participation.

Embankment 3

2012-03-06T23:35:00.001Z

Here we go again, just a little further down the same rock face on the grade E1 climb, with the highly original name of Embankment 3 (Oh well!)

Mark was very disappointed not to get this clean first time because E1 is well within his ability, but he did climb it eventually.

Ben was on camera and, although he didn't intend to change the settings to monochrome, I really like the effect.

Then it was Ben's turn to climb. The setting sun was reflecting off the rock face turning it a beautiful golden brown.

Like Mark, it took Ben two goes, but he got it; his first E1 :)

Looks like it's going to be another walk back to the car by headtorch though. Let's hope this car park isn't locked at 6pm!!!

A brighter shade of grey

2012-03-05T15:41:00.000Z

I usually think of gritstone as being a moderately dull grey colour but the broken rocks around Millstone Quarry reminded me that it is actually a harder form of sandstone and, as such, has a rich range of colour.

Here, enhanced by the algae :)

Top pitch

2012-03-04T09:21:00.001Z

Having made it to the central ledge, the lads swapped roles and Mark led pitch two.

I watched for a while and then went to explore.

There are paths all along the base of the quarry with mounds of heather and lots of silver birch trees.

By the time Mark was finishing pitch two, I had found a much easier scramble to the top and was waiting (very quietly, so as not to startle him - Did I mention that I get twitchy when they top out?)

It looks an awfully long way down!

Surprise View

2012-03-02T20:13:00.002Z

Millstone Edge is approached from the Surprise View car park, so named because it is within a short distance of a place where the main road turns a corner to reveal an impressive and unexpected view across the Derbyshire countryside, towards Mam Tor and the Hope Valley.

From the slightly elevated position of Millstone Edge, the view is even more impressive.

Agricultural land in the foreground gives way to the bulk of Kinder Scout on the horizon. Kinder is the first peak on the Pennine Way, a 267 miles long distance footpath stretching from Edale (below Kinder) to Kirk Yetholm just inside the border of Scotland.

Mam Tor is also known as the 'Shivering Mountain' (though really, it is 300' too short to qualify for the status of mountain). The label 'shivering' is a result of the landslips which occur regularly, caused by the hill being made up of layers of shale. Once, the main A625 between Sheffield and Chapel-en-le-Frith traversed the side of the hill, but it was permanently closed in 1979, when engineers finally gave up the battle of keeping it in one piece! Today, the Mam Tor ridge is a mecca for walkers because it gives great views down into both the Hope and Edale Valleys. We dragged our lads up here regularly when they were wee and we lived in Manchester.

If you look carefully, you may be able to spot the chimney-top of the cement works, over the ridge to the left of the photo. It's a bit of a landmark hereabouts and has undoubtedly cropped up in my Stanage Edge photos before now.

Down in the valley, the River Derwent is straddled by the bridge which carries the main road into the village of Hathersage (visible centre right in the top photo).

Today, I'm linking in with Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday where O is for Outlook.

Embankment 2

2012-03-01T07:03:00.001Z

And so to the reason why we came to Millstone Quarry - what else, but climbing?

Mark has been dying to come here for ages because it has some really tough routes.

Ben first though, about to lead a VS (Very Severe) called Embankment 2.

I videoed it, which is why he has so suddenly appeared at the top :)

This was the first belay system he had set up solo though!! (From a very handy pair of silver birch trees.)

Mark followed him up, removing the gear as he climbed.

Almost there.

Topping out (and, for some reason, this is always the bit that gives me jitters. I watch them delicately pick their ways up the side of a sheer cliff face, without me experiencing a sign of nerves and then they get to the top and... jitters! Why??)

Millstone Edge

2012-02-29T09:31:00.001Z

This photo shows a long abandoned millstone. Over the years, the gritstone edges in Derbyshire have been an important source of stone for such uses as millstones and gateposts. The bulk of the quarrying took place along the hilltops above Hathersage, but the quarry at Millstone Edge was the biggest of them all. Work here began in medieval times and continued through to about one hundred years ago.

There is plenty of evidence of the workings, both in the remains left behind and on the rockface itself.

These are drill holes for the placing of the explosive charges used to blast away the rock face.

Now, it is a great place for climbing - but not for beginners. The routes here are hard!

(A soccer duck!) Yl cream ー t'at Aberdeen

2012-02-28T10:18:00.000Z

A brief interlude today, while I take a leaf from the book of Alan at News from Nowhere and have a little fun with Google Translate.

Alan typed the lyrics of verse one of Danny Boy into Google translate and, after a little wander from

'English to Chinese, then from Chinese to Yiddish, from Yiddish to Hindi, Hindi to Japanese, and then finally back from Japanese to English'

came up with a lyrical alternative to the traditional Irish ballad.

First, I tried it with that famous poem of William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

It took Chinese, Thai, Russian, Japanese, Greek, Vietnamese, Hebrew and Hindi to come up with a dancing tree. Watch out for low flying roots!:

I was lonely as a cloud.

Keep the valley and mountains.

I once saw a crowd.

Ministry of Daffodils.

Lake under the tree.

Tree, dancing in the air.

I think that our government would be much improved through the addition of a Ministry of Daffodils!

I learned from the experience and began again; something a little less obvious this time

Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,

Onward! the sailors cry;

Carry the lad that's born to be King

Over the sea to Skye.

Alan had gone Irish, so I thought I'd try a little Scots ballad. Now, I peeked at the English after every translation, moving from Hindi, directly to Chinese, Japanese and Urdu, to this:

Birds, larger aircraft's speed, branches

Go! The sailors cry.

Bring about the birth of the boy king

Sea Skye.

with visions of Polish noblewoman Maria Clementina Sobieska being sped across the sky in a Jumbo jet, cheered on by watching sailors, racing towards Skye to give birth to the Bonnie Prince - making significant changes to the course of British history en route.

Still not quite satisfied, a quick whizz through Chinese and Japanese brought me to this

The old man, he played

He played my drum accessories.

Imbalance and small rice,

The bones of the dog,

This old man was rolling in the house.

I'm sure you can figure my starting point!

But are you able to track this one back to its original. (I confess to it having the school bus additions - translated in the brackets).

I you, I was miles please refer to your

Yl cream ー t'at Aberdeen

I you, I was miles please refer to your

Miles here, so I please refer to the (your pants) you,

(Came from?) Bar t'at Ilkley parking

(A soccer duck!) Yl cream ー t'at Aberdeen

Answers on a postcard to...

Or, alternatively, leave a comment :)

(Apologies for the background highlighting. Copying and pasting snippets of text really mucks up the formatting! I've minimised the damage as much as I am able and bumped up the font size for ease of reading))

Stanage Plantation and a total 'legend'

2012-02-26T12:10:00.000Z

From reading my blog over the past three weeks (or so) it would be easy to get the impression that I've moved up to Cumbria. I haven't honest! (Though I have been up 4 times since New Year; 2 day trips and 2 short stays and, guess where I am at the moment - LOL - so more Cumbria photos to come before too long!).

For the moment though, the photos are nearer to home. Mark has been down for Reading Week and, between sessions of writing an assignment, we have taken a couple of trips up to the 'Edges'.

This is Stanage Plantation, where there is some rather fine bouldering. The sun shone so, in spite of a rather strong breeze, it was a pleasantly warm day.

