Chris Howarth – Page 9

Sheffield Pike, 10th November 2013

I got up really early, well same as a weekday and I should have been at Chris’ house at 7.30 but first I nearly went flying along the paving slabs because of ice and then there was so much ice on my car that I couldn’t get into it! I eventually got the passenger door open and then had to kick the driver side door open from the inside. Couldn’t get into the boot at all. This all took ages.

I picked Chris up and we set off after I’d drunk her delicious coffee, literally her cup of coffee that was part of her breakfast. We’d just turned out of her road when we saw a dying cat, so I stopped the car and we went over but it had died by then. A nice man came out and covered it up. He said its owners never let it out.

So after all this we were late getting going and then we had to stop for loo and coffee at Lancaster services plus a little visit to M&S Food and WH Smiths.

We arrived at Glenridding and got togged up and managed to leave the car park at 11.40, not quite the 10.15 in my head!!

I’d wanted to go up to Glenridding Dodd but from the track there was no obvious access to the access land and clear signs saying no path. Despite magnifying the map I couldn’t see how we could reach the access land so we abandoned that plan and instead decided to go for Sheffield Pike first.

We went along the path to the Youth Hostel to where there are a lot of old mine buildings which are now activity centre bunkhouses, and a sign referring to skiing but no sign of any ski slope, I’ve now found that the ski slope is at Raise and better accessed from that side I would have thought: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raise_%28Lake_District%29 However we did see snow on the top of Helvellyn as it came into view.

We then moved around the substantial mining area and pondered what had been mined, I suggested lead and copper and this page says it was lead and silver: http://www.mineexplorer.org.uk/greenside.htm although you have to read the lot to work that out.

Eventually the path beside Greenside flattens out to a sort of wide, sandy beach by the stream, another less beautiful relic of the mine. Then it was our bog walk because Chris and I can’t go out without one. We stopped for our lunch but although the sun was stunning with the white tops it was quite cold. Then to the top for fabulous views across and around for long distances.

To descend we went east. I took a bearing so as to avoid some cliff areas, this was wise and worked a treat, we snaked down to the wall and then decided to go right and along a path we could see to the road as this was shorter than left along the wall to a PROW and down to the road. As it turned out not necessarily quicker! We handrailed the wall until we could get onto the path. Some people were at this point going down from Glenridding Dodd which meant that there must be a way through the access land to get back to the car park but we decided to stick with our path that we’d selected and follow it down. As it got darker and darker the path got harder and wetter. My dear companion had aching legs and did not enjoy this section. Apart from being concerned for Chris, I’m afraid I did!

Onto the road, we put our headlights on, batteries dying in mine and flash function not working in Chris’. A short hop and back to the car.

An adventuresome day all in all, but QMD as well.

It was dark from where we were standing but camera said OK

Please visit Map and Compass and learn how to interpret a map with me and my navigation partner, Cath.

Roping up at the Bride Stones 6th October 2013

Chris and I first tried to go to the Hawks Stones above Todmorden. It’s a very short walk from what used to be the Sportsman’s pub but although there had been a BMC notice at the start of the footpath telling us to be good, there wasn’t one saying there was restricted access to the Access Land that the Hawks Stones are on until we got to them.
We then opted for the Bride Stones which are just a short hop on the other side of the road. It took me a while but I got the anchor, myself the belayer and Chris the climber all roped up correctly and I belayed her up the slope. I can see I still need to practise this but it is getting a little bit easier.
Then we looked for a place for me to try an abseil. I deliberately kept the slopes very small for this practise session. I eventually managed to get a classic abseil sorted out and I think I got a version of a South African one as well but this was quite hard.
I definitely need to keep on practising these and hope that I can have another refresher prior to doing the assessment.
It was a lovely warm afternoon and Chris has offered to help me practise this as Carol is currently out of the running with her hernia.

Please visit Map and Compass and learn how to interpret a map with me and my navigation partner, Cath.

Pirates Ahoy, West Wales, 23-25 August 2013

Friday

We had a nice leisurely trip down through Wales via Dolgellau, Machynlleth and Aberystwyth to reach our bed and breakfast at Rhydlewis. Broniwan is set up a short drive and is a slightly gloomy solid Victorian house. Our hostess, Carole met us and gave us huge pieces of delicious jam sandwich cake and tea. She reminded me a little of my friend Angela H (tall, blonde and clever!) I think the gloom was probably because it was cloudy and overcast outside. Carole was tickled when we mentioned we would be dressing up as pirates the next day.

