Sometimes in life, ideas that sound feasible are actually quite terrible, when you get around to doing them (family camping, motorway cones helpline, the bay of pigs). One such idea I was involved with, was the Music Train.
The concept:
Genius navigator and stalwart of the walking group, Brian organised a social event on the “music train”. It all sounded pretty exciting. Its a normal train, and you buy a ticket. There is a band or bands on the train to entertain you, and when the train stops at its destination, you head for a pub, and the musicians come with you, and perform.
The reality:
I arrived at the station (Glenn came with me, as there was no actual walking involved in this activity) and we met up with Brian, Sue and Gaynor. I was surprised to see a friend from the Chester Globetrotters. As she was on her own, we invited her to join our little group.
If you buy 2 tickets together, you get a discount. Even with that, for a 40 minute journey, it seemed quite steep. Once boarded, I realised, that it wasn’t a quaint old train or anything, but one of the standard rickety things that I get to Delamere forest !.
The band started playing (The time bandits) . They tried really hard, but the acoustics in the train were terrible (and the train was diesel not electric, so very noisy). Also, I find folk music rather bland and repetitive. Finally, there was no bar, or anywhere to get a drink.
The journey felt very long, but eventually we arrived at Plumley. The representative from the local council, lead us to the pub, and immediately put on a hi-vis vest (health and safety dont you know).
Once in the pub (the Golden Pheasant), the music sounded a bit better, and we were able to order some food (a tenner for Beef and Ale pie, and it was really nice). The beer was £4.30 a pint, which was breathtaking (I don’t mean the taste of the beer, I mean the price).
After a pleasant evening, chatting to my friends, we leave, and join the train home.
The mood had picked up, as much ale had been consumed. We got chatting on the train, and things are ok.
But within minutes some ultra keen fans off folk decided to get up and start dancing. I have to say, its one of the most pitiful scenes I’ve ever witnessed.
Back home, and we pop into the Town Crier for a pint (the highlight of the evening).
In summary. I feel better for having tried it out, rather than just wondering, but apart from spending time with my friends, it was an expensive wast of an evening.
Camp isn’t the kind of word that people use to describe me. However as an activity, its rather cool.
The Chester and District walking group organised a weekend away in Wales with Sue C. at the helm, and I couldn’t resist it.
I got up early on good Friday, reached for my rucksack, and jumped on the train. Twenty minutes later, I get of at Ruabon station and begin the walk into Llangollen.
Its about 4 miles to the town, and a walk I’ve done before in a darker time (its nice sometimes to return to these places now that things are better, and sort of put things right).
As it was, I didn’t have to do the whole walk along the canal (that would come the next day, towards the end of a superb walk up high in the hills above Llangollen).
Sue had waited on the road to give me a lift. I jumped in and we sped towards the camp-site. I was especially pleased, as the road to the camp-site, is ludicrously steep (as I’d find over the 2 evenings, walking back from the pub !)
Wern Isaf farm camp-site has simple facilities, as its a working farm.
When I’m going camping, I don’t usually look for swimming pools and television rooms.
The 2 main things for me, are that the showers and toilets must be spotless (being outdoors is no excuse for a lowering of cleanliness and hygiene standards. In an outdoor setting, cavalier attitudes to washing and germs can be downright dangerous).
The other thing, is the people running it, and their attitude to anti-social behaviour. If some idiots arrive late in a van and start playing loud music, will the owners come and and throw them off the site, or just roll over in bed and leave everyone to their own devices. This is important as I’m not a social camper. If I’m sleeping in a tent at night, it means I’ll be out on the hill in the morning, and I need my sleep.
We set up our tents. I’ve brought a 3 man tent. A bit bigger to carry, but was expecting friends might want to stay over, and with the extra space, would just need to bring a mat and sleeping bag in the boot of their car.
Sue asks my advise re tent pitching. I stupidly position our tents on steep hill, reasoning with my feet facing down hill, it would be more comfortable (it wasn’t, I kept sliding off my thermarest).
I regail expertise given to me in the scouts some years earlier “Always put the arse of the tent into the wind”. I thought it was a fairly practical piece of advise, but Sue collapsed in stitches laughing. She had heard this advise before, but never in the graphic format I had demonstrated.
As I tended to my minimalist backpacking tent and super lightweight sleeping bag, Sue set up her air bed and 3 quilts.
I didn’t complain though. By the time I’d finished, there was a table and chairs set up, with 2 cans of Fosters. Result.
