tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72517736333816934602024-03-13T22:47:54.743-07:00Saddleworth Discovery WalksUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-53632900229015822992014-12-13T09:36:00.000-08:002014-12-13T09:36:51.185-08:00Christmas Update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_-D7H08SdsVf4dPj9vlQaW34pVws-BKD4YXFx6GMHodPhPkogR8T0-GsF4oFgiv1g1POdfypOn2uVYAJCUVkys3DxLxYhMCtM3TEkQWsIQoOrnNEOrs3umzajqmYpkti5O0Mgo-mG88E/s1600/%E2%80%A2%E2%80%A2+SADDLEWORTH+WALKS+COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_-D7H08SdsVf4dPj9vlQaW34pVws-BKD4YXFx6GMHodPhPkogR8T0-GsF4oFgiv1g1POdfypOn2uVYAJCUVkys3DxLxYhMCtM3TEkQWsIQoOrnNEOrs3umzajqmYpkti5O0Mgo-mG88E/s1600/%E2%80%A2%E2%80%A2+SADDLEWORTH+WALKS+COVER.jpg" height="320" width="225" /></a><span style="color: #222222;">As we move into the final weeks running up to Christmas,
I'm pleased to say that my book Saddleworth Discovery Walks is now into its
second print run. After only 3 months the intial print run sold out and with
the number of daily orders increasing, it is now proving to be a popular
Christmas Present.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">When I first set out to write the book, I hoped that it
would be well received in Saddleworth and surrounding areas, however, I could
never have envisaged the interest and demand from further afield. Since the
books publication in August, orders have been received from throughout the
United Kingdom and as far away as Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. True
testament that although people may move away from the area, whether short-term
or longer, Saddleworth remains, for many, home and close to peoples heart.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"></span><span style="color: #222222;">I'd like to thank you all for purchasing a copy of
Saddleworth Discovery Walks (many of you have ordered several copies), and
for all the positive comments which many people have sent - </span><span style="color: #222222;">Thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 14pt;">Navigation
Training Day<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKykyqhZOEzs1GRirIcdopEyxcVn4mGGDHGXpxXhoZN3_ZhxapczV0cBP2h6yUTGjQ0mUN_Mqo-pOkTNewO1MpVbtf76V17h6kRxtJUjSrwSdPeX7Zqu7w1NXvEK_A3mR8IWmhtNYvn60Z/s1600/2014-03-23+12.48.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKykyqhZOEzs1GRirIcdopEyxcVn4mGGDHGXpxXhoZN3_ZhxapczV0cBP2h6yUTGjQ0mUN_Mqo-pOkTNewO1MpVbtf76V17h6kRxtJUjSrwSdPeX7Zqu7w1NXvEK_A3mR8IWmhtNYvn60Z/s1600/2014-03-23+12.48.31.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">During the summer, I hosted a navigation training event
which proved very popular. Due to an increased demand, I will be holding
another training course early in the new year, which will help raise funds for
Oldham Mountain Rescue Team. In order to ensure effective learning, the
course will be limited to 8 people per session. If you are interested in
learning or improving your map reading and navigation skills, please email your
interest to info@saddleworthdiscoverywalks.co.uk . If there is more interest
than the allocated number of places, I will arrange additional courses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 14pt;">Christmas
Belly Buster Walk<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">Walk off those Christmas pounds on a festive Discovery
Walk, from the Cross Keys Inn.<br />
<br />
Join us on a social 2 to 3 hour walk, to discovery the history of the ancient
hamlet of Diggle and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.<br />
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Meet at 10:00am for a 10:15 start. Suitable clothing and footwear required for
the weather conditions. Drinks in the Cross Keys afterwards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">For further details: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/404437286377761/"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.facebook.com/events/404437286377761/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or go to <a href="http://www.saddleworthdiscoverywalks.co.uk/"><span style="color: blue;">www.saddleworthdiscoverywalks.co.uk</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #222222;">Once again thank you for purchasing your copy of
Saddleworth Discovery Walks, which helps to raise vital funds for Oldham
Mountain Rescue Team and Mahdlo Youth Zone (Oldham).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #222222;">Best wishes for Christmas and the coming new year,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #222222;">Chris Maylor</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #2672ec;">Saddleworth Discovery Walks</span></i><span style="color: #2672ec;"> </span></b><span style="color: #2672ec;">is now available
priced £14.95. This detailed guidebook contains 20 magnificent walks exploring
the history, people and stunning landscape of this beautiful corner of the
ancient West Riding of Yorkshire.</span><span style="color: #5133ab;"> </span><span style="color: #2672ec;"><a href="http://saddleworthdiscoverywalks.co.uk/the-guide/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">http://<wbr></wbr></span><span style="color: blue;">saddleworthdiscoverywalks.co.<wbr></wbr></span><span style="color: blue;">uk/the-guide/</span></a></span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2672ec;"><br /></span></b><span style="color: #2672ec;">For further details contact Chris at: <a href="mailto:saddleworthdiscoverywalks@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">saddleworthdiscoverywalks@<wbr></wbr></span><span style="color: blue;">gmail.com</span></a></span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2672ec;"><a href="http://www.saddleworthdiscoverywalks.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.saddleworthdiscoverywalks.<wbr></wbr></span><span style="color: blue;">co.uk</span></a></span></b><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2672ec;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/saddleworth.discoverywalks" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr></span><span style="color: blue;">saddleworth.discoverywalks</span></a> </span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2672ec;"><a href="http://www.saddleworthdiscoverywalks.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.<wbr></wbr></span><span style="color: blue;">saddleworthdiscoverywalks.<wbr></wbr></span><span style="color: blue;">blogspot.co.uk</span></a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/walksaddleworth" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">https://twitter.com/<wbr></wbr></span><span style="color: blue;">walksaddleworth</span></a></span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-9294340789394185722014-07-13T12:57:00.001-07:002014-07-13T12:58:49.861-07:00The Benefits of Walking<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Walking,
especially amongst nature, provides many benefits to both physical and
emotional wellbeing. It helps us to unwind and de-stress from the everyday
pressures of our busy lives, whilst improving overall health and fitness. Outdoor
exercise, three to five times a week, helps reduce the risk of early death and
lowers the chances of contracting life threatening conditions such as premature
cancers, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. In addition, it helps promote
weight loss and improved mental wellbeing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The
British Mountaineering Council recently published an article about the benefits
of walking, which inspired this write-up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Over a
hundred years ago, the conservationist John Muir wrote: "Thousands of
tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going
to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity; and that
mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and
irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">According
to recent scientific studies there are many benefits experienced form walking. Some
of these are:</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Helps to
reduce the pressures of work</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Research
funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) studied the benefits
of accessing the outdoors by recording stress levels during and after viewing
nature in both virtual and real outdoor environments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Studies
showed that even viewing images of nature reduced stress levels, opposed to
looking at pictures of urban environments. A further study looked into the
effects of undertaking regular walks over an eight week period. The results highlighted
that the blood pressure and stress levels of those who took part had
significantly reduced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">A
lunchtime stroll not only breaks up the working day but also helps clear the
mind, reduce work induced tension and refocus the mind ready for the afternoon.