Both lads climbed Pebble Arete (V2-3 highball)

and then spent about an hour working on Deliverance (V8) which is significantly more difficult and ends with a 'dyno' (dynamic move - i.e. jump) to reach (or not) the top. The top of Deliverance is centre of the face of the boulder above. It's easily identified by the large white chalk mark deposited from all of the hands which have not quite reached. They added a few more layers :)

A bit more bouldering.

The variety of colour on the gritstone is appealing.

Later in the day, the blue sky disappeared :(

As you can see, we stayed until it was dark. We hadn't intended to, but the lads were climbing a tricky route (with ropes, on the actual Edge) and it took a while. As they both 'lead' the route (placing protection and clipping in they climbed), they then had to abseil down to collect everything they had left jammed into the cracks in the rock.

We walked back down to the car by headtorch, only to discover a locked barrier across the entrance to the car park. EEEEP!

At this point, I would like to make clear that the end time on my ticket said 23.00 and it was only actually 19.00 (though there was a sign warning of locking at 18.00 ooops!!).

While I loaded the boot, envisaging a night in the car and a very awkward morning phone call to explain why I was not at work!!!), Ben rang the 'Emergency' number on the pay and display machine.

Within 5 minutes, a very cheery man had driven up from his house ("No problem. I only live two minutes away") and let us out. He wouldn't even accept a couple of quid for a beer. As Ben said, "What a Legend!!"

Gateway @ Thirlmere

2012-02-25T21:01:00.000Z

Walk through this slightly crooked gate and you will find yourself on the shores of Thirlmere; the reservoir which provides Manchester with its drinking water.

Gateway @ High Kirkgate

2012-02-25T00:07:00.003Z

Another gateway for you to enjoy.

It's even been left invitingly ajar :)

This one is on High Kirkgate (between Windermere and the Kirkstone Pass) in Cumbria

Gateway @ Brow Wood

2012-02-22T18:43:00.000Z

A short while ago, I posted a photo of a gateway. It met with a surprising number of favourable comments and requests for more so, I have started gateway spotting and, at random intervals, will add another gateway post to the collection.

This one is right opposite Windermere School in Cumbria.

Newlands Pass

2012-02-20T14:03:00.000Z

The road between Keswick and Buttermere climbs up the Newlands Valley and over Newlands Pass. I'll leave you to enjoy these photos I took at the top.

This whole waterfall had a core of ice, over which we could see a thin sheen of running water.

And, by the side of the road, water dribbling down off the fells had frozen solid.

Blencathra

2012-02-19T17:41:00.000Z

This is Blencathra, between Keswick and Penrith, taken from the road above Ullswater.

(When I took the photo, I didn't notice the hi-vis guy on the roof)

...and here, taken from the main A66 heading towards Keswick.

A tale of two seasons

2012-02-18T18:16:00.001Z

Continuing up towards Kirkstone Pass, we pulled into a small lay-by which we have stopped in once before, giving me the opportunity to compare the view in two seasons.

and again...

It looks quite different!

Climbing out of Windermere

2012-02-16T23:07:00.000Z

Just a few miles north of Fell Foot, we did run into a patch with a thin covering of snow. Here we are climbing out of Windermere on the A592, Kirkstone Pass road, heading in the general direction of Penrith (our ultimate destination).

Looking north...

... and being watched!

These two weren't interested in us at all, in spite of all the weird noises I was making to try and make them look up.

Lakeside from Fell Foot

2012-02-15T08:51:00.000Z

Believe it or not, this is still Cumbria but I've changed visit. The next series of posts are photographs which were taken exactly one week ago today, when Ben went up there for an interview.

There was less snow around than I expected., most of it seeming to have fallen down the east side of the UK, but this photo of Lakeside (on the south west shore of Windermere) still has a vaguely Alpine feel to it.

The boats run trips up and down the lake. It's a while since we've done the journey, but it's definitely worth buying a ticket for the complete round trip because you can make a full day of it, stopping off at various locations around the lake.

From memory, there are three boats; Swan, Teal and Tern. I think the bigger of the two moored here is Swan.

The photo is taken from Fell Foot, a National Trust property on the southern tip of the lake. We had hoped to call in for a coffee but it was closed due to icy conditions.

Around Rydal

2012-02-14T12:09:00.000Z

On the last day of my stay with Mark, he had a lecture at Rydal Cave by the shores of Rydal Water. While he was there, I took the opportunity for a stroll along the shore of the lake.

(I would show you a picture of the cave, but it had a crowd of students standing in its mouth and I didn't want to cause embarrassment.)

His lecture was the last of the afternoon; the sun was sinking and the light beginning to fade from the sky.

At various points, becks would come tumbling down from the hillside, chatter over the pebbly shore and add their water to the lake.

By the time I was leaving, the temperature was well below freeing and there was a noticeable stillness in the air.

Ten more minutes before the lecture ends. I wonder if Mark thought to bring a torch.

Ambleside on a sunny Monday morning

2012-02-11T23:29:00.002Z

I took so many photos during my three and a half days with Mark that it's taking me ages to share them all on here.

This is Ambleside on a frosty Monday morning in January.

Mark groaned when I headed over the road to stand on the lower bridge and take this photo.

He said that everyone takes a photo up the beck!

Well, I wouldn't want to miss out, would I?!

Looking back along the top of the high street, there is a grand view of Loughrigg.

Rays of gold over Lingmore Fell

2012-02-09T06:49:00.001Z

Between the valleys of Great Langdale and Little Langdale in Cumbria, runs the ridge of Lingmore Fell, which includes the main summit of Brown How and the tag-on peak of Side Pike. At Brown How, the fell reaches 1,540 feet; 460 feet short of being a mountain.

The name Lingfell comes from the old Norse lyng, meaning 'heather covered'.

As the sun was sinking, the sky above Lingmore fell was infused with rays of gold.

Today, L is for light at Alphabe-Thursday with Jenny Matlock.

Changing skies over Langdale Pikes

2012-02-06T09:44:00.003Z

Back to Cumbria and the Langdale Valley...

Did I mention that we were at the boulders while it was gradually going dark?

With skies like these, you won't hear me complaining!

Diversion

2012-02-05T19:00:00.000Z

I'm diverting away from my Cumbria photos to bring you a weather bulletin:

It came...

covering everything with its own little fluffy white hat,

making the holly look belatedly Christmassy,

confusing the kerria beyond words

and burying both snowdrops and crocuses.

The daffs poked their noses out to see what was going on

and the blackbirds hopped around searching for food.

Now, it is busily melting.

Pocket Eliminate

2012-02-04T18:57:00.000Z

Having completed the Pocket Problem at the Langdale Boulders, Mark turned his attention to the distinctly more difficult Pocket Eliminate, which is basically the same problem but with a couple of key handholds eliminated, making it a V8, rather than a V6 grade.

These five short videos tell the story...

It was probably about 3pm when he started working at this.

You may have noticed it's going a little darker...

(So close!!!)

...and darker...

(He's here somewhere - honest!)

By now, we had both head torches propped up on nearby rocks, angled to illuminate (ish) the boulder.

For this final video, one head torch had moved to his head. (Listen out for the sheep.)

These five are just a selection from the many videos I took, but at this point I gave up trying.

The attempts continued for the best part of another hour.

I enjoyed listening to the owls :)

Sad to say, he didn't manage to complete the problem that afternoon, but he came soooooo close.

He won't give up. I'm waiting for the text to say he's done it :)

What do you think - dedication or lunacy?

Pocket problem

2012-02-03T06:47:00.000Z

There's a route on the Langdale Boulders called Pocket Problem. Mark's been working on it for a couple of months without success.