It was Friday, with exciting walks planned for Saturday and Sunday, so we decided to acclimatise to the environment. Walked over to the Abbey and had a cup of tea, in the tea shop near the other camp-site there. They have camping pods on this camp-site and when we politely ask one of the occupants what they are like, they are so proud, they give us a guided tour.
We wander back along the canal to Llangollen and I spot this duck.
I look closely, and it looks like a model or something, run by remote control.
One of the other people on the bank explains that its quite common to see it, its an oriental duck and probably escaped from a Zoo or something like that.
Back in Llangollen (a place I’m falling in love with) we have a wander around the shops. I pass the pro-adventure shop where I’d previously done canoing and mountain biking. We walked passed a really cool hardware shop, that literally had everything you would need for camping (and this place had everything INCLUDING the kitchen sink !).
Wandering further, we see this very diplomatic letter, that someone had left out, along with some local by-laws.
We visit the high street chippy. Only £3.50 for fish and chips, and their delicious. We head for the summit of everes. Sorry I meant to say walk up the hill to the camp-site, although it felt like the same thing !.
I relax in my tent with a book (I’m trying to extend my Japanese garden, in advance of my birthday in Chester on Saturday the 5th of May. Plug, Plug).
In the evening, we head into town, and I see this sign.
It appears to me, to be inviting people to urinate in the corner next to the cash machine. Thankfully, nobody seemed to be doing this.
We tour some of the local nightspots. First of, the Star. An absolutely brilliant pub I discovered one weekend after walking. We hang around, but leave when some live music starts playing (not really my thing).
Next up the rough one, The Bull. Idiots in pubs, don’t frighten me, but I prefer to give them a wide berth. As we arrived in the pub, somebody was re-enacting a fight he’d had recently, blow by blow. This wasn’t uncommon, when I was 13, but this guy is in his 40’s and should know better.
After one drink in here, we move onto Bensons. From the outside, it looks like a double glazing showroom. Its very friendly here, and we stay for 2 drinks. A final drink in the bridge end (next to the famous taxidermist).
As we leave, I realise, tragically, that the chippy is closed. I grab a hot and spicy pizza and head up the hill, wheezing. I offered the leftovers to some lambs in an adjoining field, but they weren’t on board with it.
And so to bed. Sleeping in a tent, is one of those things that you always remember with a certain romanticism, but while your actually doing it, it isn’t like that at all.
Driving rain, lambs with the attitude of gangster rappers and a family with a young child suffering from tourette’s made for a poor nights sleep.
No matter. I get up early and go for a lone walk with my ipod (I know that I’ll be spending a lot of the next 48hrs around other people, so grab my own energy space while I can).
We wait in the canal side cafe, to meet up with the days walkers (who unlike us, haven’t had the stomach for camping). A few people have breakfast (ridiculously, the children’s breakfast is just the right size, and the “normal” breakfast is too much food for man or beast.
We head out for the day. Walking up Dinas Bran (which means Crows Hill, the site of the old castle that overlooked Llangollen).
We head back down the other side, then the path gets steep as we head for the much higher hills, that overlook the valley.
Somewhere I’ve not been before, with spectacular views (you can see from this photo, that were much higher, than Dinas, Bran, the hill in the background. The weather is still changable with some rain, but its not cold at all.
Further up the hill still, is leftover snow, and in places you can wade through snow up-to your thighs and possibly try an ice axe arrest (if you can do it in 8 feet !).
A decision is made that some people will go back after a couple of hours, and head home. A few of us stay on, and wander further up hills…
Through forests …
And the Prospect tea house. Just before this, we come upon an injured woman (who had driven to the top of the hill, then tripped up, walking from her car to a picnic spot. Were ready to provide assistance, but an ambulance has already been called (and when they arrive, they don’t look impressed).
A few people head home, some people are staying for the evenings meal booked at the Cornmill, and yet others are waiting for us back at the camp-site.
We go back to the camp-site to get ready. I notices Dave’s tent.
Its one of those special moments. Nobody on the camp-site is even vaguely aware. A tents a tent isn’t it ?. Not really, Dave’s tent is a Hilleberg. Just about the best you can get and nobody notices it.
I joked later, if he offered to give me his car or his tent as a gift, Id take the tent.