It is said that an evening stroll can help relax the mind and body and lead to
better sleep.</span><br />
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<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Reduces
Heart Disease</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The
Laurence Berkeley National Laboratory in California conducting a six year study
of 33,600 runners and 15,045 walkers. The results showed that both running and
walking reduced the risks of heart disease, high blood pressure and
cholesterol. However, the study highlighted that walkers who expended the same
amount of energy as runners may experience greater health benefits? Therefore,
long-distance walkers may experience further health benefits? The study also
proved that walking is a good way to help lose weight and also has benefits for
diabetes sufferers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Improves
concentration </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The
stresses of modern living, especially in an urban environment, takes its toll
on our brains. Busy jobs, increased work-loads, constant noise and activity all
contribute to brain fatigue. When the brain becomes overloaded and tired we
make mistakes, become absent-minded and irritable. One way to help our brain
relax is to simply go for a walk in the countryside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Whether
it be wandering through a beautiful city park, strolling through a secluded
wood, meandering along quiet country lanes or hiking in the hills, the calming
effects on the mind have been recognised for many years. Being in the
countryside allows the brain to engage with our surroundings in an effortless
manner, which allows it to operate in a more relaxed state. According to Jenny
Roe, a lecturer at Heriot-Watt’s School of the Built Environment, "It’s
called involuntary attention in psychology. It holds our attention while at the
same time allowing scope for reflection".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It helps you
to be more creative</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Dr Sowden
from the School of Psychology at the University of Surrey writes: “Walking has
been shown to improve our ability to shift between modes of thought, and to
improve our attention, memory and recovery from mental fatigue, all of which
are important for thinking creatively”. What’s more, “walking exposes us to the
constant flux of a changing environment providing us with an endless array of
new and unique experiences, which combined with our past memories may, through
serendipity alone, provoke new associations and give birth to new ideas”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The
freedom of walking, allows our brains to relax and switch off from the day-to-day
thought processes of work, driving the car and fast living. When walking in
nature we often drift off into a relaxed almost meditative state, allowing us
time to reflect and ponder on thoughts and ideas that are normally filed in the
brains ‘for later attention’ area. It is when we are in this most relaxed state
that we are most creative. I myself can vouch for this, as it is when I am out
walking that I develop new ideas for my writing and plan future book titles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Nietzsche wrote, “All truly great thoughts are
conceived by walking.” Henry Thoreau also said, “Methinks the moment my legs
begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20pqKef2Xo0BpDYeG_yonGFELeWE_VdXkdJB4fBvuB5AyHOXMFnCQMA2uM1Kegjf5fP1TdLKNRTyZT5ddzD4bdj1Q0kExlB1m67oB7BZb7p5tfF73_8ERY4Dts4aisDN4NMiR6yGtyYdy/s1600/IMGP6705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20pqKef2Xo0BpDYeG_yonGFELeWE_VdXkdJB4fBvuB5AyHOXMFnCQMA2uM1Kegjf5fP1TdLKNRTyZT5ddzD4bdj1Q0kExlB1m67oB7BZb7p5tfF73_8ERY4Dts4aisDN4NMiR6yGtyYdy/s1600/IMGP6705.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Helps
fight depression</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It is
recognised that walking and other forms of physical exercise can have a
significant effect on reducing depression. The University of Stirling conducted
a study of 341 patients to highlight the benefits of exercise on emotional
wellbeing. The study indicated that brisk walking was one form of, “an
effective intervention for depression". The Chief Executive for the mental
health charity, MIND, says, "Exercising with others can have even greater
impact, as it provides an opportunity to strengthen social networks, talk
through problems with others or simply laugh and enjoy a break from family and
work. So ask a friend to join you."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Some
scientists and psychologists believe that physical exercise can be as effective
as medication for treating depression and improving emotional wellbeing. A
study of 202 men and women, conducted over a 4 month period, found that 45% of
patients diagnosed with major depression showed significantly reduced levels of
depression after exercising three times a week in a supervised group setting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Increased Viatamin D<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Being
outdoors in the sun produces the required daily amount of Vitamin D </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">in your body and increases serotonin levels,</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
which in turn increases your bodies leptin levels.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
Regular outdoor exercise increases energy levels whilst reducing stress and
tension.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Whilst
people enjoy walking for a wealth of different reason, the benefits for
physical and emotional wellbeing are clearly evident. No matter where you live
in the UK there are areas of quiet green space lace-up through which you can
stroll, relax and unwind. So, lace-up your walking boots, step out the front door
