With some caches last week over in cheshire around site it took my numbers up to 2799 so with winning an auction on fleabay we took delivery of a garmin oregon 400 a brand new very posh gps bit of a treat, but we had to learn how to use it.
So time to do a few caches, Cath had quickly learnt how to upload a gpx to the gps so we were off to Honley to try for magdale view, a multi in honley woods but we failed at the first hurdle and couldnt find the first micro cache, so instead we had a wander round the village centre which was lovely.
After that a new cache had to be found for our 2800th so we headed across huddersfield to Coopers bridge and to Hapenny bridge over the calder. Parked up to try and find Duck by overanout
the cache is a 2 stage multi with the first stage on the bank of the calder and hebble canal and then over and under the adjacent railway with the trains rushing through the junction on their way along the calder valley. an enjoyable cache.
we also then walked up onto the nearby calder valley way and did another multi
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Monday, 6 September 2010
pennine way first day part 2
Continued...
Leaving malham tarn quite a hike ahead to cross the valley and climb fountains fell, the next cache was by the tarn near the summit. Dropping down to the minor road in the bottom of the valley i could see the walker that had left malham with me, about a mile ahead, this was the last time i saw him as he climbed up to the farm. When i got to that point i could here shearing taking place in the shed, a freshly shorn sheep came barreling out of the shed and mollydog started barking, i would have loved to stop and watch quietly but with mollydog making so much noise i had to move on.
The climbing began in earnest and i charged on determined not to rest too often. Out above the intake wall onto the moor proper and the gradient became less fierce as the path contoured through a mounded land of landsips from the fell above. Weather was light rain but not enough to put a coat on.
After 2 miles the summit cairns came into view and at that point i was 0.3miles from the forgotten fell cache, so i bit the bullet turned off the path and headed across the heather following the arrow. It was tough going, fell over once when i stumbled and the weight of the pack took me over.the summit tarn came into view, it was a lot larger than expected and with only a low bank around and the cloudy sky beyond it reminded of an infinity pool. The cache forgotten peak was on the shore, a lovely spot to sit and rest. It has now been archived, though the box will still be there.
After a rest we then headed up to the summit cairn and the charlie cache close by, first view of the limestone escarpment of penyghent from the top with a deep valley between and ingelbrough in the distance. What a view!.
Weaved between the old mineshafts on a track back to the pennineway, over the wall and started the steep decent. The 2nd cache in the series cistercian miners was in the cliffs by the path on the decent, i stopped here and had lunch then continued the decent to the valley bottom. And the 3/4 mile trek along the road to start the climb up penyghent. On the way we pasded another farm that was shearing but again the farm dogs made hanging around to watch difficult, so we carried on.
Next cache was stinkhole stash the third in the pway series and it is hidden in a huge crater in the ground. I left my heavy rucksack at the top and clambered down to find it.
Then started the ascent of penyghent's cliffs which loomed overhead, i was tired at this point having already walked 12miles with an unfamiliar weight so toyed with the idea of cutting the climb out and heading straight for horton, but that would mean missing the three caches on the hill, one of which was a pway cache.
I climbed the first step and then sat for 20mins enjoying the view back across the valley and over fountains fell. Very relaxing. But time was getting on so after some muggles climbed past i hefted the rucksack back on my shoulders and headed up the final scramble to the summit.
My legs were burning as i climbed but i made it, grabbed the 2 caches on the summit , one was very precauriously hidden on a steep slope, hopped over the summit wall and started the decent. I had conquered penyghent.
Knees were sore making my way down, stopped to grab the 4th pway cache, hill of the winds, then continued the final 2 miles into horton and the campsite. It seemed to go on forever. And my legs were really sore. So glad to put the tent up and crawl inside to rest.
12 caches
Leaving malham tarn quite a hike ahead to cross the valley and climb fountains fell, the next cache was by the tarn near the summit. Dropping down to the minor road in the bottom of the valley i could see the walker that had left malham with me, about a mile ahead, this was the last time i saw him as he climbed up to the farm. When i got to that point i could here shearing taking place in the shed, a freshly shorn sheep came barreling out of the shed and mollydog started barking, i would have loved to stop and watch quietly but with mollydog making so much noise i had to move on.