Back in town, I realise the famous Cornmill has 3 floors, and our table is booked on the top floor. The food here is famous throughout the country. I decide to go for something simple, and have burger and chips. A couple of pints to wash it down, and some great company. Its then I realise just how tired I am. Its been a quieter evening than last night, but relaxing all the same.
More torture in the tent, but in the morning, its forgotten (although I give the lambs a stare that tells them how I’m feeling).
As I take the tent down, I’m reminded of the advice from Ray Mears, for breaking camp. When you first arrive at camp, all your kit tidy and organised, as you’ve probably preped it at your house, where its warm and there’s plenty of room.
When you break camp, the temptation is to cut corners and throw things together quickly. Avoid this at all cost, and prep things as though you were in your living room.
This time, we drive into town to meet everyone for breakfast. We briefly visit a bring and buy sale, then sit down for breakfast at a cafe that doubles as a book shop (they were very disorganised, and although my cheese on toast was cooked ok, I really think they should stick to books).
But we’re not in Llangollen to sit down. We jump back in the cars, and heard for the Ponderosa. The weather is quite bad, and there are discussions about walking at a lower level (and in some cases, going home altogether).
Maps are consulted, and an improvised route is decided on. Its a different group today, from the previous day (only Gaynor, Sue and me have done both days). We head downhill, and cross fields in drizzle (which is concerning, as I know every step we take downhill, means another step back up hill, when we’ve finished !).
We continue walking, and find a farmhouse.
Its called Glyn cottage and is really remote. It doesn’t look like it has electricity, and instantly reminds me of the building in Withnail and I.
No sense wasting a wind break. We sit down next to the wall, and have lunch.
Passing through various stiles there’s a heated discussion about the boat race saboteur.
We wander down a lane, and I see this house.
Its then it hits me. 3 years ago, Tony and I drove top the countryside (which at the time, felt like the middle of nowhere) to look at holiday properties he was thinking of buying. I’m actually standing next to the exact house now !. Small world.
We continue our wander, but with the enthusiasm and friendly conversation of the group, I hardly notice the steep hills, and were back at the Ponderosa.
I queue behind a disorganised family to buy some hot chocolate. Settled with friends in a corner, nursing hot drinks, I realise our adventure is over and its time to go home.
Good news for me, is that Pete is driving back to Chester and Ill be dropped at the front door, so no messing about with trains on a bank holiday.
Im in bed by 8:30 that evening, and sleep most of the following day. I must have really needed my rest.
Thanks for everyone who came, and especially Sue for taking the time to plan and organise everything.
This time, we did a circular walk around Llangollen.
Aiden organised it. He arrived late, and then made everyone walk really fast to make up the time (which seemed unfair in some ways).
Anyhow, enough of my moaning, we hit the trail.
Initially, the weather was quit grim.
On the right of the picture, are Raymond from South Africa (who is wearing the Rohan jacket I lent him, Leather jackets aren’t ideal for hill walking) and Debora from Italy.
If your really nosey, the person on the left is Sue, who’s been with the club for years, and represents the “marine corps” of its membership.
After walking up hill for a while, we drop down a bit and from far off, we see the Pontcysyllte (god knows how you pronounce that) aqueduct we were heading for.
Forty minutes later, and were walking across the “duct”.
Although there’s a walk way on one side, on the other, there’s practically nothing. The water bellow is just deep enough to float a tin bath, and I couldn’t help thinking if you were in a canoe, and fell out, you’d drop 200 feet to the earth bellow.
We stop at the Trevor boat yard for lunch. Ive previously visited it, on my Birthday barge trip.
There is talk of a beer, but I decide against as we normally go for a pint at the end of the walk anyway.
One of the things I’m most proud of, is how 12 of us will drop into a small country pub (the kind that are struggling now) and buy 12 drinks. The delight on the landlords face, is a sight to behold (its not unknown for “closed” pubs to open just for us, when we knock on the window).
I finish my lunch early, have the last mouthful of Tea from my flask, and do some exploring.
Its been pointed out since I originaly posted this, that the word above has 2 meanings, and is spelt correctly. Please read the following with tongue firmly in cheek.
I see this sign:
Refuse Disposal – Don’t stand for it ?
Honestly. I cant spell particularly well, but before I arranged for a sign, I’d check the spelling first, and I’d like to think that the sign maker would check it as well :).
On a more serious note, some people say never admit your weaknesses and stuff like that.
I think the opposite. Work out what you are good at and focus on that.
With the things you aren’t good at, decide if you actually need those skills/knowledge or not.
