tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90462494988903188542024-03-05T20:14:39.719+00:00Richard A Roworth PhotoblogHiking and PhotographyRichard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-39755540309703899662010-12-14T00:06:00.002+00:002010-12-14T00:10:14.206+00:00The GeminidsTonight is the night of The Geminids. The brightest meteor shower for a year and a half. I had planned to kill two birds with one stone, the stone being my Nikon D300, the birds are my desire to shoot a time lapse of the revolving heavens and a meteor streaking through the night sky. I was all prepared, 30 seconds at f1.8, repeated every 90 seconds at high resolution.<br /><br />Damn clouds!Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-81422226034807614442010-12-06T12:53:00.001+00:002010-12-06T12:54:45.788+00:00Bolton Wedding PhotographyMy new wedding photography website is now online;<br /><br /><a href="http://boltonweddingphotography.co.uk">wedding photographer bolton</a><br /><br />RichardRichard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-56672857380257576552010-03-24T14:45:00.001+00:002010-03-24T14:48:03.663+00:00Victory for Photographer's Rights<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRichard%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} p.ecxmsonormal, li.ecxmsonormal, div.ecxmsonormal {mso-style-name:ecxmsonormal; mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0cm; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:595.3pt 841.9pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:35.4pt; mso-footer-margin:35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Myself and two others recently wrote to Dorset For You expressing our disgust at its rights grabbing photography competition, <st1:place>Dorset</st1:place> For you – Share your photographs of <st1:place>Dorset</st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>This was in response to the competitions terms and conditions which were unethical towards the photographers who were entering (all too common with photography competitions).</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Good news.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I received a reply which you can see below;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Dear Mr Roworth</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Thank you for your email pointing out your concerns with the terms and conditions of our feature asking users to share their photos of </span><st1:place><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Dorset</span></st1:place><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">.</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">As a result of your email (and two other similar ones), we have now significantly altered the terms and conditions. You can see the new revised ones at <a href="http://www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp?articleid=391319" target="_blank" onclick="onClickUnsafeLink(event);">http://www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp?articleid=391319</a> </span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Best regards, </span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="ecxmsonormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Martin</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This is a great victory for photographer’s rights and good business practice.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A big Thank you goes out to Dorset For You.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Share Your Photos of Dorset is now listed on the Rights On page of<span style=""> </span>Pro-imaging’s Bill of Rights for photography competitions with a green light.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">http://www.pro-imaging.org<o:p></o:p></p> Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-26169956272528228472010-02-23T20:06:00.003+00:002010-02-23T20:30:25.569+00:00Adventures in Time-Lapse<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This video is copyright Richard A Roworth 2010 and must not be copied, published or broadcast in any way shape or form without written permission.</span></span><br /><br />For a while I have been wanting to record a time-lapse video of falling snow. Today I (only just) got that chance. Although I knew snow was forecast, it wasn't scheduled to arrive until after dark so I thought my chances were slim. However, the snow arrived just before dusk so I managed to film 30 seconds worth (over 60 minutes). This worked out as 720 frames at 1 frame per 5 seconds.<br /><br />Unfortunately I only had a few moments to set up as we had visitors, I was cooking dinner and our 1 week old baby needed feeding and changing! Also, the arrival of the snow took me by surprise so it is a bit of a rush job.<br /><br />Nikon D300<br />50mm<br />f8 - 1.8<br /><br />I left the camera on a/p as the light was fading, changing it to manual and 15th sec a few minutes before the end to produce the fade to black effect.<br /><br />I also changed the aperture to f1.8 about half way through as condensation was smearing the glass of the patio door I was shooting through. This changed the depth of field which is an effect I might play around with in future time lapse projects.<br /><br />Mistakes;<br /><ul><li>White balance on auto.</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li>Perhaps it would have been better on full manual shutter, but I wouldn't have been able to alter the depth of field half way through.</li></ul></div><ul><li>Little preparation time led to poor choice of composition.</li></ul><ul><li>Tripod pressed against the patio door was not steady enough and led to camera movement.</li></ul><br /><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxLgExvmRQfqewlTy3sCYq6jD-ullOJtQI8ifqyBcEQeOGT3jlxruXRgQY4v0xpKyTnRB_jN15UKuGn4l2neA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-71943883655228624012010-02-11T22:26:00.010+00:002010-02-11T22:48:26.685+00:00The Waiting Game<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">It is not long now until our child will be let loose on this world, Mrs RaR is on the maternity ward although she would prefer to be at home.<span style=""> </span>After spending most of the day in the hospital, I am now at home, waiting for the call that labour has started.<span style=""> </span>It could be tonight, it could be tomorrow, it could be Saturday.<span style=""> </span>The only thing the midwife could confirm is that we will have our baby before Monday.</p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNzHF3e4DBEoMAAQRUEgoRBWkPryxpbbuWn8W8du4tt0Afg7seaDEEwAo1llyx1SENGdaz4OF_JfTKLLmLVmDviRf2WMtPmEg1MgMxWn15_alWaL65j_eJOeLnq6065DDALV32owH4ow/s1600-h/bump.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNzHF3e4DBEoMAAQRUEgoRBWkPryxpbbuWn8W8du4tt0Afg7seaDEEwAo1llyx1SENGdaz4OF_JfTKLLmLVmDviRf2WMtPmEg1MgMxWn15_alWaL65j_eJOeLnq6065DDALV32owH4ow/s320/bump.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437120645027447266" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Are we prepared?</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">We have bought all there is to be bought (thanks for all the gifts), and read all there is to be read. <span style=""> </span>I don’t think that we will ever actually feel prepared though.<span style=""> </span>I believe that, with most things in life, preparation is part of the process and the more it is enjoyed the better the result.<span style=""> </span>So we went to Ikea and bought some flat-pack furniture.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Ikea isn’t first on my list of places to shop but we needed a cot pretty urgently and hadn’t been able to find anything either suitable or in-stock anywhere.<span style=""> </span>This was a few weeks ago now, but we were aware that shopping would become progressively harder as each week passed by (we were not wrong on this)!</p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">We ended up buying a Leksvik, a Sniglar and a Vyssa Vackert to go in the Leksvic.<span style=""> </span>After moving a few walls out of the way, we made it to the end of the maze and collected our goods from the warehouse section.<span style=""> </span>The next stage was the build and a chance to use my new cordless drill/driver.</p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">A few twists, turns and ****s later and the Leksvik had turned into a cot (and the Vyssa Vackert into a mattress);</p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zX22e3Q2vMFhW3P-2xfc7FPm7yR7O1F27zmtXjKFs2h9CUTlE5zhdR-rY4IiOIgBtnxuCYJ3p1uIM55-pJXkUTkWDWOw2JbyjLJ9RYVvpnDodxQoJsTIJ08KNSOApEoOwPJc5HkpOtE/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zX22e3Q2vMFhW3P-2xfc7FPm7yR7O1F27zmtXjKFs2h9CUTlE5zhdR-rY4IiOIgBtnxuCYJ3p1uIM55-pJXkUTkWDWOw2JbyjLJ9RYVvpnDodxQoJsTIJ08KNSOApEoOwPJc5HkpOtE/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437120055428075666" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXqe-X7KPQ4kp2cAhLq8jaHgw-iM4ViLt-GLx-gogDqwFA3dcHrOgKnVkbURnDjPhlS8BksUtvUG9mzflf0yn_JYomcC7ICw-x6JH0EhOrPGeek7izL6wqkWBqsJwXC4O6nNg440igXw/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXqe-X7KPQ4kp2cAhLq8jaHgw-iM4ViLt-GLx-gogDqwFA3dcHrOgKnVkbURnDjPhlS8BksUtvUG9mzflf0yn_JYomcC7ICw-x6JH0EhOrPGeek7izL6wqkWBqsJwXC4O6nNg440igXw/s320/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437119938505385602" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpCgQe7ZjLjGxyd2UxwetGrhe7orZ7pLKKzqDL_HB6IKzbTROKjONGVPB6gua9KwjdZ7JZz5O-Krcl3gAiyHAGNHDD_bOfBEviQDkrwH2hHi9L0-b9mHNmlePr2f83QZRo3YIUJkXzlo/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpCgQe7ZjLjGxyd2UxwetGrhe7orZ7pLKKzqDL_HB6IKzbTROKjONGVPB6gua9KwjdZ7JZz5O-Krcl3gAiyHAGNHDD_bOfBEviQDkrwH2hHi9L0-b9mHNmlePr2f83QZRo3YIUJkXzlo/s320/3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437119821998449714" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">After a few more expletives, the Sniglar had transformed into a Changing Table;</p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2pGBxl1swNpJxGOqxo3p408KHHrX_-lXt-eMYHfZOa4Adakyio2VLZFZTzDyQwXqk8G14NNUkS0Yd2PKt-FIQ7KBiHVsLYY-JvP5JOMMJCPGpoafT6zp3JGl2wPTd5mwQy6Gx3xi7Jo/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2pGBxl1swNpJxGOqxo3p408KHHrX_-lXt-eMYHfZOa4Adakyio2VLZFZTzDyQwXqk8G14NNUkS0Yd2PKt-FIQ7KBiHVsLYY-JvP5JOMMJCPGpoafT6zp3JGl2wPTd5mwQy6Gx3xi7Jo/s320/4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437119540929307250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EY8A568OGAuoiM2IbuXDlpRvHVCqTjYi_FVT0bug3kAn97aS8pLOmSK_HkBDfGPnoMT7vX5516xltA8c2ExpRCW3kbLhyphenhyphenHV7ilR7wFGVKGtOY5qvGxtvrl0y_WbOGVUHe8e02tNGneY/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EY8A568OGAuoiM2IbuXDlpRvHVCqTjYi_FVT0bug3kAn97aS8pLOmSK_HkBDfGPnoMT7vX5516xltA8c2ExpRCW3kbLhyphenhyphenHV7ilR7wFGVKGtOY5qvGxtvrl0y_WbOGVUHe8e02tNGneY/s320/5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437119425966917426" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHdHfllb2Br-lbZokg5MPIqD_n6ZFnepFNC66XcW9tLL8LN1NSU_1_msOwCiqwKcpvWpJpbC2h2lIxnnHnR2hz-mukdo4rLgFnFVyLFtZdXQrr1-XSxnBg7d7BDMZMlnNnczjXxEDHDE/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHdHfllb2Br-lbZokg5MPIqD_n6ZFnepFNC66XcW9tLL8LN1NSU_1_msOwCiqwKcpvWpJpbC2h2lIxnnHnR2hz-mukdo4rLgFnFVyLFtZdXQrr1-XSxnBg7d7BDMZMlnNnczjXxEDHDE/s320/6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437119272913001618" border="0" /></a><o:p></o:p></p>Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-64480878203562478642010-01-24T23:24:00.004+00:002010-01-24T23:54:42.654+00:00Holcombe Hill<div style="text-align: justify;">Since moving I have been meaning to explore some more of the local countryside, today I got that chance. Myself and three survivors from my house-warming dinner made the short drive to Ramsbottom, our aim was to reach 'that tower' which we have seen so many times whilst driving past on the M66 on our way to Yorkshire.<br /><br />The weather was typical for Ramsbottom - wet and windy - so photography wasn't really the main focus for the day. Half an hour after leaving the warmth of the car, we reached the tower. I didn't know this before we set off, but some well learned locals informed us that the tower was built as a memorial to Sir Robert Peel, who was born in Ramsbottom.