I took one look, laughed, made sure I was wearing many layers of clothing and found some relatively comfortable positions in which to settle with the camera.

It took persistence, but this was the result:

I'm still trying to work out how anything so shallow can get away with being described as a 'pocket'.

The next move is the really tricky one; balancy, plus contact with the rock being down to three finger ends and a couple of toes.

A pause to savour the accomplishment...

and a brief moment of jubilation on top :)

So, what does Mark do when he's just succeeded on a route which has been bugging him for a couple of months?

Go home and celebrate?

No!

Don't be silly!

He starts work on 'Pocket Eliminate' which is the same route but made more difficult by eliminating the last two handholds; straight from the pocket to the top.

Pocket Problem is graded V5.

(Mark tells me that V5 isn't really such a hard grade; it's just this particular problem which has been causing him headaches.)

Pocket Eliminate is V8

(and would become the hardest boulder grade Mark has so far climbed)

Watch this space!

Colour on the fellside

2012-02-01T18:38:00.001Z

The rock art wasn't the only treat which the Langdale Boulders held in store.

By the time we arrived, it was around 1.30pm and we only had about 3 hours of daylight remaining. Even before sunset, the quality of the light shining across the valley onto the fellside was amazing. From a distance, it made a whole band of fellside glow golden brown.

Close up, the light picks out the patches of golds and browns, greens and russets created by the heather, bracken, fields, trees and craggy outcrops.

Very autumnal.

Considering the actual temperature of the day (you can see some ground frost in the top photo), it looks surprisingly warm.

An unexpected treat at the Langdale Boulders

2012-01-31T16:40:00.001Z

The Sunday afternoon of my weekend with Mark saw us heading down to the Langdale Boulders.

If you read this blog with any regularity, you can probably guess why we were there.

Initially though, my attention was taken with something rather different to pockets and cracks and edges and other such things into which fingers and toes can be stuffed to aid vaguely upward motion.

First, Mark pointed out this:

As I'm sure you've spotted, this is actually a drawing of the real thing; the real thing being a drawing.

Sorry. Once I'd worked that one out in my head, I couldn't resist the balance.

I'll be clearer.

The Langdale Boulders boast one of the most intricate and impressive examples of pre-historic rock art in Cumbria. This artwork is thought to date back as far as the Neolithic (or Bronze) Age which occurred between 3000 and 5000 years ago! No wonder the patterns look a little eroded!

Amazingly, the carvings were only rediscovered in 1992! (Though I bet some local people knew they were there; even if not what they actually were!)

There is a small information board which shows the original design as it has been painstakingly retraced (part of which is my photo above).

The board states:

They include concentric circles, spirals and geometric designs arranged around a series of natural circular depressions or 'vesicles' in the rock.

No one is quite sure why they were drawn here, but archaeologists have speculated that maybe they are a way of expressing belonging in the natural landscape.

The artwork is cared for by the National Trust and climbers are requested, by both the NT and the British Mountaineering Council, to avoid climbing around the area of the carvings.

Mind-blowing to touch something which another human being touched as long ago as 3000 years!

Reflections on steel

2012-01-30T22:51:00.002Z

This metal dolphin fountain is outside Hayes Garden Centre, Waterhead (between Windermere and Ambleside). I couldn't decide whether or not I liked it, but I do like the reflections on the shiny surface of the steel.

It reminds me of the spheres in Sheffield.

An important announcement!

2012-01-28T12:30:00.004Z

"We interrupt normal service to bring you an important announcement..."

...

You need to go back to sleep!

Seriously!

It's dangerous for you out here.

You've woken up far too soon.

...

Excuse me! Are you listening to me?

PAY ATTENTION!

...

I'm trying to give you a potentially life saving warning here!

...

GO BACK TO SLEEP!

...

Your delicate little petals shouldn't be showing until March.

and they've forecast winds from Siberia :(

...

And, as for you guys...

DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!!

...

Erm...

Hello.

Lovely to see you again!

You'll be fine :)

Don't their feet get cold?

2012-01-26T20:42:00.000Z

"Yes. May I help you?"

I thought this might be a Herdwick, but I'm not very good on sheep so I did a bit of Internet searching and the face seemed right but the fleece was rather too soft and fluffy.

So, I consulted The Weaver of Grass and she said that she didn't think it was a Herdwick because the fleece should be coarser and black on top, but that the face looked right. She suggested that maybe it could be a cross breed; part Herdwick and part something else - which makes sense (unless you know better).

Weaver also told me that Herdwicks are not as common as they once were because their wool used to be shipped down to Kidderminster for use in the carpet industry; a demand which has subsided somewhat with the inclusion of synthetic fibres.

Maybe she's not looking at me at all. Is there someone standing behind me? I'll feel such a fool if I've been looking at her like she wants me when actually it's been someone else standing behind me all this time!

What ever it is, it posed very obligingly while I took several photos. I do love it when animals stop to stare and see what you're up to.

"Look! If you don't actually want anything, would you mind going away? Can't you see I'm trying to re-eat my dinner?"

But, looking at her carefully, she has that lovely thick fleece, all fluffed up, trapping the air and providing layers of insulation, but then it sort of stops and leaves those knobbly little legs sticking out and I have to wonder...

Don't their feet get cold?

Dropping in on Jenny Matlock and Alphabe-Thursday where the letter is J for 'Just lookin'

A double cone with ice but no cream

2012-01-25T16:03:00.002Z

Pike O'Blisco actually has a double summit (two cairns of course), one summit being 1metre higher than the other. We wandered between them looking at the gathered pools of frozen water and the views in all directions.

From the patterns, I suspect that this has been broken and refrozen.

The long ridge (which I think is Bowfell) reminds me of a sleeping lizard. In the far distance is Skiddaw.

(It is Bowfell - or, at least the upper end is the summit of Bowfell - I asked Mark!)

At 931m, Skiddaw is the 5th highest peak in the Lake District and towers over the pretty little town of Keswick, almost due north of here.

Turn 180 degrees to face south and Coniston Old Man is peeping over the ridge.

Summit

2012-01-23T14:29:00.000Z

Words cannot express...

There's always a cairn

2012-01-22T16:45:00.001Z

We gradually ambled our way higher and the views just got better and better!

I think that the mountain with its head in the clouds might be Helvellyn. (Correction! It's Fairfield)

A final climb and we reached the top.

Oh look!

A cairn!!

There's even an additional mini cairn!

From the summit of Pike O' Blisco, this is taken looking south east towards Windermere which is just about visible behind the ridge in the centre of the photo.

Ice on Pike O' Blisco

2012-01-21T11:02:00.003Z

Did I mention that it was below freezing up on Pike O' Blisco?

I was very glad of my new mitts which kept my hands toasty warm :)

(Just snuck into Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday by a whisker!)

Along from Lightning Crag

2012-01-20T06:45:00.001Z

About a third of the way up Pike O' Blisco, we passed a small length of crag. Sunlight was dancing on the stream of water trickling down the rock face; glistening like a fine blanket of tiny crystals.

And, at it's base, the stems of grass were standing stiff with ice.

Above Wrynose

2012-01-19T06:38:00.001Z

I'm recently returned from a wonderful long weekend visiting Mark up in Cumbria. The weather was perfect; freezing cold but with bright blue skies. We had a fantastic time and I have some photos to share :)

On Saturday, we drove up Wrynose Pass and set off to walk up to the top of Pike O' Blisco. Situated between the Great and Little Langdale valleys, Pike O'Blisco stands 705m (2,312') high. From Wrynose, we would be ascending roughly 350m, winding our way over the frosty fell side and round the protruding crags.