If yes, get some help from someone that is good/knowledgeable.
If no, simply forget about them (I can’t snowboard, and its never cost me a moments sleep !).
The final leg of the journey, begins up hill, but the weather is with us.
We pass Dinas Bran castle on the hill overlooking Llangollen, and are rewarded with this amazing view of the valley bellow.
I’m starting to get a “wainwright’ien” love of Llangollen.
Another great day out on the hill and thanks to everyone who came. Most of all congratulations to Aiden, the best day walk I’ve done in months.
I had arranged to visit London, to see one of our suppliers (Insight, and the excellent Gary Siddle, who I’ve worked with for 9 years and couldn’t recommend more highly).
I quite like London, and since my company were paying for the train (First Class once again !) I decided to fit in some adventure, while there.
The route to the event, went right past the British Museum.
Some of the worlds most amazing artefacts are kept here (some of them controversially) and people travel from all over the world to visit this amazing place. I’ve been before, but it seemed silly to pass within 100 metres of it, and not have a look inside.
The Rosetta stone needs little introduction. It basically has the same paragraph, in 3 different languages. If you understand one of the languages, you can use this as a key to reverse engineer the other languages, and then use that to translate yet other samples of the same text.
Its value, is impossible to calculate.
No less controversial than the Rosetta stone, are the Elgin marbles. Purchased by Lord Elgin and placed in the British musuem, the Greek government repeatedly campaigns to have them returned.
I couldn’t help thinking, there are only a handful of places in the entire world that have artefacts like these in the same place. Since its only 2 hours on the train, why don’t more people go ? (and there are dozens of other free museums in London as well).
Outside the museum, is one of the tourist traps, and you can see that Fish and Chips are £8.50 !. Perhaps that answers my previous question.
I continue along, and my route takes me past Covent Garden. Incredibly expensive, but one of the nicest places to eat and drink I’ve ever been to.
Lorraine Pascal is one of my favourite Chefs at the moment.
Unlike many celebrity Chefs, she doesn’t have a restaurant as such, instead opting for a cake shop in the middle of Covent garden.
I decided to have some coffee & a cake. The one’s I picked cost around £12, but they were delicious, and I had travelled 200 miles to enjoy them.
I continue on, and at this point hit the river Thames. I have another mile and a half to walk along the banks of the river.
The weather was superb and on the right, you can see the new building – Shard London Bridge (it takes its name from a shard of glass) expected to open to the public in June 2012.
A series I used to watch – Spooks, used to frequently feature clandestine meetings on the banks of the river Thames. This looked like the kind of place that Harry would meet someone from the intelligence community.
I arrive at the event, and nightmare. There is a queue nearly 400 metres long.
I won’t bore you with what happened after this, as its all about IT, and ip phones and stuff like that.
A successful event, and my keep earned, I still have a little time before my train home, so continue on.
One a recent walk, a visitor to the country (the excellent Raymond from South Africa) asked me about Westminster Abbey, which he had always wanted to see.
Got me thinking about it, so I headed for there.
On the way, I pass the houses of parliament. Across the road, you can see there area where previously, protestors camped out, but have now been moved on.
I finaly arrive at Westminster Abbey. Its £13 to go inside (although free if you just want to pray) and you cant take photographs, but in every way, it was an amazing experience.
The staff inside (who I found out were called vergers) were very helpful and polite (I had a map, but without there help, it would have been impossible to find my way around the place). For a building that nearly 1000 years old, it is enormous.
Every hour on the hour, they say a prayer. While I was there, they prayed for victims of war. Although I’m not particularly religious, I was touched by this simple act.
A cynic might say, what good would it do people who are suffering, to know that others are thinking about them. I disagree. Its the very essence of what makes us human.
I walk back in a reflective mood.
When I get back to Euston, its 15 minutes before my train leaves. I decide to try out the First Class lounge.
I absolutely love Virgin Trains, but it was that busy and loud, I would rather have waited in Macdonalds at my own expense.
I board the train and help another passenger to connect his IPad to the trains Wi Fi internet. I willingly help, because he politely asks if anyone around knows about IT.
It reminded me of films where the Airline captain comes over the tannoy saying “Is there a Dr on the plane !”.
Three glasses of complimentary wine later, I pull into Chester. The days adventure is complete and the weekend is beginning.
Just thought I’d throw this one in. Its the old technology centre at Helsby, formerly BICC and later Corning Cable Systems.