<br /><br />Sir Robert Peel was Prime Minister twice in the mid 1800s but he is more famous for inventing the police. He is the Robert (BoB) who gave Bobbies their name.<br /><br />I think the Azkabanesque memorial tower is very fitting to a man who preferred to lock criminals up rather than hang them, it looks like a prison, the mother of all prisons perhaps.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BUSWppmIvv9lAIpukKRWcRP6MAmp7Xo5_k0qLOwuC32Dv19bQRVS5JpUY5cRU-WcVEhJR4oWlabMTurVwHq5SkKNKXQkl2LWGS3jGuICu1hdbmBrUQpynDc8M_RLlTwHPvnrU-KzZjE/s1600-h/peel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BUSWppmIvv9lAIpukKRWcRP6MAmp7Xo5_k0qLOwuC32Dv19bQRVS5JpUY5cRU-WcVEhJR4oWlabMTurVwHq5SkKNKXQkl2LWGS3jGuICu1hdbmBrUQpynDc8M_RLlTwHPvnrU-KzZjE/s320/peel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430457594980949474" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Peel Tower, Holcombe Hill<br /></div>Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-92025522983602638622010-01-07T20:41:00.010+00:002010-01-07T21:01:27.530+00:00Snow Day - Part 2The Return to Captain's Clough.<br /><br />Last night saw temperatures in The North West fall as low as -17c and it certainly felt it as I walked home from the pub. Today I had to return to the pub with a shovel to recover my car. On the way I passed through Captain's Clough again, this time it was bathed in glorious sunshine. the photographs can be seen below;<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYgknXXM5g0AKSdLfizoE2plIDRQe4HrhIKUfEawOe8WCizgW9ruOqaiRqOSTQfXfBGZB02mdbkOCU-L8JQXCsopGZ6LF4bVQFqz-p3cmUuo_LvKD1BIDFCoupW5_Raaup81mGzxhUXo/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYgknXXM5g0AKSdLfizoE2plIDRQe4HrhIKUfEawOe8WCizgW9ruOqaiRqOSTQfXfBGZB02mdbkOCU-L8JQXCsopGZ6LF4bVQFqz-p3cmUuo_LvKD1BIDFCoupW5_Raaup81mGzxhUXo/s320/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424101702546722146" border="0" /></a><br />Captain's Clough, Doffcocker. Bolton.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpK-K8zZ42_1Xi5eYRSG60PF0fKWPxwSLvH2NHRPo47aGlqwOnVlRnwu7IMm8GmG0WNWU4-7mC6zMzkt4tnGc4H0dEMAV72bbEykJM5Lm6Br9VIn4kvMo7m_EMAkNKlQ-5dUxPoUVSvBo/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpK-K8zZ42_1Xi5eYRSG60PF0fKWPxwSLvH2NHRPo47aGlqwOnVlRnwu7IMm8GmG0WNWU4-7mC6zMzkt4tnGc4H0dEMAV72bbEykJM5Lm6Br9VIn4kvMo7m_EMAkNKlQ-5dUxPoUVSvBo/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424101847637921698" border="0" /></a><br />A little like 'Narnia' perhaps?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gffM3UzOVl9yO_9MCW5r3VOjNcA0-dayorPHvad4x9qY2RVVbDiaq1EW873TRuhl9j1JPycJ89GB_6LIBXLN8Ra66NnGfnI1lkt9NM4quVmiZlMKV7sIrkfT-Hdyxl92lpqFigqeh88/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gffM3UzOVl9yO_9MCW5r3VOjNcA0-dayorPHvad4x9qY2RVVbDiaq1EW873TRuhl9j1JPycJ89GB_6LIBXLN8Ra66NnGfnI1lkt9NM4quVmiZlMKV7sIrkfT-Hdyxl92lpqFigqeh88/s320/3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424101968817710578" border="0" /></a>Two versions exist of this - one with and one without The Sun,<br />I prefer the one with.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYjc-6OwyRlJqY3lT9PnHJRUgBXDyqZN42fHKVrosP95IPowN9r7sWXoMPJHeh2IwnUIT-O301qXOLkR4SR_bEVqfLb4DCROhhaojqguvZRCPwTZ6rHLjlE8dcYHv2xKyCPPYhi-ZdFg/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYjc-6OwyRlJqY3lT9PnHJRUgBXDyqZN42fHKVrosP95IPowN9r7sWXoMPJHeh2IwnUIT-O301qXOLkR4SR_bEVqfLb4DCROhhaojqguvZRCPwTZ6rHLjlE8dcYHv2xKyCPPYhi-ZdFg/s320/4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424102087760767330" border="0" /></a>Landscape photography is not always about sweeping mountain vistas.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDlDowS-5HGpHoX-fvFdLJ1YXkVxJPDnh2dP0Q-B7hZeORx3GDBGoPHtiCWuecH7EDGQ0AjePG0kU_mRaTnzl79WkoBvUoTbVu-KC6twOpf5YVeMGZb3O4ySszd1JjMk89-PZHV3IpEU/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDlDowS-5HGpHoX-fvFdLJ1YXkVxJPDnh2dP0Q-B7hZeORx3GDBGoPHtiCWuecH7EDGQ0AjePG0kU_mRaTnzl79WkoBvUoTbVu-KC6twOpf5YVeMGZb3O4ySszd1JjMk89-PZHV3IpEU/s320/5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424102209315977554" border="0" /></a>These branches were a little like arms reaching out<br />to catch and embrace the snowfall.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JHjwOMQLFOnZodZUcQ5dbfnCAuu5qTenfXoD7MQcx9M1TLQiW29nx_fS0Zukqpmvjeyqb-DQ8ZfQRfx-oWtLTv-PLUGgHXQmK6PwmBduHaP9KVi76oiSYE3gUOCgf7XLMAuJw0RP30M/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JHjwOMQLFOnZodZUcQ5dbfnCAuu5qTenfXoD7MQcx9M1TLQiW29nx_fS0Zukqpmvjeyqb-DQ8ZfQRfx-oWtLTv-PLUGgHXQmK6PwmBduHaP9KVi76oiSYE3gUOCgf7XLMAuJw0RP30M/s320/6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424102355256726162" border="0" /></a>Lovely long winter shadows....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYf2gEL1qAJoJ8WQJAnN0IeAvZcBIS959EolXpTSXmRhlKYErF9IPfxRTaBYvDTwc6uy0BBUDHFLT2bK8oJ5VecXpTFwwAKkqHbC3JtPlw-0TXF1MBoDhtU_DYsdmTm02jo5sBTt0Y1M/s1600-h/7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYf2gEL1qAJoJ8WQJAnN0IeAvZcBIS959EolXpTSXmRhlKYErF9IPfxRTaBYvDTwc6uy0BBUDHFLT2bK8oJ5VecXpTFwwAKkqHbC3JtPlw-0TXF1MBoDhtU_DYsdmTm02jo5sBTt0Y1M/s320/7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424102529682050466" border="0" /></a>...make interesting patterns.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMDTqKH-x8NT3eLLVYPUaHvt8WYNZKFeuVP0D9xfb3he79NFQQGzWCN9k7nFJndj7z49ccqY2a9a_4fY4iFBAtNqb-5ctKLjLpTxA9oEm_GTVttWFM3bSTqPLOOUrOrJOpg7UG555pjY/s1600-h/8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMDTqKH-x8NT3eLLVYPUaHvt8WYNZKFeuVP0D9xfb3he79NFQQGzWCN9k7nFJndj7z49ccqY2a9a_4fY4iFBAtNqb-5ctKLjLpTxA9oEm_GTVttWFM3bSTqPLOOUrOrJOpg7UG555pjY/s320/8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424102736637801954" border="0" /></a>Alas, I had reached the car and the end of my little walk.<br /> Winter Hill beckoned but I had too much<br />to do. I might venture up it on Saturday.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">There seems no end in sight to the cold spell, the thermometer in my garden is currently reading -10c. I am glad we have central heating, double glazing and double loft insulation!<br /></div><br /></div>Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-47948129138511662252010-01-07T00:05:00.003+00:002010-01-07T16:27:11.767+00:00It's Cold Outside!I have just walked back from the pub, it felt a little nippy out.<br /><br />Here are the latest readings from Woodford weather station (our closest official weather station);<br /><br /><table><tbody><tr><td class="nightRow" align="center"><strong>1700</strong></td> <td class="nightRow" align="center"><img src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/lib/images/symbols/w0.gif" alt="Clear Sky" title="Clear Sky" height="24" width="26" /></td> <td class="nightRow" align="right">-2.6 °C</td> <td class="nightRow" align="center">NNE </td> <td class="nightRow" align="right">3 mph</td> <td class="nightRow" align="right"><br /></td> <td class="nightRow" align="right">23 km</td> <td class="nightRow" align="center">1010 hPa, Rising</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="nightRow" align="center"><strong>1800</strong></td> <td class="nightRow" align="center"><img src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/lib/images/symbols/w0.gif" alt="Clear Sky" title="Clear Sky" height="24" width="26" /></td> <td class="nightRow" align="right">-3.3 °C</td> <td class="nightRow" align="center">NE </td> <td class="nightRow" align="right">3 mph</td> <td class="nightRow" align="right"><br /></td> <td class="nightRow" align="right">23 km</td> <td class="nightRow" align="center">1011 hPa, Rising</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="nightRow" align="center"><strong>1900</strong></td> <td class="nightRow" align="center"><img src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/lib/images/symbols/w0.gif" alt="Clear Sky" title="Clear Sky" height="24" width="26" /></td> <td class="nightRow" align="right">-4.3 °C</td> <td class="nightRow" align="center">N </td> <td class="nightRow" align="right">5 mph</td> <td class="nightRow" align="right"><br /></td> <td class="nightRow" align="right">21 km</td> <td class="nightRow" align="center">1011 hPa, Rising</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="nightRow" align="center"><strong>2000</strong></td> <td class="nightRow" align="center"><img src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/lib/images/symbols/w0.gif" alt="Clear Sky" title="Clear Sky" height="24" width="26" /></td> <td class="nightRow" align="right">-8.8 °C</td> <td class="nightRow" align="center">ESE </td> <td class="nightRow" align="right">1 mph</td> <td class="nightRow" align="right"><br /></td> <td class="nightRow" align="right">9 km</td> <td class="nightRow" align="center">1012 hPa, Rising</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="nightRow" align="center"><strong>2100</strong></td> <td class="nightRow" align="center"><img src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/lib/images/symbols/w0.gif" alt="Clear Sky" title="Clear Sky" height="24" width="26" /></td> <td class="nightRow" align="right">-12.3 °C</td> <td class="nightRow" align="center">S </td> <td class="nightRow" align="right">2 mph</td> <td class="nightRow" align="right"><br /></td> <td class="nightRow" align="right">1.2 km</td> <td class="nightRow" align="center">1012 hPa, Rising</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="nightRow" align="center"><strong>2200</strong></td> <td class="nightRow" align="center"><img src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/lib/images/symbols/w6.gif" alt="Fog" title="Fog" height="24" width="26" /></td> <td class="nightRow" align="right">-14.9 °C</td> <td class="nightRow" align="center">WSW </td> <td class="nightRow" align="right">1 mph</td> <td class="nightRow" align="right"><br /></td> <td class="nightRow" align="right">0.1 km</td> <td class="nightRow" align="center">1013 hPa, Rising</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="nightRow" align="center"><strong>2300</strong></td> <td class="nightRow" align="center"><img src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/lib/images/symbols/w0.gif" alt="Clear Sky" title="Clear Sky" height="24" width="26" /></td> <td class="nightRow" align="right">-12.2 °C</td> <td class="nightRow" align="center">S </td> <td class="nightRow" align="right">1 mph</td> <td class="nightRow" align="right"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Edited Today at 16:25 - It was reported on the local news today that the temperature eventually reached -17c, thankfully I was tucked up in bed!<br /><br />Brrrrr!Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-49129735297192734252010-01-05T21:29:00.017+00:002010-01-05T22:00:26.047+00:00Snow dayToday is Snow day.<br /><br />It started snowing at 9pm last night and didn't stop until we had a white carpet, a one foot deep white carpet! It was obviously a no-work day so I went for a walk with my camera;<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJr55vXgMh7zTn2Vz4FO5S70fQLGgzFmh_5MMalpK7QoE3Wvout7V0zeI2gsLrylUvsmntZDtwidJJJeoXNC4Q2WyMAVYIV1CsWahbMBGEZTPlWG4_ORGd4Jro7jwtOZAfJwg5ckU3w3g/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJr55vXgMh7zTn2Vz4FO5S70fQLGgzFmh_5MMalpK7QoE3Wvout7V0zeI2gsLrylUvsmntZDtwidJJJeoXNC4Q2WyMAVYIV1CsWahbMBGEZTPlWG4_ORGd4Jro7jwtOZAfJwg5ckU3w3g/s320/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423372811290380226" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The view from the Patio Door - the Summer House is a Winter House!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQH6rNhxMbBwnlD8HRmvWUFmkPQY8tho-hAF_TtbSF4-4fjTO7Lrg1blgbzDlYDruJ2oUykKFF1SvnoNzC_0fMlNnvy-xpb05X8r9Z2F68-50aIdT561W1CcZxgCeTvn1f1z6LwI6_Tu8/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQH6rNhxMbBwnlD8HRmvWUFmkPQY8tho-hAF_TtbSF4-4fjTO7Lrg1blgbzDlYDruJ2oUykKFF1SvnoNzC_0fMlNnvy-xpb05X8r9Z2F68-50aIdT561W1CcZxgCeTvn1f1z6LwI6_Tu8/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423373457795783090" border="0" /></a>I don't think the car will be moving anytime soon.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8j98YNGEcM_VVJFFxtf6mKPLew3WuSd16BPaicFtDHEQIc1AOJfy33iNhfSnZuoNRBEF30h6798hLJ7rsGhyq5ayKGqNqVnOcpXatYTR87YwOgNqwPfFj1EonESIeVikntvLfnW7ZYFA/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8j98YNGEcM_VVJFFxtf6mKPLew3WuSd16BPaicFtDHEQIc1AOJfy33iNhfSnZuoNRBEF30h6798hLJ7rsGhyq5ayKGqNqVnOcpXatYTR87YwOgNqwPfFj1EonESIeVikntvLfnW7ZYFA/s320/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423373710147553074" border="0" /></a><br />Not without a shovel at least (I have 'special' number-plate concealment paint)!