A (failed) Championship Walk

 

It was a bloody freezing Saturday morning, but it was dry, and snow lay on the ground, only one thing for it – go for a walk!

The Plan (it’s always good to have A Plan) was to park up at Nelson Pit in Poynton, then walk into Lyme Park via the back door, and walk the Cheshire Hare & Hounds Tally-Ho! championship route, a short 6-7 miler.

I really was cold and very windy, we were later to discover that with wind-chill it was –14degC. I was wearing my Buffalo top for the first time in a long while – and was very grateful for it. Joules was well wrapped up with a Paramo top over multiple layers.

We entered the park by ‘Windgather’ and followed the tracks to the disused quarry by Knott, a little bump of a hill.

The track was frozen solid, compacted snow had been polished to a mirror finish by countless pairs of boots. Those braver than us, ie nearly everyone else out that day, walked without poles – there was much slipping and sliding. The track split at Hase Bank Wood, we took the uphill option towards Paddock Cottage. 

Enter YakTrax and MicroSpikes.

To describe that uphill track as being slippy was an understatement, but we were able to wander uphill safely. We’d have been stuffed without our aids to traction.  

A couple of hundred metres short of Paddock Cottage we came across Ian, sitting on the frozen ground, with one foot at a funny angle. He’d slipped and broken his R ankle – we were subsequently to discover, in 3 places. Ouch.

I was carrying winter kit so managed to help a little bit - thanks to Chrissie for flogging me the Bothy Bag a couple of years ago!

The cavalry, in the shape of Kinder MRT soon appeared and they took over in a very speedy and efficient manner.

By the time the MRT had done their stuff we’d been sat out in the icy blast for nearly 2 hours, rather than continue our walk we thought it prudent to turn back and go home.

 Not Hartlepool

Oh well, we got out although we damned near froze our wotsits off. I hope Ian’s broken ankle heals sooner rather than later – then he can get out (or in) doing his indoor cycling before long.

Thanks to Kinder MRT for their service – I know they’d been having such a wonderful day out playing in the frozen waters of the R Goyt on a training exercise. It must have been such a wrench to get out of the icy water ...

https://www.facebook.com/KinderMountainRescueTeam/posts/3858199857577756
 

More photos here.

Covid-19 and all that

A call from the GP’s surgery – ‘What are you doing on Thursday morning?’ marked the beginning of my journey to sunlit uplands…..no, not those ficticious ones.

Maybe the TGO Challenge and normal life will return this year – I hope so.

Just some of the things miss so much:

My friends and acquaintances, all of them (yes, even you!)

Going to the pub for good beer, stimulating conversation, singing & playing music – or just chilling in a convivial atmosphere.

Playing in the ceilidh band

Getting out for a decent walk

Cheshire Hare & Hounds Tally-Ho!

Backpacking

Camping

Taking my (new-ish to me) caravan out.

….and so much more

Anyroadup:

The jab was painless, after-effects minimal: a very slight feeling of bruising, and a couple of days of all-over body stiffness – a small price to pay.

England has paid a high price for the way the Covid-19 epidemic has been dealt with by the government, fingers crossed this improve now that vaccinations are under way – although this government’s record of dealing with significant challenges doesn’t fill me with confidence. If there’s just a chance of something going pear-shaped then this government will do it’s damnedest to ensure a total screw-up – that’s where their competence lies.

Talking of lies, well I suppose we’re world-beating at something.

My very grateful thanks to the researchers, the NHS and staff everywhere, the carers, those who wear face-masks and take the threat of Covid-19 seriously, my GP and all her wonderful staff,….and so many more.

Warburton Souling 2020, Covid-19 edition

The Warburton Souling Play, one of many traditional ritual plays performed up and down the country, was revived in the late 1970s after break of over 40 years.

Setting off for the first night's performance - pre-Covid-19 days

Our Play is performed over a period of 2 weeks, kicking off on the 1st November each year – unless that date falls on a Sunday, in such cases we start the following day. We never perform on a Sunday.

You can read more about our Play here. 

We perform mainly in pubs (tsk) during the two week season….and we, er, rarely go thirsty.