The climbing began in earnest and i charged on determined not to rest too often. Out above the intake wall onto the moor proper and the gradient became less fierce as the path contoured through a mounded land of landsips from the fell above. Weather was light rain but not enough to put a coat on.
After 2 miles the summit cairns came into view and at that point i was 0.3miles from the forgotten fell cache, so i bit the bullet turned off the path and headed across the heather following the arrow. It was tough going, fell over once when i stumbled and the weight of the pack took me over.the summit tarn came into view, it was a lot larger than expected and with only a low bank around and the cloudy sky beyond it reminded of an infinity pool. The cache forgotten peak was on the shore, a lovely spot to sit and rest. It has now been archived, though the box will still be there.
After a rest we then headed up to the summit cairn and the charlie cache close by, first view of the limestone escarpment of penyghent from the top with a deep valley between and ingelbrough in the distance. What a view!.
Weaved between the old mineshafts on a track back to the pennineway, over the wall and started the steep decent. The 2nd cache in the series cistercian miners was in the cliffs by the path on the decent, i stopped here and had lunch then continued the decent to the valley bottom. And the 3/4 mile trek along the road to start the climb up penyghent. On the way we pasded another farm that was shearing but again the farm dogs made hanging around to watch difficult, so we carried on.
Next cache was stinkhole stash the third in the pway series and it is hidden in a huge crater in the ground. I left my heavy rucksack at the top and clambered down to find it.
Then started the ascent of penyghent's cliffs which loomed overhead, i was tired at this point having already walked 12miles with an unfamiliar weight so toyed with the idea of cutting the climb out and heading straight for horton, but that would mean missing the three caches on the hill, one of which was a pway cache.
I climbed the first step and then sat for 20mins enjoying the view back across the valley and over fountains fell. Very relaxing. But time was getting on so after some muggles climbed past i hefted the rucksack back on my shoulders and headed up the final scramble to the summit.
My legs were burning as i climbed but i made it, grabbed the 2 caches on the summit , one was very precauriously hidden on a steep slope, hopped over the summit wall and started the decent. I had conquered penyghent.
Knees were sore making my way down, stopped to grab the 4th pway cache, hill of the winds, then continued the final 2 miles into horton and the campsite. It seemed to go on forever. And my legs were really sore. So glad to put the tent up and crawl inside to rest.
12 caches
28th aug. Hudd shopping and 3caches and 4 in evening above home crossland moor bypass
29th
At home clearing garden under the decking filled car twice now car is covered in soil and creepy crawlies, but under the decking is clean!!
30th Aug
Wwwtod - legend 34caches 12.5miles wow what a walk, mety up with Pete numbers and linedancers when i stopped for a half at the new delight inn.
31st August
Grabbed 3 of the skeg to ness caches before going onto site, i said i would never do them but as they were right outside site it would have been rude not too, so have got them out of the way.
Work on site is like swimming against an ebbing tide of treacle, everything is so slow and there is always one more little bit of paperwork needed to be produced or commented on, nothing gets done at the speed i am used too!!! Its frustrating, thank goodness that i have home and the caching and walking.
1st sept
Back at urenco near chester so a long drive left at 5.50 and got to area just after 7 so nipped and grabbed 2caches both uninspiring drivebys, that takes total up to 2699. One of them chestergates was on bridge over the chester to birkenhead railway which is in a cutting as straight as the eye can see, they knew how to build things then, just blaze a trail through the land.
29th
At home clearing garden under the decking filled car twice now car is covered in soil and creepy crawlies, but under the decking is clean!!
30th Aug
Wwwtod - legend 34caches 12.5miles wow what a walk, mety up with Pete numbers and linedancers when i stopped for a half at the new delight inn.
31st August
Grabbed 3 of the skeg to ness caches before going onto site, i said i would never do them but as they were right outside site it would have been rude not too, so have got them out of the way.
Work on site is like swimming against an ebbing tide of treacle, everything is so slow and there is always one more little bit of paperwork needed to be produced or commented on, nothing gets done at the speed i am used too!!! Its frustrating, thank goodness that i have home and the caching and walking.