and reap the benefits of walking in the great outdoors.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-84565348216232156982014-06-02T18:12:00.000-07:002014-06-02T18:26:41.284-07:00Uppermill by Turnpike and Towpath<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Start/Finish:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
Saddleworth Museum car park</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 12pt 0cm;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Grid: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">SD 996 055<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 12pt 0cm;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
conducted this short walk one evening at the end of what had been a lovely
spring day. Flat throughout its course and easy underfoot, the route is
suitable for people of all abilities and is wheelchair accessible too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 12pt 0cm;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">From
the car park adjacent to the Saddleworth Museum, I turned north along Uppermill’s
High Street, which is part of the former Oldham - Standedge turnpike road,
built in 1792.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turnpike Trusts were
established by Acts of Parliament between 1706 and the 1840’s to improve trade
routes throughout the country. The name ‘turnpike’ derives from the spiked
barriers that were erected across the road at some of the toll-houses.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 12pt 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEx5z0eof4ASozH-v4YYDwE3AXDrMHPIBs4pV0cBSE_fxaEQuxjQv5rCHS7EH86ur3qfAoolMpqnRpWjUEI5kfc0MOvZxFs4pQ1hgh_w9YCtO4osYSn-NOIAdJsp6Vhg4OM1ElOFrLKMAJ/s1600/IMGP5156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEx5z0eof4ASozH-v4YYDwE3AXDrMHPIBs4pV0cBSE_fxaEQuxjQv5rCHS7EH86ur3qfAoolMpqnRpWjUEI5kfc0MOvZxFs4pQ1hgh_w9YCtO4osYSn-NOIAdJsp6Vhg4OM1ElOFrLKMAJ/s1600/IMGP5156.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Although
many of the shops in the village had closed at the end of a busy day’s trading,
the pubs, café bars and restaurants were alive with customers enjoying a
pleasant evening socialising with friends. After passing through the square,
and beyond Kenworthy Gardens, I searched out an old milestone which is hidden
against a wall amongst some undergrowth. This historic marker has been damaged,
but still bears the inscriptions of Huddersfield and Ashton. In 1767, it was
made compulsory for mileposts to be positioned along the course of the turnpike
roads to inform travellers of direction and distance. In addition, they helped
the horse-drawn coaches to maintain their schedule and set fares. Prior to the
uniformed postal rate being introduced in 1840, postal charges were often
calculated using milepost markers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPE_XRyjWZn2DR2dVvyxCYXT2TSl53dUGtuJ5NU6BrqAKSnL4YkXFTIJBDeCNkcB6WaJDeT5sz1xHR3bWbGvs2URWlnGXH7wIEbcT4gJ7k8MSMQ3KlOTXt_yX80raPhQNPlDAAz_9GGt0E/s1600/IMGP5161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPE_XRyjWZn2DR2dVvyxCYXT2TSl53dUGtuJ5NU6BrqAKSnL4YkXFTIJBDeCNkcB6WaJDeT5sz1xHR3bWbGvs2URWlnGXH7wIEbcT4gJ7k8MSMQ3KlOTXt_yX80raPhQNPlDAAz_9GGt0E/s1600/IMGP5161.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 12pt 0cm;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">C</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">ontinuing
on I passed the entrance to Saddleworth School, immediately beyond which, at
the foot of Ryefields Drive, stands a stone building with a bricked-up doorway.
In 1824 this house became the Brownhill Toll House from where the toll fees were
collected from traffic coming into Uppermill from the north.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 12pt 0cm;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A
little further on, I passed underneath the massive, grade II listed, Uppermill
Viaduct. Its enormous stone arches span the width of the valley supporting the
railway, along which trains travel between Manchester and Huddersfield.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 12pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 12pt 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCBw6LJb34W2UqjVYrU75qKU9q24L9WTgQg0J1V8dcd3sUZxlxmYsSLhA0C1XY6EuA77b90-YyLKGC76EGXCirWPraXL7pGKbXtLfNMvJjNOS1hGdoBI3Ah2paa22j_oD0_rvmId7wtpx/s1600/IMGP5165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCBw6LJb34W2UqjVYrU75qKU9q24L9WTgQg0J1V8dcd3sUZxlxmYsSLhA0C1XY6EuA77b90-YyLKGC76EGXCirWPraXL7pGKbXtLfNMvJjNOS1hGdoBI3Ah2paa22j_oD0_rvmId7wtpx/s1600/IMGP5165.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Turning
left, I enter the car park of Brownhill Visitor Centre. This former transport
depot once housed a Countryside Visitor Centre which was staffed by countryside
rangers. Now it is the Lime Kiln Café where I opted to take a short break to
enjoy a cup of refreshing tea and one of their home-made cakes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 12pt 0cm;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Leaving
the café, I headed south along the towpath of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. Built
in 1794, the 20 mile long canal has 74 locks and runs between Ashton and
Huddersfield. The summit of the canal is 645 feet above sea level, making it
the highest navigable waterway in Britain. To the north, the Standedge Canal
Tunnel cuts through the Pennines and is the longest, highest and deepest canal
tunnel in Britain.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">At
Lime Kiln Lock, I passed underneath the unusual skewed arch of Saddleworth
Viaduct. Glancing down at the heavy wooden lock gates several fish broke the
surface of the still waters in search of an evening meal, whilst overhead a
couple of swallows, newly arrived from their wintering grounds, caught insects
on the wing.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcU1tKIi4NETrz0KeaX2jXOeBmHgB-UrXUG93_pNmjWr6yb-uxX2kUvFKHMS9wI2eLRLj5lfBYRILd1QzJsYejTm3S9P0tpsbn1bwLJSiZSaxeKmEae8lqPt3yxGZPTlb5iJxAVWDioPkm/s1600/IMGP5167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcU1tKIi4NETrz0KeaX2jXOeBmHgB-UrXUG93_pNmjWr6yb-uxX2kUvFKHMS9wI2eLRLj5lfBYRILd1QzJsYejTm3S9P0tpsbn1bwLJSiZSaxeKmEae8lqPt3yxGZPTlb5iJxAVWDioPkm/s1600/IMGP5167.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">From