The thermometer had been showing -2 degrees C, but we kept toasty warm climbing steadily. The crunch of the frozen grass, the freshness of the air and the sharpness of the crags against the clear blue sky made it one of those days when it just feels so good to be alive.

From the lower slopes, the view takes in the series of summits which is Crinkle Crags and, beyond them, the bulk of Bowfell.

A tragic tale of speeding and a sweltering old man

2012-01-14T21:27:00.000Z

This is the body of water which claimed the life of Donald Campbell.

At 5 miles long, half a mile wide and up to 158 feet deep, Coniston is the third largest lake in the Lake District; a ribbon lake, ideally suited for attempts to break the water speed record.

On August 19th 1939, the record was set at 141.74 mph, by Sir Malcolm Campbell in the boat Bluebell K4.

His son, Donald, developed a hydroplane, Bluebird K7. His first successful attempt on the record was set on Ullswater in 1955 where he reached a top speed of 202mph. He broke the record a further six times in locations around the world, the final record being set at 276.33mph in 1964.

For a while, Campbell turned his attention to the land speed record, but then in January 1967, he made an attempt to break 300mph on water. That attempt happened here, on Coniston.

His north - south run was successful, hitting a top speed of 315mph, but on the return leg, Bluebird's nose lifted out of the water and the craft flipped over. Travelling in excess of 300mph, the boat immediately disintegrated and sank. Campbell was killed instantly. Both man and boat remained in the water for over twenty years, until the 'Bluebird Project' succeeded in recovering them; Bluebird in October 2000 and the body of Donald Campbell in May 2001.

Between them, Donald and his father, Malcolm, had set eleven water speed records and ten on land.

Towering above the lake is the Old Man of Coniston. At 2,634 feet high, it is the twelfth highest peak in England.

When we lived in Manchester (and before children), Pete and I drove up to the Lakes for the day, specifically to climb the Old Man. We made it to the top, but only just! The weather was sweltering; one of those late May days when the sun is burning hot and there is nowhere to hide. We'd taken lots of water, but by 2/3 of the way up, we were struggling and considering turning back.

Fortunately, mid afternoon, light cloud began to form and the patches of shade it provided made all the difference. The walking suddenly became relatively comfortable and we made the top with time to sit and admire the view before needing to begin our descent.

Post script: I'm back up in the Lakes again today; round trip to deliver a mended laptop. As I have no work 'til mid-week, I'm staying over a couple of nights. Ironically, we almost walked up the Old Man today, but the short days meant that there wasn't really time to fit it in after my long drive up, so we did a closer peak instead. It'll probably be a few days before I post, but I think I captured some decent shots. Watch this space :)

Yew Tree Tarn

2012-01-13T21:29:00.000Z

This is Yew Tree Tarn. Many years ago, an artist friend painted a watercolour of this scene for my Mum. That painting now hangs in my living room.

At first glance, the mallard appears to have mastered the skill of walking on water! By the way he has sought out a standing rock just below the surface, I'm guessing the water was a tad chilly!

When we first arrived, these guys were right across the other side. What makes you suspect that they equate humans with food? They lost no time in steaming over to our bank.

Reasons to be cheerful, part H

2012-01-12T06:33:00.000Z

For this round of Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday, I thought I would take a theme which might loosely be entitled 'Reasons to be Cheerful, Part _', after the 1979 hit single by Ian Dury and the Blockheads (Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3).

For everyone, the reasons will be different, but I wanted to search around for some of the things which brighten up my day; things for which I am thankful.

H is for holidays!

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What a whacking great big reason to be cheerful; starting with the anticipation of going away and then basking in the need to do NO WORK for a set period of time, whilst enjoying the delights that a different location has to offer.

Here is a smattering of photos collected from family holidays we enjoyed in two different years:

2005

A walk above Cwm Brithdir during a week spent in a lovely little cottage near Harlech, North Wales.

Sand engineering could take a full day; the real joy being in encouraging the incoming tide up the channels and watching the various structures collapse.

Wales means steam trains (This is the Ffestiniog at Tan y Bwlch)

Still 2005

The Lake District means trips on boats...

Roman Forts (imagine being posted up here!)...

...and more walking. (This was 9 miles round Ennerdale.)

2007

On a great campsite near Scarborough, N Yorkshire

Coastal walks (This is looking towards Ravenscar from Boggle Hole)

The N Yorks moors (Of course we did the railway!!)

The harbour at Whitby (and yes, we did climb the 199 steps).

Still 2007

Back in North Wales - crazy golf in Porthmadog.

The bridge over the Mawddach estuary

and Bardsey Island from Aberdaron Headland.

I wanna go on holiday!!!!!!

A single shaft of sunlight

2012-01-11T11:05:00.000Z

Windermere, looking down from the narrow lane close to Troutbeck.

Gateway

2012-01-10T17:59:00.000Z

What an appealing gateway just below the summit of Kirkstone Pass!

The Struggle

2012-01-09T21:32:00.000Z

The top of Kirkstone Pass is 1,480 feet above sea level; the highest pass open to motor traffic in the Lake District National Park.

The main road over the Pass (the A592) climbs up from Windermere town, breasts the summit and then drops down past Brothers Water, to Patterdale in the Ullswater valley.

From Ambleside, however, there is another way up to the top and it is not without good reason that it is named 'The Struggle'.

Seen here, The Struggle has made its first ascent out of Ambleside, twisting and turning, climbing at gradients of 1 in 4 to reach the more level ground below the Kirkstone Quarry. The water seen in the distance is Windermere, England's largest lake.

The main materials mined at Kirkstone Quarry are blue-black and green slate. The latter is relatively rare, formed through a combination of volcanic activity dating back some 450 million years and the metamorphosis which has occurred since that time.

Mark tells me that the quarry is due to close in the near future. He is looking forward to the rush to find climbing routes on the exposed faces and to be the one to log a 'first ascent'.

After the quarry, the road again climbs steeply to join the main A592 at the head of the pass, just before the Kirkstone Inn. In total, the road has risen 1,300 feet in three and a half corkscrewing miles.

Nevertheless, it's not the hardest ascent in the Lakes!

Reasons to be cheerful, part G

2012-01-05T06:25:00.000Z

For everyone, the reasons will be different, but I wanted to search around for some of the things which brighten up my day; things for which I am thankful.

G is for gift.

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And what made it really special was that this gift arrived totally out of the blue, all the way from across the big pond from a friend I have never even met.

I've seen some of these photos before on her blog. Now I can enjoy them all over again, month by month through the year.

Definitely a reason to be cheerful!!

Thank you Cheryl. You are the best!

Stormy skies over Kirkstone

2012-01-04T07:39:00.000Z

All of the day while we were up in the Lakes, the weather shifted between sunshine and showers, with a few hailstorms thrown in for good measure.

In the process, the sky went through some interesting shifts of colour.

These photos were taken below the Kirkstone summit, on the Windermere road, just before another stormy shower, with the sky building up to full battleship grey but a hint of sunshine through the lighter clouds behind me.

A dusting of snow

2012-01-03T14:58:00.000Z

The first time we visited the Kirkstone Pass Inn, it was mid September, 2010 and the weather was pretty foul; grey and drizzly with low cloud obscuring the fells.