1st sept
Back at urenco near chester so a long drive left at 5.50 and got to area just after 7 so nipped and grabbed 2caches both uninspiring drivebys, that takes total up to 2699. One of them chestergates was on bridge over the chester to birkenhead railway which is in a cutting as straight as the eye can see, they knew how to build things then, just blaze a trail through the land.
Thursday, 26 August 2010
Pennine Way.
I Started the Pennine way last October and on day walks where Cath dropped me off and picked me up, I made it the 78miles from Edale to Malham and passed through some great countryside.
On my holiday in July I planned to walk a further stage and planned for 4 days walking with 3 overnight stops. With this in mind I purchased a tent from Go Outdoors and after a training walk in the Yorkshire Wolds was feeling pretty well prepared for 4 days of walking across Yorkshire.
Day 1- Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Monday 12th July; 15 miles ( part one)Malham Cove
An Early start from home saw Cath driving the dogs and me over Keighley moor and up the Aire valley to Malham. Throwing on the heavy rucksack and taking Mollydog’s lead in my hand we waved goodbye to Cath and Cassiedog and headed up the lane from the visitor’s centre in Malham heading towards the cove. As I headed up the road adjusting the straps of the rucksack another walker came out of a B&B and followed me.
Having last been to the Cove some 20 years ago as a venture scout on a walk so my memories where vague and the Cove was even more impressive than I had remembered.
Across the fields to the base of the cove and then up the steps to the left to climb onto the pavement on the top of the cove.
The climb really hurt my legs, they were burning and at the top after Mollydog had barked at the sheep by the gate and scattered them, my legs were wobbly as I crossed onto the pavement.
The walker behind me caught me up and climbed onwards rather than following me onto the pavement. I very carefully picked my way across the pavement, not great on my feet and top heavy with the rucksack and trying not to let mollydog fall into the deep cracks.
I was heading across to the centre of the cove to take a picture for the Malham cove Earthcache GC19X1P(Malham cove Earthcache GC19X1P); the first of 12 caches for this day.
At the top as I was taking the pictures we were buzzed by a Peregrine falcon, it swooped over us and over the edge chased by some small birds, which were obviously chasing it away from their nests.
Cove from the Bottom
Mollydog looks over the edge.
Turned my back on the cove and onwards for .3 of a mile to grab the next cache up on the side of the dry valley a well hidden box ( Malham Cove GC10ET6 )
Dry Valley
Walking away from the cove up the dry valley which narrowed onwards to the next cache I saw the walker that was following me crossing the head of the valley. I reached the bowl below the cliffs of the dry valley and hunted for the first of a series of caches placed between Malham and Hawes by a Pennine way ranger. The 8 caches in the series led to a final at the visitor centres at the 2 towns. The finals hadn’t been found after 18months so I was hoping to be the FTF on the Hawes one.
This first cache Cave and Karst GC1P2JX was a nice simple one and I was glad to shrug off the rucksack and take a sip of water as I signed the log book and left a tb.
Leaving the cache we climbed the steps and instead of carrying up the dry valley past watersinks we headed out along the Bridle path across the fields above the valley to grab the 4th cache at Locks scar GC10ET9 (It was a slight detour to the outcrop mof rock and I ended up sitting on some nettles though which was slightly painful. The clouds were low and very grey but the walking was exilerating.
Back to the path and the first view of Malham Tarn as I yomped along the grassy track down to the minor road that crosses the stream that drains out of the tarn.
First view of the tarn
The Pennine way sign and Bargee at Malham Tarn
Malham Tarn.
Mollydog had a drink from the stream and we were then off along the way that skirts round the large lake. And picked up the Water Babies cache GC10EFV named after the book by Charles Kingsley, a great spot.
Molly dog at water babies cache
As I left the cache further round the tarn I could see the walker from earlier.
Decided not to climb up to another cache above great close as I was aware I still had along way to walk and headed onwards into the woods that surrounded the lodge that overlooks the Tarn. Before getting a last look of the tarn as the Pennine way continued northwards towards Fountains fell.
Last view of the Tarn
I Started the Pennine way last October and on day walks where Cath dropped me off and picked me up, I made it the 78miles from Edale to Malham and passed through some great countryside.
