Scafell Pike - The Final Peak

14th May 2011, A dull cloudy day.

Scafell Pike - 978 mtr (3209')

Start: Wasdale Head Car Park. OS map OL6, Grid ref: NY 187086 

Distance:  7 miles return walk.  

Time:  6.5 hrs including camera stops.

Up with the larks at 5am - had a picnic to pack for the final mountain in my Three Peaks challenge.  Doug had recruited two walking helpers in Gary and Justin, I think it was in case I had to be carried down the mountain, anyway, 7am arrived and we were on our way.

Doug had been happily telling me for weeks that this was the hardest peak yet and how I would struggle, I was determined to prove him wrong.  How hard could it be?  I'd already done Ben Nevis.  After a brief supplies stop in Ambleside we decided to follow the Satnav to Wasdale Head.

Hardknott Pass, scary paths, beautiful views.

You know you should have followed the map instead of the Satnav when you find yourself precariously perched on tiny lanes that are weaving their way merrily over the mountain on Hard Knotts Pass, instead of around the bottom.  There were several comments of 'I thought we were walking the mountain, not driving it!'  We did have to stop at one point to take some pictures though.  After an added hours travel we parked up in the Wasdale Head carpark along with fellow walkers.

DB auditioning for the next
series of The Great Outdoors.

Justin and his amazing rucksack

Now I had a better view of Scafell a few doubts started to creep in.  Not to worry though, we had our survival expert, Justin, on hand with his trusty rucksack; an Aladdins cave of tinfoil sheets, high energy bars, torches, whistles and shelter.  Surely we didn't need all that.

We started out about 10am and it wasn't long before Gary and me were stopping to take pictures of the valley below and Wast Water.  It was to be the first of many David Bailey moments.

Wast Water

That Kodak moment.

The next photo op., was a small waterfall that we decided would be good for an arty shot.  I waded in - waterproof boots don't you know - and snapped away.

Wet boots and Arty shots

After another climb we stopped for a quick snack and to make the most of the spectacular views.  The climb is worth it just for that.  I thought I could glimpse the top of the mountain but was soon brought down to earth when they told me it was just the cloud line.

Navigating the stream

Top banana.

Wast Water Views

Left or Right?

Onward and upward we went, past Hollow Stones, until we reached a fork in the path.  Left seemed to be for the average Joe, definitely me then, and right was for the more experienced walker as that one involved a scramble.  More photo's and then jackets and waterproofs were put on as the weather had started to take a turn for the worse.  Justin cheered me up though by pointing out what wonderful views I was missing through all the clouds.

After another hours walking we were on the last leg.  The rocks had become very slippery and it was easy to lose your footing so going was quite slow.  Especially for me!  When the final cairns came into view leading a path to the trig point, the hail stones were coming at us horizontally.  Not pleasant.

I was amazed to see so many walkers at the top along with several very wet, tired looking dogs.  I don't think Jasper would have made it, not without doggy walking boots anyway.  I would have ended up carrying him down in my rucksack I think.

Cheers M'dears!

A glass of champagne to toast our achievement and then a quick munch on our picnic.  Justin's rucksack came into it's own when he pulled out a camping stove and made us all lumpy hot chocolate.  Don't think hot chocolate ever tasted so good.  Gary had found himself a little nook to sit in and looked as though he was frozen through.

I'm not cold...no, really, I'm not...

Cooking up a storm.

Had a scary moment at the beginning of the descent when my hands were so cold they were painful and my knees were hurting.  Thought I might not make it down again.  I had visions of having to live on the mountain drinking lumpy hot chocolate and sleeping in Justin's shelter wrapped in tin foil.  But once everyone know I was worried they all took it in turns to walk with me and make sure I was OK.

I have to say, the weather really hadn't been kind to us; it rained most of the way down.  Sore feet, aching knees, wet through and oh, by the way, waterproof boots don't like being immersed in running water for longer than 10 minutes - soggy feet after crossing the stream for the second time!  I realise that Doug may have been right and that this was a proper mountain, but I've done it now and even with all the hard work it was a great experience and I couldn't have done it without the help of Justin, Gary and of course Doug.  Thanks guys.