This time, there were stormy showers but also some sunshine and the fells were showing a residual dusting of snow.

I'd love to see it in deep snow, but only if the main road over the pass had been cleared!

A Room with a View

2012-01-02T21:14:00.000Z

We've had a round trip to Ambleside in Cumbria today; around 350 miles to deliver Mark back to University. Tomorrow, he's off to the Cairngorms in Scotland for a short course in Winter Skills; white-over navigation, snow hole survival, ice climbing and the like. Brrrrrrrrrrrrr!!

When he left to come home, there was quite a lot of snow on the Lakeland fells, sufficient for some Winter walking and to have had a morning sledging, but the mild Christmas has reduced the layer to a dusting.

Just enough to leave his view with a Wintery touch.

Photo Friday - Best of 2011

2011-12-30T11:50:00.003Z

I was hard pushed to choose my favourite, but I rather like this one of the Alport Stone at Alport Heights in Derbyshire.

Photo Friday is here.

Reasons to be cheerful, part F

2011-12-13T08:08:00.000Z

For everyone, the reasons will be different, but I wanted to search around for some of the things which brighten up my day; things for which I am thankful.

F is for firelight.

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There are obviously two faces to fire but, when it is controlled and burning in the garden on a cold autumn evening, I love firelight.

The flickering and dancing of the flames mesmerises.

The heat comforts and the smell of woodsmoke evokes memories of childhood.

The embers glow and fade like something living, slowly consuming and turning to ash.

Shapes stand out in stark relief.

While a change of material brings a sudden hint of gentle blues and greens.

I love firelight!

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At the moment, f would also appear to be for furlough.

I've published less posts in the past month than at any time since I started blogging almost two years ago. Life has been fast and inspiration slow.

As soon as I go somewhere interesting or see something of note, I will get my camera busy and return to more regular posting. In the meantime, I do think of my blogging friends :)

Incidentally, did you know that the word 'furlough' comes from Dutch verlof (Danish vorlov), meaning permission? The gh spelling reflects the original f sound ending, which was lost in the early 1800s.

Reasons to be cheerful, part D

2011-12-01T06:37:00.000Z

For everyone, the reasons will be different, but I wanted to search around for some of the things which brighten up my day; things for which I am thankful.

D is for dawn!

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By now, I'm sure you've gathered that I hate dark mornings but love sunrises. On these grim mornings, the dawning of a new day is always welcome, but the dawning of a new day by means of a glorious sunrise is a special reason for cheer.

Last Friday, we had an absolute beauty which prompted me to grab my camera yet again before leaving for work.

It was noticeably stripy!

Delightful!

Scavenger Hunt - November

2011-11-30T12:30:00.001Z

I've been AWOL for about 3 months, but am finally back with a selection of photos for November's Scavenger Hunt, hosted by Kathy from Postcards from the PP.

A poppy (a real one) taken in Spring near to Ingleby in Derbyshire.

The gates of the Memorial Gardens in Ashbourne, with the display of poppy wreaths, laid to remember those who fell in the wars.

Branches silhouetted against the sunrise.

Something I have made; sloe gin. It's ready for drinking but I don't want to decant it until just before Christmas.

Something purple. These are the front and back views of my Stewarding Team - Control Office T shirt from the New Wine Conference this summer.

Warmth - the sun; still giving warmth even on a November morning.

Polka dots on a towel.

I had difficulty with 'A lucky charm' because I don't have any. I do however, tend to pick things up and hang onto them. This wizened conker has been in my fleece pocket for at least two years. (I do take it out when I wash the fleece :) )

Very tactile!

Something which lights up.

These candles sit on my hearth and add a lovely glow on a dark winter evening.

The staircase is from the top floor of the Lakeland Climbing Centre in Kendal. The bouldering room is on the top floor.

Comfort food.

This mince pie is waiting to comfort me as I struggle to fend off a cold on this November afternoon.

Finally - I hate having my photo taken!

A wander down the garden

2011-11-29T13:11:00.001Z

The main lesson I learned from my wander down the garden last week was that it desperately needed me to spend time tidying up!

These brightly coloured leaves are pretty now but will quickly decay to a soggy brown mush.

And the wind hasn't finished fetching them all off yet!

Down at the very bottom of the garden, the two holly bushes are sporting bright red berries as though reminding me that, in spite of the unseasonably mild November weather, Christmas is less than a month away.

S'pose that's something else I'd better get on with!

Redpoint

2011-11-26T22:47:00.001Z

A couple of weeks ago, Ben did some climbing instructor training and we spent the day at the Redpoint Climbing Wall in Birmingham.

Like many climbing walls, it is housed in an old industrial building; not the prettiest of places. Inside though, it is a well used centre with a decided buzz of activity.

I was curious about the name, but I have since discovered that a redpoint describes when a route has been climbed cleanly after being worked on a top rope or with rests on the rope.

And I'm guessing that this red point was added to fit the theme :)

This room is mainly top roping for beginners.

At the end of the day, a route setter moved in to prepare for the competition scheduled for the following day.

Holds are bolted into the pre-drilled holes and changed often enough to keep the walls interesting, but not so often that climbers can't work a particular route during the course of a few visits.

There's almost always a shop attached somewhere.

Ben's verdict was that Redpoint was definitely worth a return visit and now that I know how to find it, I'm quite happy to go back again.

Lakeland Longings 4 - Ennerdale

2011-11-19T09:48:00.000Z

Just lately, I've been browsing Facebook photos of Mark up in the Lakes and having to work hard to suppress feelings of insane jealousy, so I thought I'd look back at my last Lake District holiday and make you feel jealous too. After all, a jealousy shared is a jealousy halved. Yes?

Ennerdale Water is the most westerly of the Cumbrian Lakes and also one of the most remote. It is a small glacial lake with a length of 2.5 miles, width of 0.75miles and a depth of 148 feet, slightly deeper than it would naturally be due to the construction of a weir which has raised the level to enable Ennerdale Water to be used as a reservoir for the nearby town of Whitehaven.

The walk around the lake is a very enjoyable 9 miles!

This photo is roughly half way, looking back up to the western end.

... and this final one is from part way up Angler's Crag, the small but distinctive bump, which can be seen on the right of the first photo and on the left of the second.

I think I'm right in saying that the mountain beyond the end of the lake is Pillar, which lies between Ennerdale and Wasdale.

Reasons to be Cheerful, Part C

2011-11-17T06:41:00.000Z

For everyone, the reasons will be different, but I wanted to search around for some of the things which brighten up my day; things for which I am thankful.

C is for ...

________________________________________________________________________________

There were lots of things which I could have chosen for C; children (even though they are almost both adult now), climbing (but I've done lots of posts about that), Christmas (maybe a bit too early)...

So I decided on something which always brightens a day, Colour.

In nature, there is always colour around but at this time of the year, it is becoming increasingly hard to find. Undoubtedly, that is the reason for the coloured lights we hang at Christmas; driving away the darkness and helping us to celebrate.

That leads me nicely in to this:

A very colourful hat which was a Christmas present from my aunt and uncle last year. It's warm too!!

It doesn't quite go with my favourite Toybox cardigan...

Yes, that really is a hood!

I love the South American pattern. (It's from Guatemala.)

What do you reckon, wear them both at once? Colourful enough to be cheerful?

Even better, both are Fairtrade and the buying of the Toybox cardigan helps support street children in Guatemala and Bolivia. (Which reminds me, I must get on with ordering my Christmas cards from them!)