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopCwAgYh8aH9f8_BoiYpVTLe_Em3yNVz5lAA5Ps1DNzmx1WbHTWZpi5ZZfrVLi-mgW4gi80Q6OSosBGt992k8jmL1MEeru49uV7_7RAMcCl6tg_jetbZA5bfaj87rWgTNjntCQbhGPhU/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopCwAgYh8aH9f8_BoiYpVTLe_Em3yNVz5lAA5Ps1DNzmx1WbHTWZpi5ZZfrVLi-mgW4gi80Q6OSosBGt992k8jmL1MEeru49uV7_7RAMcCl6tg_jetbZA5bfaj87rWgTNjntCQbhGPhU/s320/9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423374077875951506" border="0" /></a><br />Round the back of our place is Captain's Clough, it is a woodland area through which passes The Doffcocker brook. This Heron didn't seem impressed with the scenery though.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlh6PE24D9CQR7s_9xOf7THJARpvVP3jQ0rl8RzmZOcHNGIyXVfxROuvtzRycoo7WPpZ5FJ85Yhq9-UQbYzoJor9Wn480b2_iNY3vhydtjmXHgsNIblWJEMfqxw9e7_Ee1miIkZ59ns70/s1600-h/8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlh6PE24D9CQR7s_9xOf7THJARpvVP3jQ0rl8RzmZOcHNGIyXVfxROuvtzRycoo7WPpZ5FJ85Yhq9-UQbYzoJor9Wn480b2_iNY3vhydtjmXHgsNIblWJEMfqxw9e7_Ee1miIkZ59ns70/s320/8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423374856083579394" border="0" /></a>Someone's been busy this morning<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1R-EL0HoNlOPna1Rpd_ET2G4wwI8P1F_cZ888Ve744A6oQurdkFd8WoqMgbGmH5PbSB3uRFhIwYwca767jx3V5edZyWWBdsQlE-OiQtlFg0aqyrxle3x3metiArOgrnPCoXHqzVvQ1zE/s1600-h/7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1R-EL0HoNlOPna1Rpd_ET2G4wwI8P1F_cZ888Ve744A6oQurdkFd8WoqMgbGmH5PbSB3uRFhIwYwca767jx3V5edZyWWBdsQlE-OiQtlFg0aqyrxle3x3metiArOgrnPCoXHqzVvQ1zE/s320/7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423375178414640466" border="0" /></a>I continued my walk to Moss bank Park.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoQREBo4AAer-QLjX265MzG50m7AWXBAcmonqGNfgeEQ8cCTmaGSuJwFbPkknlVPgx4FqhtIxU2DwTUcdGQUTNsCokMbXPLr30ZMkDY_yHLb6z4mE0eVZXAk1ZdoPHjOM7D-eUJeQ2KI/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoQREBo4AAer-QLjX265MzG50m7AWXBAcmonqGNfgeEQ8cCTmaGSuJwFbPkknlVPgx4FqhtIxU2DwTUcdGQUTNsCokMbXPLr30ZMkDY_yHLb6z4mE0eVZXAk1ZdoPHjOM7D-eUJeQ2KI/s320/6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423375530603788466" border="0" /></a>The miniature railway wasn't operating - probably leaves<br />on the line or something?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIq4zkfeEcNYP2IiRDSZAOfrMkiVbUv8983ufVOvNFiAsh3KE_SputrSkzcQxacB4wDxetH9F2MjwWLCbExuiaMiuq0lQTjFR9o9LTJNB_latWi9apWMJe0tQXEyeSMVkO0Qz4qQ1pr8/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIq4zkfeEcNYP2IiRDSZAOfrMkiVbUv8983ufVOvNFiAsh3KE_SputrSkzcQxacB4wDxetH9F2MjwWLCbExuiaMiuq0lQTjFR9o9LTJNB_latWi9apWMJe0tQXEyeSMVkO0Qz4qQ1pr8/s320/5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423376038895319890" border="0" /></a>The buses were not running either.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQuQfgQOCvgBfZKkqLNChnJeEubS2hLOEGnLB_uzqKqTlo4FhzdWRixXyk6U9vZqtjRYV0hmDA9WQKz7dIuHCJTmmIvuiXRlxudRIKRQeWnxWWt-OBjialZ6ULZ48_njjUoYbn9O1e2s/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQuQfgQOCvgBfZKkqLNChnJeEubS2hLOEGnLB_uzqKqTlo4FhzdWRixXyk6U9vZqtjRYV0hmDA9WQKz7dIuHCJTmmIvuiXRlxudRIKRQeWnxWWt-OBjialZ6ULZ48_njjUoYbn9O1e2s/s320/4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423376472628725858" border="0" /></a>An impressive chimney, so much for global warming?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMZNxrXFNlhFzOGNJZYwwRrSMcs7A-JxVbvnadcAhIRixUybxyfnktgzU3YYDbkIXd7YmT2rcAyic26vUNWDhtg4RY5-V8LFJeuJMIqsV1qRqmGut8mSztu_fkX_2Cf_IFcV3faFR-LE/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMZNxrXFNlhFzOGNJZYwwRrSMcs7A-JxVbvnadcAhIRixUybxyfnktgzU3YYDbkIXd7YmT2rcAyic26vUNWDhtg4RY5-V8LFJeuJMIqsV1qRqmGut8mSztu_fkX_2Cf_IFcV3faFR-LE/s320/3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423378020820979970" border="0" /></a><br />This is Moss bank Way - usually a busy duel-carriageway.<br />Today the only form of transport using it is<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="visibility: visible;" id="main"><span style="visibility: visible;" id="search">Shank's Pony.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="visibility: visible;" id="main"><span style="visibility: visible;" id="search"><em></em></span></span></div></div>Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-41939496457799971002009-12-02T22:27:00.002+00:002009-12-02T22:31:04.347+00:00Beluga over ManchesterToday I spotted this Airbus Beluga flying over Manchester City Centre. It is a huge transport plane used by Airbus to ferry Aircraft parts across Europe.<br /><br />I think it kind of looks like a big flying Dolphin!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yLOKlLVzTKAADz4u7dwSwZ4kDs-CMuyoIBHicoXFgZaVSiEWfhmTZuSl9qfLqTfpb9JLpNFsZnoh_79_wnV4tqnSzGn8AuWt2u72o_6fyoe5WEW4fDS5LL6B3CefFZDVieVHA2Rpfiw/s1600-h/Airbus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yLOKlLVzTKAADz4u7dwSwZ4kDs-CMuyoIBHicoXFgZaVSiEWfhmTZuSl9qfLqTfpb9JLpNFsZnoh_79_wnV4tqnSzGn8AuWt2u72o_6fyoe5WEW4fDS5LL6B3CefFZDVieVHA2Rpfiw/s320/Airbus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410769693120463634" border="0" /></a>Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-68724062726743950262009-11-27T03:00:00.001+00:002009-11-27T03:03:29.932+00:00Every Street In ManchesterToday I walked along Every Street in Manchester;<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdcqUe0SEjdqUhcR4X8B7tYFJUJ4fAj_nZL0EGFh6poAfISgIb0o-RL0-9KPRIGIzzWeyQaXPMVGYbNRxp7lndik6fOu3ao77ILnfDW4BNAdNs_FFzP1sb2szWiDfszEYg18bCwu8aOY/s1600/IMG_8295.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdcqUe0SEjdqUhcR4X8B7tYFJUJ4fAj_nZL0EGFh6poAfISgIb0o-RL0-9KPRIGIzzWeyQaXPMVGYbNRxp7lndik6fOu3ao77ILnfDW4BNAdNs_FFzP1sb2szWiDfszEYg18bCwu8aOY/s320/IMG_8295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408613513319801138" border="0" /></a>Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-78778156380898311252009-11-23T23:12:00.003+00:002009-11-23T23:23:02.168+00:00Up Up and a ... Bentley!The other day I spotted a Bentley being lifted onto the roof of the Great John Street Hotel in Manchester City Centre.<br /><br />It is a posh place where 'celebrities' stay whilst visiting Granada next door, however I didn't know it had Valet parking!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpD_i-yE2fDbR5yGFV-afu_s4pdLXkKvlWjnGGMbEsj1-i5_WglFz9e3LVs09YcRAnOJMiDZ3rpX0IA8pZ34YrHC1Zv2oCtE8vFNfFMt3-4Hz9J_amdl_64tti1dQQEweXODxXAETG8Mw/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpD_i-yE2fDbR5yGFV-afu_s4pdLXkKvlWjnGGMbEsj1-i5_WglFz9e3LVs09YcRAnOJMiDZ3rpX0IA8pZ34YrHC1Zv2oCtE8vFNfFMt3-4Hz9J_amdl_64tti1dQQEweXODxXAETG8Mw/s320/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407443409451220722" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0v60p6ofG8A6it6hWMMXo4nzQbdKQYsMqYeQch1Hfs5XpI3bjqg1wb6Bxwd2oQkUSlEj8fDzGRWBqx0AN9zRFtU1XUUjTBcozFZih6qISo_C4rzLHc7hH1SFYjbyYEJSMatM2kJIkkU/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0v60p6ofG8A6it6hWMMXo4nzQbdKQYsMqYeQch1Hfs5XpI3bjqg1wb6Bxwd2oQkUSlEj8fDzGRWBqx0AN9zRFtU1XUUjTBcozFZih6qISo_C4rzLHc7hH1SFYjbyYEJSMatM2kJIkkU/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407443252489988002" border="0" /></a>Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-5170370894235798502009-02-09T19:36:00.014+00:002009-02-09T20:02:44.042+00:00Kinder ScoutThis weekend we decided to head to Edale and tackle the groughs of Kinder Scout. The reason for this choice is that the Kinder Scout plateaux is notoriously boggy, but in winter, when the peat bog is frozen over, it is a pleasure to walk upon.<br /><br />Pictures from the day can be seen below.<br /><br />Click on the image to view a large version.<br /><br />Use the back button on your browser to return to the blog.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Edale Valley<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGPosiaRZpupDaFY-WqwmeOWf4REWsxK32FUieqXEGwDw9xL464gmfJpKdV-VLRWwV-l1UT6GKJYLT6ycaD5LV6I2J1BXIW8uOEfDiUsR5XRpoG4FTWOhIADdm8cw5LOrK8oMf9dh34U/s1600-h/DSC_0004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGPosiaRZpupDaFY-WqwmeOWf4REWsxK32FUieqXEGwDw9xL464gmfJpKdV-VLRWwV-l1UT6GKJYLT6ycaD5LV6I2J1BXIW8uOEfDiUsR5XRpoG4FTWOhIADdm8cw5LOrK8oMf9dh34U/s200/DSC_0004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300887554561840850" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A Snow Angel<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfqKWTMWpGnTs_gNm4dfZCmA-jrfIIrvfqxkyXRhBYJQqK7Sc5s1g5i2Im6VGFh0FXzrHw9jztJhw6gXkxLSwD5_Cp8fvSbQzQEoPvFvWrf0et0PZnP0bxQThc5fvRPUWVRBYR8lBZqA/s1600-h/DSC_0006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfqKWTMWpGnTs_gNm4dfZCmA-jrfIIrvfqxkyXRhBYJQqK7Sc5s1g5i2Im6VGFh0FXzrHw9jztJhw6gXkxLSwD5_Cp8fvSbQzQEoPvFvWrf0et0PZnP0bxQThc5fvRPUWVRBYR8lBZqA/s200/DSC_0006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300887460658561442" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mam Tor<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvxxPAB6sTiuQF-MQ6_EDFcOuOY1nRdW-PjBT3XvRO_C7nCoZwLEC7pbNwXCJN_NTsdlaKcqv8d2xXJ_z7prpSjJ8-ouBEBg0ZKjHp0Ct-6JatNvoHKwjPQi9YUu-MqSmfw_UaPJvV1I/s1600-h/DSC_0015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvxxPAB6sTiuQF-MQ6_EDFcOuOY1nRdW-PjBT3XvRO_C7nCoZwLEC7pbNwXCJN_NTsdlaKcqv8d2xXJ_z7prpSjJ8-ouBEBg0ZKjHp0Ct-6JatNvoHKwjPQi9YUu-MqSmfw_UaPJvV1I/s200/DSC_0015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300887301549715826" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Edge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2a0EOICSz8w1CTuhjdWz3xI0x6kk1JiNRtAuafOl8ihIOJZPVVbUCy9eCN81kdtpjBxOSQxN4fkXJjJXwVX6f_bidWRfzKcCoONU1-hFloB7TdkUNv6yFltbn80iXUt0u3h70zA3s5ns/s1600-h/DSC_0025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2a0EOICSz8w1CTuhjdWz3xI0x6kk1JiNRtAuafOl8ihIOJZPVVbUCy9eCN81kdtpjBxOSQxN4fkXJjJXwVX6f_bidWRfzKcCoONU1-hFloB7TdkUNv6yFltbn80iXUt0u3h70zA3s5ns/s200/DSC_0025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300887180263844386" border="0" /></a><br />Frozen Kinder Downfall.<br />Some Ice Climbers had scaled it earlier<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix49yk1y7oonCZhU5544QOKFQl3_PE_JK0278Tldzl5eLCmdysf2F13kpI4w-MQWmu_QrZF48JsiyJirw1WptPKG5CEGrFbpAya5ogbivdjcDerO2JnVEZitSxwl_L1H9OmtYzEcNQ_tg/s1600-h/DSC_0040.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix49yk1y7oonCZhU5544QOKFQl3_PE_JK0278Tldzl5eLCmdysf2F13kpI4w-MQWmu_QrZF48JsiyJirw1WptPKG5CEGrFbpAya5ogbivdjcDerO2JnVEZitSxwl_L1H9OmtYzEcNQ_tg/s200/DSC_0040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300887087713107730" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Walking up the frozen River Kinder<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hggLvGnI9biqmDSFa1Uq0IgQCcRH7gct-sqwrDrEhUYesHOLeEW4r_jiKGDVyXw020Igptg1rpiW2e7Pd6kt4efUcPZx7gITn0M5sQRJXBgIpgH9YKnkwe12uJSsh2DzjbSU4rja4XA/s1600-h/DSC_0043.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hggLvGnI9biqmDSFa1Uq0IgQCcRH7gct-sqwrDrEhUYesHOLeEW4r_jiKGDVyXw020Igptg1rpiW2e7Pd6kt4efUcPZx7gITn0M5sQRJXBgIpgH9YKnkwe12uJSsh2DzjbSU4rja4XA/s200/DSC_0043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300886940397197026" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Entering The Grough<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCYU9IaDfc4FytYqosfuhraoWLPa6DnwrV2IR7-fKDXE2l2c2X7Mz2oRJA7lAGJbciBrDmcTrFqkNSwCl8RLfe4jreADYOzg18lV4zeul8L7C6XKYRZ-CSj0XhXhE7Fa_PWu7fM4hNxk/s1600-h/DSC_0049.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCYU9IaDfc4FytYqosfuhraoWLPa6DnwrV2IR7-fKDXE2l2c2X7Mz2oRJA7lAGJbciBrDmcTrFqkNSwCl8RLfe4jreADYOzg18lV4zeul8L7C6XKYRZ-CSj0XhXhE7Fa_PWu7fM4hNxk/s200/DSC_0049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300886704782309762" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Snowdrift<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlHN6FHonMFshK_1S6_iqvZyw7MrhdRhazgTEbD70TjozHMA0l9yzGpo_0EQvN_vwDPubCERg9h8P4IzeXrJXCzRXwRT3wFzgz67Et1AYXHNBJTTCeyAnOyQ5mKhTcSDvCfoge7G4Qn8/s1600-h/DSC_0046.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlHN6FHonMFshK_1S6_iqvZyw7MrhdRhazgTEbD70TjozHMA0l9yzGpo_0EQvN_vwDPubCERg9h8P4IzeXrJXCzRXwRT3wFzgz67Et1AYXHNBJTTCeyAnOyQ5mKhTcSDvCfoge7G4Qn8/s200/DSC_0046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300886832146682338" border="0" /></a><br />Kinder Scout Plateaux<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlqdM2UX9d0r3-KeiRNCFaIhkDpVaSr9fP40R2De4prBXOVOj4blYLbmCWvqL9yHfVKhKXc_q3ANuUCzXKDLJIwr6-GUycbXkTmHWsUSOSSRH1JTigeL9bIWtyogQUifjB5kdZ3vfCH8/s1600-h/DSC_0053.