Now, who's up for Helvellyn?

Broadway Lights!

Another weekend, another show...sorry, I mean site!  This was our first time on a Caravan Club site and I have to say, we loved it!  The site in the Cotswold village of Broadway is beautiful and very convenient to the village itself, being only a ten minute walk away.

We missed the Royal Wedding because we were travelling, which turned out to our advantage; the roads were empty.  When we arrived on the site we met a lovely lady in the office who explained we could pitch up wherever there was a space.  We hadn't encountered this before and were a little taken aback.  But it was great.  We found a wonderful pitch on no. 50 - pitches 49 - 53 are the best ones - south facing and with lots of grass behind to sit out on.

Huge Pitch No. 50

The only downside to the pitches is the fact that you do need a very long extension lead and TV cable to be able to reach the post, at least 25 feet.  We managed to cobble together an extended TV lead with a couple of sandwich bags wrapped around the connections to keep them dry.  Not the most aesthetic piece of kit, but it did the job.

In reception there are books at 50p and dvd's for hire at £1 each.  A good idea as the TV reception can be a little patchy apparently, not that ours was, it must have been our excellent cabling skills.

After a quick set-up we walked into Broadway and enjoyed a good pint (Doug) and a glass of wine (me) in the Broadway Hotel.  Dogs are very welcome inside the bar, so this makes a difference.  Jasper settled down to sleep after all the excitement of the day.  They had the Royal wedding highlights on the large television in the corner so I got to see the wedding after all.  A couple of glasses of wine and a bowl of chips and we were good to go.

A walk through the village brought us to a large flag bedecked double decker bus.  One of the original old London buses.  As we were looking around it the lady conductor asked if we fancied a ride around town, 'It's free.' she said.  We couldn't resist a trip down memory lane as it was just like the buses that used to drive up and down Morecambe promenade when we were kids.

Fares Please!

As we drove around the village, we saw lots of people having their own Royal wedding garden parties, all dressed up and champagne flowing, helping to celebrate William and Kate's big day.  It made us proud to be British.  Jasper seemed to take it all in his stride, settling down on one of the side steps for a doze.

Back at the site we found the toilet/shower block to be very clean and well attended.  The gravel pitches are huge and everyone is so friendly on a CL site.  It's like we are all members of one big club - wait a minute, we are.

A Walk Around England's Coast

Work is continuing in Weymouth Bay, Dorset, on the first stretch of the new England Coastal Path.  Natural England, who have implemented the scheme, are hoping to have this new pathway open for July 2012 and the start of the Olympic and Paralympics sailing events taking place there.

This is part of a much bigger plan to provide a new National Trail around England’s open coast, providing access for walkers to admire coastal views previously unseen on foot.  This is possible because of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

Coastal erosion has led to many paths being destroyed, but this legislation allows for paths to be replaced should they become damaged, and new routes to be made, making sure everyone can forever enjoy these coastal paths.

Natural England is due to begin the next phase of work in Durham, Norfolk, Kent, Somerset and Cumbria soon, but don’t get your boots on just yet as the paths will not be open until 2015.

The Start of The Cleveland Way.

23rd April 2011, A beautifully sunny day.

Start: The cross in the square at Helmsley village, OS map OL26, Grid ref: SE61272

Distance:  7 miles return walk.

Time:  3.5 hrs including cafe stop.

The cross in the bustling town square at Helmsley is the starting point for the Cleveland Way, which stretches for 110 miles in a horseshoe shape before finishing at Filey Brigg just south of Scarborough.

Setting off from the car park you head towards Helmsley castle and the long stay car park, it’s from here that you follow the path leading up a hill between fields filled with vibrant yellow rapeseed.  At the top pass through the gate and continue on the path through another gate pausing here to look back towards Helmsley and the historic ruins of the castle.

The beginning of the Cleveland Way is clearly marked and easy to follow.  Eventually you descend down stone steps and then climb back up again to open fields.  Keep going straight ahead past a lone house on the hill and continue to follow the well sign-posted path that starts its descent towards Rivaulx.