Lakeland longings 3 - From the Watendlath Road

2011-11-16T18:22:00.000Z

As the title suggests, this view is taken from the Watendlath Road and looks down over Derwent Water towards Keswick. The bulk of Skiddaw can be seen to the right and, in the far distance, the long ribbon of Bassenthwaite Lake.

Lakeland longings 2 - Derwent Water

2011-11-15T17:02:00.000Z

Derwent Water is one of the best known of the English Lakes and very popular with tourists. It is 3 miles long, 1 mile wide and 72 feet deep, much smaller than Wastwater.

Like Windermere, Ullswater and Coniston, it has a cruise boat company which operates a service around the lake; the full trip taking around 50 minutes and stopping at such places as Lodore with it's waterfall, subject of the 1820 peom by Robert Southey. This is just an extract:

From its sources which well

In the tarn on the fell;

From its fountains

In the mountains,

Its rills and its gills;

Through moss and through brake,

It runs and it creeps

For a while, till it sleeps

In its own little lake.

And thence at departing,

Awakening and starting,

It runs through the reeds,

And away it proceeds,

Through meadow and glade,

In sun and in shade,

And through the wood-shelter,

Among crags in its flurry,

Helter-skelter,

Hurry-skurry.

Here it comes sparkling,

And there it lies darkling;

Now smoking and frothing

Its tumult and wrath in,

Till, in this rapid race

On which it is bent,

It reaches the place

Of its steep descent.

If you'd like to read the whole poem, including the actual descent, click here.

The closest town to Derwent Water is Keswick, above which towers the 3,054 feet high mountain of Skiddaw, fourth highest in the UK. But perhaps the most distinctive of the fells along Derwent Water is Cat Bells (below). Although a mere 1,480 feet, it is easily recognisable by its shape and is very popular with walkers because of the views it offers.

Lakeland longings 1 - Wastwater

2011-11-14T07:03:00.000Z

This is one of my favourite lakes; Wastwater.

Really. It is! It's there. Keep looking...

See!

The footpath follows the river in, turns a corner and gives wonderful views up the lake.

Wastwater, sitting in the Wasdale valley, is 3 miles long, half a mile wide and 260 feet deep; the deepest of all the Lake District lakes. It's made very easy to identify by the scree slopes all along the eastern shore. At the northern end is Wasdale head, over which towers the pyramid of Great Gable (visible in the photo) and the rugged bulk of Scafell Pike (tucked round the corner); the latter being the highest mountain in England at 978m (3,210 feet). Above the western shore, looking a little like a sleeping lizard, is Yewbarrow, to the left of which is Red Pike. The other mountain in the photo is Kirk Fell

I've climbed four of the five. Scafell Pike was a bit of a disappointment. In fairness, we did climb in on a May Bank Holiday Monday, but the top was packed with people and also rather litter strewn. You would think that, having made the effort to sweat all of the way to the top, people would have taken their rubbish home!

Great Gable was completely different! It was a beautiful late spring day, the view down Wastwater was spectacular and it was like being on top of the world!

Yewbarrow and Red Pike form part of the Mosedale Horseshoe, but we just did the pair, beginning with Yewbarrow and then dropping down into the col before up Red Pike. Yewbarrow was a lovely walk, with a lot of scrambling and great views down both side of the edge as we approached the top. Anyone with a dislike of heights or edges would not be happy, but I loved it.

The highlight of the walk was the very sudden, and extremely loud, passing of an RAF fighter jet, which followed the line of the lake.

What was so special about that?

It was flying below us! :)

Joining in with Sepia Saturday

2011-11-12T22:51:00.000Z

Ever since Alan Burnett (News from Nowhere) began to talk about the 100th edition of Sepia Saturday, I've been wondering about that big box of photos which I know Dad has in the bottom of his wardrobe. Mostly, they are 2" square b&w prints featuring people I don't remember in places I don't recognise, but there are some that are instantly meaningful and still more which would become so with a bit of information.

And then, on Wednesday, he gave me this photo, cut out of our local paper.

This is one from the 'instantly meaningful' category. It was taken in Parwich, the village in which my parents grew up, the year is 1960 and the subject photographed is the Ladies Football Team. Immediately, this raises a few questions. The presence of spectators suggests that a match has either been played or is about to be played. The absence of mud on the team kit implies the latter. I wonder why this particular photograph was taken. The photograph was sent to the paper by Terry Fletcher of Belper, but it was donated to his collection by a Vernon Webster. Webster is definitely a local name. Websters ran one of the bus companies which serviced the villages on market days. Was this particular Webster related to one of the ladies in the team? Was he, in fact, the photographer? In which case, did he take this photograph for his own enjoyment or to mark some special occasion in the football calendar?

The people in this photo are significant too. Without this photo I would perhaps have never realised that my Mum was in the Parwich Ladies Football Team and, although this photo is a couple of years after she played, there are still names here that I recognise including one of Dad's cousins, front right. There are also two particular faces which leap off the page - aunties Jean (back row, third from left) and Hazel (back row second from right).

I really must get rooting around in that box of Dad's!

Meanwhile, maybe you would enjoy taking a wander round the photographic memories of more seasoned contributors to the Sepia Saturday blog.

Reasons to be cheerful, Part B

2011-11-10T06:44:00.000Z

For everyone, the reasons will be different, but I wanted to search around for some of the things which brighten up my day; things for which I am thankful.

B is for berries.

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Berries may not seem much of a reason to be cheerful, but at this time of year, when the leaves are falling, the flowers dying and the days becoming increasingly short, it is very good to know that the berries will be around for a while.

These bright red berries are on my pyrocantha. I can see them from where I am right now; a welcome splash of colour in an otherwise very grey day! They will continue to be cheerful until the blackbirds have run out of easier food and move in to strip this bare. Then, I will have the pleasure of watching them at work for a few days.

A similar tale here, but this is slightly further away from the house and will show up on the blackbird RADAR a little earlier than the red. Aren't they lovely against the blue sky? (There's another B which is certain to bring cheer!)

The rose hips have replaced blooms on most of the roses and will retain their red for a while yet. There aren't a huge number of these, but every little helps!

And then there are the berries further afield, like these yew berries photographed on a recent walk. Colour to brighten the day.

When the last of the leaves have littered the ground and turned to so much dark brown mush, I will look at these berries and think cheerful thoughts!

Yet another hall

2011-11-09T11:05:00.000Z

Just north of Ilam is Castern Hall. This is a grade 2 listed Jacobean building dating back to 1660, but extensively remodelled in the Georgian style around 1740; probably for Nicholas Hurt (1710-1767).

If you want to read more about its status as a grade 2 listed building, look here.

The Hall was originally owned by Burton Abbey, but was bought by the Hurt family after the dissolution of the monasteries. Through the 18th and 19th centuries, Alderwasley Hall was the main residence of the family and Castern was let to tenant farmers. The family only moved back around 1930 when Alderwasley was sold.

Which room would you fancy as yours?

Recent renovations have included the restoration of windows which were blocked up to avoid the paying of window tax. Window tax was first imposed in 1696 to counteract the loss of revenue caused by coin clipping. It was banded according to the number of windows in a property, an easy calculation because they could all be seen from outside the property. The tax was scrapped in 1851 after a campaign which claimed that it was a tax against good health. Meanwhile though, existing windows had been bricked up and new houses built with fewer windows; creating cities full of dark, damp terraces!

