tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26949837117944416232024-03-09T18:46:26.769-08:00The Crow DiariesThe great outdoors,
photography,the arts and eco matters.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger292125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-6722334295019754492021-07-07T02:25:00.001-07:002021-07-07T02:25:59.268-07:00The Final Countdown<p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GGwWtVRw7utmDm7Xg49OTqxPM72HBz55W2kr3WdE2HF4V9otdHROxLgABqnVk74ec8y2yDc6Xpgvzcc7fjtGidvbhXZy0v9qH4VAcfMZqavbTa3Mias0s_RX5pXKOl48gPUwM7Nis9M/s1024/bugs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="1024" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GGwWtVRw7utmDm7Xg49OTqxPM72HBz55W2kr3WdE2HF4V9otdHROxLgABqnVk74ec8y2yDc6Xpgvzcc7fjtGidvbhXZy0v9qH4VAcfMZqavbTa3Mias0s_RX5pXKOl48gPUwM7Nis9M/w400-h229/bugs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: medium;">Apologies if you used to follow this site but I'm afraid I won't be updating as I feel it has ran its course. I think it must be at least 8 years since I first blogged on here as 'To Hatch a Crow'. The title taken from the Ted Hughes Crow cycle of poems It was intended to compliment the Footless Crow site and initially it was intended to gather items which didn't fit into the historical and review based theme of that site. Being more news and opinion orientated. However, after several different trajectories, including a dabble in political opinion, which in all honesty probably put a lot of people off. Especially if they had become used to an outdoor activities and eco blog- it became-as they say in my home city of Liverpool 'neither me arse nor me elbow' !!<br /><br />So...I had considered deleting the site altogether but there are still lots of worthwhile pieces in the archives so I'll leave it up for the time being. In a way, I think blogs have become a bit outdated now. Especially as You-Tube-another Google product!- is a far more powerful and compelling media to tell a story and vlogs have started to replace blogs I feel. So, that's it then.<br /><br /><br />see ya </span><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-51686462103197655042020-10-25T07:31:00.000-07:002020-10-25T07:31:45.846-07:00Not waving but drowning<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SzDBweHEsiq7SBfxXdGOIFMTd5Q7h6GTNEzNqA9vz-VtzEpivNrW4U_lvuOOjk46MR6Mp2Erl7mC28pEjQCz24UtLygVP1fT82p8OEiM38cGYrkvpkJKw_QMt61oI6JhGRsbkO9odAk/s623/campcraft.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="623" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SzDBweHEsiq7SBfxXdGOIFMTd5Q7h6GTNEzNqA9vz-VtzEpivNrW4U_lvuOOjk46MR6Mp2Erl7mC28pEjQCz24UtLygVP1fT82p8OEiM38cGYrkvpkJKw_QMt61oI6JhGRsbkO9odAk/w400-h251/campcraft.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<p></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Following on from my
last blog. I found this tweet from the owner of outdoor shop
Campcraft in Bolton, particularly poignant. Like so many small
businesses in the current climate, driven to the wall by government
Covid policies which just don't stand up to scrutiny. Covid 19 is not
the Black Death or The Spanish flu so why do we accept the
government/MSM narrative that it is??? Covid 19 has a 99%+ survival
rate. 80%+ are asymptomatic and as stated last week, the average age
of someone dying from Covid in the UK is 82. Older than current life
expectancy!
</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span></span><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">I certainly don't think
there is some Bill Gates inspired 'Great reset' going on here. I just
think that we have weak governments whose actions are being driven by
an hysterical media. Operating in a landscape where tragedy and bad
news equals profits. Where this will lead is sadly all to
predictable. A 1930's style recession. Mass unemployment and
bankruptcies. A rapid decline in the health and well-being of the
poorest, weakest and most vulnerable sections of society. The erosion
of our freedoms and civil liberties under the ironic pretext of
saving lives! And societies, particularly in the west, more divided
and unhappy than ever.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span></span><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">There is something odd
to my mind, how the constituency who swallow the government/msm
asinine mantras- 'stay at home-save lives..'protect the NHS'..'Wear a
mask'.. etc etc- tend to be drawn from the liberal centre left. Your
typical Guardian reader who without ever seeking to question the
narrative. Just regurgitate the same old same old. Another irony for
me. It is not the political left who are holding the governments'
feet to the fire on their authoritarianism but their traditional
allies. People like Peter Hitchins, James Delingpole, Julie
Hartley-Brewer, Alison Pearson. Commentators who I would normally
cross the street to avoid, have suddenly become the dissidents!</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span></span><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">In Wales we have just
entered an totally unjustified lockdown where people in areas like
Ceredigion and Powys with low levels of infection and death rates,
are under curfew and being denied their liberty to travel, shop where
they like, visit a pub or eatery or visit friends and family. Welcome
to East Germany circa 1975! The edict from Drakeford and his parish
pump administration in Cardiff, determines that if visiting a
supermarket, you can only buy 'essential items'. So..no clothes for
your baby but you can buy vodka! Don't think of buying a book but you
can drown your sorrows with Special Brew! The insanity of the policy
was all over the Twittersphere last night with a nation united in
anger.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span></span><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Sadly, we get the
politicians we deserve.</span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0F8Uf0CY5N9Af1NqRHL14k6jcKEEzVHhCZC2KxlwGH3EUj6rK3wDyiqxLmcdhzcElUU0PN2l4gmJg27fr5onr5FqFW0ZqHZSjqeptxtPTWQaxihS2UgNmmwspSemYNx82ZVVHq7SmofQ/s84/animatedcrowpecking.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0F8Uf0CY5N9Af1NqRHL14k6jcKEEzVHhCZC2KxlwGH3EUj6rK3wDyiqxLmcdhzcElUU0PN2l4gmJg27fr5onr5FqFW0ZqHZSjqeptxtPTWQaxihS2UgNmmwspSemYNx82ZVVHq7SmofQ/s0/animatedcrowpecking.gif" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><p></p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-81664819247593882462020-10-19T10:21:00.002-07:002020-10-19T10:21:29.722-07:00The strange death of outdoor education in Wales<p>
</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSH0KAU41tmdsDd1Sm5tIfCzIgxX8df2WJqDBos0q29BKCWHgakmT_a5EHLD6ZlcT0SAhvf76hBGXmeJ8OKNsAimt0b1OXl5Nuk5WFBsofii4A3DXRpWQ1W5KGIWfsAexGNrVkIMVqsrg/s819/0_AFR_DPW_121020OutdoorActivitiesProtests_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">.</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32PZfFxfGUSffdJN0jBjSS-t9hehFgtGHxYlySRPVvGVwerZVPwdbKRrzRmOlHwpNpIEEryeBA7chQemv7rZuSVBHkE4HvTdxyOgFNHpjWozXywrRQJohnBRgmCCjILBQ91wi3F-zKMo/s819/outdoor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="615" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32PZfFxfGUSffdJN0jBjSS-t9hehFgtGHxYlySRPVvGVwerZVPwdbKRrzRmOlHwpNpIEEryeBA7chQemv7rZuSVBHkE4HvTdxyOgFNHpjWozXywrRQJohnBRgmCCjILBQ91wi3F-zKMo/w300-h400/outdoor.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Outdoor Educationalists are revolting! Photo-Daily Post.</span><br /></span><p></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">So..here we are again.
Back to square one in the great game of Covid hide and seek. Here in
Wales we face a complete lockdown in a few days. Sorry..not a
lockdown this time .it's a 'firebreak' which sounds sexier. Mark
Drakeford's bungling administration wanted 'short circuit' but London
and Edinburgh are fighting over that one! The cost to the Welsh
economy ,like economies around the world-is incalculable. Add to that
the hundreds of thousands being thrown on to the dole, the record
number of businesses going bust, the number of people dying
needlessly through cancelled operations, the cruel divisions
fermenting within society between the Covid roundheads and cavaliers.
And that's before we start talking about the authoritarian taking
away of people's liberty and freedom. And for what. For a virus that
took just three lives in Wales yesterday. A country of three million.
A virus that 99% of those who contract it survive. A virus that 80% _
of those who contract it don't even know they have and a virus so
deadly that the average age of Covid victims is 82. Greater than
average life expectancy in the UK!</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span></span><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">One area suffering
greatly from Covid policy is the area of outdoor education. In North
Wales. In an area of high unemployment, it is estimated that between
3/500 jobs will go. Private and state outdoor centres
are closing. Staff being laid off and the knock on effect on north
Wales's vital tourist industry is beyond measure. The cafes, pubs,
eateries, outdoor shops etc, that depend on people coming into Wales
on outdoor courses, are going to the wall too. It's certainly an
unholy mess no thanks to the dinosaurs in London and Cardiff. With no
end in sight then it's fair to say that the writing is on the wall
for outdoor education in north Wales. It is difficult not to be
pessimistic when politicians appear to operate on a different plane
to the rest of us. Pursuing policies which are economically and
socially damaging without any hint that they are actually aware of
the damage they are doing to the people they purport to serve,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span></span><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">There is a quote
attributed to Einstein which suggests that the definition of insanity
is carrying out the same thing over and over again and expecting
different results. Basically, there you have London, Cardiff and
Edinburgh's C19 policies in a nutshell ! </span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpAkVXFFkYwhMc4EEov5LYwWGZ39AsrFPRc6PlCBom6s0ZnP-AFpFGhVGGXa40FCwagHWffELvxer3iE9pm3ZL7egoWMnq8Q0f17bdAaoXCxgjFE9_lNJEcUNQgCYZFUWn-nnOoI5WHo/s84/animatedcrowpecking.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpAkVXFFkYwhMc4EEov5LYwWGZ39AsrFPRc6PlCBom6s0ZnP-AFpFGhVGGXa40FCwagHWffELvxer3iE9pm3ZL7egoWMnq8Q0f17bdAaoXCxgjFE9_lNJEcUNQgCYZFUWn-nnOoI5WHo/s0/animatedcrowpecking.gif" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><p></p>
<p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-81074168830177902692020-10-03T05:36:00.001-07:002020-10-03T06:55:27.943-07:00The Madness of King Mark!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PH47v3yCH3d48jpzohmMZXr-J-pJuontyLno1GUV-y1QMA-DV7c0dWjghZWg2D8Q0UP320xfzObAZhbgksLOItWzQf2krP1LBqUM7WdUe_EFIJ1WGol2-ky6WIjXdwdfDf01HlyL7CI/s1045/snowdonx1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="1045" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PH47v3yCH3d48jpzohmMZXr-J-pJuontyLno1GUV-y1QMA-DV7c0dWjghZWg2D8Q0UP320xfzObAZhbgksLOItWzQf2krP1LBqUM7WdUe_EFIJ1WGol2-ky6WIjXdwdfDf01HlyL7CI/w400-h271/snowdonx1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Yr Wyddfa-Snowdon. As I write, you can walk up it if you live in London, Manchester, Liverpool or most English cities and regions. You cannot if you live five miles away in Capel Curig!</span><br />
<p></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">As I write, most of
Wales is under lockdown rules. Here in North Wales, all the north
east counties including Conwy which stretches as far as the Pen yr
Gwryd pub, are not supposed to travel outside their area. However,
with most lockdown regulations emanating from Westminster and
Cardiff, there is confusion as to how ones area is defined? Irony
being heaped upon irony at the moment, it seems to have escaped the
attention of Knee-jerk Central in Cardiff Bay, that most of North
Wales has much lower rates of infection than large parts of England
which are not in lockdown. Here we have a situation where someone
living in Capel Curig cannot travel up the road and walk up Yr Wyddfa
(Snowdon) but someone in Liverpool, London or Manchester can. I
notice that the Siabod Cafe in Capel has closed its doors temporarily
as in its Twitter feed, it stated that it cannot operate 'in a
climate of fear'! The popular Treetops centre in Betws y Coed has
also closed temporarily.
</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span></span><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Like thousands of small
businesses, economic life in an area in which tourism is the chief
employer are finding conditions impossible. Already in the north
Wales hospitality industry, pubs, restaurants, music venues, clubs,
camp sites etc. have either already gone to the wall or are on the
brink. An area with a large unemployment rate is seeing the rate go
through the roof as thousands are laid off or let go.
</span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">And all for what? In
Wales as in the rest of the UK and Europe-Sweden excepted- rules and
regulations surrounding Covid are based on a flawed interpretation of
data. At the current time all the emphasis is on the R rate and
number of cases. Surprise surprise...they are now doing twenty times
more tests than they were in April so is it any wonder that more
people are testing positive. But how many people are actually ill and
dying? That surely should be the main criteria for enacting
legislation. Well the answer is, not that many! The number of people
admitted to an ICU has risen slightly but nowhere near the
apocalyptic level predicted. Deaths have risen slightly but still
pretty stable on the whole. The current rate of Covid morbidity is
one per million. That's right...ONE PER MILLION per day!
</span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">During the summer, two
million holiday makers crammed into Cornwall yet in the three months
surrounding that period, there was not one single Covid admission
into ICU and not one Covid death! Covid19 is clearly not
the plague or The Spanish flu. In a sane and stable society like
Sweden, Covid would be recognized as a virus which will always be
with us like colds and flu and like the flu, it will kill some people
and make others very poorly. However, we don't lock down entire
cities and regions when there is a flu outbreak.