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlqdM2UX9d0r3-KeiRNCFaIhkDpVaSr9fP40R2De4prBXOVOj4blYLbmCWvqL9yHfVKhKXc_q3ANuUCzXKDLJIwr6-GUycbXkTmHWsUSOSSRH1JTigeL9bIWtyogQUifjB5kdZ3vfCH8/s200/DSC_0053.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300886602355218850" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Kinder Scout Summit<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYAT89y52EzECi85LDA_SLEQ3kcaOsoNmNSZtUm6LDkpZBEnDxIim2_x6fzlgbs2UGbS-TYNsRECy-fRaVrHNGJr_PWFdMy1G2gceZ4An_9U4ydV0eq-4WuWLEnfWsJPO4J2qqboC2e8/s1600-h/DSC_0055.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYAT89y52EzECi85LDA_SLEQ3kcaOsoNmNSZtUm6LDkpZBEnDxIim2_x6fzlgbs2UGbS-TYNsRECy-fRaVrHNGJr_PWFdMy1G2gceZ4An_9U4ydV0eq-4WuWLEnfWsJPO4J2qqboC2e8/s200/DSC_0055.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300885510840007842" border="0" /></a>Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-38642320891948571802008-12-15T15:59:00.004+00:002008-12-15T16:11:48.488+00:00TrainI braved a train to London at the weekend!<br /><br />It was cheaper to buy two first class single tickets than it was to get Standard! I wasn't paying but I don't like wasting money so I went for the cheaper option :-)<br /><br />The tea, coffee and breakfast included in the price of the ticket (they are not free) were surprisingly nice too. I sat back, relaxed and enjoyed.<br /><br />At one point I found myself looking out the window at some sheep in a field. Half asleep I said baa quite loud. This made some people in the carriage smile, some others didn't look impressed!<br /><br />The train itself was one of the Virgin tilting things. I tried to photograph the tilting effect, the results can be seen below. (what else is there to do on an early morning train)?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cYcGD7fKR8AxNZ2x55s7em3we0enF3mmW7ca2AkBplJZKRCNKxS5JPRARJQkTs0TSPGnjzKhLkopvDLrmedWbPQyaUdCG-lNPJww4SUDOGDIPZyH8-BgCvtzUle1_rGiULy6rTHnvCM/s1600-h/IMG_1381.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cYcGD7fKR8AxNZ2x55s7em3we0enF3mmW7ca2AkBplJZKRCNKxS5JPRARJQkTs0TSPGnjzKhLkopvDLrmedWbPQyaUdCG-lNPJww4SUDOGDIPZyH8-BgCvtzUle1_rGiULy6rTHnvCM/s200/IMG_1381.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280049757968292578" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIQfq3lQHWTf79kGsRQrffIUhNoTJSRtcLycnUdWn7zj9eLZ_JgqOPQQOcXsx8X4IqxWz5aagexCq6-iAFRcrQsx8w2kGhng-Y9MwXoAtgA1PVsiWYcbhjiQ2701QGOtr7DB5tOidsnU/s1600-h/IMG_1382.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIQfq3lQHWTf79kGsRQrffIUhNoTJSRtcLycnUdWn7zj9eLZ_JgqOPQQOcXsx8X4IqxWz5aagexCq6-iAFRcrQsx8w2kGhng-Y9MwXoAtgA1PVsiWYcbhjiQ2701QGOtr7DB5tOidsnU/s200/IMG_1382.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280050119735099474" border="0" /></a>Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-54162392619656822232008-11-23T23:53:00.004+00:002008-11-24T00:06:32.144+00:00Night PhotographyThe other week we were in Snowdonia. I tried uploading some pictures a few days ago but I couldn't get them to upload in the order I wanted.<br /><br />Anyway, this is an attempt I had at Night Photography. The exposure was 49 seconds. I think It would have looked better at half that as there wouldn't be as much movement in the stars. It was taken after a visit to the pub on a cold night though so I didn't hang around for too long!<br /><br />Orion, with his belt and 'sword' is visible top right. (I think his 'sword' is really supposed to be his ding dong but possibly got lost in a polite translation)!<br /><br />The wooden walkway was lit with my headtorch.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWWwXdsyo_3_TysAtQRfwJ3o0sTCDp37hmhnioeCQNxRiY64jALR8JJAfVtSTUTTF9v8MmDuTU2GPUuNq0NGNsnHRR5lSHFNwWyaspNmrFUXaup8bgRhknI9udFWh15igihRI-3aNlYw/s1600-h/DSC_0218.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWWwXdsyo_3_TysAtQRfwJ3o0sTCDp37hmhnioeCQNxRiY64jALR8JJAfVtSTUTTF9v8MmDuTU2GPUuNq0NGNsnHRR5lSHFNwWyaspNmrFUXaup8bgRhknI9udFWh15igihRI-3aNlYw/s320/DSC_0218.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272008660261155554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgyDw6iC00k2wX8McgpRdDFLqTNj4_GMYIiRBOao43RdcGYhTzIf5xDDU7lr4x1CIn9rEp_7UpUyttD2u4QDVPrW38NGUdHTmRm-ppyJfpOcwQ4TnkSbW_ImtWAvZyaUTr57hDNg0In4/s1600-h/DSC_0218.jpg"><br /></a>Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-79227788063194368312008-11-04T22:13:00.008+00:002008-11-04T23:28:50.557+00:00First Snow<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Effing Blog format!<br /></span><br /><br /><br />For some reason blogger is not doing what I want it to do today.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7uHjB2RnG6fgk16JIPucub8RTGfTWc2UZaeOXUA0O0tfAGji8DeTxIC4BvBoyv6el9Tz8Y_J_qA232i3Vu4g7j2evrk5SNIVCFXwFV34WIENwTG7ZNS2u9cdhv5V0o3bMKmwVFC6A9k/s1600-h/DSC_0044.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7uHjB2RnG6fgk16JIPucub8RTGfTWc2UZaeOXUA0O0tfAGji8DeTxIC4BvBoyv6el9Tz8Y_J_qA232i3Vu4g7j2evrk5SNIVCFXwFV34WIENwTG7ZNS2u9cdhv5V0o3bMKmwVFC6A9k/s320/DSC_0044.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264929719823457138" border="0" /></a>Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-20305241803610957022008-10-23T17:53:00.003+01:002008-10-23T18:00:05.745+01:00New websitesI have been a little quiet lately, this is because I am working on two new websites.<br /><br /><a href="http://coast2coastwalk.co.uk">www.coast2coastwalk.co.uk</a><br /><br />This website is resource for all who are planning on walking Alfred Wainwright's 190 mile coast to coast walk. It lists accommodation along the route including campsites, camping barns, hostels, pubs and B&<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bs</span>. There is also an account of when me and the Missus did the walk earlier this year. I hope to have it completed by December 2008.<br /><br /><a href="http://findabunkhouse.co.uk">www.findabunkhouse.co.uk</a><br /><br />Basically a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">searchable</span> list of all the Bunkhouses in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">uk</span>. There are spaces for people who have visited each bunkhouse to comment and rate it. The website contains (or will contain if I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">haven't</span> done it when you read this), all Bunkhouses in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Uk</span> with contact details, a brief description of the facilities provided and how to find them.Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-70894380715642505852008-09-23T21:19:00.016+01:002008-09-24T01:24:36.508+01:00Wasdale Weekend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUbdvJhl4uPqgfJInkpE-mtDzzPxjJ18OpZO-Sbz4Y9IqMbVeIuLhOnVPnjHllGHmaaDLqA0yyOhx33PMEpioJMJodNLhcrMBjCHs4AtlfA0BQS5lhH-RxvjiIdkvLDG0bL5suIA6EW0/s1600-h/finalwasdale.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUbdvJhl4uPqgfJInkpE-mtDzzPxjJ18OpZO-Sbz4Y9IqMbVeIuLhOnVPnjHllGHmaaDLqA0yyOhx33PMEpioJMJodNLhcrMBjCHs4AtlfA0BQS5lhH-RxvjiIdkvLDG0bL5suIA6EW0/s320/finalwasdale.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249372591878204290" border="0" /></a><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="metricconverter"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="time"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:595.3pt 841.9pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:35.4pt; mso-footer-margin:35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Coast to Coast<br />In August we (me and Mrs RAR - Helen) walked Alfred Wainwright's Coast to Coast walk.<span style=""> </span>For those who don’t know, it is a walk of about <st1:metricconverter productid="190 miles">1</st1:metricconverter><st1:metricconverter productid="190 miles">90 mile</st1:metricconverter><st1:metricconverter productid="190 miles">s</st1:metricconverter> from St Bees in <st1:country-region><st1:place>Cumbria</st1:place></st1:country-region> to Robin Hood’s Bay in <st1:place>North Yorkshire</st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>I was going to Blog about it but when planning the walk, I realised that there are no Websites dedicated to it except a few commercial ventures by various tour operators.<span style=""> </span>I decided to change that, the result will be available on <a href="http://www.coast2coastwalk.co.uk/">www.coast2coastwalk.co.uk</a> in a few weeks time. (along with our account of the walk)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Wasdale Weekend.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">This weekend it was decided that we were going to go to Wasdale Head.<span style=""> </span>The reason; Dave has never been up <st1:place>Scafell Pike</st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>Wasdale Head could be described as remote or as in the middle of nowhere.<span style=""> </span>It is neither.<span style=""> </span>Remoteness is relative, Wasdale Head is only a 20 minute drive from Gosforth and <st1:city><st1:place>London</st1:place></st1:city> is a 7 hour drive from Gosforth.<span style=""> </span>To the people of Gosforth (and most of <st1:country-region><st1:place>Britain</st1:place></st1:country-region>), <st1:city><st1:place>London</st1:place></st1:city> is remote.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Wasdale Head boasts a few facts.<span style=""> </span>It has <st1:place><st1:placename>Englands</st1:placename> <st1:placename>Deepest</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Lake</st1:placetype></st1:place>, its <st1:place><st1:placename>Smallest</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Church</st1:placetype></st1:place> and its <st1:place><st1:placename>Highest</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Mountain</st1:placetype></st1:place> (<st1:place>Scafell Pike</st1:place> – our objective).<span style=""> </span>It is also home to the worlds biggest Liar, but what that is all about I do not know!<span style=""> </span>We arrived in the Hamlet at about <st1:time minute="0" hour="22">22:00</st1:time>, set up camp and headed strait for the pub – The Wasdale Inn.<span style=""> </span>The pub has a great range of real ales which are brewed on site.<span style=""> </span>Unfortunately it also closes at <st1:time minute="0" hour="23">23:00</st1:time> when all the customers are rather rudely turned out into the night.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjoo_fg46DvOso8SA0yoHmRvnByA_9a1Ht_LZPRG6qfY42w5FBUjN0yI5TdRzvjnmgdYpZhf7HJJNz_ulJeHqLIq0HGdlPYSffuD623PebOjoMFxlTGPgZusBUF0qQ18YKggL0EMNmp0/s1600-h/IMG_0065.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjoo_fg46DvOso8SA0yoHmRvnByA_9a1Ht_LZPRG6qfY42w5FBUjN0yI5TdRzvjnmgdYpZhf7HJJNz_ulJeHqLIq0HGdlPYSffuD623PebOjoMFxlTGPgZusBUF0qQ18YKggL0EMNmp0/s320/IMG_0065.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249372809219228802" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We woke up early on Saturday morning, we didn’t have a choice, some inconsiderate berks were clanging about cooking breakfast and taking tents down. <span style=""> </span>There has to be a bit of give and take on a campsite where noise is concerned but arseing around at <st1:time minute="0" hour="7">7am</st1:time> is a bit much. Anyway, we were up.<span style=""> </span>Breakfast was eaten and we were off to conquer <st1:country-region><st1:place>Englands</st1:place></st1:country-region> highest peak.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Walk</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We were half expecting a cloud inversion but it never materialised, the summit was in the clouds, hopefully it would clear by the time we reached the top.<span style=""> </span>Our route took us along the Moses Trod Path.<span style=""> </span>The path owes its name to a Legend about a chap called Moses who used to smuggle Booze from Honister, really it should just be called Moses Trod as Trod means Path.<span style=""> </span>We took a right and headed up towards Piers Gill.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_eGfC0VdQFEINSK4yhtbJaYrX1q_g_7KlbGaPZtaNRGcFTnwYFXxuDCOH8PHrrKVugCqr6ke7_y5eBEW80HKU7Yh0jEjMF-Dpg7vs_ktVBfhQm2wlBKY4lc-LI-nGmyli9nV4QhU9B4/s1600-h/upgill.