Finally, dropping down into Manifold Valley at the top side of Ilam Hall, we passed this cross shaft. The light was beginning to fade and the photo ended up with a weird sci-fi tinge!

The cross shaft is known as the Battle Stone and links back to the fighting between the Saxons and the Danes. It was taken from the foundations of a cottage about 1840, during the rebuilding of the village, but the stone itself probably dates from around the middle of the 11th century.

A climb up the stone steps takes us back to the front of Ilam Hall and the tea rooms where our walk began (now closed for the day, sadly, so I can't buy you a cuppa).

Ilam – high routeDovedale – Ilam Rock – Stanshope – Manifold Valley – 7.5 miles, 1620’ ascent, MODERATE

I hope you enjoyed tagging along.

Fields of green

2011-11-08T11:14:00.000Z

I think that one of the most beautiful stretches of our walk was this last section from the rim of the Manifold back to Ilam. We walked over luscious green fields, dotted with livestock; the sun was shining, the breeze was gentle, the views were open and there was little in the way of noise apart from sheep bleating, birds singing and a tractor on a distant hillside.

I'll leave you to enjoy :)

"You lookin' at me?"

"This is my best side!"

Just to be here is so refreshing!

Manifold

2011-11-07T09:26:00.001Z

From Stanshope Hall (which is a privately owned B&B, so we couldn't go inside - sorry Desiree), we turned west across the fields to the rim of the Manifold Valley.

I really love the little rocky outcrops of limestone.

The Manifold is a sister river to the Dove, though generally less well known. The upper course runs through gritstone, but at Ecton, it reaches limestone country and cuts through a deep valley.

North of Ilam, this valley widens out and is dry for much of the year as the river disappears underground, only emerging again just above Ilam Hall, after which is reaches its confluence with the Dove and the two rivers take on that single name.

Top 'o the dale

2011-11-06T18:06:00.000Z

Stanshope Hall sits at the top of Hall Dale, just outside the village after which it is named. The hall is dates back to the 1600s and was, at one time, home to the quartermaster of Oliver Cromwell (who happened to be called Michael Jackson). It is now a listed building. An unusual feature of the interior is that every room is hand painted by an artist.

Standing just below the hall and looking back, this is the top of Hall Dale and the field of the Belted Galloways. This scene is very typical of the White Peak area of the Peak District National Park; limestone walls climbing the hillsides, the bones of white rock poking through the steeper slopes, the lush green of the small enclosed fields and the sudden fold of a steep sided dale. Beautiful!

Reasons to be cheerful, Part A

2011-11-03T21:40:00.000Z

For everyone, the reasons will be different, but I wanted to search around for some of the things which brighten up my day; things for which I am thankful.

A is for MAN AS RAG

or do I mean A SNAG RAM?

or should that be MA RAN GAS?

Hold on. This time, I've really got it...

A is for ANAGRAMS

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I am one of those people who enjoys playing with words. I don't just like anagrams, adjectives are pretty cool too - as are adverbs, antonyms, alliteration, acronyms, abbreviations, affixes and a whole bunch of other stuff which doesn't happen to begin with A.

At this point, I want to make it clear that if word puzzles are not your thing, you must not feel obliged to plough on. Feel free to go visit someone else instead of me :)

If you are still with me, I hope you find these fun.

I'll start with something easy.

1. NO CAR

Okay so far??

2. OLD MAN

3. A METRIC HIT

4. ROAST A NUT

5. THAT EEL

6. RANCH AID

Nearly there :)

7. SEAPORT HOP

8. GO RIP A LEECH

How did you do? Hope you enjoyed the fun.

By the way, the answers are down here somewhere

Here they are:

1. acorn

2. almond

3. arithmetic

4. astronaut

5. athlete

6. arachnid

7. apostrophe

8. archipelago

Washed with wet sandpaper

2011-11-02T17:46:00.001Z

And this is what was waiting round the corner at the top of Hall Dale; Belted Galloway calves. Aren't they absolutely gorgeous?!

Cows are curious, but naturally timid. If you run, they may chase, but shout and wave your arms around and it is they who will retreat.

(This one courtesy of Sacristan)

Which is why it was all the more surprising when the mother decided to investigate up close; having a good old lick at my hand (probably 'pleasantly' salty from sweating up Bunster Hill) and generally acting rather like an over-sized pet. But goodness, that tongue was rough! It was a bit like being washed with wet sandpaper.

(This one courtesy of Sacristan too)

She really seemed to enjoy being scratched between the ears!

Out of the Dove and into the Hall

2011-11-01T16:38:00.001Z

A short way below Ilam Rock, we said goodbye to the Dove and turned up a small side valley, heading towards Stanshope.

After a short climb, we crossed this stile and emerged into Hall Dale.

Although the sun was still shining brightly, the bottom of the dale was firmly in shadow because the autumn sun was too low in the sky to overcome the steepness of the dale sides.

Outcrops of limestone protruding from the grass give this place a lot of character and the path twists its way along the dale bottom; which, in places, is quite narrow.

Finally, as we reached the upper dale, the sun began to finger its way down the hillsides and brighten up an already pretty place. We got the sense of the countryside opening out and began to wonder what was waiting for us in the sunshine just around the bend.

A tor around a rock

2011-10-31T20:41:00.001Z

This is Ilam Rock, about which I have posted once before, so I'm going to be quiet and just allow you to enjoy the photo.

Almost directly across the river is Pickering Tor.

This cave close to the foot of Ilam Rock is one of many in the gorge. Although unpromising from the outside, the roof rises to make quite a spacious place.

Looking out, you can just spot the end of the wooden footbridge on which I was standing to take the first photo. Also, notice the puddle. The day outside was bright and sunny, but water seeps slowly through limestone and there was a regular drip rippling this wetness.

Thorpe Cloud from all angles

2011-10-30T18:41:00.000Z

This hill, which towers over the southern end of Dovedale, is called Thorpe Cloud. It lies between the villages of Ilam and Thorpe. Here, it is seen from the rim of Dovedale, beyond Bunster Hill.

Thorpe Cloud is a limestone hill which stands at 942'high and would (approx 350 million years ago) have been part of a shallow sea. The limestone was cut into reefs during the two ice ages and left proud as the seas retreated . It's name comes from the Old Norse Thorpe, meaning village or farmstead and the Old English Clud, meaning a hill.

Thorpe Cloud is very popular with walkers because it offers views right up the Dovedale Gorge or south over the Midland plain. It is also popular with paragliders.

In total, we counted seven, but I didn't manage to get a decent photo of more than five at any one time.

I'm really unsure about whether I would fancy a go at this or not. Part of me thinks it would be brilliant, but another part thinks that this is genuinely dangerous and maybe not such a good idea.

What do you think?

Have you ever had a go?

Am I wrong about the 'dangerous' bit?

Do you want a good laugh?

2011-10-29T18:54:00.002+01:00

I've been a member of Alter Rock for about two months. Mainly, I joined so that I could belay Ben on the high lead climbs while Mark is away at Uni. Sometimes, Ben can find a partner, sometimes not, so me belaying means that he can go more often than would otherwise be possible.

This last week though, I've actually climbed a couple of times; simple top roped stuff, but fun.

Today, there was a bouldering competition. Bouldering is climbing without the use of ropes, so lower level above a big crash mat. I don't really like bouldering much. It's nearly all overhanging stuff and really hard on the arms and shoulders. Maybe 30 years ago!!