</span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">The costs to the
economy, people's welfare and happiness. The serious impact on
people's mental and physical health as operations are cancelled and
people are frightened out of attending their surgery when they may be
in the early stages of a serious disease. It truly is a crazy state
of affairs.<br /></span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">You may describe the current political handling of
Covid in terms of 'lions led by donkeys', except in reality, with the
majority of the population still swallowing the State line, its more
'sheep led by donkeys' ! However, all the signs are that people are
slowly waking up to the fact that our Covid policies are frankly
bonkers. Perhaps before the UK becomes an impoverished authoritarian
banana state, the penny will have dropped and people will call out
this farcical state of affairs?<br /></span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"> </span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">* Mark...Mark Drakeford. Welsh First Minister <br /></span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"> </span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"> </span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhST-Mw1XqL1RJ2weIKe50zBOgaupM-Hbo6nRjTwh4Uvjm_xxh3uQsrz9E_JGmsN5KqDilvH9nKYzAHGqIDAE0bDiwekT_863IkxmaevS9BenW4dnNN6M8_w_Dv8F_G5zs_foBpUWRXloo/s84/animatedcrowpecking.gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhST-Mw1XqL1RJ2weIKe50zBOgaupM-Hbo6nRjTwh4Uvjm_xxh3uQsrz9E_JGmsN5KqDilvH9nKYzAHGqIDAE0bDiwekT_863IkxmaevS9BenW4dnNN6M8_w_Dv8F_G5zs_foBpUWRXloo/s0/animatedcrowpecking.gif" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><p></p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-68725199793167763222020-09-25T02:21:00.000-07:002020-09-25T02:21:31.414-07:00Swarm<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH76y3WaApp7G-A5abgsgKxuRNNwVeHnqYXzVtxq357kfPKNMjanklb6lEnIYMuhS73MrJhU7GOhYmdBH3aVN9_8OAGUamMFcFAT91qEORJYMk3OMof3XKEBGZ-mW-anHbA4EFDF5ha9g/s1920/VideoToPhoto+637366194259384701+%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH76y3WaApp7G-A5abgsgKxuRNNwVeHnqYXzVtxq357kfPKNMjanklb6lEnIYMuhS73MrJhU7GOhYmdBH3aVN9_8OAGUamMFcFAT91qEORJYMk3OMof3XKEBGZ-mW-anHbA4EFDF5ha9g/w640-h360/VideoToPhoto+637366194259384701+%25282%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;">A busy Mam Tor summit on a weekday out of the school holiday period</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span></span><p></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">One of the current
mantras within the outdoor community is Leave no Trace' Every other
outdoor article,YouTube vlog, Tweet, Facebook post etc, continues the
theme. As if your typical wild camper, climber, hillwalker or
Bushcrafter would actually take a portable barbecue into the
mountains, spread McDonalds packaging and Stella cans across the
hillsides or leave throw up tents and camping chairs in situ around a
smoke blackened ring of stones!</span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">It goes without saying that those
responsible are not from what we would call the outdoor community, so
apart from virtue signalling, why keep repeating this pointless
message? Those who do trash the countryside won't be reading these
LNT posts anyway and if they did, they'd still trash the countryside
because they'll be trashing their home urban environments too.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span></span><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Its not surprising that
the land is taking a bigger than normal hit at the moment as there
are more people than ever taking themselves off to the countryside.
With foreign holidays off the agenda for millions, this tiny
overcrowded island is certainly taking a battering from those who
would normally be on the beaches of Spain, Italy and Greece. Last
week I was shocked by the number of people taking advantage of a
spell of Indian Summer weather. Caernarfon mid week was like Benidorm
and driving through The Ogwen Valley after 5pm, the car parks were
still full. Ditto the camp sites. It was like a May bank holiday!
</span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Continuing the theme.
On Monday we walked the Great Ridge in the peak district from Mam Tor
to Lose Hill. I knew we wouldn't have the place to ourselves but I
was shocked by the amount of people up there. Doesn't anyone have a
job anymore? !!! They weren't all retired silver surfers with free
time on their hands either. Lots of younger and middle aged people up
there. Yes...the weather was great but really. Its mid September,
kids back at school, it's not the weekend, but it's as busy as a
sunny mid summer weekend. And yes, we were as much a part of the problem as anyone and everyone has as much right to walk the hills as we do.<br /></span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">I've got to admit though, as
someone who usually avoids the honeypots, whether its a climbing
crag, mountain, stretch of coastline or a campervan park up spot, it
was a shock to the system. In fact, I cannot recall ever being
amongst so many people in the hills in my life, and yes, that
includes rare visits to Snowdon, Tryfan and Scafell. Which brings me
back to the impact of so many people heading into the countryside.
The current pandemic has certainly made things worse as far as litter
and vandalism goes but even when/ if things ever get back to pre C19
normal, there will still be a problem. As the old saying goes 'You
can't pour a quart into a pint pot' and just what can be done in a
small country of 67 million people- plus foreign tourists coming into
the UK in a normal year- to accommodate so many people? </span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">I don't have an answer
but I imagine that in time, there will be a more rigid US style
system of control introduced. Especially in the national parks, with permits,
time limits on stays and aggressive policing of the hills by empowered wardens
introduced. In the mean time, if you seek solitude in the UK, don't go into The Peak District!!!</span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7B43jhQhjbiIwaPBkonSPSQ7XQuMk7gYTkY1Hjbtp3xajFymOpn4XqgpO-xjGsy_sc7N-xIogNHl-UqIEqnvkgiV1iF-22igSTx0iyLcb4gEA1YIZcY__MY-_XWRsgT7Vwp5gyxYpwIg/s1280/P1050228+%25281280x720%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7B43jhQhjbiIwaPBkonSPSQ7XQuMk7gYTkY1Hjbtp3xajFymOpn4XqgpO-xjGsy_sc7N-xIogNHl-UqIEqnvkgiV1iF-22igSTx0iyLcb4gEA1YIZcY__MY-_XWRsgT7Vwp5gyxYpwIg/w400-h225/P1050228+%25281280x720%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span></span><p></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></span><p></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLlGRfAAkWeA08ZTx8x67L2HB16fjN4LFVEq9TTF8yZe4IDs0cALa1mQMNhQNtuBYVw9CacdYO4fWDC6vjwTi7QRssRrqQ6wiX1w5ygbQ7zcuSMUdOJfLgQRf0g9Zn5tNuWaNVqcRZqI/s84/animatedcrowpecking.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLlGRfAAkWeA08ZTx8x67L2HB16fjN4LFVEq9TTF8yZe4IDs0cALa1mQMNhQNtuBYVw9CacdYO4fWDC6vjwTi7QRssRrqQ6wiX1w5ygbQ7zcuSMUdOJfLgQRf0g9Zn5tNuWaNVqcRZqI/s0/animatedcrowpecking.gif" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-37115985916797348892020-09-20T04:13:00.001-07:002020-09-20T23:39:40.153-07:00Gravel Casual verses The Lycra Zealots!<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAWW749Ai0WxbKrRJkzA8yOPg6GtjTu61sb5Cq0-rtRKq0oBzvRYfl84r4eGZd2SxLMnQ7XzM7SGgpvdD4hDIy_dzYHZV7-3q3L-TNUQn0hgDLj1aSi-F_ytbuQERG4vEfIbCBpY5S70/s1500/grav.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1500" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAWW749Ai0WxbKrRJkzA8yOPg6GtjTu61sb5Cq0-rtRKq0oBzvRYfl84r4eGZd2SxLMnQ7XzM7SGgpvdD4hDIy_dzYHZV7-3q3L-TNUQn0hgDLj1aSi-F_ytbuQERG4vEfIbCBpY5S70/w640-h384/grav.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Gravel Casual- Photo <a href="https://bikerumor.com/2019/12/16/the-overland-breaks-off-new-technical-casual-riding-gear-for-road-trail-beyond/">Bikerumour!</a></span><br /></span>
<p></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Back in January, before
the shit hit the fan so to speak, I got myself a new mid range
mountain bike. Intending to get fit and lose a stubborn stone which
manifested itself as an unflattering paunch. Unfortunately, February
unravelled as a series of storms. One after another, they rolled in
from the west. Making cycling for anyone but the zealous nutters who
have to get their fix whatever the weather, decidedly unappetising!
And then.....!!!</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span></span><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">As everyone in the UK
knows, lock down coincided with glorious weather. All over the
UK..from north to south, we were taunted by day after day of blue
skies and dry and balmy weather. In Wales we had to live within a
pretty strict lock down regime where we could only get exercise from
our own doorstep. And even then, only for half an hour. Fortunately
for myself, I live in a sparsely populated rural area with forests
and moorland on my doorstep. I quickly exploited my advantageous
position by re-exploring the forest trails and moorland tracks. On
foot but more often than not, on my Kona mountain bike. It was a
strange experience. Having a vast 40 square mile forest as my own
private domain. Where I could ride for hours and be guaranteed never
to see a soul.</span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsz6P9w__zf_TbTjo7hqiOdEPJlQ_GfgPyP_2TrWrc4b4_sRnpsUoaOj489S7sCEF0Gx2MOP4eGP_Qo4VfEi0l4UkgQarJRq5-SosQE3-D-2PFGOFcvfKd6mXTAo3P_X06P5VtVUx9XQ/s2048/IMG-3414.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsz6P9w__zf_TbTjo7hqiOdEPJlQ_GfgPyP_2TrWrc4b4_sRnpsUoaOj489S7sCEF0Gx2MOP4eGP_Qo4VfEi0l4UkgQarJRq5-SosQE3-D-2PFGOFcvfKd6mXTAo3P_X06P5VtVUx9XQ/w400-h300/IMG-3414.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The Kerry Ridgeway</span> <br /></span><p></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span></span><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">And so it began. Four
or five years after giving up mountain bike riding, I began to regain
my enthusiasm for cycling to the extent that I went out and ordered a
relatively expensive gravel bike from a small bike company in
Bristol. With the rest of the UK going bike crazy and orders going
through the roof, it was no surprise that my order had a 14 to 16
week wait period. Now due some time in October.
</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span></span><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">What I've found
fascinating is the huge cultural difference within cycling between
the road biking scene- all Lycra, Strava and PB's- and the laid back
'Gravel Casual' scene which encompasses mountain biking and which
emanates from the United States. I have to admit, I hate road biking.
The idea of girding my loins in lycra and riding down the A5 with a
queue of cars, lorries and caravans up my arse all day, makes me
shudder at the thought! One YouTube channel which really captures the gravel
casual scene is Montana based, 'Pathless pedaled', presented by
partners Russ and Laura. This is cycling for hipsters. Their scene is
non competitive riding. Taking off on the gravel and mountain trails
of Oregon and Montana. Stopping to fish or paint en-route. Its a
scene which embraces the gravel casual dress code. 5-10 sneakers,
baggy shorts, hiking shirts etc. If there is a uniform it has
'Patagonia' emblazoned on the apparel. In fact when you see one of
the bike packing meet ups, its like a Patagonia advertising campaign!
Continuing the hipster vibe, artisinal coffee, craft beers, film
photography, vinyl records... I loved the bike shop in Portland which
apart from bikes and camping gear, sold vinyl records....but only Bob
Dylan records! And of course, if you are a guy, you really must have
a beard. The longer the better!</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span></span><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfPZPIw3v5hNk2LY7hG5xWWuBnr5RS3z4VpTMtvPbpimhY3uks69dCtSJkUR-2L2KLPBsHoCWMNLtcOsgdGEFcUlrf7AaxkGQeydB9mxxmdHIT9sgLmHVUEjY2tg8k3ndzxhlYPuR6eM/s2048/IMG-3548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfPZPIw3v5hNk2LY7hG5xWWuBnr5RS3z4VpTMtvPbpimhY3uks69dCtSJkUR-2L2KLPBsHoCWMNLtcOsgdGEFcUlrf7AaxkGQeydB9mxxmdHIT9sgLmHVUEjY2tg8k3ndzxhlYPuR6eM/w400-h300/IMG-3548.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: courier;">A trail through Hiraethog</span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span></span>
<p></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Compare this Gravel
Casual scene with the UK road biking scene. They both involve bikes
but that's were the comparisons end. Its like comparing rugby with
football. Totally different activities! One road biking YouTube
channel I do watch occasionally is Manchester based Katie Kookaburra
who epitomises the zealotry of the road biking extremists. Naturally,
she is an emaciated vegan teetotaller who is obsessed with diet and
body weight. Someone who will get up at two o clock in the morning to
ride 300k and who obsessively churns out you-tube vlogs daily. Katie
is an engaging soul in her own way who presents well but who really
captures everything I hate about road biking.</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span></span><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Its all about
achievement, not pleasure. 'The Killer Mile' ,'Full Gas Power
Data'..'the best training for fitness and weight loss'..'what I eat
in a day' etc etc. Thanks but no thanks!</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span></span><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">In the spirit of gravel
casual UK, two rides have done recently really captured what I love
about touring on a bike. Albeit in this case, a mountain bike.
Although I do occasionally find myself tackling some gnarly chunky
sections of route, I'm not one for downhill trails. More especially
those popular MB centres like Coed y Brenin, The Marin and Llandegla.
I prefer to find my own trails which I have to myself rather than
have to share my bike space with a party on a stag weekend or the boy
racer dressed up like Darth Vadar who comes up behind you at a rate
of knots! No...the two routes mentioned above were just just fairly
short hops; the first the Kerry Rideway in the Welsh Marches between
Cider House in Powys, Wales and Bishop's Castle in Shropshire,
England.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">
</span></span><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Just 25k/15 miles but a
lovely meandering high plains drift down an old drovers route, upon
which I didn't see a soul until I got to the pleasant market town of
Bishop's Castle. The second route was one I planned myself. Starting
and finishing in Cerrigydrudion in NE Wales and looping around a wild
section of Hiraethog. This 28k/17 mile route was another gem although
unlike the tranquil Kerry Ridgeway, this did throw in a gnarly
section with two river crossings and 2000 feet of ascent and
completed when the temperature hit 80f! In true GC style, 5-10's,
long shorts and a Craghoppers hiking shirt kept me fairly comfortable
in the heat. The thought of wearing lycra on a day like that is just horrendous!!</span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdMD7HKqQnKEcMv_F02IwE3VG9P5SDKDMoFuRGq31ZR1DkWm3FjK-kYzhRm-Pnb9Vno_K8AHzyOi-MBM2wUkH7FdssS5_MPpFZ80ITU2WowPeFcCIcUVkDeTRQ-vXoNEpApV-Ge0vJTg/s1280/IMG-3557+%2528960x1280%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdMD7HKqQnKEcMv_F02IwE3VG9P5SDKDMoFuRGq31ZR1DkWm3FjK-kYzhRm-Pnb9Vno_K8AHzyOi-MBM2wUkH7FdssS5_MPpFZ80ITU2WowPeFcCIcUVkDeTRQ-vXoNEpApV-Ge0vJTg/w480-h640/IMG-3557+%2528960x1280%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Gravel Casualling at Party Pace on Hiraethog.<br /></span></span><p></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">As Pathless Pedaled
would say, travel at party pace and keep the supple side down! Oh...and drink good coffee and eat plenty of tacos!<br /></span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNcKm0sp1Pj6NBpe2bS1GKoCSDGY-cYtK6R3-R7tEhp_bUxS7oreRF3awi71EW2XSTcXpR5tJlR-48D_BEOS_n9pduPrZ1Q-HPD6v8oRrzZ7ptrPesoGsxyS8zUyAIuFi0QNiFA0jxcE/s84/animatedcrowpecking.gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNcKm0sp1Pj6NBpe2bS1GKoCSDGY-cYtK6R3-R7tEhp_bUxS7oreRF3awi71EW2XSTcXpR5tJlR-48D_BEOS_n9pduPrZ1Q-HPD6v8oRrzZ7ptrPesoGsxyS8zUyAIuFi0QNiFA0jxcE/s0/animatedcrowpecking.gif" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-36407233393481830972020-09-07T02:02:00.000-07:002020-09-07T02:02:43.739-07:00Vole Magazine: 1977-80. The perfect Eco publication!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIR0GjQdidewp769iIg0jPksjAEKsGe0JcpbSi0k9W2m_-Bdj3gtugU4qDoPuMAVzo0UbAlyrik7TKq1J15g8KCoziSa26CDi2AVn08rxUQtEdVdVXRfZ5vGr_WHkiUTixHaZxAe21SMY/s1600/12-issues-of-Vole-Magazine-1977-1978-vol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIR0GjQdidewp769iIg0jPksjAEKsGe0JcpbSi0k9W2m_-Bdj3gtugU4qDoPuMAVzo0UbAlyrik7TKq1J15g8KCoziSa26CDi2AVn08rxUQtEdVdVXRfZ5vGr_WHkiUTixHaZxAe21SMY/w500-h375/12-issues-of-Vole-Magazine-1977-1978-vol.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;">The late lamented Vole magazine</span><br />
<p></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Back in the late
1970's, a unique environmental magazine- Vole- was launched by
Richard Boston with funding from Monty Python's Terry Jones. Unlike
any other eco journal at the time, Vole was a publication that didn't
take itself too seriously. No hand wringing, 'We're all doomed' stuff
from the magazines eclectic list of writers and cartoonists which
over the years included figures as diverse as Tony Benn, Richard
Mabey, Ralph Steadman, Paul Foot, Posy Simmonds and Richard Ingrams.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">As someone who
regularly bought Vole, I loved its quirky, off beat tone. You were as
likely to find an article on nuclear waste dumping in the Irish sea
next to a bread making recipe. Living off the land in Pembrokshire
bookended by articles on the negative impact of the EU's CAP policies
on the natural environment alongside the best way to make compost!