I worked there as a contractor. Although the company was pretty awful, the people I met there were fantastic and 11 years later, I still know and socialize with many of them (including the excellent Mike Delafield).
I pass by each day on the train, and I noticed that they had demolished the building in front of it, so I was able to take this photo.
I’m the UK head of IT at my company. As such, our team report directly to the group financial controller, so we sit and work with the accounts department.
It has to be said that most people think of accounts as dull, and its not really seen as the “exciting” part of a business.
The truth is, most companies wouldn’t last 24 hours without someone to pay essential bills, chase debt and calculate the difference between money coming in the door and real profit.
Its year end at the moment, and just like many accounts departments across the country, Laura, Marie, Louise, Gill, Lisa & Phil are all run of their feet.
I just wanted them to know, that all the work they do is appreciated by everyone, even if they don’t say it.
In other news, Scottish auditor is back (who I’ve now found out is called Claire) and working hard with Tim.
Other auditor (who had superb posture and carried a laptop quite a lot) isn’t back this time, but has been replaced with Other auditor 2, who seems very nice.
Whenever I write down things to do in my house (from mopping the kitchen floor, to re-decorating 3 rooms) I always find that an event where guests will arrive forms a catalyst, and forces action that might otherwise have been put off.
I’ve actually learned to put the cart before the horse now. I make a list of things that need doing, calculate how much of my free time it will take, subtract 25% from the future date for efficiency, and then invite people round for the relevant date.
My birthday is nearly a month away and I’m expecting loads of people to stay over or visit my house for the first time. I decide to split the project in 2, and have a barbecue a month early, and have half the work done in time for it.
Well, that’s all really nice, but the reality was a hectic week at work, being in work the Saturday morning of the Barbecue and various other things. It was mad chaos, up until 5pm when the Barbecue started.
That said, once everyone arrived, everything went to plan. The Barbecue was lit on cue, the kebabs and burgers prepared, buns buttered etc. Kitchen, bathroom etc. were all fully stocked and spotless. I’d even put up some Phonak Soundfield speakers up to add some music to proceedings.
I’d put a note through both my neighbours doors, inviting them, and advising them to call me if there were any problems. As I worked through the to do list on my clip board, everything was coming together (I even made notes about who the guests were, and possible points of conversation I could use to engage them. When some of the guests found it later, they thought it was hilarious).
I decide to go for a mixed bag approach. Two old friends (Dan & Glenn), Three people from the walking group (Brian, Sue and Jo) and Tony, Lorraine and baby Daisy.
I even bought a special Peppa Pig cup and bowl for Daisy, so she could feel like part of action (I didn’t realise the cup and bowl set came with an Easter Egg, that she seemed to enjoy).
An old trick I’ve learned from Gareth at work, is to use youtube to entertain small Children. Daisy was well behaved anyway, but seemed to enjoy it even more, when CBBees or some such was put on the computer.
I put out the potato wedges, Salad, potato salad and rice (everyone commented how well prepared things were, but in honesty, it was all taken from Ainsley Heriots Barbecue book I bought from the Charity shop).
The food and drink seemed to go down nicely, everyone got into small groups and got to know each other and some people went through my book case and ridiculed my reading preferences 🙂
I gave occasional tours of the house to people who hadn’t visited before.
The one thing you cant plan for in the UK is the weather. Sadly, it was an appalling day, and once the “outdoor” food had been cooked, the door was closed and it turned into a house party (just as well, during prep, I realised my garden Bench had broken, and had to be thrown away. There wouldn’t have been anything to sit on.
Later in the evening, I lit the simulated real fire, everyone sat around, and we had a really good time. Party went on until the last guest left at 1:30am.
Overall, a superb evening, well worth all the work. Thanks to everyone who texted to congratulate me on it.
Oh, and loads of important things have been done in the house as well !.
One of our customers was in distress, and needed some help with PC’s (our products were fine, but without usable PC’s, couldn’t be configured. We don’t usually do external computer support, but these were special circumstances).
Thing is, were based in Warrington and the customer is in Bristol. 3-4 hrs on the train is a long way. A friend in need is a friend-indeed and I also had some idea’s about finding adventure, if the work went to plan.
On the train at 5:40am. Not the first class stuff I’m used to when I travel to London, but the train was pretty empty so quite comfortable.