On my holiday in July I planned to walk a further stage and planned for 4 days walking with 3 overnight stops. With this in mind I purchased a tent from Go Outdoors and after a training walk in the Yorkshire Wolds was feeling pretty well prepared for 4 days of walking across Yorkshire.
Day 1- Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Monday 12th July; 15 miles ( part one)Malham Cove
An Early start from home saw Cath driving the dogs and me over Keighley moor and up the Aire valley to Malham. Throwing on the heavy rucksack and taking Mollydog’s lead in my hand we waved goodbye to Cath and Cassiedog and headed up the lane from the visitor’s centre in Malham heading towards the cove. As I headed up the road adjusting the straps of the rucksack another walker came out of a B&B and followed me.
Having last been to the Cove some 20 years ago as a venture scout on a walk so my memories where vague and the Cove was even more impressive than I had remembered.
Across the fields to the base of the cove and then up the steps to the left to climb onto the pavement on the top of the cove.
The climb really hurt my legs, they were burning and at the top after Mollydog had barked at the sheep by the gate and scattered them, my legs were wobbly as I crossed onto the pavement.
The walker behind me caught me up and climbed onwards rather than following me onto the pavement. I very carefully picked my way across the pavement, not great on my feet and top heavy with the rucksack and trying not to let mollydog fall into the deep cracks.
I was heading across to the centre of the cove to take a picture for the Malham cove Earthcache GC19X1P(Malham cove Earthcache GC19X1P); the first of 12 caches for this day.
At the top as I was taking the pictures we were buzzed by a Peregrine falcon, it swooped over us and over the edge chased by some small birds, which were obviously chasing it away from their nests.
Cove from the Bottom
Mollydog looks over the edge.Turned my back on the cove and onwards for .3 of a mile to grab the next cache up on the side of the dry valley a well hidden box ( Malham Cove GC10ET6 )
Dry Valley
Walking away from the cove up the dry valley which narrowed onwards to the next cache I saw the walker that was following me crossing the head of the valley. I reached the bowl below the cliffs of the dry valley and hunted for the first of a series of caches placed between Malham and Hawes by a Pennine way ranger. The 8 caches in the series led to a final at the visitor centres at the 2 towns. The finals hadn’t been found after 18months so I was hoping to be the FTF on the Hawes one.
This first cache Cave and Karst GC1P2JX was a nice simple one and I was glad to shrug off the rucksack and take a sip of water as I signed the log book and left a tb.
Leaving the cache we climbed the steps and instead of carrying up the dry valley past watersinks we headed out along the Bridle path across the fields above the valley to grab the 4th cache at Locks scar GC10ET9 (It was a slight detour to the outcrop mof rock and I ended up sitting on some nettles though which was slightly painful. The clouds were low and very grey but the walking was exilerating.
Back to the path and the first view of Malham Tarn as I yomped along the grassy track down to the minor road that crosses the stream that drains out of the tarn.
First view of the tarn
The Pennine way sign and Bargee at Malham TarnMalham Tarn.
Mollydog had a drink from the stream and we were then off along the way that skirts round the large lake. And picked up the Water Babies cache GC10EFV named after the book by Charles Kingsley, a great spot.
Molly dog at water babies cacheAs I left the cache further round the tarn I could see the walker from earlier.
Decided not to climb up to another cache above great close as I was aware I still had along way to walk and headed onwards into the woods that surrounded the lodge that overlooks the Tarn. Before getting a last look of the tarn as the Pennine way continued northwards towards Fountains fell.
Last view of the Tarn
July and August update
Why when I start out to keep this blog up to date I fail and then 6 weeks later I try and do a large update of life in that 6 weeks.
A few big things happened in the 6 weeks so much that I have had to go back through the caches and remind myself where I had been.
Pete and Clare’s wedding was one, we were invited to the church service in Lymm and the reception, a good do and great to catch up with friends. Mrs B looked great and I dusted down the suit
Other things that I need to write about are, in no particular order:-
Ogden reservoir 8th August
Silsden 19th August
Marsden 7th Aug
Holiday 2 weeks off first 4 days to walk Pennine way
Wensleydale to get FTFs
Pennine way
North yorks coast – Mrs Bs Birthday day out.