here on, the towpath is sandwiched between the canal and the River Tame, and as
I continued the suns weakening rays struggled to break through the budding
canopy of overhanging trees. Opposite King George the V playing fields, a young
family crossed the stepping stones which, when the waters run low, provide dry
passage across the River Tame. On the rivers western bank, nestled amongst the
trees and foliage is a sculpture intended to form part of a series of art works
for a planned sculpture trail.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 12pt 0cm;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A
little further on is the picturesque Moorgate Bridge, where a beautifully
maintained narrow-boat was moored. At this point the towpath ends, and I crossed
the bridge to continue my walk along the opposite bank. Beyond here, are the
Wade Lock Moorings, I stood a while watching several broods of ducklings
frolicking in the still waters amongst the berthed canal boats.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 12pt 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyd-xWobbxrXPzz_FcWXMKVsDlOhyd7BdCjD0A968Q6AcwZ5_x_sOpx7lyBqOMsEnIPOPHt9KQmEF6y7UOxMVtus4uHqs3rwKTm4wG2l2xKVGknA6Q5i-5M3O94rtrwHJbchr8N9pKmPW/s1600/IMGP5149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyd-xWobbxrXPzz_FcWXMKVsDlOhyd7BdCjD0A968Q6AcwZ5_x_sOpx7lyBqOMsEnIPOPHt9KQmEF6y7UOxMVtus4uHqs3rwKTm4wG2l2xKVGknA6Q5i-5M3O94rtrwHJbchr8N9pKmPW/s1600/IMGP5149.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Passing
Wade Lock, I emerged onto Oldham Road. Turning right I walked away from
Uppermill for a short distance, past the site of another former toll house, to
take a look at the Brayshaw & Booth mile plate which stands outside No: 38.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 12pt 0cm;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Retracing
my steps, I headed back towards the village, to the statue of Ammon Wrigley,
who was a local poet, writer and historian. Opposite here once stood the Wade
Lock Toll House.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 12pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;">Returning
to the car park, I reflected on what had been an enjoyable walk and that you
don’t always have to venture onto the high hills to see some wonderful sights
whilst in search of Saddleworth’s history.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black;"></span><br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-5659990056212657122014-05-25T10:07:00.000-07:002014-05-25T10:07:00.832-07:00It was a spring day ...
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMeYqQTQTKw4t6sIT_yZ65s_xf_6jlO1v4q-l_2d9FovTXeoI_BsvZ9iiOq3IopaZ4h0MJz4oBVVGvnaKLRzhILGLl8Ed-Z5P-61DEt1OP9SSrDVy9uvlXGLU1P_84Svj5AurPFcnQ0Jv/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMeYqQTQTKw4t6sIT_yZ65s_xf_6jlO1v4q-l_2d9FovTXeoI_BsvZ9iiOq3IopaZ4h0MJz4oBVVGvnaKLRzhILGLl8Ed-Z5P-61DEt1OP9SSrDVy9uvlXGLU1P_84Svj5AurPFcnQ0Jv/s1600/2.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">It was a spring day in 2013 – was it really a year
ago? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">I</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"> was helping to organise the Cake Race, which is a local fell race
organised by Saddleworth Runners Club – of which I am the Chairman. I was out
on the moors with my son, flagging the route, when we came across a dog which
had been lost or abandoned. It had clearly been out on the hills for a few days
and was in a very bad state of health. Whilst trying to help the poor animal,
it feared for its safety and attacked me, sinking its teeth into my hand. By
the end of the day my injured hand had swollen up to the size of a small
football, as a severe infection set in. The following day I couldn’t move my
hand and the pain became almost unbearable. A visit to the hospital, confirmed
I had five deep puncture wounds and a partially severed tendon, which resulted
in my arm being immobilised. A course of strong antibiotics was prescribed
along with strict instructions to take two weeks off work. I didn’t know it at
the time, but that dog bite would dominate my life for the next 12 months.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">For some time now I had been playing around with
writing a book about fell running, but had always wanted to write a walking
guidebook for the place where I was born – Saddleworth. Not being one for
sitting around idle, I took advantage of my enforced sick leave and set to work
with eagerness recceing suitable routes in and around Saddleworth. Armed with
my Dictaphone I explored a different route every day for two weeks, discovering
new people and places which I found I previously knew little about.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Eventually my hand began to heal and I was able to
once again hold a pen and operate a computer. I set about typing up my notes
and researching my findings. The more I learnt about our beautiful corner of
the former historic West Riding of Yorkshire, the deeper I became enthralled
and wanted to know more. In addition to working full time and honouring all of my
other commitments, I worked nightly on the book into the early hours of the
morning. For weeks at a time I would do twenty hour days in a row, foregoing
quality sleep as my passion for my new project grew.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Eventually the initial writing and research was done,
and it was time to start working on the final draft. What I thought would be
the final draft was, after being proof read several times, actually the first
of many amendments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Whilst my passion for writing grew, it was not all
plain sailing. There were times when I became frustrated and I questioned
whether or not my book would ever make it to print. When I started writing back
in May 2013, I thought the whole process would be as simple as producing a word
document, taking a few photos and sending the whole thing off to a printer.