</span></span><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">I loved it and was very
sad to see it only last for three years-1977 to 1980. However, Vole
did leave a lasting impression and its unique philosophical niche has
permeated my own thinking ever since. In the more innocent pre
internet years, paper mediums like Vole, Resurgence and Undercurrents
were the only outlet for environmental writing. Although the odd eco
piece might slip into the Guardian or on to television and radio,
essentially, most of us of a green bent got our fix through
publications. Who would have imagined that by fast forwarding 40
years, we would live in an age of instant! Instant journalism,
instant critique, instant opinion, instant backlash! Thankfully Vole
existed before environmentalism had descended into so called 'woke'
liberalism and cancel culture. An age when people corral themselves
into narrow political/environmental ghettos within the social media
and curse the heretics who refuse to accept the one true faith.
</span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Today, environmentalism
has become dominated by humourless, hysterical zealots. As an
example, just look at the backlash against Michael Moore over his
'Planet of the Humans' film. A film that dared to pose two questions.
A..that there are too many people on the planet and if we are to
survive we need to turn the economic growth at all costs on its head
and base our economies on need not capitalist greed. And B..that so
called 'Green Energy' systems like solar panels and wind farms are
not the panacea that groups like Greenpeace , FOE and the Sierra Club
would have us believe and that they are still a part of the
industrialisation of our landscapes and seas.
</span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">One of those leading
the backlash was our own George Monbiot on the YouTube 'Double down
News' channel. To me, Monbiot is the personification of the modern,
po faced, humourless, hand wringing environmentalist movement. Most
of his articles in the Guardian begin we the grating 'We Must'
admonishment. And yes I know its often the subs who write the
headlines not the author but if I was GM I'd have a word with the
editor because telling people that they/we 'Must' do something is
more likely to irritate than convince. It was clear that liberals
like Monbiot and those in the main environmental camps, including the
liberal papers like the Guardian, Indy, Washington Post etc,
attempted to 'cancel' Michael Moore. They even managed to get Planet
taken down from You-Tube for a few weeks before it was reinstated
after pressure from Moore and his supporters. Currently with 9.4
million views. Fortunately Michael Moore is too big a figure-in more
ways than one!- to be 'cancelled' by liberals.
</span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">And back to Vole. How
would the magazine fare today in these more hysterical and polarised
times? Well...I'm still onboard and I'm sure there are thousands like
me out there who would love to see a journal tackle ecological
matters with humour and sobriety. </span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5WbIzEn_ifzXWLCQ7Huj94sLpp15Jahc81U_jVPoqjFhfiLulFiobCUY-7C-JKuP3eVovFw-0jWSe-pl5vxigVJ7xfbtNnFkDpiVCX-UHTivt8GvEngOXEHDnUvQOfGGuUxuBRG-57Y/s84/animatedcrowpecking.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5WbIzEn_ifzXWLCQ7Huj94sLpp15Jahc81U_jVPoqjFhfiLulFiobCUY-7C-JKuP3eVovFw-0jWSe-pl5vxigVJ7xfbtNnFkDpiVCX-UHTivt8GvEngOXEHDnUvQOfGGuUxuBRG-57Y/s0/animatedcrowpecking.gif" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-39108310746511370652020-09-05T06:09:00.000-07:002020-09-05T06:09:03.134-07:00Bubbling Under<p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jTpsWaEVmluXTh5gaodZRLZY0qSl3Lhemf6Cc9Q4RkmhZsGWd-9w53EVvwBE9AbL9pHA4gXwJOzWqtZmp92c9iZzAL2MEWadhTzcu6wRYfJklz7YAf1ecG297K-Ob2L36fdFzB3PQhY/s2048/IMG-0736.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jTpsWaEVmluXTh5gaodZRLZY0qSl3Lhemf6Cc9Q4RkmhZsGWd-9w53EVvwBE9AbL9pHA4gXwJOzWqtZmp92c9iZzAL2MEWadhTzcu6wRYfJklz7YAf1ecG297K-Ob2L36fdFzB3PQhY/w375-h500/IMG-0736.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Gosh...it's nearly a year since I posted anything on this blog ! I had thought that it had run its course and as I had been exploring other creative avenues and just living life, I had considered deleting the site altogther. But in hindsight, that is probably unnecessary as there is a lot of good stuff hidden away in the archives hereabouts. The blog still gets a lot of visitors so perhaps its time to throw in the odd piece and see what gives?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">As I write we are still in the grip of the C19 crisis of which I have my own opinions regarding the political handling of the crisis and the reportage by the mainstream media. Which as per usual, has little to do with cold hard facts and everything to do with sensationalism and exaggeration. Bad news sells; good news doesn't!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Coronavirus apart, a lot has happened in the environmental field in the last twelve months. Climate change hasn't gone away and here in the UK, we await to see what will happen in the natural world post Brexit. Without EU subsidies, will farmers still overstock the uplands with sheep? 'Sheepwrecking' to use George Monbiot's term-our hills and valleys? Or will they diversify and embrace a greener rural economy? Will our rural areas survive the continued onslaught from visitors now that foreign travel to holiday destinations has become a high risk activity. Encouraging more people to holiday at home? So far the signs are not good. The trashing of the countryside has become a hot topic in outdoor circles where hand wringing and virtue signalling has dominated to social media forums.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">On a more personal note. One big change in my outdoor agenda has been a newly found passion for cycling. Although I've done plenty of mountain biking in the past, I more or less stopped about four years ago and did nothing. Like a lot of people during lockdown, I took advantage of being let out of prison to take my exercise on a bike. Actually, just before C19 I had already decided to get a new mountain bike to try and get fit. My Kona MB came into its own during lockdown when, having a vast forest on my doorstep, I was able to develop new trails in the forest which I had entirely to myself in that period. Next month I'm getting a new gravel bike from a small bike company in Bristol which I'll use for longer tours and bikepacking trips. So...expect some mountain and gravel bike posts but definitely not anything about....'huck..spit'....road biking! All that Strava, Lycra, PB, Katie Kookaburra stuff leaves me cold!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCvOExy5LaUfIga7elP-1yB7UIQ12SQq_-WoUhCCNVFTJMdfMhUlk2AsvEz-hap6TMm4Yhg6SpJR_Zbybr-tMj0mbWm8c1DhVhakmEAtARDJZWx9XlKjs5QmxSMGALkKgNjRLWccSnnM/s1296/temple.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1296" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCvOExy5LaUfIga7elP-1yB7UIQ12SQq_-WoUhCCNVFTJMdfMhUlk2AsvEz-hap6TMm4Yhg6SpJR_Zbybr-tMj0mbWm8c1DhVhakmEAtARDJZWx9XlKjs5QmxSMGALkKgNjRLWccSnnM/w500-h333/temple.webp" width="500" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">New Bike coming next month. Nice isn't it!</span><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Be seeing you.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"> </span></span></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-61791297557205573892019-10-13T06:39:00.002-07:002019-10-13T06:39:39.337-07:00On Foot in North Wales: Portrait of a Golden Era.
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> First Edition(1934) of Patrick Monkhouse's classic travelogue</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've just been reading
Patrick Monkhouse's 1934 published 'On Foot in north Wales'. In fact
I had the Diadem 1980's republication with 'On foot in the Peak'for
years now without ever getting around to reading it, but it was the
chance to buy a 1<sup>st</sup> edition on eBay complete with a
charming line drawn front cover that finally persuaded me to actually
read it! The first thing to say is that Monkhouse had an amazing
familiarity with the uplands of north Wales. For someone who was a
senior Guardian journalist-when it was the Manchester Guardian-and
who lived in the Peak District, his knowledge of the remote highways
and byways was impressive by any standard. Even for someone like
myself who has lived in North Wales for two thirds of his life and who
prides himself on seeking out the quieter backwaters, Monkhouse
offers route descriptions, describes remote mountain passes and cwms
and reveals historical and geological information that I wasn't aware
of.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His explorations appear
to have covered nearly every inch of the region and he left no stone
unturned as he devoted his time and energy into what was obviously a
labour of love. Curiously, when writing of his travels he always uses
'We' to describe his peregrinations. However, he never once mentions
a fellow traveller by name or gender. I'm guessing he must be using
the royal 'we' as I get the impression that like Wainwright, he
preferred to travel alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, this isn't a
review of the book itself. It was an element near the end that drew
my attention. When the author mentioned places to stay in north Wales
and means of travel. Of course, a lot has changed in the last 86
years since the book was published; and not all for the better.
Naturally, getting to the mountain areas of north Wales is easier
these days by virtue of the fact that the majority of activists seem
to have cars. Sadly though, in an age when we are trying
to reduce our carbon footprint, the massive decline in the
availability of public transport and cheap accommodation is of real
concern. It is no exaggeration to describe how at one time you could
catch a train or bus from London, Manchester or Liverpool, and jump
off at Ogwen Cottage! Before the Beeching axe fell on the rail
network, you could catch a train at Manchester Piccadilly and with
changes-step off at Arenig station or get a Crosville bus from
Liverpool and get off at the Pen yr Gwryd hotel. A day could be spent
climbing in Nant Francon and you could get a bus back to Bangor and get the
mail train back to the one of the great English conurbations. That's
pretty hard to get your head around today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Clough Williams-Ellis's original plans for the YHA's first purpose built hostel at Maeshafn near Mold.</span><br /><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another sad development
post Monkhouse is the slow death of the YHA youth hostel. At one time
north Wales abounded with hostels now most have gone. In the book,
the author lists the current hostels in north Wales that came under
the Merseyside & North Wales YHA umbrella-note many more followed
in the intervening years-these include...Maeshafn near Mold. The
first purpose built YHA hostel in England and Wales and designed by
Clough Williams-Ellis of Portmerion fame. Cyffylliog near Ruthin;
Llansannan on Mynydd Hiraethog; Llanwrst; Idwal cottage; Llanberis;
Cae Dafydd near Beddgelert; Llangollen, Plas Rhiwwaedog near Bala and
Cynwyd near Corwen which I have an interest in as a late friend was
the winter caretaker-it was closed off season-and was an old Flannel
mill. This was Monkhouses' personal favourite but sadly it closed in
2004 and I believe its owned by a scout group now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The charming former Flannel Mill which became a YHA hostel in the 30's,only to close in 2004.</span><br />So....In an
age of when we can get from Liverpool or Manchester to north Wales or
the Lakes in a car in a couple of hours, when we can check out
Facebook status on top of Tryfan, check our GPS devices to see where
we are, tighten up our expensive cagoules against the cold and lace up
our £100+ lightweight walking trainers, is the mountain experience better these days than it was back then, and is the mountain environment we have today a better place to be than quieter land that Monkhouse walked through in the early 30's? On several
counts I would say most definitely not. Perhaps though, in the words of the Brian Wilson song 'I guess I wasn''t made for these times' !</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-64061736168917798812019-10-10T06:15:00.001-07:002019-10-10T06:17:34.917-07:00Bushcrafters,You Tube and the call of the wild.<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">An abandoned half arsed 'shelter' in a North wales forest.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I blame Ray Mears!
Since the portly survivalist and bushcrafter gained a television
platform over a decade ago, there has been a surge in the number of
so called 'bushcrafters' and wild campers, falling over themselves to
blog, vlog and professionally sell their services to wannabe
backwoodsmen. Yes...there are a fair few females who are doing the
bushcraft thing on Youtube but in the main, its a male obsession
which has been reinforced in the last few years by the svelte and
more media friendly, Bear Grylls who has elbowed the aforementioned
RM aside to capture the market for himself. Lets face it. Ray Mears
always looked like a tubby scoutmaster and on a media like
television, Grylls presents a more attractive and dynamic image of
bushcrafting and on a Channel like Channel 4,with its decidedly low
brow approach to programming, expertise is secondary to what they
decide looks good on the screen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Youtube of course is
the main medium for Bushcraft and wild camping. I'm guessing that in
the English speaking world, there must be literally tens of thousands
of these channels. Ranging from someone in Alaska with a million plus
subscribers to a bushcrafter in Wales with about ten! What they all
have in common in a desire to sell the dream. To present bushcraft
and wild camping as an exciting and fulfilling adventure which will
fill that great void in your soul. Where the 21<sup>st</sup> century
urban rat race has left you dazed, confused and lost, getting back to
nature and back to basics can restore your equilibrium and replenish
your wild soul.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Abandoned fires that litter the Hodge Close area in the English Lake District</span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Well...that is true to
a point. As someone who has lived buried away in the country for
decades and who finds even spending a day in the city depressing, I
do believe as the great John Ruskin said that the countryside is a
repository of all that is good. If you are not fortunate enough to
live in the country then the next best thing would be to escape for
whatever amount of time you can spare. To charge the depleted
batteries, breath clean air and just see the stars again. For many
this desire to escape-whether by campervan, tent, hostel or just on
foot for the day- is driving the movement which includes
bushcrafting.<br /><br />So far so good. However, the downside of this
revolution is the fact that not everyone drawn into the mountains and
forests has either the skills or the appreciation of the natural
environment to be part of it and to leave no trace when they depart.
This unfortunately is a growing problem which has seen a surge in the
number of cases of environmental vandalism. Trees hacked down, litter
scattered across a wild camp spot, the blackened remains of camp
fires etc, etc. Another feature of the constituency I call 'the half
arsed bushcrafter' is their predilection - stimulated no doubt by
watching too many Youtube videos like Haze outdoors or TA
outdoors-who both incidentally operate a strict 'leave no trace'
practice on their wild camps- to build pointless and totally
impractical 'shelters' in the forest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These rather pathetic
structures which often are constructed using young trees which have
been chopped down, are inevitably just left abandoned in the forests.