Mirror mirror series
Meet the local reviewer event
Scarborough flyer
All through the summer there has been the Scarborough Flyer running from Crewe to Scarborough. The return trip usually passes the house at 7.45pm and the engine is usually accelerating as it climbs out of Huddersfield and onto Milnsbridge viaduct, with the sun setting behind it making lots of noise and smoke it looks great, will try and get a picture this Friday if it ever stops raining.
Princess Elizabeth on the Scarborough Flyer
A few big things happened in the 6 weeks so much that I have had to go back through the caches and remind myself where I had been.
Pete and Clare’s wedding was one, we were invited to the church service in Lymm and the reception, a good do and great to catch up with friends. Mrs B looked great and I dusted down the suit
Other things that I need to write about are, in no particular order:-
Ogden reservoir 8th August
Silsden 19th August
Marsden 7th Aug
Holiday 2 weeks off first 4 days to walk Pennine way
Wensleydale to get FTFs
Pennine way
North yorks coast – Mrs Bs Birthday day out.
Mirror mirror series
Meet the local reviewer event
Scarborough flyer
All through the summer there has been the Scarborough Flyer running from Crewe to Scarborough. The return trip usually passes the house at 7.45pm and the engine is usually accelerating as it climbs out of Huddersfield and onto Milnsbridge viaduct, with the sun setting behind it making lots of noise and smoke it looks great, will try and get a picture this Friday if it ever stops raining.
Princess Elizabeth on the Scarborough Flyer
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Another busy week gone by rather quickly, why is that it seems like only 3 or 4 weeks ago it was feb and march I was staring at metrolink and holidays seemed so far away, now they are next week and icant wait.
Finished the dining room floor on Saturday and it looks good, added the finishing touches of the rug that cath had chose and the large pictures and I am very proud of it. Though it was hot work and cath had to help at the end as my knees were very sore from kneeling all day cutting the laminates planks, should have invested in a workmate. But it is finished now. Hurrah, just need to collect the table and chairs from the farm. And change the light and … and…and.. Will it ever end?
On Sunday as a reward Cath suggested a walk and found one on the Country walking magazine website at Market Weighton in the Yorkshire Wolds north of Hull. around 7.5 miles.
So we got up early and made some sandwiches both Bacon and ham and headed off onto the M62. Munching on our Bacon butties we headed into the east riding, an area neither of us has explored very much, and after stopping to hunt for a few caches arrived in Market Weighton.
I intended to carry a full pack including tent and sleeping bag as training for my Pennine way walk next week, and I managed it as well and not to sore on Monday morning
We parked by the statue of the town’s tallest man, carved out of a tree, William Bradley who stood 7ft 8ins
The route took us out of the town along the Wolds way Market weighton link across fields of barley wheat, rapeseed and swede!! To the estate on Londesborough.
On the way through the fields cath spotted a hare jumping about in a field of wheat, and a juvenile buzzard whirling above us, its underside of the wings was all white. The dogs loved the walk across the fields.
We entered the grounds of the estate through some large gates and a lodge and onwards climbing gently to a path junction where we rested and found the 2nd cache of the series, the first had been in Market Weighton at the start of the path.
After a rest we headed across the parkland to a small plank bridge over a weir between to ornamental lakes, a lovely spot, Cassiedog was splashing about in the water.
And then up through another field to join the Wolds way on a track on the ridge, very breezy up there but views were brilliant all the way across to Ferrybridge power station.
Cath suffered with some very large blisters which we stopped to tend but she hobbled on.
Downhill for most of the way now, picking up a cache at the picnic are then into the next village, Goodmanham, which was very quiet on the Sunday morning,
Then down into a valley along a narrow lane to join an old railway line for the walk back into Market Weighton.
On the railway line we stopped at St Helen’s well which is a spring ( another cache here)
All in all a pleasant 7.5mile walk. But glad to finish with Cath hobbling and my back getting sore from the heavy rucsac.
10 caches and 2 DNFs for the day
Home to a hearty tea and top gear.