What little I knew about the publishing world!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Intending to self-publish my book, I now needed to learn
the ins and outs of publishing. Luckily I had contact with a couple of authors
who had previous experience of self-publishing. Round the world cyclists and
adventurers, Alastair Humphreys and Tom Allen, both provided me with invaluable
advice, which would help steer me on a positive course. As knowledge of my
project grew, others came on board and offered their support. This
collaboration of enthusiastic friends would make the whole process much easier
and added an extra element of fun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">First on board was my friend Ray Green, of </span><a href="http://www.raygreenphotography.co.uk/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.raygreenphotography.co.uk</span></a><span style="color: black;">
. Ray is an accomplished and locally acclaimed photographer, who has a passion
for photographing Saddleworth’s rugged landscape in black and white format. His
stunning photographs will soon be displayed across the pages of my book.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Using some of Ray’s brilliant photographs another
friend, Lee Copplestone, designed several front cover samples to be used for
initial marketing purposes. People’s interest in my book grew, and the genuine
offers of help increased.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">The old saying, “it’s not what you know but who you
know” often rings true. Whilst I had learnt a lot about writing and
self-publishing, I had no knowledge whatsoever about how to design the layout
of the book and put it into a format ready for printing. However, another
friend, Rob Taylor, who runs his own graphic design company, www.likeariver.co.uk,
came to the rescue. It would be Rob who, at times when I really did begin to
doubt if I would ever get my book published, would offer a guiding hand and
settle my doubts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Now, a year down the line, my dream of publishing my
first book is dawning. </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black;">Saddleworth Discovery Walks</span></span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black;"> is a detailed guidebook containing 20 magnificent
walks exploring the history, people and stunning landscape of this beautiful
corner of the ancient West Riding of Yorkshire. Each walk includes an
illustrated sketch map of the route and a selection of stunning landscape
photographs, which I hope will urge the reader to venture out onto the hills
and into the valleys to discover more of Saddleworth’s rich history.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black;">You can
pre-order a personally signed copy of </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Saddleworth Discovery Walks</span></i></b><span style="color: black;">, which
is due for publication in July, by visiting </span><a href="http://www.saddleworthdiscoverywalks.co.uk/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.saddleworthdiscoverywalks.co.uk</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black;">I hope you enjoy
reading my book and that it enthuses you to step out and discover more about
our beautiful corner of the former ancient West Riding of Yorkshire.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-53429681976320245632014-05-21T13:42:00.003-07:002014-05-22T08:57:50.932-07:00An unexpected encounterFor some months now, I've been struggling to confirm some disputed facts about an historic location that is to feature in my forthcoming walking guide book. After consulting various sources, the information all seemed to point in the right direction. However, always being conscious of wanting to be as accurate as possible with regards to the information I write, I decided that the best way to corroborate the information was to call on the person who owns the property. In most cases I would have no qualms about knocking at a strangers door. However, it didn't look like many people visited this property, and at first glance certainly didn't look all that welcoming.<br />
<br />
Feeling a little nervous about calling at a strangers door to ask them prying questions about their home, I cautiously rang the door bell. "Dam, it works", I thought. "Now someone may answer the door". I glanced back up the driveway and made a quick time and distance assessment. If the person who answers the door turns out not to be friendly, I could make a quick getaway to the safety of the road, whilst making my apologies as I beat a hasty retreat. Through the glass in the door I made out the profile of a man moving down the corridor. "What's that in his hand. Is it a shot gun"?, I assessed. Shotgun pellets travel at around 427 metre per second. That's far quicker than I can reach the end of the driveway! Another quick look around and this time I'm looking for escape routes that will provide me with protective cover. There's a route to my right, that looks about my best option.<br />
<br />
The man reaches the door, and I hear the lock turning from inside. He pushes the door but it sticks. He pushes again and it flies open. I immediately look down at his hands. They're empty! "Hello, sorry to bother you", I say and I make my introduction and explain that I am writing a book and why I have called at his door". That's very interesting", he exclaims. He offers his hand as he tells me his name. We shake hands, and I immediately feel at ease. Is hand is warm and the skin soft and supple. Now I concentrate on looking at his face and recognise that his eyes are friendly. All worries of him being unwelcoming evaporate into the warm evening air, as he enthusiastically begins to tell me the history of the property. We talk at length and he readily provides me with a wealth of information that will be of use for future local discovery projects. After about 20 minutes of chatting, I thank him for his help and, after warmly shaking hands again, I leave with the promise of returning in the near future to let him know when my book has been published.<br />
<br />
Unlike for this gentleman, as I can't call at all of my readers doors, if you're interested in knowing when my book is about to be published (around July 2014), please email me at <a href="mailto:info@saddleworthdiscoverywalks.co.uk">info@saddleworthdiscoverywalks.co.uk</a> and I will keep you updated on the publication process and when it is ready to go on the shelves. <br />
<br />
Furthermore, you can visit <a href="http://www.saddleworthdiscoverywalks.co.uk/">www.saddleworthdiscoverywalks.co.uk</a> for more information.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-51053826006343910992014-04-12T06:28:00.001-07:002014-04-12T06:39:07.124-07:00A Short Walk Over Crompton Moor<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNsrvCKpR5w3O1EhkzXvAvWfWqcLLHIez4P0RNJM-2e4UHAQtL7zWr7DbLOKKNTCV_FFW-zGuwVGDF5vktj7DO8-zjhrjYUB99psFqpxKlejz1A1xhe2XT_XcIqOnjAjI68VRY484cCRJ/s1600/IMGP5014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNsrvCKpR5w3O1EhkzXvAvWfWqcLLHIez4P0RNJM-2e4UHAQtL7zWr7DbLOKKNTCV_FFW-zGuwVGDF5vktj7DO8-zjhrjYUB99psFqpxKlejz1A1xhe2XT_XcIqOnjAjI68VRY484cCRJ/s1600/IMGP5014.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">With
the arrival of spring and a few days of wonderfully sunny weather, I’d been
longing for an extended walk across Saddleworth’s moors. However, in the midst
of a busy writing schedule I was limited on the amount of time I could steal
away from my desk. Glancing at an old map of Saddleworth, on my wall, I closed
my eyes and randomly placed the tip of my finger on its faded surface. Nestled
on Saddleworth's north-western flanks, Crompton Moor is a small area of
moorland, popular with walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders and offers the
ideal spot for a short walk over terrain which is not dissimilar to higher
moorland plateaus. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Setting
out from the car park at the former Brushes Clough Quarry, my son and I, along
with our Labrador retriever, followed the path down into Pingot Quarry.