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_eGfC0VdQFEINSK4yhtbJaYrX1q_g_7KlbGaPZtaNRGcFTnwYFXxuDCOH8PHrrKVugCqr6ke7_y5eBEW80HKU7Yh0jEjMF-Dpg7vs_ktVBfhQm2wlBKY4lc-LI-nGmyli9nV4QhU9B4/s320/upgill.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249373081126876626" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Piers Gill is a formidable chasm and a bit of an accident black-spot, the path climbs gently to its left hand side.<span style=""> </span>Abut half way up, the so far gentle path come to an abrupt halt and a <st1:metricconverter productid="10 metre">10 metre</st1:metricconverter> scramble is encountered.<span style=""> </span>Although the climb wasn’t hard, I was thinking to myself that now wouldn’t be a good time to fall off!<span style=""> </span>We all reached the top of the scramble safely and proceeded to go a little off track, as we worked our way back to the path, a group following us also made the same mistake.<span style=""> </span>A quick shout of “it’s over here” corrected them and a following call of “we did that too” restored dignity.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucEOj23pjMvbYAEdKniXUTtFXUmk7SKtythJa6j2b00CKuuIqlOV52xdkIPbNSh3W9mq_xTRVtLS6T7DGXpMITs22IYpp4QpfOoNuAq0e3Ima33b3ny4LXopl1kwrAe45aO61dMQWU6c/s1600-h/pgill.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucEOj23pjMvbYAEdKniXUTtFXUmk7SKtythJa6j2b00CKuuIqlOV52xdkIPbNSh3W9mq_xTRVtLS6T7DGXpMITs22IYpp4QpfOoNuAq0e3Ima33b3ny4LXopl1kwrAe45aO61dMQWU6c/s320/pgill.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249373360409398738" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The cloud seemed to be lifting a little and we thought that the wish for a view from the summit would be granted.<span style=""> </span>It wasn’t.<span style=""> </span>We reached the head of Piers Gill and suddenly it was obvious why people accidentally wander into its abyss. <span style=""> </span>There is almost a path, gentle at first, louring the unsuspecting into its depths.<span style=""> </span>Our view was suddenly obscured by the cloud and it stayed with us to the summit where we stopped to eat lunch and wait in hope for it to clear.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mDTOpAo47qk9K2VsDvGxleRDorUNXpahEQjF9v-XQ6D_ly7ISjYuu63WfAlvvX6hFw0kBTwUdadgq010algcMGzGDZ5NTyc36EiVB-ePcoUIqBjwf_GXrfJMsipPADr09c0IzumNXhQ/s1600-h/daveview.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mDTOpAo47qk9K2VsDvGxleRDorUNXpahEQjF9v-XQ6D_ly7ISjYuu63WfAlvvX6hFw0kBTwUdadgq010algcMGzGDZ5NTyc36EiVB-ePcoUIqBjwf_GXrfJMsipPADr09c0IzumNXhQ/s320/daveview.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249373655747947282" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Lingmell</p> <p class="MsoNormal">From the summit we could see that the cloud was breaking.<span style=""> </span>Blue sky above us, cloud below, perhaps we were going to see an inversion.<span style=""> </span>After a while we gave up and started to descend, as we did, the clouds parted and we were treated to a glimpse of the surrounding scenery.<span style=""> </span>The summit was also clear so we turned round and went back up.<span style=""> </span>20 minutes later we were back at the top and so was the cloud.<span style=""> </span>Defeated we headed to our next summit – Lingmell.<span style=""> </span>As we descended again, the cloud cleared once more.<span style=""> </span>At least we would see a view from Lingmell.<span style=""> </span>No such luck; reaching the summit, the cloud came over once more and after waiting half an hour or so we headed down.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbobH7DFyKkeUHFI8HWo9p3E85HVTzZMjLLY2E5MCZzBHLuZhiHwOtJvQ1APd4k24kRzyYwxOhnr-HBgbmQ599tcgbFdEkuAQGwMCnxtSH2dhSTm6xP0dA3EPaDxT0JD1PgquRvCHO5hk/s1600-h/lingmell.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbobH7DFyKkeUHFI8HWo9p3E85HVTzZMjLLY2E5MCZzBHLuZhiHwOtJvQ1APd4k24kRzyYwxOhnr-HBgbmQ599tcgbFdEkuAQGwMCnxtSH2dhSTm6xP0dA3EPaDxT0JD1PgquRvCHO5hk/s320/lingmell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249373891829350706" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After a quick brew at the camp site, I drove us all to Nether Wasdale for Dinner at The Screes.<span style=""> </span>On the way I stopped at the little lay-by next to Wastwater so Dave could enjoy <st1:country-region><st1:place>Britain</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s Favourite View (it was dark when we arrived the night before). <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3E-49hfoRtkWCQjX0CaVEAfvtFmR3Q1CsZORngdfdVifJK1XZQw71Leagm58eFe2cW0owLR6iwhQO9uYENmdYsPVivsv0ngUZSS07qe_iT3MSofwHZfjOwDbLpL3fCbmm8O6GZ4Aexac/s1600-h/scafellview.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3E-49hfoRtkWCQjX0CaVEAfvtFmR3Q1CsZORngdfdVifJK1XZQw71Leagm58eFe2cW0owLR6iwhQO9uYENmdYsPVivsv0ngUZSS07qe_iT3MSofwHZfjOwDbLpL3fCbmm8O6GZ4Aexac/s320/scafellview.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249374257857249954" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After being fed an excellent meal at The Screes, we headed back to The Wasdale Inn for some of its fine ales, here we debated what to do on Sunday.<span style=""> </span>After a few pints of ‘Great Gable’, ‘Yewbarrow’ and ‘Liar’ we decided we needed punishing and the direct route up Kirkfell was going to be the punishment. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFTrAuH3K3M1VlMWsJw-PcvnBQ-snK4e56y_LESYu41Ep3NSFWYCf9SmC1VwXG4V2ta70iKfir2VaRRsDjPPsKRjtp_Kr9gb40HBpq6KgXDWGuVPv0IZBvFt20dAxZ4fHrRhkTa6A3kc/s1600-h/wastwater.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFTrAuH3K3M1VlMWsJw-PcvnBQ-snK4e56y_LESYu41Ep3NSFWYCf9SmC1VwXG4V2ta70iKfir2VaRRsDjPPsKRjtp_Kr9gb40HBpq6KgXDWGuVPv0IZBvFt20dAxZ4fHrRhkTa6A3kc/s320/wastwater.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249374571802490130" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Punishment</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The weather on Sunday morning was hazy but the cloud base was above the summits.<span style=""> </span>Dave provided the bacon and my Coleman F1 incinerated it, we received a few jealous glances from those who smelled our breakfast.<span style=""> </span>Breakfast done with, water bottles filled and boots tied, we were off to meet our punisher.<span style=""> </span>Surprisingly we made steady progress until we reached the scree which was hellish.<span style=""> </span>For the second time this weekend I was thinking “falling over right now would not be a good idea”.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUJLRHGr8VpnIre64gGy5gVKHvXgFgUiXnYDqwpXss34Nzv_zWCRM2kHtBZW3o3CwzQ-xpsavU0mj_7plkGuG5kNHzCpgxaQ6vK26OBzqCGEhHLW9Sy9Uzs-SWev4Y-DuKySVGitAEAI/s1600-h/kirkfell.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUJLRHGr8VpnIre64gGy5gVKHvXgFgUiXnYDqwpXss34Nzv_zWCRM2kHtBZW3o3CwzQ-xpsavU0mj_7plkGuG5kNHzCpgxaQ6vK26OBzqCGEhHLW9Sy9Uzs-SWev4Y-DuKySVGitAEAI/s320/kirkfell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249374914619406050" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The summit of Kirkfell was pleasant; we ate our lunch and admired the hazy view.<span style=""> </span>I described the coast to coast route to Dave and pointed out Haystacks which Helen and I had crossed in torrential rain a few weeks earlier. (pictures of The Coast to Coast walk can be seen on my website <a href="http://www.richardroworth.com/">www.richardroworth.com</a> just click event login and enter coast as the password.<span style=""> </span>The pictures will soon be appearing on <a href="http://www.coast2coastwalk.co.uk/">www.coast2coastwalk.co.uk</a> too.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI07tHI3G4FfuQOl8HFYHYbB-sQK3HvBLSA7mtKi1tjnesJuenub-jykmtwBqnH0M_jSXH5cW8C-xMvLU6HQ3RJZyBfqwuAXsnx-Me-GiJyEKZTQ6f1bzxIdMQ5EownyW4k04ZgNkAvNE/s1600-h/scree.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI07tHI3G4FfuQOl8HFYHYbB-sQK3HvBLSA7mtKi1tjnesJuenub-jykmtwBqnH0M_jSXH5cW8C-xMvLU6HQ3RJZyBfqwuAXsnx-Me-GiJyEKZTQ6f1bzxIdMQ5EownyW4k04ZgNkAvNE/s320/scree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249375244527050962" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Descending Kirkfell, we were debating whether or not to include Great Gable or not.<span style=""> </span>Our mind was made up as we met a couple coming in the other direction.<span style=""> </span>Apparently a lady had fallen whilst descending the mountain and Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team were on their way up to save her.<span style=""> </span>We didn’t want to get in the way and time was getting on so we headed straight down.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_88YufKEDBNUF4jevR1YrHGLPFB7GItFzVAYJInGLfxpw7_qw46xpzQUgN7xsC4OLrZldvjGclBEnBagdnFpopZnXsoHSL3nAq7z2NrBCkfQJJYDd_OO-DQ0lA2bg1V-EE3iytgPnuU/s1600-h/ggable1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_88YufKEDBNUF4jevR1YrHGLPFB7GItFzVAYJInGLfxpw7_qw46xpzQUgN7xsC4OLrZldvjGclBEnBagdnFpopZnXsoHSL3nAq7z2NrBCkfQJJYDd_OO-DQ0lA2bg1V-EE3iytgPnuU/s320/ggable1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249375598293347458" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place><st1:placename>Wasdale</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Mountain</st1:placetype></st1:place> Rescue Team</p> <p class="MsoNormal">During the descent, Wasdale MRT members passed us on the way up to the casualty.<span style=""> </span>They are all voulanteers and had left their Sunday lunches to carry heavy equipment up a mountain to help a total stranger.<span style=""> </span>These people are un-paid heroes.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As we neared the valley bottom, one of the WMRT informed us that a helicopter was inbound and to take cover when it arrived as we would be in its downwash.<span style=""> </span>Shortly after we could hear the helicopter approaching but the weather had turned.<span style=""> </span>The cloud came in and the helicopter had to abort.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">On the valley floor, the WMRT base informed us that 14 team members were carrying the lady down.<span style=""> </span>Descending 900 vertical metres is hard enough without having to carry an injured person!<span style=""> </span>When we reached Wasdale Head I put a few more quid in the MRT charity box that I usually do. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1hZpLMqYZyD8Zw4XMwpuFbWSIx8iMdxyCNhE-FGggVhDAEkKvjAhP5xivPx8WBOqmrPeWBf6xnU-e9Cn5OKoKMDK7dbJYU4cHhTfSL1uw2-YaVcxLYFo-iP6EQlgGI0P1H222rW0gi4/s1600-h/rescue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1hZpLMqYZyD8Zw4XMwpuFbWSIx8iMdxyCNhE-FGggVhDAEkKvjAhP5xivPx8WBOqmrPeWBf6xnU-e9Cn5OKoKMDK7dbJYU4cHhTfSL1uw2-YaVcxLYFo-iP6EQlgGI0P1H222rW0gi4/s320/rescue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249376002959054290" border="0" /></a></p>Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-12469467111206778132008-07-22T02:43:00.013+01:002008-12-10T07:32:18.161+00:00Northern Lakes<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; 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mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--><o:p> </o:p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Braithwaite</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The North West Lake District is not an area I am overly familiar with.<span style=""> </span>This weekend changed that and I am better for it.<span style=""> </span>Arriving at Lanefoot farm on Friday evening we were greeted with a scene of tranquillity, a few white geese crossed the track in front of us, Skiddaw towered behind.<span style=""> </span>The farmer/campsite warden greeted us with the news that the site was waterlogged and to take care with the car on the grass.<span style=""> </span>The site consists of several fields but we were asked to camp on the meadow field which is on a slight incline.<span style=""> </span>He wasn’t wrong about the wetness of the ground. There was a tractor parked on the field to rescue those who thought that the best way to climb mud/grass in a car is to floor it in 1<sup>st</sup> gear!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Yw-7Ud_0n21_nGHPEZmJaEtM0oLNI9eYHu_rRLioS7Z7hGj2fOye3Aw7tA2cSLKsqVUbVPzj0Zrq76KcFZ8Cn_pnYNuxxyQQfXQq7KE4vp9ocngNKHIbhl4gF1Yxy80igfHRwFKlS9I/s1600-h/DSC_0505.