Symbolic of the lack of environmental awareness of those involved and
displaying an embarrassing lack of genuine bushcraft skills. No real
bushcrafter or wild camper would leave some half arsed structure in
situ. And that's the problem. The wilder places should be free and
open to all. Unfortunately, that means it will increasing be trashed
by those who have neither the empathy or desire to assimilate with
the environment they find themselves in. Bringing with them instead, an urban mentality which sees the environment as just somewhere that serves humanity in that moment. To be used, exploited and then cast aside before moving on to the next cheap thrill. This could mean that we all
will eventually suffer when access is denied or restricted by organisations like
the National Parks, Forestry Commission, National Trust and private
landowners who tire of the areas they are responsible for being violated and damaged by a small but harmful minority.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KpHqwLrJrTe6WUPYLkvrh5f19dlOUWD0JM1zJ2VzyE1uqwewsWtsxj0InaiEMLBMJP-uNd9UPi048J7oJfLF2NI0RZ2hE_T8YJMXm0mY9BwfAcn5ooKNg6KsMtQHTZL85Dqbkz3aI7o/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KpHqwLrJrTe6WUPYLkvrh5f19dlOUWD0JM1zJ2VzyE1uqwewsWtsxj0InaiEMLBMJP-uNd9UPi048J7oJfLF2NI0RZ2hE_T8YJMXm0mY9BwfAcn5ooKNg6KsMtQHTZL85Dqbkz3aI7o/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-81859064245660828142019-10-01T08:11:00.000-07:002019-10-01T08:11:34.405-07:00Park4Night App: The spirit of adventure...tamed!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3mM-7ad52veHdf34A2p_ekCG4LJh049A-4K5IuYaTlv_xKQv0E0s8L0mpWxwHKyFkJh-sl7f6zVyO07VOIp9-iOo6DZQTHF4aeNx2rMtoGauSu3fK3Zn8vp-3ALHV4pP5E-y5BNe31w/s1600/VideoToPhoto+636739713509751059+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3mM-7ad52veHdf34A2p_ekCG4LJh049A-4K5IuYaTlv_xKQv0E0s8L0mpWxwHKyFkJh-sl7f6zVyO07VOIp9-iOo6DZQTHF4aeNx2rMtoGauSu3fK3Zn8vp-3ALHV4pP5E-y5BNe31w/s400/VideoToPhoto+636739713509751059+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">If you need to use Park4Night in Central Wales you shouldn't be driving a van!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ever since I've owned a
campervan-always VW's, from the classic T2's to my current T4- I've
always been a wild camper. I think I've only stayed on a camp site
once in my life and I've before the advent of the internet and Google
Earth, I've always used an OS map to check out likely looking park
ups in forests and quiet backwaters. Google Earth though has been a
game changer. Now you can actually scope out a site-even using
'street view' in some cases although that feature won't work off
road. Nine time out of ten, these sites come up trumps and we've had
some pretty quiet and undisturbed nights in the back of beyond.
However, I was recently checking out an area in the Pennines of
northern England that I wasn't familiar with and quickly became aware
that unlike say the empty expanses of central Wales, this area-close
to Manchester and Sheffield-does not really offer those
opportunities. It looked as if the only option would be to bite the
bullet and use a campsite. Not good! So for the first time in my
life, I downloaded the 'Park4Night' App on my iPhone and started
looking at possible park ups or cheap, basic camp sites.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know some people,
especially when driving in Europe, swear by the app and I can see
that if you are unfamiliar with an area it could be useful. But two
things surprised me. The first being, why the hell if you've found
yourself a gem of a wild camping spot would you want to share it??? I
can't get my head around that. Over the years I've found some great
spots but I'd never in a million years think of sharing them online.
The second thing which stood out for me. People were listing park up
spots which were not actually places were you could spend the night.
Just lay-bys, supermarket car parks, pubs etc where you could pull
over for a bit. What's the point of that? In a small, overpopulated
country like the UK -which compared to mainland Europe is pretty
appalling when it comes to the state and local authorities providing
camper friendly facilities- the concept behind Park4Night appears to
be at odds with the spirit of freedom and discovery at the core of
campervan wild camping. Its like a gold prospector who strikes gold
putting up a sign saying 'gold found here!!!'</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course we're all different. Some people who drive vans crave company or if you are a single woman travelling in a van then you may well feel more comfortable parking in an area with other campers nearby. By the same token, a lot of us can't wait to see the back of people and probably see vanlife as a temporary escape from the hurly burly of life. For the former group then the app might well be seen as a godsend. For the latter...thanks but no thanks! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrs-EMNIbo8wxDmnAxvlFVvr0GPYDlEpSqD3S_6Lk1OqDcGoYMSqB_RwtjpO8HYLrpJN7EJ74xGikrMJnksYIFIEg43qhsFwR-QxnH6HSI6wCMAYJe6-fnMloUboBEbZYoL5gFz9BXQRM/s1600/VideoToPhoto+636741529347271239+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrs-EMNIbo8wxDmnAxvlFVvr0GPYDlEpSqD3S_6Lk1OqDcGoYMSqB_RwtjpO8HYLrpJN7EJ74xGikrMJnksYIFIEg43qhsFwR-QxnH6HSI6wCMAYJe6-fnMloUboBEbZYoL5gFz9BXQRM/s400/VideoToPhoto+636741529347271239+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So...I'll keep the app
on my phone for dire emergencies but if I ever have to use it I'll
sure I'll feel a complete failure and it will stimulate me to always have a Plan B and C for those occasional OS and GE scoping fails.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejkkx1-wDi0phASk5y6SeXSAA7LlV1y3-1VI0V9VkR0V1S2BDPTTD5FRBd4k4ccPYrooe-NZwgVmF7i5piaLPlrjVf-FJXWjTY3onrSIIrNX9KAGBVURDooKghyphenhyphenm1u6aNGrPEWNBPVw0/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejkkx1-wDi0phASk5y6SeXSAA7LlV1y3-1VI0V9VkR0V1S2BDPTTD5FRBd4k4ccPYrooe-NZwgVmF7i5piaLPlrjVf-FJXWjTY3onrSIIrNX9KAGBVURDooKghyphenhyphenm1u6aNGrPEWNBPVw0/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-3432844036410464722019-09-17T04:37:00.001-07:002019-09-17T04:37:57.645-07:00Cold Fires in The Lakes
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WLj8hMN2DhdzUnc7_e-iNoi0tW4fjBLVFza_aL1_gQDoRwaM5HMTgHy-GrfurBC-yHYjS7wjrcBpuxxlogyMBlQFLaORYTlbx9tdKONuWdy_o5QtyToyOcIWfAa-phYiMY0zMtP-78M/s1600/hodge+fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WLj8hMN2DhdzUnc7_e-iNoi0tW4fjBLVFza_aL1_gQDoRwaM5HMTgHy-GrfurBC-yHYjS7wjrcBpuxxlogyMBlQFLaORYTlbx9tdKONuWdy_o5QtyToyOcIWfAa-phYiMY0zMtP-78M/s400/hodge+fire.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Keep the wild fires burning: When 'Leave no Trace' falls on deaf ears.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'Leave no Trace' the
wild campers' mantra. Its become so oft repeated that its become a
bit of a cliché . It quite rightly sees the natural environment as a
place to be respected and not exploited though base actions like
chopping down trees for firewood, leaving trash littering the land
and toilet paper fluttering from heather stalks.<br />Most regular wild
campers do indeed follow this philosophy fanatically. Watch any
YouTube vlog from a popular wildcamping or bushcraft Youtuber and
they nearly always reach the end of an episode with a sweeping hand
gesture and the trademark...'and as you can see, we've left no
trace'.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess I've got so used to this sanitised televisual
version of wild camping that it came as a surprise when I visited the
Hodge Close Quarry area near Coniston in the South Lakes last week,
to find the remains of fires everywhere. If you are not familiar with
Hodge Close, it's an amazing area. An extensive area of slate mining
which is returning to nature but which still reveals the industrial
scars of the past. Although there are plenty of open quarries,
tunnels and workings to explore between the car park and
Timberthwaite Ghyll, it is the impressive main quarry of Hodge Close
which really captures the imagination. A deep, flooded pit which
drops 300' from the rim to the surface and which continues down into
the dark depths which contains flooded galleries and tunnels which
have become a favourite venue for sub aqua divers.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZD_mtXt7DvdChQ6D-BNIfnlVU28AzEEp1jDaEdjwh6MPHEWI_LH81lQGwnRKyPa3Imgj9wD7kBbUwQeg0F1J2Xuftw_AtaV0cuHh8t96EEXasG6ZNiXawJPYQbH2Tfh7tzjMivPkdIwE/s1600/VideoToPhoto+637043142244625979+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1600" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZD_mtXt7DvdChQ6D-BNIfnlVU28AzEEp1jDaEdjwh6MPHEWI_LH81lQGwnRKyPa3Imgj9wD7kBbUwQeg0F1J2Xuftw_AtaV0cuHh8t96EEXasG6ZNiXawJPYQbH2Tfh7tzjMivPkdIwE/s400/VideoToPhoto+637043142244625979+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Gloomy Hodge Close Quarry on a sombre autumnal day last week.</span><br /><br />I first
became aware of Hodge Close Quarry through the climbing magazines.
Like the North Wales slate quarries, Hodge Close had been developed
as a climbing venue. Sporting nearly 60 mostly hard routes on its
dark slate walls. Atmospheric describes the climbing here. The whole
quarry offers a dramatic but sombre air. The trees which crowd the
cliff tops, the dark waters below. Soundtracked by a waterfall which
slithers like a snake close to the famous 'Skull Cave'. This
saturnine vibe is emphasised when you realise that people die here.
Divers, climbers and last year a tombstoner who thought it would be a
good idea to jump from the rim with a GoPro camera!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I was there last
week, we had the place to ourselves as the weather was filthy!
Despite that we wandered off towards High Oxen Fell through the
attractive woodland to the east of the quarry to stretch our legs
after we'd driven up from North Wales. As we meandered between little
tarns,spoil heaps contained with an extremely pleasant mixed
woodland. I noticed the profusion of dead fires littering the area.
I'd never seen so many remnants of camp fires anywhere. Even in parts
of Snowdonia where wild camping and chav camping takes places. ('Chav Camping'..An overnight camp in a beauty spot which usually
takes place close to a road and which can be identified by fire pits
filled with charred green wood, Stella and Fosters cans and foil
disposable barbecues littering the scorched grass )
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The depressing thing
is, the 'Leave no Trace' practice being carried out by responsible
wild campers is being overwhelmed by the sheer number of
irresponsible Chav Campers who are flooding into our already
overcrowded national parks and wild areas which are already creaking
under the sheer volume of visitors. Despite this, the idiots who call
the shots in the Lake District National Park, not least the tourist
agencies who proclaim the Lake District as 'The UK's Outdoor Capital'
and who exploit its frankly unhelpful 'World Heritage Site' status, and who are simply exacerbating an already ecologically precarious situation.
The concept of tourist sustainability is obviously an alien concept
to the greedy powers that be involved in exploiting the national park
up there. Its always..'More, More, More!'. Its almost a pile it high and sell it cheap business model which is all about profits and nothing about quality.
</span></div>
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</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As Oscar Wilde said
'Yet each man kills the thing he loves'.</span></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/or2-udv4Ct8/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/or2-udv4Ct8?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Hodge Close Cave Dive Video.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-q6ccwChpEVBggdnjBwQW3ACdaXCSv-pidltIFzPyVBRIDZqu7KphfJ6EFTH-0WzRcaXw4GIffOuezIE03hPUBbzr-UmvThM7Z3C1is9L4vhCwdLxSSGA9ZqF43M7QwJtnILn653wAg/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-q6ccwChpEVBggdnjBwQW3ACdaXCSv-pidltIFzPyVBRIDZqu7KphfJ6EFTH-0WzRcaXw4GIffOuezIE03hPUBbzr-UmvThM7Z3C1is9L4vhCwdLxSSGA9ZqF43M7QwJtnILn653wAg/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-12270097452626405272019-08-22T10:55:00.001-07:002019-08-22T10:58:58.850-07:00Neville Drasdo Passes Away.<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVsM9F9oX6tXz8DHtez3f8u1wM8gm0oM_kla60EzOLmg-fXMisSUQ155n1mdHoxIviW832URekHhjCtoXJGXYtUmWR9F1XQ0Me0EbUmce6Jj6-L3UbTRYqC8NV2CTlg52QCXVDODpR4o/s1600/nev1x1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1600" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVsM9F9oX6tXz8DHtez3f8u1wM8gm0oM_kla60EzOLmg-fXMisSUQ155n1mdHoxIviW832URekHhjCtoXJGXYtUmWR9F1XQ0Me0EbUmce6Jj6-L3UbTRYqC8NV2CTlg52QCXVDODpR4o/s400/nev1x1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Neville Drasdo (Left) and brother Harold outside the Old Dungeon Ghyll in the Lake District. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sad news this morning
hearing that Neville Drasdo has died. Neville was two years younger
than his brother Harold, who it is fair to say was the better known
Drasdo brother on account of longer climbing career as writer,
instructor, essayist and guidebook author and first ascentionist.