 

Beelzebub, thirst quenched

We’re determined that our local tradition doesn’t die out as so many other plays have. Continuity is important but Covid-19 posed a threat to this year’s tour.

The Enterer

Turkish Champion

 

Enter Zoom.

In order for the Play to be performed safely it was agreed that the Play should be performed remotely from our respective homes using technology. A bit of clever editing has resulted in this:

 

If all goes to plan we should be hitting the road again next November – I certainly hope so, this year has been a disaster for many. To quote a certain ex-Prime Minister, ‘things can only get better’… can’t they?

The show must go on…as somebody else once (probably) said.

 

Soul Cakes - made by the lovely Honor. Last year. Obv.

Gear Test: Sleeping mat pumps

An alternative to lung power was needed in order to keep the dreaded moisture from making a mess of the inside of my expensive sleeping mat, so….

Left to Right:  

FlextailGear, Thermarest Mini-Pump, Thermarest Poly Bag Pump

 

Thermarest Polythene Bag Pump

The was first option I explored. The pump consists of a short section of very flexible tubing that has a large open-ended polythene bag on one end, whilst t’other end is pushed over the inlet valve of the sleeping mat.

The idea is that the poly bag is opened up to it’s max, then with the open end of the bag scrunched closed, the air is squeezed out, thus inflating the sleeping mat.

It’s good, it works, it’s lightweight, and the batteries never go flat. I paid around £10 for mine 6-7 years ago, quite expensive for a bit of tubing and a poly bag – but it does work well. I store mine in an old sleeping bag liner stuff sack, total weight is 68gms.

6-8 squeezes are enough to fully inflate my full-size NeoAir, taking a couple of minutes.

The bad news is that I don’t think it’s available any more having been replaced by Thermarest’s Blockerlite Pump Sack – a similar idea, but rather than a poly bag, it uses a stuff sack. Price is around £34.

Thermarest NeoAir Mini-Pump

I bought this on the recommendation of my friend Beryl the Peril (aka Margaret) who was, and still is, delighted with her pump.

The gentle buzz emanating from her tent as she enjoyed a brew and her sleeping mat inflated (whilst I was going cross-eyed trying to inflate mine with lung power) was enough to convince me to buy one!

This is an electric pump, powered by 2 AAA cells. Thermarest recommend using Lithium cells, presumably for longer life and maybe (?) their ability to provide higher current. I only had a quick look around but I couldn’t find the capacity of these cells. I store it in a small poly bag, total weight is 80gms.

I power mine with 2 Energizer alkaline cells, they seem to work well enough. The pump draws around 300mA, so batteries will be taking a bit of a hammering.

The pump is operated by opening an end flap that conceals a flexible rubber nozzle which should be connected to the sleeping mat air valve. The pump starts to run when the flap is opened.

Mine developed a fault earlier this year, it was only minor but it stopped it working. I repaired it at home (it was just a corroded battery connector) but it wouldn’t be repairable in the field. I stripped it, cleaned it, and soldered a copper connector in as a replacement.

I paid £32 for mine, a recent advert I spotted has them priced at £40.

It took 3 mins 40 secs to fully inflate my Neoair, not quick.

FlextailGear pump

I’ve only very recently bought this pump so haven’t had time to try it out in the field. Yet.

It’s larger, and at 159gms, twice the weight of the Thermarest Mini-Pump. It’s powered by an internal rechargeable Lithium Ion cell, presumably 3.6v. Capacity, according to the ‘manual’ and markings on the pump case, is 3600mAh. The electrical power rating of the pump is published at 15W. Charging is via a mini usb charger, not supplied – although a short lead is supplied. It comes with a stuff sack, plus a selection of adapters to suit different-sized valves.  The pump has an one / off slide switch on it’s side.

The pump has inlet and outlet ports, so as well as inflating it can be used to FULLY deflate a sleeping mat – saves struggling to get every last bit of air out prior to trying to squeeze it into it’s stuff bag.

Where this pump scores is the time it takes to inflate my NeoAir: 40 seconds – rather quicker than the Thermarest Mini-Pump.