Cascading over the edge of the man-made cliffs the 30ft waterfall glistened in
the afternoon sunlight.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZajkK8qZ4-xJnKedMidpsMzjdX9W1eiz0KQrV0oDOE-ibYOPvIQT93K69R6AwuLCOQ21O06QGPG1Ip5HZ5K4uljqDefQI7Lu99KD5oPUQ8dS0qVef53pvsWFIs38KOVuQB6r99Zr5Mipn/s1600/IMGP4925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: blue;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZajkK8qZ4-xJnKedMidpsMzjdX9W1eiz0KQrV0oDOE-ibYOPvIQT93K69R6AwuLCOQ21O06QGPG1Ip5HZ5K4uljqDefQI7Lu99KD5oPUQ8dS0qVef53pvsWFIs38KOVuQB6r99Zr5Mipn/s1600/IMGP4925.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: blue;">Following
a footpath that climbs the northern rim of the quarry, we attained the open
moor and headed north east to the forestry plantation at Whitesides. The cover
provided by the trees and fallen logs is a boy’s paradise for playing hide and
seek, and my son practiced his camouflage and concealment skills whilst I had
to hunt him down.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: blue;">Breaking
cover from the shaded pine plantation, we reached the source of the stream
known as Old Brook. Here our dog frolicked in the headwaters of the stream that
is the source of the River Beal. From here several paths radiate across the
moor, and heading south-east we skirted around the foot of Crow Knowl, atop of
which sits two transmissions mast and a trig point. Whilst the summit trig
point is often visited by walkers, today we opted for a lower line and headed
for a disused mine shaft.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: blue;">Mining
and quarrying has taken place on Crompton Moor since around the mid 1500s, and
there are several sites around offering clear evidence of this subterranean
industry. In 1811, a total of eleven working pits were recorded on the moor.
One such pit is the Crowl Knowl Colliery, which lies to the south-west of Crowl
Knowl summit. Here an information board has been erected, which is one of a
series of boards positioned along the newly formed Crompton Moor Heritage Trail
and which provide a wealth of historical information about the area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDh2K5q3FES4RZlyrIOgtSzyA1fPTBf6SFD_tJJSIjmCFYVqFFWGtN-UsnJzq4Iu08JyoSl5NA_G1xLdAdlJM6eB0qo-JwYEg0j-Q1Evf1lT7KasJL5DbXZOjsm_NoogZcOSjqaLQW8dr/s1600/IMGP4958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: blue;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDh2K5q3FES4RZlyrIOgtSzyA1fPTBf6SFD_tJJSIjmCFYVqFFWGtN-UsnJzq4Iu08JyoSl5NA_G1xLdAdlJM6eB0qo-JwYEg0j-Q1Evf1lT7KasJL5DbXZOjsm_NoogZcOSjqaLQW8dr/s1600/IMGP4958.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: blue;">Leaving
the disused mineshaft in a south-westerly direction, we passed the remains of
Crow Knowl Farm before turning east and heading to the ruins of Bowling Green
Farm at the head of Brushes Clough. Three main farmsteads are known to have
existed on the moor since around the mid 1600’s, and here another information
board tells the history of farming in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: blue;">Heading
east, we followed the course of the Crompton Circuit, pausing for a short while
as the dog took a refreshing dip in the cooling waters of Brushes Clough
Reservoir. Following one of the many well-defined tracks that once linked the
former farms, we headed north along the tree line before once again turning
east to follow the firebreak which separates two woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Returning to our start point, we had enjoyed
a pleasant walk over this small isolated pocket of moorland, which lies on
Saddleworth’s boundary.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: blue;">Starting
in April, Saddleworth Discovery Walks will be leading monthly historic guided
walks throughout Saddleworth. Forth coming dates will posted at </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/saddleworth.discoverywalks"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.facebook.com/saddleworth.discoverywalks</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-6277838221484891042014-04-12T05:43:00.000-07:002014-04-12T05:43:49.647-07:00Dicovering Britain - Saddleworth on the map<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The Royal Geographical Society have recently launched their new Discovering Britain project, which hopes to encourage people to explore Britain and discover the country's amazing landscape whilst learning more about nature, our history and vibrant culture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Jenny Lunn, of the Royal Geographical Society in London, recently contacted me about the project and asked if I could help promote one of the society's north-west regional walks - Crossing Point: Discovering routeways over and under the Pennines. Jenny, who is originally from Delph, said,"The 6 mile route starts in Delph, goes up the Castleshaw Valley to Standedge then down into Diggle and along the canal finishing at the Brownhill Centre. Along the way we look at the different ways in which people have created routeways across the physical barrier of the Pennines throughout history."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEvmVUk3FOUWW8HOAmkSerhq02Q32lzM0iw9DTmXHixrRgOtaPieEKYh97aoWXD7Q42Ed5yacYmj8FED8cQ9cUqDaJj7kK3TAYNO006_TXflYyNW6fAPi-HrCypxqqHsugktx94oCDH5x/s1600/IMG_5248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEvmVUk3FOUWW8HOAmkSerhq02Q32lzM0iw9DTmXHixrRgOtaPieEKYh97aoWXD7Q42Ed5yacYmj8FED8cQ9cUqDaJj7kK3TAYNO006_TXflYyNW6fAPi-HrCypxqqHsugktx94oCDH5x/s1600/IMG_5248.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Standedge Tunnel, Diggle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The walk is self-guided with a detailed commentary available in both audio format and written format. Both can be downloaded for free from the Discovering Britain website: <a href="http://www.discoveringbritain.org/walks/region/north-west-england/saddleworth.html" target="_blank"> http://www.discoveringbritain.