However, Neville was certainly no slouch on rock himself, following
the well trodden path of working class Northern climbers who were
born in the 1930's. Neville started climbing in his early teens with
his older brother on the Yorkshire outcrops, close to their Bradford
home. Like most keen climbers of the day, the brother's quickly
progressed to the mountain areas of the Lake District, North Wales
and Scotland before making, what was at the time, a bold and
adventurous decision to explore the far west of Ireland where they
made the first ascents on the huge, vegetated cliffs of The Poisoned
Glen in Donegal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Despite their
partnership, Neville wasn't joined at the hip-so to speak- to his
brother when it came to climbing partners and shared a rope with many
of the leading lights of the day, including Joe Brown and other Rock
& Ice members. It was with Joe Brown that Neville shared the
ascent of what was at the time, one of the hardest routes yet done in
the UK. The overhanging E2 'Hardd' on Carreg Hyll Drem near Tremadog,
done in 1960.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Professionally, a
highly respected academic in the field of Ophthalmology Neville was
for many years working at Cardiff
University School of Optometry and Vision Sciences and
co-authored over eighty research papers. It was his dedication to his
research and career that took Neville away from active
climbing. Although he still continued to climb from time to time and
continued hillwalking all his active life. His last climb was
poignantly with Harold his brother on Craig ddu. An obscure crag on
the unfrequented southern slopes of Moel Siabod where in 2000 they
made a first ascent of 'Two Against Nature'. A name which both
reflected the character of the crag and Harold's love of the US band,
Steely Dan! It came exactly 50 years after the brothers made their first, first ascent which was made on Neckband Crag in the Lake District.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After retiring, Neville
moved to Malvern in the shadow of the Malvern Hills where he
continued to press his walking boots into service. Sadly, Neville
developed Parkinson's disease in his 70's and the inevitable
deterioration curtailed any further activities amongst the
surrounding green hills. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A fine long life well
lived.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSknDgxybxYV1KTF57PNJgVUHqoN9R5K1MkBwIpgnrl3DFdqHiZcdpbBXd8cOCFHfJDuR4KYr7dWbR0X9WjVkTZclopQbASspnPMkInBYYQZc5Hkr1w5ekaUL-_wAD6fqWoMWdXTva8Q/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSknDgxybxYV1KTF57PNJgVUHqoN9R5K1MkBwIpgnrl3DFdqHiZcdpbBXd8cOCFHfJDuR4KYr7dWbR0X9WjVkTZclopQbASspnPMkInBYYQZc5Hkr1w5ekaUL-_wAD6fqWoMWdXTva8Q/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-40911336654806426202019-08-19T02:32:00.001-07:002019-08-19T03:45:02.400-07:00YHA's Pen y Pass Hostel: Dry oasis for thirsty walkers!<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqtWpURqav3kOBPisRFfbu47csaCdPoHGhggxWR1Yk2vlLnnvw6ormreXjQ7VFA2-yEs6ALNVw2DE0K0JMnISVOLzUJmJOKCPlf_FCp-D-FB_YfbIYh92Cplf_qyadGRzuC_SZiMpSjM/s1600/PyP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqtWpURqav3kOBPisRFfbu47csaCdPoHGhggxWR1Yk2vlLnnvw6ormreXjQ7VFA2-yEs6ALNVw2DE0K0JMnISVOLzUJmJOKCPlf_FCp-D-FB_YfbIYh92Cplf_qyadGRzuC_SZiMpSjM/s400/PyP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Yon Pen Y Pass YHA Hostel.Geograph Org </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I recently had an
appeal from the Youth Hostel Association on my social media page.
Asking for donations towards the renovation of its Nant Gwynant
hostel in Snowdonia. The responses were mixed to say the least with
many asking why an organisation run on commercial lines should need
to ask for help from the general public. In recent decades, the YHA
have been offloading many of its most iconic hostels to individuals
and private companies who continue to run them as private hostels.
Which begs the question, if private enterprises can run them
successfully and keep them open why couldn't the YHA?</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />If you go back
the the haydays of the YHA in the 30's/40's and 50's, there were youth hostels right across
north Wales. Reading Patrick Monkhouse's classic 'On foot in North
Wales' I was impressed at the number of small villages-from
Llansannan on the Denbigh Moors to Cynwyd in the upper Dee Valley,
which once had YHA hostels. These days, even a popular YHA hostel in
a honeypot like Capel Curig has been essentially privatised. Sold off
by the organisation and now run as a private business.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But the main purpose of
this short piece is to highlight the experience of someone I know who
was on a four day wild camping trip across northern Snowdonia. On his
penultimate day, after three days of walking and wild camping.
Carrying a big sack and gagging for a drink, he stopped at the
Pen y Pass YHA hostel to ask if they could fill up his water bottle.
To his amazement they said he would have to pay...for tap water!!!,
and given that he had no money on him, they let him carry on sans
water until he could find a natural source.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Obviously the small
minded jobsworth working at the hostel might have been just gone
rogue and been interpreting YHA rules incorrectly? I can't believe as
an organisation the YHA would refuse to replenish a long distance
walkers water bottle without payment? But then again..is the
organisation actually demanding non guests pay for tap water as
official policy? That would be incredible if true.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You would think that
there was such a thing as an outdoor fellowship of which the YHA
given its history, would be part of. Refusing a thirsty walker water
unless they could pay as just above stealing from someone's tent in
the rogues gallery list of lousy outdoor experiences. My own worst experience with the YHA was many years ago when I was a member of the YHA and out of the work at the time. In that period the organisation was offering reduced rates for the unemployed. When staying at the Buttermere hostel in The Lake District, my gentle request for a reduction for myself and two children was met by barely concealed contempt from the two members of staff behind the counter who loudly demanded that I could prove my circumstances. This in a lobby full of other vistors and my children.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />It was pretty humiliating at the time and not long after I let my membership lapse and never again used a YHA hostel. I don't think I'll ever be back!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyANI3PoIDeWXZFZA70maYgQ1CEFHkraTy_fU3zlJ2f1RFMpu1HSF6p6w-Ba_w3ld9_RYxKxbOT9swz8-gbfTR7SHZCLPAXBlLc7d0WiMMQ7zgT_n3Fn8JLRclX5o_pNPNXVjqZVgteWY/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyANI3PoIDeWXZFZA70maYgQ1CEFHkraTy_fU3zlJ2f1RFMpu1HSF6p6w-Ba_w3ld9_RYxKxbOT9swz8-gbfTR7SHZCLPAXBlLc7d0WiMMQ7zgT_n3Fn8JLRclX5o_pNPNXVjqZVgteWY/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-87417446302164128092019-08-16T01:24:00.001-07:002019-08-16T01:24:47.814-07:00'The hunt for Joe Brown's lost negatives'
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDcvDlv1R72h6HsYy7bZdYc-_9YQqW93lGh3CnUNL4M8P6BR5RkrFxyDX2n080DBQqnvnIIUhANoqPgikOETA3XpPbiAAx59TRAHCoy5pOVgYJjhT-LGVtXWDdDM5YgI-EV2mBW8fMCI/s1600/Mountaineer-Joe-Brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="615" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDcvDlv1R72h6HsYy7bZdYc-_9YQqW93lGh3CnUNL4M8P6BR5RkrFxyDX2n080DBQqnvnIIUhANoqPgikOETA3XpPbiAAx59TRAHCoy5pOVgYJjhT-LGVtXWDdDM5YgI-EV2mBW8fMCI/s400/Mountaineer-Joe-Brown.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An appeal has gone out
on behalf of climbing legend, Joe Brown, for information regarding
the whereabouts of his archive of climbing and travel photographs.
Joe-now 89- would like to be reunited with what is obviously a
unique photographic record of his incredible climbing life and his
daughter Zoe has put out a request for anyone with information as to
the portfolio's whereabouts to get in touch. As someone who sent off
around 30 slides many years ago to the author of a CC climbing
guidebook and who never got them back, I'm aware of how easy it is to
loan out images to fellow climbers, editors and writers only for
these images to disappear into a black hole.<br /><br />Another legend in
the climbing world, Rab Carrington, posted this appeal on the social
media.<br /><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago I received an e-mail from Zoe
Brown, Joe Brown’s daughter with this distressed message:</span></i></div>
<div class="western">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />'At
some point about 20? years ago Dad lost track of his collection of
black and white negatives which includes all his photographs from
1948 to probably the early 1970s. The Rock and Ice members were all
in the habit of loaning their pictures out for people to copy for
books etc but he has no idea as to where or who might have them, and
our efforts to track them down have been unsuccessful. We are
obviously hoping that they are still out there somewhere but are now
at a loss. Very miserably most of the prints that would have come
from them are now gone along the way as well. So we were wondering if
there might be someway of publicising "The Hunt for Joe Brown's
lost negatives" in the hope that it might jog someone's memory.
Dad would obviously dearly love to get them back. And from a historic
point of view, as Dad is now 89, it would be fantastic to get the
stories behind the pictures before the opportunity is gone. They were
last seen contained in a bound negative folder. Thanks'.</span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></i><div class="western">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Zoe has been for some years been working on the
archives and a biography of the great Joe Brown. Who can forget those
iconic photos of Joe below Cenotaph Corner after the first ascent,
those images are the fabric of mountaineering heritage. It is crucial
the missing negatives are located and put in a place of safety.</span></i></div>
<div class="western">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></i><div class="western">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>If you could put out an appeal on your website to
your members and followers we would be most grateful. Anybody with
any knowledge of their whereabouts should either contact the Mountain
Heritage Trust on enquiries@mountain-heritage.org or, contact Zoe
Brown on jbarchive@btinternet.com. Or leave them at the Joe Brown
shop (Llanberis; Capel Curig) or The Climbers Shops (Ambleside; Stony
Stratford).</i></span></div>
<div class="western">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br />Thank you'</i><br /><br />So...if you have accidentally found
yourself with a large collection of climbing images which are not
yours or you know the whereabouts of these irreplaceable images use
the contact details above.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGhYKGvHLMsLCQdsMKxPp4-rZIJvlzK5iXKpE-OYKIX09TRiuhu6VEZ6_9Zf-J-yCRr1UC98vU0DuRXsyzohIdX9rK1ZdYgrMWrPON-JG_r1gn017HUbyuAiJRz2gh0ddnhJzkVRBCEE/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGhYKGvHLMsLCQdsMKxPp4-rZIJvlzK5iXKpE-OYKIX09TRiuhu6VEZ6_9Zf-J-yCRr1UC98vU0DuRXsyzohIdX9rK1ZdYgrMWrPON-JG_r1gn017HUbyuAiJRz2gh0ddnhJzkVRBCEE/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="western">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-32376172597508316272019-08-08T03:20:00.000-07:002019-08-08T03:20:20.077-07:00Loose Scree...A Climbing Zine tops out.
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvzB-ELom3pKdOZgTyLN0szRhXWzyOekk1JO1kNBhQZHKkNI03a_5-oSVvHwDV6rPTNjnSGggztX5xoDQhuQlVSmqV6Hc_KNdBf31QxVmZHI5TPpFAqx6GrCq8oqF4O76NGVrpRvogAY/s1600/P1040051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvzB-ELom3pKdOZgTyLN0szRhXWzyOekk1JO1kNBhQZHKkNI03a_5-oSVvHwDV6rPTNjnSGggztX5xoDQhuQlVSmqV6Hc_KNdBf31QxVmZHI5TPpFAqx6GrCq8oqF4O76NGVrpRvogAY/s400/P1040051.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was sorry to hear
recently that the quirky climbing publication 'Loose Scree' was to
cease publishing following the founder and editor, Barry Imeson suffering
health problems which had forced him to call it a day. Loose Scree was a
climbing publication that was very much under the radar of most
people in the climbing and outdoors scene. Published in a small Zine
format which on average contained 40 pages, Loose Scree was defiantly
old fashioned in its both style and content. Described as a
publication for 'seasoned campaigners', it carried no advertising, no
photographs; just the odd line drawing, with the emphasis very much
on the writing.<br /><br />In this regard, it could rely on an impressive
list of contributors-all unpaid of course- which over the years
included people like David Craig, Harold Drasdo, Terry Gifford, Colin
Wells, Dave Gregory, Robin Campbell, Dennis Gray and Hamish Brown.
The publication was strictly a paper media-no highfalutin online
digital content for Barry!- and was only available through the post.
As far as I know, Loose Scree was never sold in outlets. Last time I
checked, Loose Scree was available for a donation of ten pounds but
in keeping with the punk ethic of a Zine publication, Barry advised.
“ If you would rather keep your money for a really good cause but
would still like to receive a copy then an SAE would be appreciated'.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the twenty years or
so since I became aware of Loose Scree, the publication has ploughed
a lonely, old fashioned furrow through the field of outdoor media.
'Quirky' pretty much summed it up and all credit to Barry Imeson for
sticking to his guns and keeping it real as it were. Most of us
running a publication like this would have included a digitalised
version-if not put it out solely online- and filled it with
photographs. But then it wouldn't be Loose Scree then I guess.<br /><br />The
publication appears destined to remain almost a mythical beast.
Googling 'Loose Scree' unearths zero results and a quick check on
eBay reveals no issues for sale in the books and magazines section.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who knows what the
future will bring? Perhaps the thousands of articles which have
appeared over the years might one day be digitalised and put online
to be appreciated by a new audience? Until then, Loose Scree will
remain an important if shadowy part of outdoor writing and
publications.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those fortunate enough to have discovered Loose Scree, I am sure they will be sending their best wishes to its inspiring founder and editor. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7toBNSFOYFgeZGNE20wX7W7vfcp0CWFavK1vItKqKq0WMVbyoahAJdn5BJKLEnY_ktcFKvSvlk76hToFc-RNNTV6eAug8OE-A9Z_8ZLLNwbDJvBND4ksxm21nxLsB784_FNiFmJxAkA/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7toBNSFOYFgeZGNE20wX7W7vfcp0CWFavK1vItKqKq0WMVbyoahAJdn5BJKLEnY_ktcFKvSvlk76hToFc-RNNTV6eAug8OE-A9Z_8ZLLNwbDJvBND4ksxm21nxLsB784_FNiFmJxAkA/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-24380197115684693342019-07-31T05:20:00.000-07:002019-07-31T05:20:51.328-07:00Tents: Why does it always rain on me!
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43yNfI0FcuRq3jayi3ZFDHWtxw_xhglVJLlC1dacyjuki0gdbFtI1aVtgktnY3mawW99b4Lba0g0qVZQ77kilATQKoOUSHIXG_fzMMbd8fFDR2cXSYJFyLJjOsaMYPxlwivXiDowVzhU/s1600/telemark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1600" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43yNfI0FcuRq3jayi3ZFDHWtxw_xhglVJLlC1dacyjuki0gdbFtI1aVtgktnY3mawW99b4Lba0g0qVZQ77kilATQKoOUSHIXG_fzMMbd8fFDR2cXSYJFyLJjOsaMYPxlwivXiDowVzhU/s400/telemark.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The Nordisk Telemark 2: Bring your snorkel!</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I mentioned recently
that I watch a fair few YouTube wild camping videos and its I'm
always interested to see what tents people are using in different
environments. From snow covered mountain tops to sheltered woodlands.
The majority of serious wild campers who carry a respectable number
of subscribers and attract a healthy number of hits, inevitable use
expensive lightweight tents. The Hillebergs, Zpacks, the Terre Novas
etc etc. However, there are those enthusiastic wild campers who
actually just can't afford to pay £6/700 for a backpacking tent and
who opt for cheaper jobs from the likes of Vango or the increasingly
popular Chinese Lanshan range. I believe the Lanshan 2 is said to be
a copy of the £600 + Zpack Duplex but don't quote me on that.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As an occasional wild
camper I've never felt the need to splash out on an expensive because
I have no desire to camp out on the summit ridge of Pen y Fan in
January in a snow storm and gale force winds! I'm very much a fair
weather camper who wants to enjoy the experience and the long days of
summer. Not commit myself to the dubious masochistic delights to be
found by hunkering down in a wind lashed tent at 5 o clock on a
winters night and remaining there until light creeps over the horizon
at 8am. So given my predilection for summer camping I have just a
couple of cheap tents. A one man tent which came from Argos and
became a bit of a cult purchase in the climbing community about 10
years back when climbers started raving about them. One winter
climber claimed that his Argos 1 man tent was the only one of five
that stayed up during a storm on Ben Nevis!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other tent I use is
a cheap, basic Vango 2 man tent,..or should I say, two person tent.