Now it’s Wednesday and have done some caching this morning at Glazebrook along the Glazebrook timberland trail of 4 caches a very pleasant way to spend an early morning walk.
Cache count stands at 2665.
The walk pictures are taken from WWW.Yorkshire walks.org.
Finished the dining room floor on Saturday and it looks good, added the finishing touches of the rug that cath had chose and the large pictures and I am very proud of it. Though it was hot work and cath had to help at the end as my knees were very sore from kneeling all day cutting the laminates planks, should have invested in a workmate. But it is finished now. Hurrah, just need to collect the table and chairs from the farm. And change the light and … and…and.. Will it ever end?
On Sunday as a reward Cath suggested a walk and found one on the Country walking magazine website at Market Weighton in the Yorkshire Wolds north of Hull. around 7.5 miles.
So we got up early and made some sandwiches both Bacon and ham and headed off onto the M62. Munching on our Bacon butties we headed into the east riding, an area neither of us has explored very much, and after stopping to hunt for a few caches arrived in Market Weighton.
I intended to carry a full pack including tent and sleeping bag as training for my Pennine way walk next week, and I managed it as well and not to sore on Monday morning
We parked by the statue of the town’s tallest man, carved out of a tree, William Bradley who stood 7ft 8ins
The route took us out of the town along the Wolds way Market weighton link across fields of barley wheat, rapeseed and swede!! To the estate on Londesborough.
On the way through the fields cath spotted a hare jumping about in a field of wheat, and a juvenile buzzard whirling above us, its underside of the wings was all white. The dogs loved the walk across the fields.
We entered the grounds of the estate through some large gates and a lodge and onwards climbing gently to a path junction where we rested and found the 2nd cache of the series, the first had been in Market Weighton at the start of the path.
After a rest we headed across the parkland to a small plank bridge over a weir between to ornamental lakes, a lovely spot, Cassiedog was splashing about in the water.
And then up through another field to join the Wolds way on a track on the ridge, very breezy up there but views were brilliant all the way across to Ferrybridge power station.
Cath suffered with some very large blisters which we stopped to tend but she hobbled on.
Downhill for most of the way now, picking up a cache at the picnic are then into the next village, Goodmanham, which was very quiet on the Sunday morning,
Then down into a valley along a narrow lane to join an old railway line for the walk back into Market Weighton.
On the railway line we stopped at St Helen’s well which is a spring ( another cache here)
All in all a pleasant 7.5mile walk. But glad to finish with Cath hobbling and my back getting sore from the heavy rucsac.
10 caches and 2 DNFs for the day
Home to a hearty tea and top gear.
Now it’s Wednesday and have done some caching this morning at Glazebrook along the Glazebrook timberland trail of 4 caches a very pleasant way to spend an early morning walk.
Cache count stands at 2665.
The walk pictures are taken from WWW.Yorkshire walks.org.
Monday, 28 June 2010
well the last post covers the blog/ diary i had been writing slowly and intermitently over the last year or so and covers quite a few things that occured on our last year of boating.
we have now put the boat up for sale and moved ashore.
One thing it did not cover was my walk of the first third of the pennine way that I walked in October last year.
I covered Edale to Malham in 5 days, some 70 odd miles on day walks, with Mollydog for company and Cath helped enopurmousley be dropping me off and picking me up exhausted at the end of the day.
Now currently planning and getting equipment together for the next stage from Malham to Bowes, which I am hoping to cover in 4 days walking in July but this time carrying tent and sleeping bag. Scary as I havent done anything like that since being in the Venture scouts 20 years ago.
reminds me of a great holiday that Cath And I had just after getting together when she and I were joined by Jim and another friend Justin and spent a week in Snowdonia.
It would have been summer 1995 i think.{Edit:I have just been told it was 1993]
We caught the train from warrington to Llandudno Junction then waited for the branch train down through Betws-y-coed to a tiny station Pont-y-pant then trekked over the ridge below Moel Siabod to a campsite near the A5, great memories, we walked for 2 days before on the 4th day treking down to Betws-y-coed to catch the train home. sunshine all the way and excellent walks.
any way Pennine way stage 2 is the plan.
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