First problem encountered. I have my laptop with loads of interesting stuff to watch, and I realise I’ve left my headphones at home. I’m not one of those people who just play stuff out loud, so I’m stuck. I haven’t brought a book either, so the next 4 hours are looking like hard work.
But wait, its a beautiful day, and I’m travelling through Welsh valleys, with a fantastic view outside. This is the kind of thing I do in my own time and pay good money for. Here, I’m actually getting paid to do it.
I relax and the pleasant journey passes relatively quickly.
I arrive in Bristol on time. I’ve been told to take a cab to the customer site. According to my IPhone, its 2 miles away, so I decide its a nice day and I’ll walk. As I arrive gasping outside the customers building, I decide that Google maps really should feature contour lines as I’ve walked up and down several large hills to get here.
The buildings are very picturesque, and I’m starting to like Bristol.
With my most profesional manner, I walk into the customer site. I’m briefed by the head of department and get to work. I need some hearing aid specific technical advise, so speak to Yatesh & Rick back at the office. From there, there’s no stopping me. I fix all 9 computers (lots of different problems, but all fairly routine) in about 2 and a half hours.
The customer is delighted and thanks me for my help. I’ve done this job for 22 years at various company’s, but there simply isn’t anything to compare with the satisfaction of hearing genuine praise for a job well done.
I call back to the office, and speak to the client manager. I’m congratulated again, and “told” to have a pint by the river. Well, it was a beautiful day, and an order’s an order 🙂
My train home isn’t for a couple of hours. I’ve heard great things about Bristol, and have drawn up a bit of a plan. I speak to the barman who served me, get some local “intel” and off I go.
First up is Nelson street, which has been painted up in the See No Evil project. OK, some people will call this ugly graffiti, but I have to ask, if there wasn’t any paint on those walls and buildings, would they actually look pleasing to the eye. Or (as I suspect) people just don’t like them painted, because there different and none conformist ?
Other big thing I wanted to see, was some of the famous “Banksy” artwork.
I’d read on the internet, that one of his best works – Grim Reaper was painted onto the social boat Thekla. I had no idea what a social boat was, but I found out, its used as a music venue and a sort of floating social/youth club.
I asked the guy on board, but he said he’d never heard of it, and I walked all the way around, but still couldn’t find it.
Ive since researched it on the internet, the picture above, is what it originally looked like. I want to go off in search of more Banksy, but time is against me, and although adventure is calling, I don’t want to end up lost in an unknown city and miss my train.
Coward that I am, I pursue my next project.
I continue along the harbour-side. I’d heard people talk about a certain kind of buzz around Bristol. I thought it was nonsense originally, but there’s certainly a vibe to the City, and definitely next to the water.
A former transport shed has been converted into a museum of Bristols history. As its original designation was Shed M, so the museum is called M-Shed. Its located to the left of these amazing cranes.
I had read some amazing reviews of the museum, but to my annoyance, I found out it is open every day but Monday (and it was Monday).
Final adventure project of the day, I decide to do an improvised tour of various Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s buildings.
Unfortunately, its a downloadable mp3 from Bristol tourist website, and as I’ve left my IPod at home, I cant listen to it.
I just wander around the old buildings, and try to soak up the atmosphere. Technically, the day has been a professional success, and an adventure failure. No matter though, I realised how much I like Bristol, and know I’ll be going back there soon.
Curled up on the train home, I drop off to sleep within minutes and wake 3 hours later in Chester.
Weekend technically began on Thursday evening with a meal at Cafe Rouge with the walking group. Annoyingly, it was on the 24th of the month, so I hadn’t been paid. I had to raid the chocolate tin at work (we have an honesty box at work, for chocolate) to finance the evening, and then pay it back the following day.
A superb meal all the same. I don’t eat out as often as I used to, but its nice to be back doing it again.
On Saturday, I was going to do various things in the house, but I got a call from Amelia, who I haven’t seen in ages.
Her baby is 6 months old now, and she has moved house. We met in the park (it was a beautiful day) and then had a walk around and finished off with a few well deserved pints in the Smokehouse, the Lock keeper and the Mill.
While we were at the Lock Keeper dozens of people arrived riding BMX Bikes. I was surprised, as they were all my age. I read later there had been a rally in Wrexham where a famous bike frame designer had worked, and it was the 30th anniversary, and they had met up in Chester afterwards.
It was amazing, these were bikes from my teens, thirty years on, in pristine condition.