Of course Ben entered and when we arrived, I somehow found myself being talked into having a go; the real draw being that there was a 'Veteran' category into which absolutely no one had entered! Bottom line, climb one route and I've won! So I went home, got my gear, came back, paid my entrance fee, climbed 3 routes and won. What a joke!!! But it was good to be a part of it and, frankly, I thought I was doing pretty well to manage three!!.

When I was called up to claim a 'first prize', I was careful to choose something small (feeling that being the sole competitor made winning a bit of a cheat!), but was promptly handed this hoodie because it "Goes with the chalk bag you've chosen".

Personally, I think I'm gonna look like a traffic light!

A word about Ben. Being over 16 means he was in the Men's Open Category; a tough division with some seasoned climbers, including an ex-member of the Slovakian National Team (a really nice guy who strolls up routes which other people fall off). Ben came a very creditable fifth. Maybe he'd like the hoodie?

No?

Oh well!

"I jumped over Ilam cross!"

2011-10-28T13:45:00.000+01:00

In the centre of Ilam, close by the river bridge, is this 30 foot high cross, erected by Jesse Watts-Russell in 1840, in memory of his wife Mary.

The design was created by architect John Macduff Derrick and is modelled on one of the crosses which Edward I had erected in memory of his wife, Eleanor of Castile in 1290. Eleanor died in Nottinghamshire but was buried in Westminster Abbey and a cross was erected at each stopping place on her final journey.

The cross does show some wear from 170 years of erosion and met with a tragedy in 1960, when a storm dislodged the already weakened top. For a while, a temporary sandstone replacement was erected. Because it proved impossible to establish who actually owned the cross, there was some delay in its restoration; grant awarding bodies being reluctant to award money for the scheme. Then, in 2003, the Peak Park Authority made a compulsory purchase order and in March 2009, the cross was officially handed over to a charitable body known as the Ilam Cross Trust.

Restoration work began soon after.

On September 16th 2011, as the restoration work was nearing completion, Ilam schoolchildren, staff and visitors jumped over the golden cross. It was then processed down the street and handed to the stonemasons for fitting at the top.

In future years, those children will be able, in all honesty, to say "I jumped over Ilam cross!"

The fully restored cross was unveiled in early October and has been shortlisted for the English Heritage Angel Awards, the results of which are to be announced this Monday (31st)

To help ensure it's continued protection, the cross is a grade 2 listed building and features on the English Heritage register of Buildings at Risk. The Ilam Cross Trust continue to raise money to pay for maintenance.

Ilam in the Alps

2011-10-27T22:17:00.000+01:00

Human activity around Ilam dates back as far as 700BC, when neolithic man built burial barrows on the surrounding hills. The area was settled by both Celts and Romans but became more significant after the death of Bertram and the beginning of pilgrimages to his tomb in the Middle Ages.

Ilam today is a mix of old and newer properties, nestling alongside the River Manifold, sitting close to the border between Derbyshire and Staffordshire and overlooked by Bunster Hill (1079' - half a mountain)

The village school, Ilam C of E (VA) Primary, is housed in this Alpine style building. It was built by Jesse Watts-Russell in the mid 1800s. As the new owner of Ilam Hall, he wanted to improve the view from his property. As a result, he had a large proportion of the village demolished and the people rehoused in newly built alpine style housing. The school was constructed as part of this redevelopment.

http://www.ilam.staffs.sch.uk/hisgeog/hismain.html

These two photographs, from the school website, show the building and pupils from their earliest days. The trees have grown somewhat in the last 130 years!

http://www.ilam.staffs.sch.uk/hisgeog/hismain.html

And the school uniform has seen some changes!

To read more about the school, click here.

This is just one of the Alpine style cottages, which must have looked rather incongruous when they were first constructed, but fit the landscape surprisingly well.

October sunrise

2011-10-26T21:27:00.000+01:00

One of the things I love most about Autumn is the sunrise. There are probably sunrises just as spectacular throughout the year, but this is when I get to see them because my alarm wakes me while it is still dark. There is nothing good about getting up for work in the dark, except the chance of a beautiful sunrise, which is exactly how I was recompensed last Friday.

Enjoy!

(Notice the aeroplane which had recently taken off from East Midlands Airport?)

Last week, I completely forgot to link my post back to Jenny Matlock's Alphabet Thursday and her Autumn hiatus. I've just realised this fact! Sorry Jenny. I'll make sure I do it this time...

Alphabe-Thursday goes Autumn

Church of the Holy Cross, Ilam

2011-10-25T23:16:00.001+01:00

Much of Ilam church is Norman or early English; the base of the tower, for example, is 13th Century. Like many other churches, however, there have been later additions. Mainly, these came in the 17th and 19th century and included two chapels.

There is also evidence of the Saxon origins of this church, most notable of which is the stone font, carved with dragons and people.

The Saxon connection goes back to St Bertram, an 8th century Saxon Prince of Mercia. Bertram travelled to Ireland to marry an Irish princess. On the way back, they stopped off at Ilam because his wife had given birth. While she rested, Bertram went off to find food, only to discover on his return, that a wolf had attacked and killed his wife and child. Heartbroken, he remained here, giving up his royal claims and devoting himself to prayer and meditation for the remainder of his days..

His tomb is inside the church in the chapel built specifically for that purpose in 1618. In the Middle Ages, the tomb was a place of pilgrimage and believed to have miraculous healing powers.

These days, the pilgrims are mainly tourists, including us, on our walk :)

We're heading on past the church and up the side of Bunster Hill.

Eye lamb Hall

2011-10-24T15:09:00.000+01:00

Ilam (eye-lamb, not ill-am) Hall, in Staffordshire, is owned by the National Trust. The first hall on this site was built by the Port family in the sixteenth century. In the 1820s, this was demolished by Jesse Watts Russell and replaced by a larger, grander hall. In the 1920s, most of this second hall was also demolished, some being saved by Sir Robert McDougall who bought the estate and then donated it to the National Trust in 1934.

What remains of the hall is now used as a Youth Hostel of the YHA. The hall also contains a small National Trust shop and Tea Rooms (which sells rather tasty scones - pronounced scownes, not scons).

The photo above shows the view from outside the Tea Rooms. On a warm day, you can sit here with your drink and enjoy this incredible view! (Even on a cold day, if you wish. The tea rooms lends blankets to those who would like to sit outside on the chilliest days!).

Incidentally, that flat topped hill is called Thorpe Cloud. More about that in another post.

I love the chimneys above the main archway at the front of the hall!

And on the grass outside, is this decorative trig point. I want one!!

Spinball

2011-10-22T21:55:00.000+01:00

One of the newer rides at Alton Towers is Sonic Spinball, renamed a couple of years ago from Spinball Whizzer. It's amongst the first rides reached from the main entrance and riding it early is a good idea because changeover time is pretty slow and queues build up rapidly to a long wait. It's fun, with cars turning randomly as they navigate the compact track. Some of the edges are definitely interesting. "Eeeep. Are we still attached?"

Opened on March 27th 2004 at a cost of 3.5 million, Sonic Spinball has a track length of 450m with a high point of 17m. In total the ride lasts 1 minute 10 seconds and reaches a top speed of 32mph. It's fun and slightly scary, but the spinning makes me feel mildly nauseous. Not one of my favourites, but that doesn't stop me from riding.

What about you? Are you a rider or a bag holder, or even someone who stays away all together?

Do you race for the big rides or prefer a different pass time?