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Yw-7Ud_0n21_nGHPEZmJaEtM0oLNI9eYHu_rRLioS7Z7hGj2fOye3Aw7tA2cSLKsqVUbVPzj0Zrq76KcFZ8Cn_pnYNuxxyQQfXQq7KE4vp9ocngNKHIbhl4gF1Yxy80igfHRwFKlS9I/s320/DSC_0505.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225652814984673074" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We pitched up and cooked our dinner in the tent porch as the rain started.<span style=""> </span>Sunshine and showers were predicted for Friday and Saturday, this was one of several showers.<span style=""> </span>The entertainment was provided courtesy of those trying to drive up the hill at 7000 revs and a family trying to erect a canvas space-station in the rain.<span style=""> </span>All they needed to do was to wait 20 minutes or so for the shower to pass.<span style=""> </span>All part of the ‘budget holiday’ experience to them I suppose? Shortly after washing up in the excellent facilities on the site, we were joined by The Stig.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ben Collins wasn’t really with us that weekend but I am not too sure where I stand as far as identifying people who perhaps should have been doing other things -<span style=""> </span>You know who you are!<span style=""> </span>The farmer was driving a quad-bike around the site with fire grates and logs in tow.<span style=""> </span>A fire would have been nice but we wanted to sample some real ales so we went to the pub instead.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Causey Pike</p> <p class="MsoNormal">For the second weekend in a row we awoke to the sound of rain on the tent.<span style=""> </span>Our day was delayed by the very stuff that shapes the hills and fills the lakes.<span style=""> </span>You cannot live in The UK without loving the rain a little bit.<span style=""> </span>Eventually we were underway. I drove us to the start point as The Stig-powered Subaru carried us last time.<span style=""> </span>The steep climb towards the Summit of Causey Pike was uneventful, except for when I realised the ‘Sheep Thong’ I had put on for a laugh was still being worn as we passed a group of fellow walkers.<span style=""> </span>It hastily came off, but not before I accidentally activated the novelty baa baa (x6) noise built into the bloody thing!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gV8yfMotfnYXw1BHinIMUqjXHPguxpLgfTEFMxeMF-p5QH1d_goEXm59YROIbQztYdeK9WQV6mY4LT44V1AFnfNxJFJ5irtmDdXk29VgEuBStRoK2nzdHQ1M0iLxFiOq96Ov7vQ0UuM/s1600-h/DSC_0587.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gV8yfMotfnYXw1BHinIMUqjXHPguxpLgfTEFMxeMF-p5QH1d_goEXm59YROIbQztYdeK9WQV6mY4LT44V1AFnfNxJFJ5irtmDdXk29VgEuBStRoK2nzdHQ1M0iLxFiOq96Ov7vQ0UuM/s320/DSC_0587.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225651801170553490" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The rain started again just after the final summit scramble.<span style=""> </span>It lasted for the next 2 ½ hours. Showers my arse! We shortened the intended walk by half to about 6 ½ miles and covered a couple of smaller peaks instead.<span style=""> </span>We were on the summit of the last of these peaks, Barrow, when the rain stopped and we were treated to a rainbow over Derwent Water.<span style=""> </span>After the walk we headed into Keswick for a bit of gear shopping (see last weeks entry) and to pick up a “bit” of BBQ food.<span style=""> </span>(I know an un-tamed racing driver has to keep his strength up but 12 sausages Stig)!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOIlni3KEnotNl353xHMeAyX4aZ7DMpDmdF51qH1Tfo-k5urWoL4SsNlfabStEye4E0Z7hBxk-bvr6tjOb8mAcTp28kRuD0fS6G2N3xsPtD4fSvSyvpimWnN400RGy6XgvRBVgDoBzl4/s1600-h/contrast.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOIlni3KEnotNl353xHMeAyX4aZ7DMpDmdF51qH1Tfo-k5urWoL4SsNlfabStEye4E0Z7hBxk-bvr6tjOb8mAcTp28kRuD0fS6G2N3xsPtD4fSvSyvpimWnN400RGy6XgvRBVgDoBzl4/s320/contrast.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225651495811010850" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Disposable BBQs are about as damaging to the planet as you can get so we bought three of them.<span style=""> </span>They were crap.<span style=""> </span>I really must invest in a real BBQ!<span style=""> </span>After an hour of coal-poking, the Stig had consumed 3 burgers and 10 of his 12 sausages. One of his extra sausages was taken by Mrs RAR, the other was eaten by, let’s say an Eagle, no a Giraffe.<span style=""> </span>I don’t know where it ended up but it was eaten.<span style=""> </span>The Ales in the village were of a high standard (and price) so we rounded off the evening in the pub.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7Uv0g3cxe9CR_rQLcLsWz3PMlkZ4gnPcAl42x5dxxt8asQM2A_6NaM1vuTV6X5jS-G7j7j8MxOkEAuythmcQNdgfMgbsKfZCOmgsDLQc7iP1BDSGSjUstOhr07Ta6HKk5q5TjfE4xow/s1600-h/RAINBOW.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7Uv0g3cxe9CR_rQLcLsWz3PMlkZ4gnPcAl42x5dxxt8asQM2A_6NaM1vuTV6X5jS-G7j7j8MxOkEAuythmcQNdgfMgbsKfZCOmgsDLQc7iP1BDSGSjUstOhr07Ta6HKk5q5TjfE4xow/s320/RAINBOW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225652042469829106" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Ghost!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Did I get that last whisky “for the road”? I don’t remember but I was talking to a Scottish bloke at some point.<span style=""> </span>The road from the pub to the campsite was dark but being men, Stig and I didn’t need torches. Mrs RAR however had her Petzl set low to avoid any mishaps.<span style=""> </span>Ahead we saw the eyes of a dog reflected back at us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Accompanying the dog was a tall dark figure, the dog was howling. It felt quite eerie walking down the white centre lines of the road with the mysterious figure and the howling ensured that we were bordering on scared.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I pulled out my 1wat LED Cyberlite and illuminated the way ahead.<span style=""> </span>The figure, dog and howling were no more.<span style=""> </span>By the time we reached where they had been (standing)?<span style=""> </span>There was no trace.<span style=""> </span>All three lights at full power, we searched the bush, fields and the road ahead.<span style=""> </span>No trace of them was found.<span style=""> </span>Did a man and his dog meet their demise on this road?<span style=""> </span>Was a shepherd killed and left with his dog wailing by his master’s body?<span style=""> </span>These were the kind of questions we were asking each other for the rest of the walk back and much of the following day.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Grisedale Pike</p> <p class="MsoNormal">How many Lakes are there in The Lake District?<span style=""> </span>One – <st1:place><st1:placename>Bassenthwaite</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Lake</st1:placetype></st1:place> (the other stretches of water are Tarns, Meres or Waters).<span style=""> </span>Although we were camped close to it, we never visited the shores of <st1:place><st1:placename>Bassenthwaite</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Lake</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>It is there for next time.<span style=""> </span>Braithwaite village, we visited several times. It is pleasant and not spoiled by the tourists.<span style=""> </span>I don’t mean ‘outdoors’ type tourists, I mean those with wads of cash to spend who speak of having “a most charming weekend in the Lake District” at their Wednesday evening Dinner Party.<span style=""> </span>We had a “most charming” mug of tea (60p) and The Stig bought a non-ciabatta butty for £1.90 at the village store.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuCtTITPBR5EUQoQU6UFQERjFZyy0CPRzxH4iT-JoY_Hs7J6iX9tXZ4pa6w-jCvC_9j5Cqwj45hFM8IFhGd6i3kQUF8XynDL6H_K4qXvtbddkJU8IQhj1Dm8GzcOD7WgTckNwtqs4QVM/s1600-h/DSC_0516+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuCtTITPBR5EUQoQU6UFQERjFZyy0CPRzxH4iT-JoY_Hs7J6iX9tXZ4pa6w-jCvC_9j5Cqwj45hFM8IFhGd6i3kQUF8XynDL6H_K4qXvtbddkJU8IQhj1Dm8GzcOD7WgTckNwtqs4QVM/s320/DSC_0516+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225652271359214786" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Shortly after clearing the trees, we had a clear view of the campsite in the middle of Braithwaite.<span style=""> </span>I had considered this site at first but Diddy (Tent Demon) and jack on <a href="http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/">www.outdoorsmagic.com</a> advised against it and suggested the Lightfoot Farm site that we stayed at.<span style=""> </span>Their advice was good; the other site looked packed and sterile.<span style=""> </span>We were also supposed to meet Dave Mycroft from <a href="http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/">www.outdoorsmagic.com</a> this weekend for Mrs RAR to test and review some ladies boots.<span style=""> </span>He never turned up, I hope he is ok. (Updated. He was fine! we met up and the Boots are being tested).<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The path leading from Braithwaite offers great views and by the time we reached the summit, most of the <st1:place>Lake District</st1:place> was visible, along with The Isle of Man, the <st1:place>North Pennines</st1:place> and the mountains of <st1:place>Dumfries</st1:place> and <st1:place>Galloway</st1:place> in <st1:country-region><st1:place>Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>I thought to myself, if there is a reason to live, this is surely it!<span style=""> </span>Sitting in the sunshine with the whole of <st1:country-region><st1:place>Cumbria</st1:place></st1:country-region> before you makes you wish you were immortal, that time could stand still. I didn’t want to leave this place. It made me feel alive again.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuO8Orj9gJf8vHfG0ofWeVe3d1FQqVGkP4S7yTrgEWGCj7BNwq8SHd1v4o62IyazfwNuFzOiNsLnnpisEaaj_lc2Q9ChI4fJzEcMM1j_uzfkl3Cffws1JZzyrYWsvcsSiNTsYtMUzGITM/s1600-h/DSC_0688.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuO8Orj9gJf8vHfG0ofWeVe3d1FQqVGkP4S7yTrgEWGCj7BNwq8SHd1v4o62IyazfwNuFzOiNsLnnpisEaaj_lc2Q9ChI4fJzEcMM1j_uzfkl3Cffws1JZzyrYWsvcsSiNTsYtMUzGITM/s320/DSC_0688.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225652565415525890" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Descent</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We spent a few minutes watching a tough, yet stupid beetle making his way across the stony summit.<span style=""> </span>He seamed to progress by walking up a rock, falling off and then walking up another, repeating the process over and over.<span style=""> </span>It is a good job he had a hard shell!<span style=""> </span>Our intention was to bag a few more peaks, but Mrs RAR was feeling a little unwell and time was against us, so we decided to cut it a little short.<span style=""> </span>The descent from Grisedale pike to the bottom of Force Crag is punctuated with mine workings and one of the most spectacular waterfalls in <st1:country-region><st1:place>Cumbria</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>High Force and Low force plunge hundreds of feet from the <st1:place><st1:placename>Hanging</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place> in a landscape like <st1:place>Borneo</st1:place> in miniature.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WxLLH1cisOzLfJZWeiDQXRCUIYHdWtCZXM20b_Lo6513dbE0CA-If7s-pBgXYwJnMUAd3gF39fmq4nzc-4T4Uwas0r6Eba9OkMcZ2zn78STBjIcVD0W0pi4Ar29GuAmr7LMtc9nAlnc/s1600-h/waterfallbwcolor.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WxLLH1cisOzLfJZWeiDQXRCUIYHdWtCZXM20b_Lo6513dbE0CA-If7s-pBgXYwJnMUAd3gF39fmq4nzc-4T4Uwas0r6Eba9OkMcZ2zn78STBjIcVD0W0pi4Ar29GuAmr7LMtc9nAlnc/s320/waterfallbwcolor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225649569131553778" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The old Cobalt mine at the bottom is certainly a blot on the landscape but holds interest of its own.<span style=""> </span>Apparently it was the last mine in The Lake District to close (1990) and it is possible to arrange tours around its old workings.<span style=""> </span>I saw many potential photographs but I exhausted my battery on the waterfall.<span style=""> </span>The remaining descent is a long and drawn out walk down the valley but it was rewarded by Cumberland Sausage at the pub in Braithwaite.