<wbr></wbr>org/walks/region/north-west-<wbr></wbr>england/saddleworth.html</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Full colour versions of the walk booklet, ideal for taking out on the walk, are also on sale locally in the Tourist Information Centre at Saddleworth Museum, in the Gallery Oldham shop at Oldham Library, and at Delph Post Office. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Part of the route shares the same course as one of the walks detailed in my new walking guidebook, which will be published soon. To promote this new RGO walk I will be holding a guided walk along the route sometime in May. For details, keep an eye out at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/saddleworth.discoverywalks">https://www.facebook.com/saddleworth.discoverywalks</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/walksaddleworth">https://twitter.com/walksaddleworth</a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-28976882619371222542014-03-08T16:46:00.003-08:002014-03-08T16:46:50.736-08:00Navigating Saddleworth’s Historic Landmarks
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The following article was written for the March 2014 edition of my monthly column, in the Saddleworth Independent.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZIscTpEAJQ-ft0PN6Eh43tAEXZePPXwzTxke5LIlq5zj3Nx4oVyPkUyFTPPWWNGTeS2TdG1QAHb-8BYRfzxqnzGA0ZH623y_oh7ZlwT_sQM7D7t3hsXKxeoT8g54EhuNR5sIlv18VSxj/s1600/IMGP4912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZIscTpEAJQ-ft0PN6Eh43tAEXZePPXwzTxke5LIlq5zj3Nx4oVyPkUyFTPPWWNGTeS2TdG1QAHb-8BYRfzxqnzGA0ZH623y_oh7ZlwT_sQM7D7t3hsXKxeoT8g54EhuNR5sIlv18VSxj/s1600/IMGP4912.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A navigation session near Pule Hill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">With the wind howling across the moors, I
arrived at the Rams Head Inn, Denshaw, to meet a small group of local
fell-runners who I was taking on a navigation training session. Sheltering from
the wild weather in the protective cocoon of their cars, I could see the group
studying the maps I had instructed them to bring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Extracting themselves from their heated
vehicles, and wrapped in layers of warm clothing, the enthusiastic group took
shelter behind a stone wall for the first lesson in mountain navigation.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
After issuing a six figure grid reference, the first checkpoint was identified
and the first enthusiastic member of the party successfully took the group to
our intended destination. As we arrived, the silent ghos<span class="textexposedshow">tly figure of an owl swept down in front of us and stealthily
soared across the moor in search of its prey.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Hunkered down in the protection of the small
quarry, we discussed measuring distance and the use of 'pacing'. With a new
checkpoint identified, one of the group jumped at the opportunity of trying out
the pacing system and led us to a footbridge at the northern end of Crook Gate
Reservoir. Officially opened in 1883, the reservoir is one of four in the area
originally operated by the Denshaw Waterworks Company to provide drinking water for the
growing industrial population of Oldham.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42GzzurNe42aDzXPGtsPsbYnXkg98Ly7x6-zsSISg8qYTd1TMlxri2ptZKMoBqfhTQW7lS_0_G-m6KgXKwld-tEruQ1tGUo4kMfoMXrrDHLXwCnwbauCNTMz1xf5VCjyHh09orKHyhxUl/s1600/IMGP4902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42GzzurNe42aDzXPGtsPsbYnXkg98Ly7x6-zsSISg8qYTd1TMlxri2ptZKMoBqfhTQW7lS_0_G-m6KgXKwld-tEruQ1tGUo4kMfoMXrrDHLXwCnwbauCNTMz1xf5VCjyHh09orKHyhxUl/s1600/IMGP4902.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night navigation practice fine-tunes essential skills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After
discussing more principles of navigation, someone else took the lead and
successfully navigated the group to a small re-entrant on the eastern shores of
Dowry Reservoir.</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span class="textexposedshow">With
everyone now gaining in confidence, the group began to apply a combination of navigation
techniques, such as handrailing, tick-off features, pacing and catchment points
to locate the old remains of Dowry Castle, where we explored this once former
Victorian dwelling. Built by John Gartside, who made his fortunes in the
brewing business, it was sadly demolished in 1897, after being purchased by
Oldham Corporation.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">The next part of the session was spent looking at
taking grid and magnetic bearings, route planning and how to effectively 'march
on a bearing', using a variety of tried and tested techniques. With visibility
low, spot height 429 (Lurden Top) was our next destination. Using the
principles discussed, the whole group individually navigated themselves to the
right point.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">With the icy wind increasing its speed, we took in
a couple more check points on Denshaw Moor, before returning to the Rams Head.
Happy to have learnt new skills and improving on their existing knowledge, we
retired to the warmth and comfort of the bar for a well deserved pint.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzfjlByvxZsh2EYfv3yA0tvek1_D1X_o9WrBifTTF_4VHgLLteoVTEjJUucupWT6q6tmGNmLt1Wwt5TcX14nnv5tpLBgkGJYJeGYUykUh16PziVQfmYGVVDnKpJ5yAIw7MDV0fcqeIUQf/s1600/IMGP4903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzfjlByvxZsh2EYfv3yA0tvek1_D1X_o9WrBifTTF_4VHgLLteoVTEjJUucupWT6q6tmGNmLt1Wwt5TcX14nnv5tpLBgkGJYJeGYUykUh16PziVQfmYGVVDnKpJ5yAIw7MDV0fcqeIUQf/s1600/IMGP4903.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Effective map
reading and navigation are essential skills when venturing out onto the hills.
