Wednesday 17th Sept, off to Spain on an aeroplane

Via de la Plata – a bit of a walk

Arco de Caparra on the Via de la Plata

Later today I’ll be flitting off to Spain, on my ownsome, for some serious brain-straightening and a goodly amount of walking.

The Plan (Ho-ho!) is to fly to Madrid then travel by bus to Salamanca where I’ve booked myself into the flashy Revolutum Hostel for the night. I’ll set off north-ish the next morning.

I’m only over there for a couple of weeks so I won’t get to the end of the route at Santiago de Compostela but I’m not particularly mithered about that – I want to spend some time doing the culture-thing as well as the walking.

I’ll try to blog en-route although it depends whether I can get WiFi connections – mobile internet is an expensive do over there.

The Via de la Plata is one of the Camino pilgrimage routes and whilst it’s not terribly popular it’s an interesting route, there’s all manner of Roman remains to gawp at. I must buy extra film for the camera.

Watch this space.

Monday 1st September 2014, Legalise Wild Camping

LEGALISE WILD CAMPING IN THE UK

There’s an e-petition on the go at the moment – the idea is that it MAY just persuade our government to allow wild camping in the UK.

Wild camping is currently allowed in Scotland, subject to sensible guidelines and limitations, but the only place where it’s possible to wild camp in other parts of the UK (as far as I know) is on Dartmoor.

Not being able to wild camp is a bit of a bugger. We have loads of really nice long distance paths in the UK, many of them are just crying out to be backpacked – yet there a few place to camp legally. Just check out the Dales Way.

Presently there is only one way to backpack many of these routes, and that is to stealth camp – and that’s illegal and quite a faff. Trying to pitch your tent as it’s going dark and then packing up before anyone is about subtracts considerably from the journey.

The Backpackers Club provides lists of camps spots to members but it’s very subject to change and is difficult to keep up to date, in spite of that it’s an incredibly valuable resource for UK backpackers…..and membership is VERY cheap.

The petition is aimed at the responsible department, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and states that:

The law should be made similar to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 covering open land & national parks in England & Wales. Wild camping enthusiasts are not a threat to our national parks & open spaces.
Current legislation is ineffective & prevents teachers & leaders educating the young / interested on how to preserve & treat the environment with respect. As a result, when people do ignore the current law & wild camp, they have no concept of what to do & often leave large amounts of mess / litter. Genuine outdoor enthusiasts are put off by fear of 'getting into trouble' leaving our green places the domain of those who don't care about the law. This is unjust.
Current legislation prevents the people who could & would have a positive, voluntary impact on the environment from enjoying it. It is unpoliced and is ignored by louts, teenagers & drunks. It keeps the good out while the bad ignore it. Current legislation needs to be changed.

So if you feel you can support this e-petition and want to sign it just click here to take you to the website.

Sunday 31st August 2014, For Sale: One Youth Hostel

A trip oop north to spend some time in Northumberland, staying in the wonderful Edmunbyers Youth Hostel. 

 

This is a traditional hostel (without the chores!) that provides everything a traveller needs: a decent kitchen, dorms plus smaller private rooms, a lovely warden (Sarah), a wonderful situation, space for camping outside....it's excellent.

 

This is simply the type of hostel that many hostellers are bemoaning the loss of - and perhaps why independent hostel movement is growing in popularity.

 

Okay, many independent hostels are a bit flashier than this, but they're cheap, busy and profitable.

The YHA say this hostel isn't making a profit. The YHA is a charity and doesn't (didn't? ) exist to make a profit.

 

What a dreadful shame,  the YHA are now selling the place.

 

I just hope that the new owners keep the place open as a hostel. I rather suspect that it will be turned into a large private house.

 

Many of these buildings were given to the YHA with one use in mind - as a hostel for those of limited means.

 

Those donors must be turning in their graves.

November 2013, some missed out bits

I’m still trying to play catch-up with some draft postings that I’ve been neglecting, so…. 

A wander around Rostherne. And Tatton.

St Mary’s Church, Rostherne

Inside the church hang the colours of the local Parachute Regiment Association. During WW2 the Paras trained in the area – Ringway Aerodrome (now Manchester Airport) was home to No1 Parachute Training School.

The church’s lych gate, dating to 1640 

 

More pics for Alan, these from Tatton:

Gardner diesel engines are still highly regarded – in spite of being out of production for many years.

The former parachute training school drop-zone, Shutlingsloe on the horizon

War memorial dedicated to No1 Parachute Training School

Sunset over north Cheshire

Birdies

Around Altrincham:

  

Around Dunham:

Other stuff:

 Frank Sidebottom with Fast Blackshaw

Tally-Ho!:

Shutlingsloe

Ding Dong Bell

Running on the Gritstone Trail

Shutlingsloe again

Hon. Pres. Park leading the pack

Croker Hill, still on the Gritstone Trail

Fast Blackshaw in downhill mode 

 

A lovely couple of days in Llandudno in Wonderland:

Saturday 23rd Aug 2014, Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar

 

With Rick, en route to Saddleworth Longwood Thump Rushcart, Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar is a jewel! It serves 10 cask beers, including a mild. CAMRA members get a 10% too!

23rd August 2014, Saddleworth Rushcart, Uppermill

A weekend of morris, beer and fun!
Photos to follow

Annabel’s High Energy Flapjack Recipe

Seriously yummy, terribly unhealthy, packed with energy, easy to make….what’s not to like?

This recipe is from Annabel, a fellow LDWA walker and all-round good egg. Not that she’s round of course. Or an egg.

Annabel (who has a Blog) dished out these flapjacks whilst on the CarpetBaggers 50 walk, it’s like rocket fuel.

High Energy Flapjacks

310g Oats

250g Holland & Barrett Breakfast Sprinkle (A very fruity, nutty, seedy mix)

80g Roughly chopped nuts

170g Dark soft sugar

230g Butter

4 tbsp Honey

2 tbsp Sweetened condensed milk

100g Roughly chopped dark chocolate

½ tsp Powdered ginger

Melt butter, honey, sugar & condensed milk.

Mix in dry ingredients.

Press into a baking parchment-lined shallow baking tray

Cover with a layer of baking parchment or foil if you prefer it to be softer rather than crunchy.

Bake for 20mins @ 170degC / Gas 3.

Leave to cool.

Cut into 2” squares and wrap in either foil or baking parchment. I store mine in the fridge….right at the back so I’m not tempted to dive in and grab a piece when I walk past. 

Obviously this recipe isn’t suitable for those with a nut allergy. I recently made a nutless batch for a friend with such an allergy, it tasted fine and had a good consistency. Rather than use the Holland & Barrett Breakfast Sprinkle, used a mix of dried fruit, more oats, seeds etc made up to the same weight. This worked out very well – although I don’t know if the seeds would cause an allergy flare-up.

I didn’t get round to giving it to my allergy friend so I ended up eating it myself.

A chap can’t have enough flap-jack in store….can he?