Assuming the power source is a single 3.6v Lithium Ion cell, and that the 3600mAh capacity is correct, the claimed 15W power rating = a current draw of around 4.2 Amps.

I don’t know much about the characteristics of Lithium Ion cells, but the sums, guesstimation, (and a smattering of experience of discharge rates) suggest a theoretical total pumping time of around 40 minutes.

Price: £24.99

Conclusion

Each pump has it’s own merits. Although it’s a great performer, I’m not sure whether I’d take the FlextailGear on long trips – weight and the non-replaceable battery being the main drawbacks. I’d be happy taking it on shorter trips of 2 – 4 days though.

The Neoair Mini-Pump is slow and fairly lightweight - but batteries are replaceable. I’m not 100% sure on reliabilty though.

The NeoAir Poly Bag pump is lightest, the batteries last forever, and it has no moving parts – although it’s a bit of a faff to use. For longer trips this is the one to go for.

 

Alderley Edge Autumn Colours

I’ve been reading Alan Garner’s Weirdstone of Brisingamen, and the Moon of Gomrath – what better excuse to get out for a  wander up to Alderley Edge to get some fresh air and to re-explore the mysterious landscape. 

The autumn colours were just lovely.

 My mate Steve Mills singing Pete Coe's The Wizard of Alderley Edge:

Steve, apart from being an all round good egg (Well he's not REALLY round), has an encylopedic knowledge of the Edge, it's legends, it's history, and, as an active member of Derbyshire Caving Club, of what goes on underground....which happens to be rather a lot.

Covid

I’ll just leave this here.

 

Tegg’s Nose 16th Oct 2020

An email popped into my inbox inviting me to join Martin & Sue on their Friday walks, the first walk being from Tegg’s Nose, situated in one of the lumpier bits of Cheshire.

It wasn’t a very warm nor bright morning but it was good and dry.

I’d left home in good time but a Road Closed sign upset my plans although after much re-routing I eventually arrived at the visitor centre car park to be greeted by a party of 5, all waiting (fairly) patiently for me.

I’d chosen to walk in and old pair of North Face Hedgehog shoes that had long since ceased to be waterproof – but they are comfortable.

Martin, being the man with the map, set off at a leisurely pace and we all trouped after him.

Looking NW towards Manchester

 Martin & Sue, Paul and Graeme I’d met before, but not Cary – although our paths have almost certainly crossed at a Park Run – where he’d have shot past me. 

First stop was to examine the old quarry machinery that had benefitted from a coat of paint since my last visit – it’s colourful appearance brought to mind a child’s playground.

Sue toying with the idea of a ropeless abseil

On a clear day the views from Tegg’s Nose are expansive. Good too. Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope, in all it’s bright-white glory, was prominent on the Cheshire Plain.

Martin, our glorious leader - the man with the map

For Alan R. And Dawn

 

Time for Tiffin, Shortbread...and some peculiar tea

Martin led us steeply downhill toward Langley and a tour of three reservoirs: Tegg’s Nose, Bottoms, and Ridgegate – where we stopped for sit down, coffee, (slightly) milk flavoured washing-up water, and goodies to eat: Sue’s highly addictive shortbread, and my contribution, home-made Tiffin.

This building that was once home to a Walter Whiston Bullock who fought at Gallipoli and the Somme, before finally meeting his end at Passchendaele after leading a successful attack to capure a German concrete shelter where 100 prisoners were taken and eight machine guns captured. Walter was killed later that same day. He was 34 and was subsequently awared the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

 

No idea

Suitably refreshed and refuelled we headed North-east(ish)into Macclesfield Forest, reputed to be frequented by Nastrond, Selina Place and Grimnir. I read about it in a book so it must be true.

Lovely autumn colours

Continuing north we cross the busy main road at Walker Barn, a check point on the Bullock Smithy Hike, more northerly stuff followed until we hit the Gritstone Trail, where we turned abruptly left, to follow the Way’s signs for the last mile or so back to our cars.

We’d been out for around 3½ hours – which considering our leisurely pace was just about right.

Thanks to Martin for inviting me along and leading the walk – and to Sue, Cary, Graeme and Paul for their good company.

Martin’s rather truer story of the morning’s fun.

Where we went: