Sunday, 30 March 2025

Of sticks and triangulation

You are enough

Not an awful lot of activity this week. However, the stuff I did was fun. The folks I did stuff with were pretty awesome too. Continued to celebrate a little after my big birthday last week - why wouldn't I when the presents kept coming in. Thank you Phantom for the steaks and cheers Gill for the bubbly stuff.

Birthday Steaks
Completed a nice on/off road run in and around the village where I live. It’s always nice to see things being built and developed as the years go by and this run saw some new fencing around a common trail. Running past a church and heading back to my home I saw a rather lovely stone with a positive message painted on it. Let me repeat the message to all who may be reading this blog - you are enough! (In some cases, more than enough, I’m sure).
Vicar Water Country Park ParkRun

Saturday saw me complete my 83rd ParkRun. This was the first time I had visited Vicar Water Country Park ParkRun. I ran in a time of 25:43 and I finished 41/189. Surprised so few had rocked up, as average attendance was 348 runners and walkers (YTD). Something that was ultra awesome was the fact that my buddy ‘the Phantom’ had joined me on this run. This was the Phantoms first ever ParkRun and he finished in a respectable time of 30 mins something! Equally awesome was the fact I had now knocked off the letter V from my Alphabeteer ParkRun challenge. Just the letters J and Z to go to now to complete this challenge.

The Bearded Bimblers aka Mr and Mrs Beard aka Mike and Kerry

In a weird kind of coincidence, the Phantom was the link to me meeting up with the Bearded Bimblers on this particular today too. A short while back Mr Beard set up a competition asking people to send in their most awesome photo to his Facebook page. The 2 winning photo’s would win a rather funky beanie. I entered a photo I took of the Phantom some years ago when we were cycling a Black Sheep audax event in Tewkesbury. The roads were completely flooded and were more like waterways. Anyways, my photo won!

The winning photo

Mr Beard had rocked up today to drop off my beanie (plus sticker, patch and car air freshener) and had brought along Mrs Beard too. Years ago (more than 12) Kerry and I worked together in a Home Treatment and Crisis Intervention Team. Was so awesome catching up and sharing many stories of old. On the subject of stories and tales, Mr Beards awesome Facebook page ‘Bearded Bimbler’ is worth a visit, especially if you’d like to read about ‘roaming the UK with adventure dog, exploring its myths, legends and curiosities’. Who knows, you might even win a beanie. (I entered a competition or something similar years ago and won a Bearded Bimbler mug. The mug broke, so am super pleased I’ve now got a rather funky beanie - thanks Bimblers).

My winnings

Thought I'd end this post by sharing something about me that you might not know. I have a love of sticks. As crazy as this might sound, it's true. At age 9 I would often pinch my nans walking stick and offer her my arm to support her instead. (Have a lovely pic somewhere, just can't find it). I like to pinch my mothers stick now. I'm kinda coveting the Phantoms walking sticks and hoping he replaces them soon (and gifts me the old ones). I was once asked 'what's brown and sticky' and of course, I knew, it was a stick. Hope you all stick with me and continue reading my blog. The final picture on this post is a rather good poem that I found on Instagram. Hope you enjoy!

Sunday, 23 March 2025

Fifty

Just before hitting the big five-o, I ran my last 'in my 40’s' ParkRun. This was my 82nd ParkRun, at Holbrooks, and I ran in a time of 26:44. This was a small event with only 93 participating. I finished in 41st place. The course was 2 laps around the perimeter of Holbrooks Park in Coventry, followed by a small loop at the finish. About half the route was paved and the remainder on grass. This was my 8th ParkRun this year, just 9 to go to beat my most ParkRuns in a calendar year.

Then I hit 50! This was a great birthday and I had not one, but 2 caterpillar birthday cakes! My wife SJ had gotten me one and Jade P, who clearly had great taste, had brought me the other. (A big, big thanks). Work had kindly let me take TOIL today, so much feasting was to be had. SJ took me to Willi’s cafe for a big breakfast and later we went for a carvery with our homies. My parents gifted me an interesting dragon which my daughter Moo named ‘Dingle-berry’. Spoon gifted me a troll, and Moo gifted an octopus. All these creatures did look kinda cool together.

To stretch my birthday celebrations that bit longer, Jamie sorted a birthday bonanza bike-packing adventure. With loaded bikes we left K’s abode in Shropshire and headed for the Wrekin, the official start of our route. In actual fact, we made our official start a café in Atcham, where we stopped and ate some rather awesome sausage and egg baps to provide us with fuel.

We cycled on a beautiful sunny day and cycling up and around the Stiperstones was awesome. The landscape was wild and atmospheric. There were lots of pools of water, though decided not to go for a dip as I hadn’t packed a towel (or trunks). There was lots of wildlife around, could hear the birds singing and saw a number of birds of prey. Also in the sky were some fighter jets. Apparently, lizards and frogs lived on the landscape too, though we only saw what looked like squashed Tregaron mountain toads. The hills were hilly and I forgot how energy sapping it was to cycle a 17% gradient on a loaded heavy bike. The super fast descents became less scary than anticipated because ‘just like magic’, my disc brakes started working correctly and proved awesome. Maybe it had taken this long for the brakes to bed in?

We passed through (or at least, very close to) Newtown and stopped for a spot of lunch. Unlike usual, I opted for a healthy meal (beef stew). Next food stop in Rhayader was more like me and I chose burger and chips. Once in Rhayader it was dark and finding somewhere to stop and camp was on our minds. Rhayader bothy wasn’t far away and Mr Odge had text us enquiring if we planned to stop there. He also sent some information stating that we would have to trudge through a mile of bog to get to the bothy. (Earlier in the day, we had cycled through a place called ‘the bog’). A Google search revealed a stream crossing would also have to be navigated. Figured best plan would be to visit said bothy on another occasion with Mr Odge and the Phantom in tow. We cycled in the dark towards the Elan Valley, hoping to just have sight of the bothy, but this never happened.

As we climbed an ascent, we did see something strange though. Initially, it looked like there were lit up windows on the mountain side. Then these windows looked more like torches, like a line of druids or KKK folk or something - it was eery and kinda scary. I commented that it looked like the mountains were on fire - and then, it became clear, the mountains really were on fire! Apparently, these were controlled burns (we found out later) and part of age-old methods of renewing vegetation. Jamie and I were concerned for the poor wild life and grateful we hadn’t camped on a burning hill side. 

Talking of camping, we still had to find a suitable spot. Everything looked different in the dark but after cycling for a little while further we spotted a trailer on what looked like flat ground. We decided to camp here. What a top choice this turned out to be. Flat ground, near a running river with awesome views. The starry sky looked awesome and when morning light appeared we could see just how majestic our camp spot was.

After a camp cooked porridge and tea we headed off in search of the coast. My bike's 3rd bottle cage on my down tube made an awesome porridge pot holder, as did the space between my tri-bars, who knew?! With the new gas canister stand the Phantom recently brought me (cheers), I was able to go back to using my smallest, lightest stove, without having stability issues. (The same stove that I took on my Torino - Nice jolly).

We cycled about 140k on day 1, and day 2 saw us cycle about 145k more. The day started with some lovely fast long descents with breath taking views around Cwmystwyth. We passed the Devil’s Bridge (luckily, he was absent), continued through Ponterwyd and made it to the coast in Borth.

The Arch - somewhere near Aberystwyth - Cwmystwyth

Jamie had not been to Borth since he was a nipper and was able to recall the two past holidays with his family. He told me about his dad’s kite flying and purchased a post card for his sister here. Later, his sister sent a photo of him in the sea here from many moons ago. We didn’t plan a swim today (no towel and all that). 

Following Borth, we found a nice café for essential fuel purposes. Good job we ate well, much ascent followed as we cycled through Machynlleth. We could see lots of blackened hill sides, from fires for sure, and we thought back to the fire burning last night. Cycling was tough, not only were we fighting with ascent, the wind was beating real hard too and we were somewhat fatigued. At times, the wind would blow us from one side of the road to the other. 

Machynlleth - Derwenlas

I remember we would stop at odd times, mostly to fuel up. It’s amazing what you can devour when hungry - at one stop I had cheese biscuits, banana and milk shake. Equally odd, was the random things we would encounter, like a big wooden bird. Odder still, was the company I kept! (Only joking, Jamie). 


With some much snacking throughout the day, we figured we’d skip an evening meal. Then we saw McDonalds and quickly changed plans! After Maccies, we cycled until it was dark and then looked for somewhere to camp. We found somewhere just in time, - it had started to rain and got quite heavy. Thankfully, the rain was most heavy once we were inside our bivvy’s. We lay in a place near Leigh, which made me grin (have no idea if I pronounced the place name correctly). 

When morning came, so did the sound of many chattering birds including a noisy goose. I had slept well but some wetness had come through my bivvy - probably a mix of rain, condensation and sweat. Jamie had experienced same issue and we figured we might have to re-proof our bivvys. It wasn’t so bad, but wet does dampen things a little. 

Our final day of cycling saw us leaving Leigh (where we lay) and heading back to where we started from. We cycled just short of 60k, on this our last day. As we passed through Atcham again, we figured we would end as we started and pig out on sausage and egg baps at the café once more. This time around, they were extra generous with the sausage and we added bacon too! With bellies full of food we cycled through Great Bolas and back to the start. Boom! Nice one Jamie.

I know I’m only a few days into the 50 club, but, so far so good. When I hit 50, one friend asked if I was sad and another asked if I was depressed. I’m not sad and I’m not depressed. Thus far, being 50 has been great and we all know further adventure awaits!

Thanks to all those who wished me well, brought me presents and planned adventure with me. I have plenty to eat, much to drink and money to spend. I’m a very blessed Doo - thank you.

Sunday, 9 March 2025

Peaky!

SJ getting ready for adventure

The last couple of weeks have been fun and various forms of short exercise was completed. There was really little to shout about though. That was until the tail part of this week, when SJ and I searched for adventure in the Peak District.

The first place of beauty that SJ and I visited was Millers Dale, which is a valley on the River Wye in Derbyshire. We started walking along a stretch of the Monsal Trail, through some tunnels, before turning off and heading into Chee Dale. We soon found the lovely stepping stones we were looking for.

Returned to the trail and stopped at the top of a disused lime kiln for a spot of lunch. SJ had made these cheese, tuna and cucumber sarnies using Bruno rolls. Delicious! Better yet was the flap jacks and samosa. 

The afternoon was spent following the trail in the opposing direction before turning off route again and this time heading towards Priest Cliffe. This was an up hill scramble that awarded the sense of sight with wonderful views and the sense of smell with some seriously awful sheep poo! Challenging descent which eventually led back to out start point. Climbers could be seen scaling a rock face - we were pleased to have our feet firmly on the ground.

Day 2 started the way any adventure should - with a full English breakfast whilst looking at awesome views. We were staying at the Sir William Hotel and the food was awesome. As well as a Western menu they also had an Indonesian menu too. 

Western breakfast was yummy. Each evening and we would choose from the Indonesian menu. So awesome was the curry, SJ had it 2 nights running!

Todays adventure took us to Bamford Edge in the Hope Valley. This edge is an overhang of gritstone rock that sticks out north of the village of Bamford. Spectacular. As we scrambled our way to the summit, we encountered a large blue duffel bag which I just couldn’t resist opening. Inside was a (presumably) abandoned Halfords sleeping bag and tent. This really would make an awesome camp spot.

The rocks at the top were beautiful and reminded me of New Zealand’s pancake rocks. The edge and overhang were just mind blowing. We both got the heebie-jeebies as we stepped nearer and oh man, my stomach just felt weird sitting on the ledge. 

Continuing our trek and the weather improved with each step. Jonny, a random runner (and nurse) stopped for a quick chat and asked us to take photo’s of him on the edge. He took the picture of us both with the reservoir in the background. 

In the afternoon we had a slightly less challenging set of walks in and around the National Trust Longshaw Estate. We followed blue and pink walks that allowed us to see some spectacular views whilst walking through ancient woods, meadows, parkland and heather moorland. The streams and waterfalls were truly majestic.

Our final day in the Peak District saw me complete my 81st ParkRun. This was the Monsal Trail ParkRun which I completed in 27:02 and finished 78/186. This was a simple out and back run on an old disused rail line, however, there was a descent on the way out and an incline on the return.

After ParkRun we figured we would head back home. Only 10 minutes into a journey home and I spotted an outdoor camping type shop. We stopped and both ended up with new walking shoes. The shop assistant put further thoughts of adventure in our headspace too and before we knew it we had decided on further activity in Castleton. 

SJ's butt on route to Hollins Cross and Mam Tor
Reached Castleton and was spoilt for choices. I figured we could go and check out the castle (ruin), however, English Heritage entry fee’s were extortionate and I wasn’t prepared to pay after shelling out on our new boots. We decided we walk up to Hollins Cross instead. This was a steep walk and it was hard to believe that this took us to the lowest point on the ridge. 

After reaching Hollins Cross we ventured further and reached the summit of Mam Tor. Being a Tor, I figured we had climbed a mountain (felt like it), however, we had not. We had climbed 1,696 feet though up a hill known as ‘mother hill’. After a quick Google, I note that this hill is also known as ‘shivering mountain’. 🤔 

We took a slightly less challenging descent back down. At the base we saw a pond teaming with toads (not dissimilar to the Tregaron Mountain variety), which was real pretty. Quickly shuffled past a sign welcoming us to the Devil’s Arse before taking a picture of the castle we didn’t visit. Peveril Castle was a keep built in 1176 by Henry II and now lies in a state of ruin. Ended our adventure with a light meal before heading home.

Oh, for more adventure. And we all know, adventure awaits...

Of sticks and triangulation

You are enough Not an awful lot of activity this week. However, the stuff I did was fun. The folks I did stuff with were pretty awesome too....