We went off for dinner at the Daffodil Inn in Penrhiwllan a few miles away. I was slightly disconcerted by being addressed as “Sir” as when it’s strangers this is normally a verbal punch in the face. When it’s my friends it’s an entirely different matter and is quite correct! We were supposed to sit in the bar and wait to be taken to our table but I had entirely misunderstood this and assumed the whole pub was a bar so we just took a table that we wanted to sit at. The waitress implied that the one they had reserved for us was “better” but we were quite happy not being in the thick of it all. I had various beefy things and Carol had 2 starters. The food was very tasty, nicely cooked and well presented. We washed it down with Greene King Abbot Ale from Bury St. Edmunds (my first ever beers). Back at the B and B we had a short walk up the hill in the dark to stretch our legs, no cars, lovely.

Saturday

Nice big breakfast of organic sausages and poached egg with tomato for me and Carol had similar with bacon. Proper coffee and really just very good. We met Allan, our host who was also charming.

We went off to Lampeter to buy a couple of bits and pieces, then back to the B and B where Carol had a little snooze. Then off out again to the seaside at Poppit Sands. Any sun there decided to leave as we arrived. We found the pirate flag and a bunch of scurvy pirates who were a bit chilly. We were just in time to help finish off Hilary’s yummy muffins. We stayed a little longer but it certainly wasn’t warm enough to get me in the sea nor Carol. We went back to the B and B and Carol had another little snooze. Then we arranged ourselves for the evening and our hosts both came out to “admire” us!

Bona Pirates drove over to Llandysul Long Barn for the piratical party. Aargh! The scurvy wenches were blistering their barnacles and my parrot was requiring pieces of slate. We ate ships’ biscuits and drank a bottle of rum (actually a chicken kebab and a small glass of champagne). A fire was blazing on the deck and the wenches were rampaging. Chrissie the buccaneering beauty of the Seven Seas was over the yardarm. We returned to the B and B and both had big long snoozes.

Sunday

Another yummy breakfast and then back to the Long Barn where some pirates seemed a little the worse for wear. Some ship-shaping had been done and all was quiet in the sun. Chrissie had some more presents and additions to the cake fest. It was lovely to see all the Howarths together and to meet Kaye. And all our dear old friends.

We then set off for the long journey home which we broke by calling in to see Kate and Del and Dan in Pontrhydfendigaid. We had some bara brith and a bit more cake and shot the breeze. On the way back we called in at Llanidloes because we both like it there and Carol bought me a Magnum in case I was suffering a sugar withdrawal. We also stopped in Newtown for the loo and then we were homeward bound.

Please visit Map and Compass and learn how to interpret a map with me and my navigation partner, Cath.

P1020197 — Andy, Chris, Gerry, Hilary and Carol

P1020198 — As before and with Kaye on the left

P1020202 — Birthday girl with birthday shed voucher

Canal, Pennine Bridleway and Roman Road bike ride 13th July 2013

Bit late writing this but have been preoccupied with kidneys and life.
Chris and I started at her house using the canal path to get to Littleborough. It’s a well made path so a pleasure to ride on. Chris then guided me through Eelees woods which was a footpath so we walked across to Hollingworth Lake visitor centre via multiple kissing gates which was quite a challenge.
Got onto the bridleway to commence the big ascent we sensibly planned for a very hot day! This was a bit of pushing so we stopped for lunch and to gird our loins for what was to come.
A short flat stretch then we were at the base of the big hill going up to Blackstone Edge. We wanted to stay off the road but this meant footpath and Roman Road. A stiff climb indeed which was all push with frequent stops. Totally lathered when we got to the top.
Across to the White House pub which we’d held out as a carrot to reach the top. Imagine our disappointment to find it shut! Just like the last time when we were frozen and needed hot choc. They are missing a trick that’s for sure.
So onwards passing 3 reservoirs along the bridleway, destination Gaddings Dam. To reach it there is a paving stone footpath which we only sometimes managed to stay on. Extreme cyclists we are not! See video. Once at the dam Chris parked me in a quiet spot, got into her swimsuit and into the water. She only did a short swim but said it was lovely. I thought I was filming her but had pressed the wrong button so just a still.
After Chris had changed we got back on the bikes to some quite hard paths but then soon to the road and a lovely whizz down to Chris’ house.
She came over later to our house and we had barbecued chicken and mini burgers with salad We sat out by the new shed!