Its OK but too heavy to use as a backpacking tent. Its nearly 3kg.
Going back to the Argos one person tent which stood up to a storm, I
am left wondering just how much better the expensive tents are
compared to the Vangos and Lanshans? This came to mind last night as
I was watching the photographer Thomas Heaton on YouTube last
night,doing a four day hike along the Cumbria Way. Thomas was using
the Nordisk Telemark 2 which has received generally positive reviews
and which costs just under £500. However, anyone watching the video
will pretty soon come to the opinion that actually, the tent is
pretty rubbish! Night after night, he suffers horrific condensation
to the extent that his sleeping bag is soaked. This is in a dry
period of summer.<br /><br />During his hike he has to waste precious
time hanging his tent and bag from branches to dry out and despite
using his walking pole to try and separate the inner and outer tents
and leaving the tent open so that air can circulate, the condensation
problem persists. So much so that on his last night the inner and
outer fabric at the foot end of the Telemark 2 is stuck together like
glue. Lets face it, you'd be pretty miffed if you had paid £500 for
a tent which is not fit for purpose!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Which only goes to
show. When it comes to tents, shelling out a lot of cash for an
expensive 'name' in the tent world doesn't always guarantee you'll be
sleeping comfortably. Perhaps that explains why tents like the
Lanshans, Naturehikes and Phoxx tents are gaining ground on the big
boys?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lSnWNtM9GkE/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lSnWNtM9GkE?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Thomas Heaton video </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IRz_RaHrls5Exg5MzBR-T92c70yvlDQ5UsmrfslnKDPHNAKxwhQE3-9nDIBfzhu3aeCUJxI0xzdjTkmZrqj2aZfofcRHYJp7H504x-MMu3Ss4el_VDhfIxmOyJWvPtHEJ1ht-dSlTzc/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IRz_RaHrls5Exg5MzBR-T92c70yvlDQ5UsmrfslnKDPHNAKxwhQE3-9nDIBfzhu3aeCUJxI0xzdjTkmZrqj2aZfofcRHYJp7H504x-MMu3Ss4el_VDhfIxmOyJWvPtHEJ1ht-dSlTzc/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-66531317476192503812019-07-30T02:09:00.000-07:002019-07-30T02:09:36.446-07:00Combe Ghyll: Wildness verses Financial Reward
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnz-0s4Wi_oxu70vSgLlTo5O2Uax4B586uafwyYixeg7U1pKjoguN73hjUnLfGKZvdQqvI2-1x1BXaSEpGBTMIQ_GibHxVPDylJTDrh9Q-yR7_kQzMakPAEHJcN2ah4CdHXyVzNdeHEw/s1600/combe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnz-0s4Wi_oxu70vSgLlTo5O2Uax4B586uafwyYixeg7U1pKjoguN73hjUnLfGKZvdQqvI2-1x1BXaSEpGBTMIQ_GibHxVPDylJTDrh9Q-yR7_kQzMakPAEHJcN2ah4CdHXyVzNdeHEw/s400/combe.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The Ugly track driven up Combe Gill linking the hydro development stations: Photo Graham Uney</span><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>“Greenwashing is the
practice of making an unsubstantiated or misleading claim about the
environmental benefits of a product, service, technology or company
practice.<br /><br />Greenwashing can make a company appear to be more
environmentally friendly than it really is. It can also be used to
differentiate a company's products or services from its competitors
by promising more efficient use of power or by being more
cost-effective over time.'</i><br /><br /><a href="http://whatis.com/">Whatis.Com</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the last twenty
years or so, there has been a huge surge in the number of energy
project applications which are 'sold' to local planning
committees and politicians on the basis that these applications are
'green' or 'Environmentally friendly'. From massive wind farms to the
installation of solar panels on new housing developments. Slap
'Green' in the text of a planning application and local
councillors and planning committees will lap it up. Sadly, few local
politicians and members of planning departments are actually au fait
with either the science, the ecological implications of a
development or the economic drivers behind an application from a
private company. Whether its wind power, hydro schemes, tidal energy
or solar fields, 99% of the time these applications are being made by
private companies in the pursuit of profit. These are not altruistic
hippies trying to save the planet. Most of the time, it is men and
women in smart suits working with landowners to exploit the natural
environment for financial gain.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fortunately for them,
their lust for profit coincides with the very real climate emergency
which hangs over us like the sword of Damocles.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One area which is being
increasingly exploited in our mountain areas in the name of
environmentally friendly energy initiatives is the development of
small hydro energy schemes. Inevitably, this involves gouging out
tracks and pipelines into cwms and valleys, creating holding dams to
contain a volume of water sufficient to drive turbines lower down the
system, which will be housed in purposely built structures. Power
stations, although the developers won't use those words of course.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Its happened here in
Wales. In Nant Gwynant and Llanberis Pass and this morning I was
reading of a development taking place in the quiet cwm above
Borrowdale -Combe Gill-which leads up to several climbing crags and
mountains like Glaramara, Here an ugly track has been torn up the
flanks of the cwm to reach a new hydro scheme which like all these
small hydro schemes in the UK, will create a pathetically small amount of electricity but make a depressingly large ecological and aesthetic
footprint on the cwm which like all these developments, is out of all proportion
to the puny amount of energy it will provide.
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Its ironic of course
that this Borrowdale development is taking place in an area
designated a World Heritage Site'. A designation which appears pretty
meaningless as those politicians, planners and business people who
are in control of the national park's future, appear more obsessed
with meaningless titles like 'The UK's Outdoor Capital' than
conservation. What's a Zip wire here and hydro scheme there so long as
there's a profit in it. You wonder whose side the Lakeland
politicians, planners, and business leaders are on? They certainly
don't appear to be on the side of nature!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8QHiksf3yfj5Q2uUfpqrr-p8pvCc6x1H25BR5VUzxdW1brOPYaHkEKNhopEefhgEYN1uEiqS-jeCqvGGrXuZqShnAERqjewmyc4cXku0NKBd0c2kHMO1GCi-PTFH9x4hk2GEfa09qPA/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8QHiksf3yfj5Q2uUfpqrr-p8pvCc6x1H25BR5VUzxdW1brOPYaHkEKNhopEefhgEYN1uEiqS-jeCqvGGrXuZqShnAERqjewmyc4cXku0NKBd0c2kHMO1GCi-PTFH9x4hk2GEfa09qPA/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-3721861788193969622019-07-26T03:54:00.000-07:002019-07-26T03:54:42.772-07:00Bushcrafters: Ecologically playing with fire?
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaDDHfiJeUmvrkkZIIMo11VFGcHMqTaNhwmwuqIZMuwquSmEMi0U5DaGkKepoRq5NYHEwKgzAObLGfHZpeYob3sQhyq8-g67mlAoRTzkySOTwpMz0J8hdI3ZF7quL5s6Hz56pZ7qbrdA/s1600/screenshot-www.pcta.org-2019.07.26-10-11-18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="1189" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaDDHfiJeUmvrkkZIIMo11VFGcHMqTaNhwmwuqIZMuwquSmEMi0U5DaGkKepoRq5NYHEwKgzAObLGfHZpeYob3sQhyq8-g67mlAoRTzkySOTwpMz0J8hdI3ZF7quL5s6Hz56pZ7qbrdA/s640/screenshot-www.pcta.org-2019.07.26-10-11-18.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> Sound advice from the PCTA.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the biggest
growth areas in outdoor activities I've noticed is the huge interest
in Bushcraft and woodland wild camping. YouTube is overloaded with
videos featuring bearded blokes building shelters, hanging hammocks,
constructing fire pits and creating fires from whittled birch bark
and moss.I don't know how many times I've seen someone furiously
rubbing their sheath knife against a fire stick to spark a fire. Just
use a lighter. It's the Peak District 2019 not Alaska 1919!<br /><br />In
many ways, if you've seen one Bushcraft/Woodland wild camping you've
seen them all. The only one which stands out for me is Haze Outdoors
by virtue of his humour, charisma and the fact that he actually does
other things. Like diving for crayfish, wild camping on mountain tops
and 'dunking his junk' in freezing mountain tarns. Hazey is a born
entertainer who stands out in a field of earnest but boring
bushcrafters. Remarkably, it appears that despite their predictable
content and the generally charisma free, dead pan delivery, people
can't get enough of boring people wild camping in a pine forest and
unleashing their big tools! One UK bushcrafter has over a million
subscribers which is approximately 40 times more than the
aforementioned Haze Outdoors whose videos are just light years better
than the earnest but dull stuff this guy puts out.</span></div>
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</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the mantras of
the Bushcraft/Wild Camping movement is 'Leave no Trace'. However,
given the explosion in popularity in this area then the impact of
thousands of would be Ray Mears's taking to the forests cannot fail
to have a detrimental environmental impact on forest ecosystems and
the natural resources therein. Most Bushcraft types will be
responsible but it only takes a handful of brainless orcs to damage a
natural habitat.<br /><br />Not surprisingly, I learn today that the US
Pacific Trail Association are now urging those who hike the trail or
use it to wild camp, to leave their bushcraft tools at home.
Photographic evidence of young trees hacked to death and those half
arsed 'survival shelters' that bushcrafters leave behind, that apart
from being useless as shelters look pretty hideous, are a reminder
that the call of the wild quite often attracts those who shouldn't be
let within 100 miles of a forest!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like a lot of
activities, Bushcraft/Wild Camping there is an element of 'boys with
their toys' about the craze. Shiny knives, axes and saws, powerful
flashlights and expensive camping gear. Sizzling steaks and artisan
beers etc etc. Its become so cliched that anyone who actually wild
camped without a full armoury of expensive gear, gadgets and tools
would be considered odd. 'What??...You just camped in the forest in a
tent, cooked a meal on a gas stove and left the next morning without
leaving a survival shelter and a fire pit of blackened stones
behind...weirdo!'.<br /><br />Perhaps those in the Bushcraft/Wildcamping
constituency who do have some respect and reverence for nature might
consider what the PCTA are advising. Just leave you axes, saws and
knives at home. You don't need them to camp in a forest and you
certainly don't need to recreate something out of the Vietnam War in
a Lake District forest!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/backcountry-basics/leave-no-trace/axes-hatchets-saws/?fbclid=IwAR00NoS6AuCaMGuI4ZG4QqtzVhsvJaxvpZnkse-SUWkdr-EaqWSBoL9hh6w">PCTA Article </a></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fPRggu207fCJOIzzl4YyFEQryWAOLtA_3CEip5o_LNSzp5B-8IxA93fXqfk-2HS3jbWhKpKiz-CTQmi-Bk4i-3_B3PdXDPgvKAM4QiEN7GNymA6_iYUba_jSUEkqOX6pxhO3KhBhLeI/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fPRggu207fCJOIzzl4YyFEQryWAOLtA_3CEip5o_LNSzp5B-8IxA93fXqfk-2HS3jbWhKpKiz-CTQmi-Bk4i-3_B3PdXDPgvKAM4QiEN7GNymA6_iYUba_jSUEkqOX6pxhO3KhBhLeI/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-68187850134180233602019-07-22T03:13:00.000-07:002019-07-22T03:32:16.611-07:00'Brave Dave' and the art of outdoor learning<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzXTM-kBMfMESDITbgbyvTy0Iyexp2dRZzar0Q265vYNg3lCT0NF5-k5JZOgccz1A9o2s7VZxcWUYJO05rc-iCbmknm1ofKywXuAay-JdbewGqFtcoxF-sWuJq6IWNQm7C-D01M3dLSI/s1600/screenshot-www.youtube.com-2019.07.22-08-30-23+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="824" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzXTM-kBMfMESDITbgbyvTy0Iyexp2dRZzar0Q265vYNg3lCT0NF5-k5JZOgccz1A9o2s7VZxcWUYJO05rc-iCbmknm1ofKywXuAay-JdbewGqFtcoxF-sWuJq6IWNQm7C-D01M3dLSI/s400/screenshot-www.youtube.com-2019.07.22-08-30-23+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"This Gun's for hire, even if we're just dancing in the dark'</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Being a regular
consumer of YouTube videos which tend to be spread across my areas of
interest. Vanlife, the Great Outdoors, Wild Camping, Photography and
Climbing, from time to time, some character called 'Brave Dave' crops
up. A cursory snatch of his videos soon confirmed that Brave Dave was
not for me. Just the name is enough to put you off....or so you would
think? It was mountain photographer Nick Livesey who alerted me to a
BD vlog on YouTube which had caught his attention. In the short vid
which was being used to entice paying punters to employ BD as a
mountain guide where he would take the client on scary, death defying
adventures like the one filmed-a Grade 2 scramble actually- his
rather cavalier approach quickly alerted the mountain community to
someone whose actions and services appeared to be quite outside of
his remit.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have been told that
Brave Dave's qualification is confined to holding the Mountain
Leadership Summer Certificate. If this is true then I'm not sure how
he can describe himself as a 'Mountain Guide', and furthermore, I
don't know how he can get insured without proper mountain guide
qualifications? Rather incredibly Brave Dave's YouTube subscribers
number close to 100.000! Incredible!!! I'm guessing that the majority
are the sort of people who think Bear Grylls is an all action hero.
