Conrad’s Jet Provost

Reading Conrad’s impressive efforts at putting together various model aircraft kits in his blog entry here, brought to mind a Burns Night Ceilidh I played at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in January 2019.

Accommodation was provided for the band on the base, described as a major flying training centre – well it was until 2020 when all training was transferred to RAF Valley.

Hanging on the walls of the officer’s mess were a number of rather nice pictures, illustrating some of the station’s history.

Photos from the evening:

The station is now closed, last I heard it was being put up for sale.

That is all.

Frodsham Frolics 26th Nov 2021

This was one of Martin’s Friday walks, around 10km of easy walking, taking in part of the sandstone edges between Frodsham & Helsby Hill.

I nudged Judith who didn’t need much of an excuse to book the day off work, and at the appointed hour the party of Martin, Graeme, Judith and me trundled off from the almost hidden car park by Beacon Hill, above Frodsham.

After a short stretch of tarmac we were soon on a proper footpath, part of the Delamere Way. 

We’d only been going for 20 minutes when we were treated to a rainbow to the north of us, over Liverpool.

We headed by Snidley Moor Wood, cared for by the Woodland Trust, but soon found our way blocked by what initially appeared to be fallen tree branches. I’m not so sure. Whatever, the road was certainly blocked to traffic.

A lovely scone / coffee / fudge brownie (words chosed carefully here) sit down at a very conveniently situated picnic table. Where it rained. And I needed to pull my wet-legs on. And the un-jammable zip jammed. Again. 

No photos of the feast, I was too busy eating.

Sometimes it’s just easier to put up with the wet.

Then came Helsby Hill:

On top of Helsby Hill

Looking west: Weather

I’ve not been up Helsby Hill for over a year, when I ran (Ho-ho!) all around the Sandstone Edges with Tally-Ho! at the beginning of the much shortened 2020 / 21 season.

We had views over the estuary to Liverpool, but not too much beyond, rain and murk saw to that.

Downhill then uphill to cross Tarvin Road, then uphill to join a bit of the North Cheshire Way.

Being good boys and girl - using the stile

A diversion followed when we were marched downhill to Netherton, just because we could – then, like the Grand Old Duke of York (or maybe not) we were marched back up again retracing our steps, to rejoin the path towards Beacon Hill and the car park.

It was a pleasant little wander in good company, thanks to Martin for organising, leading, and supplying the fudge brownies. I really should go on more of Martin’s walks.

What REALLY happened on the walk can be read here, you don’t want to believe anything I said.

It didn’t end there, Judith and I drove down to Frodsham and ventured into the very excellent Helter-Skelter where we didn’t have very much beer at all – on account of us both driving. We did, however, share a whole packet of crisps between us. Decadent eh?

Then we both went home and had cauliflower cheese for tea. Separately.

Next time Judith and I meet in Frodsham we’re going to travel by train, the Helter-Skelter is too much of a good pub to just have a  swift half each. And a packet of crisps between two.

Where we went:

Just under 7 miles with around 1000’ ascent….which I find hard to believe.

The walk was chosen by Martin, obv, and was taken from this book, a copy of which Martin has kindly given me:

Best Pub Walks in Cheshire, by Jen Darling. ISBN 978-1-902512-32-7

Having a bit more than a passing interest in pubs it's a book that I'll be putting to good use!

 

Tintwistle Tally-Ho!

An unusually mild autumn day, 12degC and quite dry. Well it was dry at the start.

In the Beginning

I was really looking forward to this run, I was at last shaking off the after-effects of Covid-19, and my R lung was slowly starting to work, after surgery in May. All was going to plan…until 2 days before the run I managed to do a nasty to my back. Oh well….it would have to be a walk.

We had a guest runner out with us: Paul, aka Henry, aka Wodge. This was his second outing with The Club….he’s in danger of becoming a member.

The trail started from the very fine Bulls Head (great pies), although the sawdust was rather thin on the ground which caused a few runners to run around like headless chickens looking for trail. Nowt new there then.

Spot the trail!

Eventually small clumps of the stuff were spotted and off we jolly-well went, north-east(ish) out of the village, on the dreaded tarmac.

Trail was often difficult to spot, sometimes there were huge clumps of the stuff, the rest of the time it was sparse enough for many to lose trail altogether.

We turned south to cross the dam between Rhodeswood and Torside Reservoirs, and then uphill by Clough Edge, on a section of Pennine Way. 

It was here I stopped to chat to Tom, a backpacker, looking for somewhere to plant his tent for the night. 

We turned west, over Glossop Low, where I spied a lovely grassy, flat bit of ground with great views: a potential wild camp spot. I need to re-visit to check for water. A nearby well is indicated on the map.

Downhill by Blackshaw Clough, don’t go this way, it’s private <koff>, then onto a bit of tarmac.

Light was fading fast and it was beginning to drizzle. I was on my own, plus I couldn’t find the sawdust trail, so, paraphrasing Wainwright, I made my way down.

By the time I got back to the Bulls Head it was dark, I really should have carried a head torch, but I wasn’t anticipating being out so late – route finding had slowed me down considerably.

Mark T stood me a pint of Wainwright, and we all sat down to an excellent dinner of steak pie, chips & peas, followed by delicious syrup / treacle sponge and custard.

A lovely route, especially once we crossed the reservoir dam and got up high.

Where we went:

8.8 miles (probably) with 1400’ of ascent.

It took me 3½ hours which, considering the amount of faffing needed to find the route, I was quite pleased with.

At the end

More photos here