<span style=""> </span>A perfect end to an excellent weekend, how The Stig fitted in even more sausage I will never know. (some say he used to be a pig farmer).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As a quick note to end with, I noticed that I had not cleaned my empty Mackerel Tins properly before storing in my bag (see previous Blog posts)!<span style=""> </span>This has resulted in a bag stinking of fish.<span style=""> </span>As we are walking Wainwrights Coast to Coast in a couple of weeks, I can envisage A flock of Seagulls following me accross Northern England!<span style=""> </span>I shall beat them away with a walking pole!<span style=""> </span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">If anyone has any questions about the photographs – just ask :-).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidm0bhFH-kbsDV8733Gx-doesuXwg5qIceHNYEqm-EV3rkPKIfZ6AJ9NSEF2OGcDb4Oyzh7yP3UTasUQbn-f-GswFx0Rg0foq4qkIXECOQ37PLPYthfF8AO9r8RAVL_R_kAxSSmud6NZI/s1600-h/DSC_0603.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidm0bhFH-kbsDV8733Gx-doesuXwg5qIceHNYEqm-EV3rkPKIfZ6AJ9NSEF2OGcDb4Oyzh7yP3UTasUQbn-f-GswFx0Rg0foq4qkIXECOQ37PLPYthfF8AO9r8RAVL_R_kAxSSmud6NZI/s320/DSC_0603.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225651314356103922" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-62350529494706648192008-07-16T01:58:00.007+01:002008-12-10T07:32:20.201+00:00Wales II<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="metricconverter"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} @page Section1 {size:595.3pt 841.9pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:35.4pt; mso-footer-margin:35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Wales Again!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">A last minute decision on Friday took us to <st1:country-region><st1:place>Wales</st1:place></st1:country-region> for the second weekend running.<span style=""> </span>Betws-Y-Coed (pronounced “Bettous a coyd” I think) was the destination.<span style=""> </span>Hendre Farm is the name of the camp site; it is on the A5 a few hundred yards outside the village.<span style=""> </span>Nothing to shout about, the fact that this camp site is within easy walking distance of the pub is its redeeming feature.<span style=""> </span>The grass is flat and the pegs go ‘all the way in’ and the facilities are clean.<span style=""> </span>It is just the constant orange glow of the sodium street lights that somehow seem out of place.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As far as touristy villages go, Betws has it all.<span style=""> </span>A river, a bridge a waterfall and a chippy!<span style=""> </span>It also boasts a huge range of outdoors gear shops.<span style=""> </span>Put all of this together with a warm day and the crowds can become quite unbearable.<span style=""> </span>The sad thing is that, much like The Lake District, many of the visitors have no interest in the outdoors. So, why do they come to such places when there is nothing for them to do?<span style=""> </span>Wouldn’t they be better off in, say, <st1:place>Blackpool</st1:place>? (Or St Annes if they are posh)!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I don’t have all of the answers (I am sure there are many) to this question, but it is a fact that outdoors gear has recently become trendy.<span style=""> </span>It isn’t uncommon in Betws (and Keswick) to see people wearing £300 waterproof jackets but putting up umbrellas at the slightest hint of rain! This isn’t a bad thing in some respects as it ensures a steady supply of quality kit at a reasonable (ish) price. Let’s just hope that the manufacturers don’t compromise functionality with fashion.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">The Glyders</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Waking up to the pitter patter, well, roar of rain hitting the tent roof doesn’t exactly fill one with optimism for the day ahead.<span style=""> </span>We decided to skip breakfast and head strait to Idwal Cottage in the <st1:place><st1:placename>Ogwen</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>This was our rendezvous point and the start of the walk.<span style=""> </span>We sheltered from the rain whilst eating awful bacon toasties bought from the little shop on the car park.<span style=""> </span>I forgave them for the rubbish food though as they showed us where to park for free.<span style=""> </span>Soon the rain stopped and we were off.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Cwm Idwal is a <st1:place><st1:placename>Hanging</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place> and the most southerly point in the <st1:country-region><st1:place>UK</st1:place></st1:country-region> where Alpine plants can be found.<span style=""> </span>These include the Snowdon Lilly, which is exclusive to this area.<span style=""> </span>It has recently been voted the 7<sup>th</sup> natural wonder of the <st1:place>British Isles</st1:place> and is a <st1:city><st1:place>Mecca</st1:place></st1:city> for climbers, walkers, botanists and geologists.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The path up to Cwm Idwal is strait-forward and picturesque in a tolkien sort of way A waterfall cascades under an old wooden bridge with warped handrails and Tryfan peers down on you like a prehistoric beast. Ahead lies the Devils Kitchen and with dark, menacing clouds swirling around the crags, it was clear why it is named as such.<span style=""> </span>Even the lake (Llyn Idwal) is named after a prince’s son who was supposedly drowned in its depths.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuv_ZI0q7lRU22kHgblPFM9uy3J2nbG4TwVkPBskwktKCDQT6rUEjtae8TJw_9-6dYw3-oxNtmwtIy_ScuALs8o6hWdZEew60UOj5ZhnqEzApRaUAC8zzIHC-dnoRzY-acPGLIXqzG7o/s1600-h/DSC_0353.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuv_ZI0q7lRU22kHgblPFM9uy3J2nbG4TwVkPBskwktKCDQT6rUEjtae8TJw_9-6dYw3-oxNtmwtIy_ScuALs8o6hWdZEew60UOj5ZhnqEzApRaUAC8zzIHC-dnoRzY-acPGLIXqzG7o/s320/DSC_0353.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223411455663951666" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Rain Again!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">There is no way up the Devils Kitchen for mere mortals and it is best left to those with ropes, slings and harnesses. The path, however, passes close and rewards those who have put the effort in with a spectacular waterfall and views into the valley below.<span style=""> </span>As we passed it started to rain again.<span style=""> </span>The waterproofs were frequently on and off as we ascended into the cloud and the view deteriorated.<span style=""> </span>By the time we reached the summit of<span style=""> </span>Glyder Fawr, conditions had become dangerous for the unprepared.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The lack of visiblility and the driving rain added to the alien landscape of the mountain.<span style=""> </span>We pressed on, pausing only briefly to touch the jagged summit, making our way along the intermittent path towards Glyder Fach.<span style=""> </span>At one point the rain made the showers of last week look tame.<span style=""> </span>This rain was torrential and persistant.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Eventually we made it to the summit plateaux of Glyder Fach - we were pretty Fach’d off with the weather! Climbing wet and slippery green rock did not seem like a good idea so we decided to leave the <st1:metricconverter productid="5 metre">5 metre</st1:metricconverter> scramble to the summit for another day.<span style=""> </span>There were quite a few other people wandering about and I think they thought the same.<span style=""> </span>I climbed up onto it but I dared not go near the end as even the Cantilever was covered in the same wet, green slime.<span style=""> </span>It remained vacant and the photograph I had been looking forward to never materialised.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qPUqisxAWdjrsTSbf8bwa85_RVbt63Ac-j4B4S00rTlzEAGiadDB4F7gsG37qh5kyYkFbams7mxURBpA9mPz4V13Cj_yTa5JEA43kXwpRwD9IztkuM1unbtFjwh90okY_lZ7HK9ITvQ/s1600-h/DSC_0357.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qPUqisxAWdjrsTSbf8bwa85_RVbt63Ac-j4B4S00rTlzEAGiadDB4F7gsG37qh5kyYkFbams7mxURBpA9mPz4V13Cj_yTa5JEA43kXwpRwD9IztkuM1unbtFjwh90okY_lZ7HK9ITvQ/s320/DSC_0357.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223412290835376370" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Mackerel</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Upon leaving the summit, the rain stopped and an occasional view appeared as the clouds parted.<span style=""> </span>At last, we could stop in relative comfort and eat our lunch!<span style=""> </span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Not so long ago it was brought to my attention that tinned mackerel makes a filling and healthy hill-food.<span style=""> </span>I thought I would give it a try.<span style=""> </span>I was impressed. I recommend it to anybody venturing into the hills, tinned mackerel is a great alternative to a chocolate bar. It is surprisingly tasty (the tomato sauce version), it fills you up and it gives you an energy and moral boost.<span style=""> </span>The only problem is the disposal of the tin.<span style=""> </span>This can be solved by squashing it and putting it in the bag your sandwiches were in – learn from my mistake – eat the sandwiches first!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The steep scree slope descent to Bwlch Tryfan was avoided by heading down towards The Miner’s Track.<span style=""> </span>A brief photography stop was made by a couple of little ponds and then again at Llyn Bochlwyd. The clouds lifted as we descended to the car. Typical! Tired and wet, we decided to forget camping meals and headed strait for the pub.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJsAcRGD_iyNKbBTu39Fly5hCZY1kr2Sf98oh9Apcdlo4iHdw0_2bFY_5uoGZW9eIpJjXhetCD7tGve2r-RbtsKqJ1_DPx6wPQ10n67jvep2Gv1DUhC06ArGGL-I5I-llSVS48_yLNbA/s1600-h/DSC_0373.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJsAcRGD_iyNKbBTu39Fly5hCZY1kr2Sf98oh9Apcdlo4iHdw0_2bFY_5uoGZW9eIpJjXhetCD7tGve2r-RbtsKqJ1_DPx6wPQ10n67jvep2Gv1DUhC06ArGGL-I5I-llSVS48_yLNbA/s320/DSC_0373.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223411942908794034" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Moel Siabod</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I have no idea how to pronounce this one but I have wanted to climb it for quite a while now.<span style=""> </span>On Sunday I got the chance.<span style=""> </span>Mrs RAR stayed behind in Betws to finish off School work (Don’t become a teacher, just don’t)!<span style=""> </span>Two of us headed to Capel Curig in glorious sunshine and began the ascent.<span style=""> </span>My footwear was till soaking wet from the previous day but I was optimistic about the sunshine drying it out.<span style=""> </span>It didn’t.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Moel Siabod lies on the very edge of the map and no real paths are shown so we decided to just head for the ridge as this seamed the easiest way up.<span style=""> </span>The views from the summit were excellent and the sun was beating down on us in complete contrast to the day before.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I could go on but I will leave it here, with fond memories of a great weekend.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-qJrn-kEkyblTjv_vFlvB26x6EXTvsE-bSz29kZYKPMLewlrDtf6LaXgCX0yyImJM1vmJ2nJVlgi_1aFLicG0f-UwQ2H26eZouUKRARJjOeDmW5mg0WaxAZpso_L0HiIf-2h0m74WAU/s1600-h/BOquidbackground.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-qJrn-kEkyblTjv_vFlvB26x6EXTvsE-bSz29kZYKPMLewlrDtf6LaXgCX0yyImJM1vmJ2nJVlgi_1aFLicG0f-UwQ2H26eZouUKRARJjOeDmW5mg0WaxAZpso_L0HiIf-2h0m74WAU/s320/BOquidbackground.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223412463424408546" border="0" /></a></p>Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-15581290709047296452008-07-07T00:20:00.000+01:002008-12-10T07:32:21.423+00:00The Welsh 3000's<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="metricconverter"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="time"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">The Welsh 3000’s</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Welsh 3000’s, for those that don’t know, is a challenge walk/run taking in all the Mountains in Wales over <st1:metricconverter productid="3000 feet">3000 feet</st1:metricconverter> in height within 24 hours.