I was inspired, so on Sunday, I finally took my mountain bike out for a ride. Its one of those things that I always say ill do, but always seems to get pushed to the back of the list. I decided to pedal over to Glenn’s warehouse in Mickel Trafford. I had 2 cups of tea and a chat. Glenn was busy with admin, so I got from under his feet and pedalled home.
Afterwards, I went for a curry in the Gate of India. I’ve made a list of every curry house in the city, and I’m determined to try every one. Most places now, do either a curry buffet, or a curry banquet on Sunday afternoon/early evening. The buffet is better as you get to try loads of different things on the same plate.
The banquet is a set meal, but 3 courses for £7 is still an amazing bargain. As I sat down, someone came into the restaurant drunk. Abused the staff, and then stormed out. Twenty minutes later he returned, demanding his bag (which he had left by mistake) back.
I really felt sorry for the poor staff. They were only trying to make him welcome (lets be practical, in this economy only a happy customer comes back, and a quick buck, just doesn’t work any-more). I wasn’t sad to see him leave the restaurant. I couldn’t help thinking, whatever was on his mind, calming down, drinking a nice glass of wine and eating a delicious meal might have helped.
Back home, relax and prepare for Monday at work. Then it occurs to me. Something I’d read i a brilliant book called the pocket life coach.
It talks about making a list of minor niggles and things that get on your nerves. It reasons that the big problems or annoyances in your life will usually get sorted out, but the minor ones, you just put up with. These things steal your energy and you must list them, and work through the list.
As I sat in the house reflecting, I realised that I hate the ornamental lights in my living room. My house is lit by spot lights, mounted into the ceiling, but these annoying sort of mock caravan lights, grow out of the wall to compliment them. They provide no needed light, and are an eye sore.
Without another word, I reached for my toolbox and took them all down and covered them over (took about 2 hours) and then went back to watching tv. I swear I can feel increased energy in that room now, every time I walk into it.
Went out walking again on Sunday. A last minute idea on Saturday evening. I was run off my feet with things to do at home, but I can always make time to get outside (and I’m, not talking about standing in the garden).
We normally stay close to home, but decided to head out to the Snowdonia national park. After parking the car we followed a path and then a mountain bike track up the hill.
After this, we found ourselves at the foot of a very steep hill. First problem, there wasn’t actually a path, and it was dense heathland. Brian reckons we just march across, so off we go.
It was completely exhausting, but I realised I found the perfect way to get fit !
As we reach the top of the hill, there’s a road. I look back down the hill and take a picture.
With the wind howling, we follow the road, and then head across the tops. Taking a circular rout back down, it becomes very boggy, and my feet are quickly soaking.
Shattered and exhausted, I’m reminded of the Woodsmoke Abo course (here and here) where the joy of something comes after the event, and the actual activity itself is largely insufferable :).
Off the hill, we return to the village of Penmachno and have a drink in the Eagle pub.
A lovely little pub, it is soured by the staggering £3.30 per pint. No matter, the company of walking friends and warmth of the fire make up for it (and a big pile of trail magazine’s to read).
The mantle piece has an interesting statement carved into it: “Fear knocked on the door. Faith answered. There was no-one there.”
Above the mantle, were the original crampons worn in Touching the void by Joe Simpson.
As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, I’m planning 2 trips to the lakes this year. 1 a sort of holiday, and the other an alpine style trek across the Cumbria way. The inspiration for these trips came from watching a documentary about Wainwright and watching the BBC Tv series, The Wainwrights, where Julia Bradbury does selected excursions from the 7 Wainwright volumes (which took him 13 years of his life to complete).
I’m trying to recruit for the Cumbria way, but I think I’ll probably end up doing it on my own, as a sort of pilgrimage (thanks to Brian and Sue the other evening for their suggestions on accommodation for the trip).
Thinking about solitary adventures, made me think of Wainwrights thoughts. In his 7th volume, he said when he died, he would like his ashes scattered over Inominate Tarn.
In Memoirs of a Fellwalker in 1990 he wrote “All I ask for, at the end is a last long resting place by the side of Inominate Tarn, on Haystacks, where the water gently laps the gravelly shore and the heather blooms and Pillar and Gable keep unfailing watch.
A quiet place, a lonely place. I shall go to it, for the last time, and be carried. Someone who knew me in life will take me and empty me out of a little box and leave me there alone.
And if you, dear reader, should get a bit of grit on your boot as you are crossing Haystacks in the years to come, please treat it with respect. It might be me.