At the bottom of this path, turn left following the signs to Rivaulx and walk along the road, which runs parallel to the stream; a good place for small paws to have a paddle.  As you round the bend you will get your first proper glimpse of the Rivaulx Abbey.

The Abbey itself is just a little further along where you can purchase a ticket to go round this enchanting ruin from the British Heritage shop.  There is a café serving excellent sandwiches and cakes or you can always eat your picnic if you have one.

Do take time to absorb the peace and tranquility this place holds.  You will leave it feeling refreshed I can assure you.  From here you can continue along the Cleveland Way by following the path, or retrace your steps back to Helmsley for a round trip of seven miles, finishing at The Feathers Hotel for a well earned drink.

Woods, Wild Boar & The White Peak Matterhorn

2nd April 2011, A wet start until the sun came out at lunchtime.

Start: Crag Inn lay-by, OS map 24, Grid ref: SJ98270

Distance: Approx 10 miles circular walk.

Time:  4 - 4.5 hrs.

Just map checking

We parked in the lay-by 50 yards east of The Crag Inn which is where we started the walk.  Going through the small gate at the bottom of the drive we followed the path up the hill across several fields through the gates in the walls.  Crossing a small brook before continuing uphill again to follow the footpath sign to Oakenclough.  Crossing a stone stile on the R onto a tarmac path to the L.




 At the bottom of the tarmac road we turned right and made our way to Greenway bridge and over the stile on the R.  We walked up the hill with the stream on our L, crossing a small wooden bridge (a nice spot for a picnic). 

And as we went through the valley we past an old ruin of a stone shelter that Jasper found particularly interesting.  
Going through the freestanding gate posts it is easy to lose your direction, but if you keep to the right and cross the stile you will reach a pond.  We then headed left up a few steps and through another gate up a steep hill which leads onto Oakenclough and the rough, sometimes boggy moorland.  Looking back we got a good view of Shutlingsloe.

Looking back towards Shutlingsloe

Carrying on across Oakenclough we were rewarded by a stunning view of Cheshire and Joddrell Bank in the distance.  Following the path to the R over a stile and descending the steep path between two fields.  

Path to the Hanging Gate pub

At the bottom we were greeted by the Hanging Gate pub and a wonderful welcome.  Roaring fire, despite the fact it was 16 degrees outside and friendly faces behind the bar.  A well deserved pint of shandy and we were ready for the next part of our walk.

Out of the pub we followed the road down to a sharp bend in the road where we headed R up Quiet Lane.  This took us to Macclesfield forest where we followed the road down to Trentabank reservoir and the visitor centre.  If you want you can detour onto the path through the forest.  Once at the carpark we stopped for a cup of tea and a chat with John Sellors who runs the Nice Nosh snack van there.  We had a cracking cup of tea but declined the offer of a piece of Parkin or any of the other delicious looking home cooked treats.

John was a wealth of knowledge about the area, having lived there for many years.  He suggested we take a walk off the beaten path and follow the blue route (it looks black on the posts) up to the Standing Stone car park.  He told us that the forest had been created to stop soil run off into the newly built reservoir in the 1940's.  The trees are now fully matured so they are in the process of felling some and re-planting.  
We followed the blue route on the marker posts which took us through the woods and across a small stream.  Jasper was very excited about having a paddle and even found a frog to sniff at. 

What's that?

After crossing the road at this point, we carried on up the path towards Standing Stone.  

 

 R at the top towards Shutlingsloe we could now see evidence of the re-planting.

A little further along the path we veered off to the left to climb up Buxtor for what John had told us would be a wonderful view at the top.  He wasn't wrong.  It was well worth the detour for the view of Cheshire and Trentabank reservoir, and to avoid the crowds. 

 Crossing a crumbling wall at the top, we walked along the sometimes boggy path, through the indistinguishable path in the heather towards our goal of Shutlingsloe which we could now clearly see in the distance. 