<span style=""> </span>My Cousin and I have been contemplating the challenge for a few years now and finally got round to organising it for last weekend.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Final numbers were confirmed (3 of us), route plans were drawn up and a support team mobilised (Mrs RAR)!<span style=""> </span>The rest was left to nature.<span style=""> </span>One of the main factors deciding whether or not the Welsh 3000’s are completed or not is the weather.<span style=""> </span>The weather for the weekend did not look good.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">None of us fancied sleeping at the top of <st1:place>Snowdon</st1:place> in the predicted gale force winds, hill fog and heavy rain so in the end, at the last minute, we reluctantly called the challenge off.<span style=""> </span>We really did wait till the last minute too.<span style=""> </span>My cousin was on the platform waiting for the train, hoping that the weather forecast might change.<span style=""> </span>It didn’t.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">The Right Thing?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Did we do the right thing calling off the challenge?<span style=""> </span>Yes we did as you will find out shortly.<span style=""> </span>Three of us went to Snowdonia anyway with the intention of doing a day walk instead of the challenge.<span style=""> </span>We arrived at the <st1:place><st1:placetype>Camp</st1:placetype> <st1:placename>Site</st1:placename></st1:place> just outside a village called Rhyd Ddu.<span style=""> </span>The Campsite is run by a pub, The Cwellyn Arms, which is traditional log-fire Real Ale pub.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Log fires are allowed on the Campsite but only using wood bought from the pub.<span style=""> </span>Bears are reportedly ;-)<span style=""> </span>loose in the forest to deter anyone from venturing into the trees to chop their ow</p><p class="MsoNormal">n wood.<span style=""> </span>Enough about one of the best campsites I have stayed at and back to the story!<span style=""> </span>We pitched up, lit our fire and cooked our evening meal.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A group of young people duly arrived and very poorly pitched their tents near to ours.<span style=""> </span>I doubted their tents would last the night in the winds forecasted (and already picking up).<span style=""> </span>After an hour or so of drinking a couple of beers round the fire, the wind and rain got to a point that wasn’t pleasant so we retired for an early night.<span style=""> </span>Sleep was frequently interrupted by the wind and torrential rain and by <st1:time minute="0" hour="4">4am</st1:time>, half of</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> the youngster’s tents were flat and a few had broken poles.<span style=""> </span>We did the right thing.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsEV1hVWatHBvE01K-eaTsjlJV5PVpBz53hbDh7RAFKWZqS3OpgAO7xyN7ji0QD3jwYmhDTGEVspf98F_-EvpvF-DEPe8Ev4xDT5TkpfJnfL9lGeMk-AGHgdh8y2OaUIlHfJ4s0-8_-s/s1600-h/DSC_0237.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsEV1hVWatHBvE01K-eaTsjlJV5PVpBz53hbDh7RAFKWZqS3OpgAO7xyN7ji0QD3jwYmhDTGEVspf98F_-EvpvF-DEPe8Ev4xDT5TkpfJnfL9lGeMk-AGHgdh8y2OaUIlHfJ4s0-8_-s/s320/DSC_0237.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220045923207467810" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">The Walk.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">After a rough night of howling winds and driving rain, we awoke to sunshine!<span style=""> </span>After a bite of breakfast it was decided that we would be going up <st1:place>Snowdon</st1:place> via the Rangers path and descending the Rhyd Ddu path.<span style=""> </span>None of us had been on either of these paths before and as the challenge wasn’t g</p> <p class="MsoNormal">oing ahead it just seemed right to climb the mountain so many people love and hate.<span style=""> </span><st1:place>Snowdon</st1:place> is a bit like marmite in that sense, some people love it some hate it.<span style=""> </span>The café/train/tourists are certainly a bazaar site on a Mountain.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The ascent was straightforward and the views well worth the effort.<span style=""> </span>The best thing was the lack of tourists.<span style=""> </span>When I say tourists, I mean the kind of people who don’t normally walk up Mountains that are in abundance on the other paths of <st1:place>Snowdon</st1:place>. (we found out later that there were a few of these non-outdoors people on this side too).<span style=""> </span>Around half way up we witnessed an awesome site – rain!<span style=""> </span>The</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> band was visible, heavy, in high contrast to the surroundings and heading straight for us.<span style=""> </span>Waterproofs were donned just in time for one of the heaviest downpours I have experienced in the hills. Just as quickly as it had arrived, it went.<span style=""> </span>We watched as it dumped more wet stuff over <st1:place>Anglesey</st1:place>.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Further towards the summit, and after watching several more rain showers pass in the valley, BANG!.<span style=""> </span>A lady walker nearby hit the deck, we all jumped.<span style=""> </span>None of us saw the lightning</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> flash but it was close.<span style=""> </span>After a bit of nervous chatting with fellow walkers, we decided it was a one off and the threat had passed.<span style=""> </span>(I found out that the best thing to do in a thunderstorm on a Mountain is to put your head between your legs and kiss your arse goodbye)! The rest of the ascent was pretty uneventful except for a bloke standing naked on the summit plinth.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAD7_GbO9SZ_MXuiwedV8cVTe7HqEUul_GlNIHFiVDJfM4R_v7KlFB4r_mVCeNO5YdFAJq_dksp99E501DuEYGD2xCT1IGZBjfGoL7ULA17btQDCGHoCPjxmiu1VKetAOeEANMhGi1xxc/s1600-h/DSC_0334.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAD7_GbO9SZ_MXuiwedV8cVTe7HqEUul_GlNIHFiVDJfM4R_v7KlFB4r_mVCeNO5YdFAJq_dksp99E501DuEYGD2xCT1IGZBjfGoL7ULA17btQDCGHoCPjxmiu1VKetAOeEANMhGi1xxc/s320/DSC_0334.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220046934425844850" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Rescue!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The descent from <st1:place>Snowdon</st1:place> down the Rhyd ddu path involves traversing a narrow ridge.<span style=""> </span>The ridge isn’t Crib Goch narrow, but it does add a bit of interest to the walk.<span style=""> </span>We decided it would be a nice route up.<span style=""> </span>By now the cloud had descended and covered the <st1:city><st1:place>Summit</st1:place></st1:city> with a blanket of fog.<span style=""> </span>We cleared it just in time to see the views.<span style=""> </span>As we got near the bottom (and the pub)! a big yellow Sea King helicopter approached the summit and hovered for quite a while.<span style=""> </span>We joked that it was picking up the clueless young</p> <p class="MsoNormal">sters who had camped next to us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After reaching the campsite we decided a BBQ was in order, the wind ensured the BBQ acted like a blast furnace to incinerate our burgers.<span style=""> </span>Full from the food, we decided to visit the pub for some real ale. We were not disappointed.<span style=""> </span>Whilst in the pub, we heard that there was a Mountain Resc</p> <p class="MsoNormal">ue in operation involving some people from our campsite.<span style=""> </span>1 had been airlifted from the Mountain. 2 Had been escorted down and a further 8 were still missing and being searched for!<span style=""> </span>We joked that it was probably the clueless youngsters camped next to us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">At about half 11, news came through to the pub that it was certainly people from our site and the site/pub owner went to the site for a look to make sure they were not there.<span style=""> </span>They were there.<span style=""> </span>It was the youngsters. They had left their friends on the Mountain and were drinking and chatting as if nothin</p> <p class="MsoNormal">g had happened.<span style=""> </span>According to the pub/site owner, they couldn’t care less that a helicopter and Mountain Rescue teams had been out for several hours in dangerous conditions searching for 8 missing persons.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Home</p> <p class="MsoNormal">After the pub, we had a (quiet) beer back at the tent round the remains of the fire that I had managed to get going again.<span style=""> </span>A little later the Youngster who had been taken to hospital (suffering from WET JEAN SYNDROME probably) returned to camp with the two who had been walked down by MRT.<span style=""> </span>They were then up till 4am drinking and laughing about the incident.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The following morning we heard one of the youngsters say “shall we try again and go the right way this time”.<span style=""> </span>I hope they either learn a few outdoor skills (including respect) or never venture out of the (<st1:city><st1:place>London</st1:place></st1:city> by the accents) city again.<span style=""> </span>Our day was spent in Llandudno exploring cafes!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Welsh 3000’s will have to wait until next year now, but I am already looking forward to it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheC1781PfsiYJAP4WpCDcSIEe7fBzhnsVElE-XEUh8tI2eRrJLxbeFbZLwvKlYSpoE2yGQMTKeytpgHGZr3jxsq2hizavZzXMi0BT48wbYOBRJL5Bc3sd4z-v2hD4jHttsGgslbAiMxQ/s1600-h/DSC_0281.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheC1781PfsiYJAP4WpCDcSIEe7fBzhnsVElE-XEUh8tI2eRrJLxbeFbZLwvKlYSpoE2yGQMTKeytpgHGZr3jxsq2hizavZzXMi0BT48wbYOBRJL5Bc3sd4z-v2hD4jHttsGgslbAiMxQ/s320/DSC_0281.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220048668668919826" border="0" /></a></p>Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9046249498890318854.post-41868290940918347302008-06-13T16:26:00.000+01:002008-12-10T07:32:21.666+00:00WelcomeWell, where do you begin one of these blog things? Lets start with this weekend.<br />After a night out on the (Halifax) Town a long hill walk in the Yorkshire Dales was in order. The bag was packed but I faced a little dilemma as to what camera, well, lens to take.<br /><br />I decided on the Sigma 10-20mm. It was the right choice.<br /><br />As the sun grew strong, our long hike in the Dales turned into a short walk up a big hill. Sharp How is the name of this hill, though the local Yorkshire folk refer to it as Sharpa'. It must be a Yorkshire thing.<br /><br />Sunday was one of those days where you and your (or rather Me and My)! companions just can't be bothered with a long trek so, after visiting the summit, we decided an ice-cream and a sit by a river may be the best way to spend the rest of the day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg642ZmU6YLnpuPBmCAlPkeQRPSTdAwMG2W6NMqUMbHCk3CgIQQuuVIZhaykF9JDfbpdeJt6FSaPLDkzOMlgcFQc0oZN4gV0eQVkjLiK_lrTdTFHs1PMMjdYlBcIEoqJI449gU2Uj9O4bs/s1600-h/sharpb&wresize.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg642ZmU6YLnpuPBmCAlPkeQRPSTdAwMG2W6NMqUMbHCk3CgIQQuuVIZhaykF9JDfbpdeJt6FSaPLDkzOMlgcFQc0oZN4gV0eQVkjLiK_lrTdTFHs1PMMjdYlBcIEoqJI449gU2Uj9O4bs/s320/sharpb&wresize.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211391700952154978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Photography wise, the 10-20mm came in handy as we crossed some rock formations on the way down the hill. They made an interesting foreground and a wall acted as a lead-in line. I used the 10mm end of the lens to emphasize the sky and add a slight distortion curve.<br />The final version was converted to B&W and then 'cooked' in Photo shop to add contrast.Richard A Roworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11614518438338517491noreply@blogger.com0