Little wonder then that there are young people out there who are
prepared to actually hand over their hard earned cash to be led
across Crib Goch. Of course, if you have never before experienced
mountain activities then you have to start somewhere I guess,but as far as I'm concerned,
you can't beat teaching yourself. You don't need a guide or to go on
a course. Just pick up the basics from books, articles, YT videos
etc. Ask advice if you need to, on the outdoor/climbing forums. Find
out the sort of gear you need, clothes, footwear, rucksac etc, and
just go for it. Most people will quickly pick up the skills they need providing they sensibly start off slowly-and don't bite off more than they can chew.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you want to do some
of those classic scrambles you have seen on YouTube, don't go
straight out and head for 'The Ridge'- a 1000' scramble on Carnedd
Filiast- or even the popular 'Cneifion Arete'. Pick a few Grade 1's
and move onto G2's. Actually, both these grades are very easy and you
need to be doing Grade 3 scrambles to really get full entertainment
value. If you want to start hillwalking and haven't a clue where to
go and what to do, just read a few hillwalking guidebooks and pick
something easy like Moel Fammau in the Clwydians before getting to
grips with the bigger Snowdonia mountains. I'm obviously confining
myself to North Wales because that's where I and BD operate, but the
same applies wherever you intend to roam.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Even rock climbing can
be self taught. Just get some rock boots and practice on some small
boulders to get the feel of moving on rock. If climbing is for you,
learn from Youtube videos how to climb a short single pitch route
using a 'Petzl Shunt'. You'll need a rope, slings and harness as well
of course but finding a quiet little outcrop where you can practice
on your own without being observed -which can be very off-putting- is
a great way to get the feel for exposure and going for it on a steep
piece of rock. After that...the world is your oyster. You can find
partners, join a climbing club and take it as far as you want.<br /><br />The
moral is, You don't need 'Brave Daves' to guide you, or to go on expensive courses where someone will lead you by the nose. Just work it out for yourself. Not only will you save yourself some cash, teaching yourself is far more rewarding and what you learn will be hard wired into your very being. Of course, this advice will be considered as equally cavalier by those who operate within the outdoor education world and perhaps that shows that Brave Dave and I have something in common after all. But I remain a great believer is teaching yourself and not learning second hand from others. After all, it's not rocket science!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGHHYHF1dXs0PDF-UnJN6StH8KwlXbYjNGHy7SLuJd3NgEO9xs4F98hewL4rcFR3Vco0bwqKRHgHQCnXBrGYcgBzcmjff8Wetz8vshlrvbjRtT8heHJ6yO__hJtAVF2Yc8BIowGpM6v0/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGHHYHF1dXs0PDF-UnJN6StH8KwlXbYjNGHy7SLuJd3NgEO9xs4F98hewL4rcFR3Vco0bwqKRHgHQCnXBrGYcgBzcmjff8Wetz8vshlrvbjRtT8heHJ6yO__hJtAVF2Yc8BIowGpM6v0/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-68223130469548964682019-07-19T06:17:00.000-07:002019-07-19T06:17:07.110-07:00Wild Camping v Campsite Camping in a Van.
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkVBkVhQJFBZJ_YPXpz8LT5mHMlMvCVh7A20nh6DbQMxzw9Jacnfwpa6RlWxsaW7bOC4hvbsLh18E5Z7XkUPYjf2almgPZoFc0g78fTobJJwoLjovO7Ft_AZH-C5SN8TP2YDXEZMwnKU/s1600/IMG-7912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkVBkVhQJFBZJ_YPXpz8LT5mHMlMvCVh7A20nh6DbQMxzw9Jacnfwpa6RlWxsaW7bOC4hvbsLh18E5Z7XkUPYjf2almgPZoFc0g78fTobJJwoLjovO7Ft_AZH-C5SN8TP2YDXEZMwnKU/s400/IMG-7912.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I recently traded in my
2000 VW Type 4 Camper for another T4 a year older. It might seem
strange to trade in an identical vehicle for an even older model
given that even allowing for the reasonable Part Ex I had been
offered, I still had to hand over a not inconsiderable wedge of my
savings to purchase said vehicle. It might seem odd but really it
was a no brainer. My old T4 was an ex AA van which had been converted
reasonably well but hardly in the manner of a recognized coachbuilt
conversion company like Danbury, Devon or Autosleeper.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Furthermore, despite it
being reliable, economical and running well on a run. It was horrible
to drive in stop/start traffic. The clutch in first and reverse was
fierce and you needed to get the revs right up to avoid a jolting
bunny hop! It also ticked over liker a cement mixer and had the awful
fan belt squeal that lots of motors seem to get especially in cold
weather for some reason.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By contrast, the new
'Big Red' is in lovely condition with a raised roof-no more bending
your neck when you are cooking... its had a re-spray, all the
units-fridge,cooker,sink,etc are much better. Loads more storage with the raised roof . Alloy wheels instead of the rusty
steel wheels on the old one. Its just a totally tidy camper that
isn't an embarrassment when you roll up somewhere. The only negative
so far is the 1.9 TD engine is a bit under-powered for a vehicle this
weight and size. Especially on hills.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last week we had our
first trip in her. Up to the Lakes from here in N Wales. As always, I
planned to wild camp which is supposed to be the subject of this
vlog. Wild Camping verses campsite camping. Ever since I've had a
camper van which goes back to the early 90's when I got my first Type
2- now an expensive classic of course- I've always wild camped. I
can't even conceive of staying on a camp site. I get the attraction
for some people. Especially the chance of a shower, but I couldn't
think of anything worse than paying £20/30 even £40 a night for the
privilege of parking on a field next to other people. The stench of
barbecues, kids running amok, van doors slamming, Radio 1 on full
belt. Jeez....that's my idea of hell!!!</span></div>
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</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By contrast, finding a
quiet park up which you have to yourself is...well if not quite
heaven, then for me a hundred times better than suffering the
tribulations of camp site life.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNGj8nf85r0ryCaEu4lEMhTB9b8kCtqRMCXwaXcutC5F9doHW8ObtcOHt2zfDrUoDJC1XqjifbgUgnlZbQBCIbtEAfU9gfzfZWyspGQL8pepO7w3iFMNCipXkgNxwcbsUbpCAfIvAR8s/s1600/IMG-7909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNGj8nf85r0ryCaEu4lEMhTB9b8kCtqRMCXwaXcutC5F9doHW8ObtcOHt2zfDrUoDJC1XqjifbgUgnlZbQBCIbtEAfU9gfzfZWyspGQL8pepO7w3iFMNCipXkgNxwcbsUbpCAfIvAR8s/s400/IMG-7909.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The tried and trusted
method of finding a wild camp spot is by using an OS map and Google
Earth. Spot somewhere in the area you are visiting that looks like it
has potential, a forest, quiet track, a picnic area etc. Check it out
on Google Earth and then if it looks promising, check it again when
you travel to your destination. So far, about 80% of this OSGE park
ups have come through. The rest, for one reason or another, locked
gates, impassable tracks etc, have had to be jettisoned. For that
reason, its always good to have a plan B and C.</span></div>
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</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On our Lakes visit last
week, it was getting on when we finally reached our wild camp spot.
Sadly, the track leading to what looked on GE like an idyllic spot by
the side of a small lake, turned out be be unreachable by anything
other than a 4x4. Now after nine o clock and with roughly, an hour of
daylight left, we pressed on. Dropping into Eskdale and with no Plan
B. Spotting a small lane heading below some wooded cliffs we thought
we would check it out in case there was someone amongst the trees we
could secrete ourselves.....Bingo!</span></div>
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</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At about 9-30 we found
ourselves turning off the lane and on to a short track which ended
amongst the trees. Apart from the blood curdling barking of foxes
nearby amongst the trees, it was a quiet night and a fine spot. I
have a scoring system where I mark the wild camp spots we have found
with marks out of 10. This was definitely, at least a 7/10. I never
divulge these sites because obviously I hope to return to most of
them and want them to remain inviolate. I can't understand vanlifers
who share their secret park ups online. I believe there is even a
website listing wild camps spots. What's the point of that? Once
you've shared the information online you have lost it forever as your
own secret, special place. Perhaps its the Instagram thing? </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I
highlighted in the last vlog. For some people just getting 'likes'
and comments like 'cool'...'awesome'..'stunning' is more important
than being truly free.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1cYuSsnD-WjWLciacguolRdUlS0AP5rrQMLb1RUm3o4jk4uNFLcR9CVap64Xnm2aUY-xzJDnScgFN8-HsT3oPwIUTzQHHu4omTSetgk6Fi8-wwl3N38MazSgj1xyAdLHjhujV7h1FqY/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1cYuSsnD-WjWLciacguolRdUlS0AP5rrQMLb1RUm3o4jk4uNFLcR9CVap64Xnm2aUY-xzJDnScgFN8-HsT3oPwIUTzQHHu4omTSetgk6Fi8-wwl3N38MazSgj1xyAdLHjhujV7h1FqY/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-45332408382186516002019-07-15T05:26:00.000-07:002019-07-15T05:26:05.570-07:00Vanlife.....The Instagram Dream verse Reality.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDrNLPbsnuAiGd6JYad8zioJt4bErvgp7-L61F9XGLnZZSIEEYYCE5QC822Ncxu9UC9JpCww62c0GZF_9pixqM329Ysf4adF6g_fIpv1lCNHeL415TbA9ebFSuaIVjg3cVlJ6RjVpmm4/s1600/van4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="626" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDrNLPbsnuAiGd6JYad8zioJt4bErvgp7-L61F9XGLnZZSIEEYYCE5QC822Ncxu9UC9JpCww62c0GZF_9pixqM329Ysf4adF6g_fIpv1lCNHeL415TbA9ebFSuaIVjg3cVlJ6RjVpmm4/s400/van4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Image: J Bonde</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'Vanlife'...it's become
a cliché these days. In this Instagram/ YouTube age,thousands of
mostly young people are selling the dream as a product. A product
that promises a life of freedom and exploration. Where old VW Type
2's career across Arizona deserts or congregate above the Portuguese
Atlantic breakers. A motley collection of V Dubs, Transits, Sprinters
and Peugeots ramming up in a hippy-dippy gathering. Fireboxes
lighting up bearded faces and slender women, gyrating to afro beats.
All gecko tattoos,dreadlocks and perfect skin. Watch as these
beautiful 20/30 somethings slug beers, barbecue freshly caught
mackerel-unless like 75% of van-lifers they are vegan!- and post
their idyllic lifestyle images on Instagram.<br /><br />As Father Dougal
would say..'It's all bollocks though isn't it!'. Although there are
certainly a fair few real life van lifers out there living in their
vans and buses and travelling across Europe and beyond, the vast
majority of camper-van owners are weekend warriors or those who will
take a fortnight's vacation before they return to the daily grind.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vanlife is expensive.
Although you can be lucky and pick up an old bus for a couple of
grand which will serve a purpose, inevitably there will be some
expensive repairs along the way. Gearboxes go, engines blow up but
even if you don't suffer a catastrophic breakdown like this,
campervan owners will still find themselves regularly putting their
hand in their pocket to keep their old buses on the road. And that's
without taking into consideration, the price of fuel, tax,
insurance, MOT's and breakdown cover.<br /><br />There are a tiny
minority of vanlifers who have been able to exploit their lifestyle
choice for financial gain. The You-tubers like Kombi Life with nearly
half a million subscribers are making a fair few bob from their
YouTube hits, their Patreon donations and merchandise, not forgetting
that the renovation of their new/old VW Type 2 was paid for by
sponsors who gave them a new engine, gearbox/transmission etc. As the
man said...nice work if you can get it!
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In many ways selling
Vanlife to the millions of Instagram lame brains who lap it up is
pretty much where we are at culturally. The age of YouTube
celebrities who become rich talking about clothes and make-up,
lifestyle choices or selling hokum philosophy to the hard of
thinking.. It's very sad that in the west especially, young people's
lives are so crap that they have to live vicariously through other
people who are as a rule, narcissistic airheads. If you want a role
model or look to a lifestyle model you would like to emulate, then
choosing some YouTube dick like Fun for Louie or Mr Ben Brown shows
that you have big problems!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Getting back to the
vapidity of the Instagram/YouTube version of Vanlife. You could argue
that's its just harmless entertainment I guess? At the same time, the
cynics amongst us who see the whole charade as exploitative and
preying on the emotionally vulnerable can point out that selling a
fake is just that. Pretending that what you are buying into is real
and achievable when in fact, its a lifestyle that is beyond the grasp
of most young people. Unless they come from rich, middle class
families and Mummy and Daddy can fund their hedonism.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway....in a future
blog I'll tell you about my new/old campervan and talk about wild
camping verses campsite camping...and don't worry. I won't be selling
the dream or posting roseate images of self posed in front of my Type
4 on the beach. Driftwood fire </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="st">Chiaroscuring my handsome,grizzled features </span>as I playfully bang my
bongos and slug a tinny. Brand and brew carefully turned to camera of course!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRbl-HSWSp16dppgyC6rMXuc2efDufJEiKCy3tMTz6pGHZa8O5puMM5zzUZPct0C1ZfpOX90k8sCUEUdf4HJKSm7ND2PsxCJfsR93CgHPlypMcr5xNSZvrCmEr-rmWtcDEJkpv1FSRio/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRbl-HSWSp16dppgyC6rMXuc2efDufJEiKCy3tMTz6pGHZa8O5puMM5zzUZPct0C1ZfpOX90k8sCUEUdf4HJKSm7ND2PsxCJfsR93CgHPlypMcr5xNSZvrCmEr-rmWtcDEJkpv1FSRio/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-62930905507723007432019-07-09T09:00:00.000-07:002019-07-09T09:00:21.359-07:00Lomography...It's Cosmic man!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VQNPmsu_0-8vuTrCpvOAkl91LIlbZvm0nLSB29JVHrG3QfpvzVERot1zwDWTCxvF4E0-pSzGi8pqBFJcPJBv0ex5pzYVMnK71wybBp2-FJBlQAMlmfOTfPHLx__QEpckGhgh931Zsug/s1600/img168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1600" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VQNPmsu_0-8vuTrCpvOAkl91LIlbZvm0nLSB29JVHrG3QfpvzVERot1zwDWTCxvF4E0-pSzGi8pqBFJcPJBv0ex5pzYVMnK71wybBp2-FJBlQAMlmfOTfPHLx__QEpckGhgh931Zsug/s400/img168.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As a devotee of that
branch of film photography known as 'Lomography'. Until recently, I'd
never used what has become a popular tool of lomographers around the
world. The Lomo produced 'Cosmic Symbol which came out in the early
1970's. I can actually remember as a child these quite ugly cameras
which sharply contrasted with the stylish Japanese cameras of the
day.<br /><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Made in a strange Bakelite material and weighing a ton, the
Cosmic Symbol was something of a quirky outlier to the more popular
and generally well regarded Soviet cameras of the day like the Zorki
4, The Fed and of course the range of Zenith SLR's.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Even the Lomo LC-A
which came out early in the next decade remained in the shade until
it exploded as a cult camera in the 1990's and remains to this day a
Hipster favourite. As lomography developed and all manner of quirky
cameras began to fall within the genre, enthusiasts began to look
again at this brick like ugly ducking. Like its stable mate, the LOMO
LC-A, The Cosmic Symbol was a zone focusing 35mm compact camera which
was also marketed as the Smena Symbol. For the techies out there,
Wiki.Org offer the following..</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKySEOdRf5MgSraxU4aIS1zzNcrefsbrYjmPRit6S0rLa6txeiOraPbb-U9V3KMJmLgiltGwECTs7brO2FVdczfG9FlwnfEAlD3OKYAGsH6F9_0yHx9kR2g2U0Y9wHSCf1L6nGQ8Wfqg/s1600/img186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKySEOdRf5MgSraxU4aIS1zzNcrefsbrYjmPRit6S0rLa6txeiOraPbb-U9V3KMJmLgiltGwECTs7brO2FVdczfG9FlwnfEAlD3OKYAGsH6F9_0yHx9kR2g2U0Y9wHSCf1L6nGQ8Wfqg/s400/img186.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i>The </i><i><b>Smena Symbol</b></i><i> (also
marked "Смена Символ" "Smena Symvol",
or called </i><i><b>Cosmic Symbol</b></i><i>)</i> <i>is a <a href="http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/35mm">35mm</a>
camera that features a LOMO T-43 40mm f/4 coated triplet lens. It was
produced from 1973-1993 by <a href="http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/LOMO">LOMO</a>
in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Russia. Production estimates are
in the 10s of millions. Export versions were available from German
<a href="http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Foto-Quelle">Foto-Quelle</a> as
the </i><i><b>Revue 135 Symbol</b></i><i> and in the UK as the </i><i><b>Cosmic
Symbol</b></i><i>. </i></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQCH9CoeJOdJ4P4-2xpe8M7qpmlaFqgIttDeLZZ5TNs2U5MkFA__8WDvZXS7mU0KMyb75xeR5SQpOm7ka1Z9cqRFXCzAj8ikvmQZiZwTWFqMkuABpOLCTCxThXArY6vT8FWA7GX0OL3I/s1600/cos2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQCH9CoeJOdJ4P4-2xpe8M7qpmlaFqgIttDeLZZ5TNs2U5MkFA__8WDvZXS7mU0KMyb75xeR5SQpOm7ka1Z9cqRFXCzAj8ikvmQZiZwTWFqMkuABpOLCTCxThXArY6vT8FWA7GX0OL3I/s200/cos2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i> </i>
</div>
<div class="western">
<i>In essence, the Symbol is an improved <a href="http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Smena_8m">Smena
8m</a> with a <a href="http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Film_advance">film
advance</a> lever (replacing the knob) coupled with shutter cocking,
which make the camera much faster and more convenient in use.