Following the well defined path up Shutlingsloe was easy, just like walking up a steep stone staircase really.  The views at the top were truly amazing and you can see why this outcrop of hard millstone grit gets its name as the Cheshire Matterhorn.  The shape is very distinctive.  It may not be on a parr height wise, standing at just 506m but well worth the climb to see Macclesfield forest laid out below to the North, Wildboarclough to the South East, the Cat and Fiddle over to the East. Even the Welsh mountains can be seen in the distance on a clear day.

Shutlingsloe

King of the Matterhorn!

Waiting for me to catch up!

How did I get down that?

The descent towards Wildboarclough is a very steep one on an uneven path.  This can play havoc on the knees so it is best to take your time and use walking poles.  A chat with fellow walkers on their way up gives you time to catch your breath.  Then follow the road to the right and at the bottom you will find yourself back at the lay-by.  A short stroll back to the Crag Inn will reward all your efforts.  We may not have seen any Wild Boar, but sausage 'n' mash for tea certainly made up for it.

Greenhills Holiday Park, Ashford in the Water

We visited this wonderful site on the 25th March for two nights. This was a return visit for us as we used to camp in a tent here regularly with our son when he was small. Now though he's a 17 year old teenager who struggles to cope with the confined space of a caravan, so best left at home.

We have always loved this site and the recent improvements have made it even better. We were allocated a hard standing pitch with views over the beautiful fields surrounding us. As we were setting up the sun was just beginning to set a magnificent golden glow over the surrounding vans.

We did struggle to get any reception from the sky dish but as we have found in the past with sites in this area, the reception is not great. Trial and error prevailed and we were eventually rewarded with satellite TV. 

We visited the pub on site which is a converted barn and very cosy. The wine was chilled and served in small bottles, perfect. My hubby tried the local beer and wasn't disappointed. Lots of local tourist info in there too.

The sites facilities are great with a well stocked shop, you can order papers at reception the night before, showers and toilets were clean, the pot wash is well laid out and undercover and a great play area for the kids near the pub. There is also a wonderful field for dog walking, ours particularly enjoyed chasing the rabbits.

All in all a great site, close to Bakewell and its many attractions. For a longer walk try the Monsal Trail nearby and visit the viaduct. We will definitely visit again soon.

Towing For The First Time

I don't know what all the fuss was about.  I had been wound up into an almost frenzy of anxiety at the thought of towing the van for the first time on the motorway, but when it came down to the minute when I actually joined the M60, I was too busy concentrating on keeping the caravan between the white lines to notice I was on the motorway.

DB kept making encouraging noises from the passenger seat while engrossed in his laptop on his knee.  But other than that, I was on my own, and managing quite nicely, thank you very much.

There was a tiny blip when the motorway merged at the Swinton interchange.  I didn't realise just how narrow those lanes were until I was sandwiched between two rather large lorries.  When I finally reached the M62 turn-off I felt my shoulders relax and breathed out for the first time in about 5 minutes.  Maybe I should take up free-diving if I can hold my breath for that long.

The rest of the journey went off without a hitch (excuse the pun), until we arrived at the 'newly re-furbished' Bay View site in Carnforth.  All I can say is it's a good job we have been there before and know how friendly the people are and what a lovely site it usually is.  Unlike the people who arrived just after us, new to caravanning and the first time at this site, you could see the look of dissapointment in their eyes when they saw the building site we were pitched next too.

You can hardly notice the gravel heap in the background!

After navigating my way, very successfully I might add, through the tiniest gate in the world, I managed to back the van onto the new pitch.  It looked like it had just been laid that morning and quite possibly had.  Surrounded by burly work-men and diggers galore it was very apparent that the 'newly refurbished' bit wasn't quite finished yet.  The lady in reception apologised for the noise and mess explaining that it was the bad weather that had delayed the work  by a month.

Then we discovered the charger wasn't working in the caravan so no 12volts for the night.  Luckily we had been invited to the brother-in-laws for tea.  After an excellent fortifying meal of home-made lasagne and a bottle of red wine, the world looked a more positive place.

Arriving back at the site we decided to call it a night.  I did discover though that iphone torches really aren't that bright when walking back from the toilet block in the middle of a builders yard at midnight.  Think I might invest in a torch for the next visit.