Smoothly working shutter release lever replaced the crude button on
top of the Smena 8M body, sadly the <a href="http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Cable_release">cord
release socket</a> was deleted. A flash is now <a href="http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Flash_sync">synchronized</a>
by a <a href="http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Hot_shoe">hot shoe</a>
contact instead. </i>
</div>
<div class="western">
<i>The lens - similarly to the Smena 8M - is
equipped with symbolic scales: <a href="http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Sunny_16#Weather_Symbols">weather
symbols</a> as additional shutter speed scale, and the distance scale
with distance symbols, meter values and feet values mixed. Below the
lens tube is a second speed scale, a numeric one running from
1/15-1/250 + B. The weather symbol scale has a smart indexing system
allowing double distance of the weather symbols compared to value
distances on the numeric scale- that is, the weather symbols are
apparently more widely spaced than the shutter speeds, which are on
the same ring. The symbols are indexed by white squares appearing in
holes beside the symbols; the holes are at two different distances
from the body. </i></div>
<div class="western">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5J9rRrWeD8jei32Cv4MwjxRPZc4gqGc8LjIzGqoaSwgTiPeCUei-uydStvLNv4o6l8eEPQlXEBzLtRN1loc01gQt2c0_XxsayMmTHU9SxdpyS7ZX57Zv7vNvh0nJPRgDqENS4IItOBU/s1600/img164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="1600" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5J9rRrWeD8jei32Cv4MwjxRPZc4gqGc8LjIzGqoaSwgTiPeCUei-uydStvLNv4o6l8eEPQlXEBzLtRN1loc01gQt2c0_XxsayMmTHU9SxdpyS7ZX57Zv7vNvh0nJPRgDqENS4IItOBU/s400/img164.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="western">
<i> </i>I finally got a Cosmic
Symbol on eBay recently for £7. When I received it I was pleased to
see it was in excellent nick and appeared to be working fine. I
popped in a Fujicolour 200 which was dated 2012.(Out of date film
holds no fears for the lomographer!) and headed out into the hills. I
finally developed the film myself the other day using a Tentenal
Colortec C41 kit and I was looking forward to see the results. As in
any film, especially taken on an old camera like this which relies on
estimated distance focusing, there are always going to be a fair few
lemons amongst the final batch. However, overall I was generally
pleased with the results. Especially as even the 'bad' photographs
had something. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLrFriEDzxM9Hp-LFHhdiuwAS2UgCkgedtrBGhsryqGLOigjlPe2gez3uKzpO8gQAKjsg26PStxHFhlE2WbThURXkQqzgap33aL1lrBEac4uZGmwj5pKLqrw1t-Q2wXCyaVgOoeZBE4o/s1600/img181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1031" data-original-width="1600" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLrFriEDzxM9Hp-LFHhdiuwAS2UgCkgedtrBGhsryqGLOigjlPe2gez3uKzpO8gQAKjsg26PStxHFhlE2WbThURXkQqzgap33aL1lrBEac4uZGmwj5pKLqrw1t-Q2wXCyaVgOoeZBE4o/s400/img181.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
The Cosmic Symbol is a
good, cheap alternative to the LC'A from the same company. Granted,
its not small, pocketable and it doesn't have the Hipster cachet-yet-
but if you are getting into lomography its certainly worth a punt.</div>
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">All images shot on 2012 Fujicolour and home developed using Tetanal Colortec C41 developing kit.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwJB2G2efX_gFRwA3WV0vd0ibWzNGIS3bEJbH07MVTh3BZKnNaA804N2F6uq7245623yUb4dxHro2rhYQ0CWWgvpOt8UVIysV-jI5hvwfpcagBewL76CWotCi6909aoHyql_OsHZ_4SU/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwJB2G2efX_gFRwA3WV0vd0ibWzNGIS3bEJbH07MVTh3BZKnNaA804N2F6uq7245623yUb4dxHro2rhYQ0CWWgvpOt8UVIysV-jI5hvwfpcagBewL76CWotCi6909aoHyql_OsHZ_4SU/s1600/animatedcrowpecking.gif" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-16122285692991686082019-06-20T08:50:00.000-07:002019-06-20T08:50:03.901-07:00In a Country Sleep
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0EcayWbM9FvXsognxw7wKqrkgnzgn7ZK4Y05waGOecjSunA1EdGKYYSt44-ykgAnZlFVDmOG9OHVLP3tT1MkHC2i4VScCkVs-R-wTYDHCt6LAuFkkgZV3m-R_4BD4W0_8pox0b3vnjc/s1600/baglans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0EcayWbM9FvXsognxw7wKqrkgnzgn7ZK4Y05waGOecjSunA1EdGKYYSt44-ykgAnZlFVDmOG9OHVLP3tT1MkHC2i4VScCkVs-R-wTYDHCt6LAuFkkgZV3m-R_4BD4W0_8pox0b3vnjc/s400/baglans.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> St Bagans Near Caernarfon</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a certain
melancholic romanticism about a remote country church or chapel which
has to all intents and purposes been abandoned and fallen into shabby
disrepair. Its congregation long dead or dispersed but kept open by
those who value its quiet beauty. The gravestones lilting and lost in
summer meadow-grass. Martins nesting in the eaves; a single bell
framed in stone.The heavy oak door gently pushed with a creak,
revealing a dimly lit interior of cold flags, damp stained plaster
walls and cracked memorial stones. Despite not being at all
religious, I am a lover of these old places. Lost in time and more
often than not, set in some of our most unspoiled and tranquil
places. I have my own top ten of favourite country churches and this
week a previously undiscovered rural sanctuary entered my all time
top 5.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">St Baglans Church is a redundant church in the parish of Llanfaglan, Gwynedd, It is designated by Cadw -The Welsh equivilent of English Heritage as a Grade I listed building and is under the care of the wistfully named, Friends of Friendless Churches. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It lies on the Menai Straits looking out
to Ynys Mon-Angelsey and the eccentric fortification Fort Belan which
juts out at the end of a mainland peninsular and which was
constructed to defend the UK from American insurgents during the War
of Independence. Which goes to show, wasting millions on pointless
defence systems has been going on since time immemorial!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7O51hrvf2nO9N_7bDx6fcZrCZE8FEmldBW1Wio52OI1DJAy_KIhsmopmNoyi-p8pfx_6CxMt0TLhnfGWQwTIa0RKRv7Jim2HynHuTksd0npW_zVwP7DHWiscqflYbGcHo15vqhgTCmFk/s1600/snowdon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="620" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7O51hrvf2nO9N_7bDx6fcZrCZE8FEmldBW1Wio52OI1DJAy_KIhsmopmNoyi-p8pfx_6CxMt0TLhnfGWQwTIa0RKRv7Jim2HynHuTksd0npW_zVwP7DHWiscqflYbGcHo15vqhgTCmFk/s320/snowdon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I wandered up to the
tiny church set amid fields of ripening barley I couldn't imagine a
more perfectly situation country church. The mountains of Snowdonia
stood as a dramatic backdrop to the south while to the north and
west, the Irish sea coursed into the straits. As I wandered around
the graveyard I happened upon an attractive but not particularly
ostentatious gravestone. Grey Welsh local slate and bearing a
familiar inscription inscription; a signature 'Snowdon' delineated in
red and the name ' Anthony Charles Robert Armstrong-Jones'.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was quite taken aback
for I had no idea that Lord Snowdon was buried in this modest little
abandoned Welsh church by the sea. Here was someone who I remembered as a child
in the sixties, was never off the front pages. As much a part of the
swinging sixties as The Beatles and David Bailey and like the
aforementioned Bailey, Anthony Armstrong Jones was a photographer of
high regard. But it was his marriage to Princess Margaret, fun loving
sister of the Queen that AAJ- or Lord Snowdon as he was more
popularly known- was famous. A debonair, handsome playboy who was the
epitome of the privileged, London elite, and a member of the royal
family to boot!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To find the final
resting place of this suave Belgravia residing old Etonian who passed
away in Kensington and who spent his life in the metropolitan media
glare, in this abandoned 'friendless' country church in Wales was
quite surreal. Almost as surreal as when I discovered Maigret in a
country church on Pen llyn. Rupert Davies was a Liverpool born actor
who like Lord Snowdon was a household name in the sixties through his
portrayal of French detective Maigret. A series watched by millions
in glorious black and white. Wandering around the steeply sloping graveyard at Pistell near Nefyn I spotted an interesting looking grave bearing a name which despite the intervening decades, rang a bell. 'Rupert Davies- Actor' By heck, that's Maigret..what's he doing here?</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course there is a
clue as to why these two famous sixties icons ended up in north
Wales. The names 'Jones' and 'Davies' suggest that the no matter how
far you travel from your roots, you cannot escape the past.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694983711794441623.post-27778346927940321022019-06-16T02:20:00.000-07:002019-06-16T03:31:21.767-07:00Peak Practice<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7C3Uvd91HJpv968RWwJzwJ8U7ua5WzTVPSPBeZsNIQzLvPwEpYHxZaBOBucQLx3FjfQfJEdJTbrKIoxRM1V7aRKKOgwSzDMBN94m2Bm2jy2e_UIMcEQANuXHPsSbyx9t5Sa8fpwnPD4/s1600/IMG-7287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7C3Uvd91HJpv968RWwJzwJ8U7ua5WzTVPSPBeZsNIQzLvPwEpYHxZaBOBucQLx3FjfQfJEdJTbrKIoxRM1V7aRKKOgwSzDMBN94m2Bm2jy2e_UIMcEQANuXHPsSbyx9t5Sa8fpwnPD4/s400/IMG-7287.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Gritstone flagged pathway towards Shutlingsloe from the north west</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Despite living in north Wales most of my adult life, I'm still
discovering fascinating places I didn't know existed. However, it's
always a blast go somewhere new and discover what a previously unexplored area has to
offer. Although its only 80 odd miles away from where I live, until recently I'd
never really explored The White Peak area which straddles Cheshire,
Staffordshire and Derbyshire. Living in north Wales with 'proper
mountains' and wide open spaces, heading for an area on the edge of
major conurbations, heavily populated and lacking mountains or truly
wild areas seemed a bit pointless. But over the last 12 months I've
been taking the opportunity when visiting an offspring who has moved to
within 15 miles of the Peak, to familiarise myself with the main
upland area that has the famous-but sadly long closed, Cat and Fiddle pub
at its heart.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Talking of the Cat and Fiddle, I'm really at a loss to understand why the owners, Robinsons Brewery from Stockport, have seemingly abandoned this iconic upland pub-the second highest in England, (The Tan Hill being the highest) and left it locked up and deteriorating in the harsh winds which scour the bleak moors hereabouts? Sell it to Tim Martin for God's sake! I'm sure if Robinsons can't run it then Wetherspoons can!</i></span></div>
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<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The area surrounding the pub includes
the highest peaks in the district, Shining Tor, Cats, Tor, Axe Edge and
Shutlingsloe. None of these peaks are above 2000' and hence don't
qualify as mountains by popular definition, but I've got to like this
compact little area twixt Macclesfield and Buxton. It's rolling hills
and deep valleys. The picturesque villages and squat, small windowed farmhouses
roofed with those remarkable huge flat slates which look like
gritstone flags? and leave you wondering how a roof could possibly bear
such weight?</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The only downside to
The White Peak is its popularity by virtue of accessibility to those
aforementioned centres of population. The roads are noticeably
busier; the hills of course, see more walkers tramping the peaty soil
into glutinous mud. Although steps have been taken-literally in some
cases- on hills like Shutlingsloe to lay out gritstone flag stones
across the worst affected areas. And of course, there is no escaping
the ubiquitous road bikers who are particularly thick on the ground
in this area. The steep hills and swooping descents attracting as
many road bikers to the area as walkers it seems.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was up Shutlingsloe
for a second time last week and you have to concede that its a very
attractive, shapely hill which can easily be identified from many
miles away. It was reasonably quiet-we only met a couple of people on
the way up, but on the summit we were hit by a squall that we could
see rolling in apace from the south. Unfortunately, I had jettisoned
a waterproof and was just dressed in a cotton shirt and thin gilet.
Scrambling about for shelter under the outcropping rocks which look
out from the summit towards the deep valley to the east, failed to
find any little caves to squeeze into or roofs to hide under and I
had to submit the elemental onslaught.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QWfvTe4jXcqfJBe9b_P_lhL96RKSNqV8B6b_lI547Vc-hmc2kRCloipb6Q18y5Srna7jLqFXYjarDxK9WXkH_z-3M_zcJuHbSQvIeWZmD-GwhtiYdVBqFZfONJZT3LrTosMK5pXqo2Y/s1600/IMG-7357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QWfvTe4jXcqfJBe9b_P_lhL96RKSNqV8B6b_lI547Vc-hmc2kRCloipb6Q18y5Srna7jLqFXYjarDxK9WXkH_z-3M_zcJuHbSQvIeWZmD-GwhtiYdVBqFZfONJZT3LrTosMK5pXqo2Y/s400/IMG-7357.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At least it wasn't far
back to the car parked above Macclesfield Forest where I had food and
dry clothes to change into. A pint in the lovely Church Inn in
Mallory's home village of Mobberley on the way back and a take away
curry further improved my mood. And that's one thing this area beats
north Wales in hands down. Decent pubs and eateries!</span></div>
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