Local courses are available for anyone interested in learning or developing
their mountain navigation abilities. For further information on courses in the
area email <a href="mailto:saddleworthdiscoverywalks@gmail.com"><span style="color: #2288bb;">saddleworthdiscoverywalks@gmail.com</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-25451273361432246442014-02-13T11:20:00.001-08:002014-02-13T11:31:15.741-08:00Castleshaw Skyline<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Start/Finish:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
Lay-by on A62, Huddersfield Road, Delph</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Grid
Reference:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> SD 992 081.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Distance:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7 miles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fLZGFiDYugMZoaQVMMRqjjt9thI5SUZKaS9wBAYKA0NcanKyMjmAc8XoqI0p6PjP6a9cXvUCFVMGLbVK_fhSZruwFx7NA-iydB-N6iYxuP4u8g-AnkH4JkoyN7LM-joILwhGGCTqar8D/s1600/IMGP3307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fLZGFiDYugMZoaQVMMRqjjt9thI5SUZKaS9wBAYKA0NcanKyMjmAc8XoqI0p6PjP6a9cXvUCFVMGLbVK_fhSZruwFx7NA-iydB-N6iYxuP4u8g-AnkH4JkoyN7LM-joILwhGGCTqar8D/s1600/IMGP3307.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Castleshaw Valley with Millstone Edge in the background</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This
walk around the rim of the Castleshaw Valley was conducted last year, as the
winter snow began to recede.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">From
the lay-by, we carefully crossed the busy A62 to the wooden stile almost
opposite. Climbing the stile, we made our way south-east along the footpath
which ascends Lark Hill to attain Harrop Edge. Turning north along Harrop Edge
Lane, we were confronted by a cold wind blowing in from the East. It was these
chilling Easterly’s that had brought in the recent bout of snow over the past
weeks which, although now receding as the spring temperatures began to rise,
was lying in deep drifts upon the frozen ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Again crossing the A62 onto Standedge Foot Lane, we passed
behind the old, now long derelict, Horse & Jockey pub, before heading up a
grassy track that is Whimberry Lee Lane. At stanedge, we ascended pure white,
crisp snow fields to attain the trig point on Millstone Edge. Under a clear
sky, there was not but a breath of wind on this rocky edge which marks the
Lancashire/Yorkshire border. The views all around were magnificent and far
reaching, and we marvelled at the wonderful vistas. Whilst today was glorious,
this rocky edge is often battered by strong winds the year round. In bad winter
weather this must have been a grim posting for the Roman soldiers stationed at
the fort in the valley below, whose job it was to guard the military road from
Chester to York. One of a series of Roman Forts the original stronghold covered
over three acres and garrisoned around 500 infantry. At some point it was
abandoned, until being re-occupied in the early 2<sup>nd</sup> century A.D. as
a small out-post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPb8UalOUTHuedpEaNybsCtQIWzCtUx3aCwbxGyfra-eJNxanpKXpFDjIF3-y7SyyrWOlS8KL4q8lNB3PjOyrJFF5zxOlO5iNFajQUUsZNYgFPvmLrfHmj9omY0j3pJfKaE3JfEt-Pd4HI/s1600/IMGP3294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPb8UalOUTHuedpEaNybsCtQIWzCtUx3aCwbxGyfra-eJNxanpKXpFDjIF3-y7SyyrWOlS8KL4q8lNB3PjOyrJFF5zxOlO5iNFajQUUsZNYgFPvmLrfHmj9omY0j3pJfKaE3JfEt-Pd4HI/s1600/IMGP3294.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow fields below Millstone Edge</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Following the Oldham Way, we made good progress over
the firm snow. The frozen surface of which was yet to thaw under the warming
sun. Looking over to the West, the Denshaw reservoirs could be seen glistening
in the morning sunlight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Picking up the Pennine Bridleway, we dropped down
Moor Lane where it meets Ox Hey Lane at the old Cross Roads known as Four Lane
Ends. Continuing south, we enjoyed traversing the deep snow drifts that had
completely filled the sunken track that is Broad Lane. The views down into the
Castleshaw Valley were a delight as we headed towards Heights.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0C3loKZ1DCIfcCVUHSnS0hkiuHDnHbgVvpfTuop4480aAzTWD9PRMIBFZfiUFLIKpO-5OJ3aym8TxDY1gYBXVkTCIdq9u7E1X3KbOV5Vt8dSA-NOGMUSmcJZkNsMQfE9cFY98CytSerh/s1600/IMGP3299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0C3loKZ1DCIfcCVUHSnS0hkiuHDnHbgVvpfTuop4480aAzTWD9PRMIBFZfiUFLIKpO-5OJ3aym8TxDY1gYBXVkTCIdq9u7E1X3KbOV5Vt8dSA-NOGMUSmcJZkNsMQfE9cFY98CytSerh/s1600/IMGP3299.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow cornice overhanging a re-entrant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Opposite the entrance to Spring Hill, we turned
south-east towards Grange, and descended the sunken bridleway which is
believed to have been an old packhorse road or ‘saltway’. This area of
Saddleworth was part of Friarmere which in turn was part of the Roche Abbey
estate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Local historians believe that
the Black Friars had a house or ‘Grange’ here which possibly lends its name to
the area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our descent once again took us over deep snow drifts,
and we eventually emerged at the ford which crosses Hull Brook. With our
morning outing nearing the end, we followed Hull Mill Lane, crossed Delph Lane
and walked the final few metres along Sandbed Lane to return to the lay-by on
Huddersfield Road.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTlTYGtvPtUGspyYSUWKT0LPlPvLspxeL_m-hdE7HkyzW8iJrB51sjD-vFVK1LlD6MvKbS3GUzAq9UPlV0k31k8lzi7j5bVaZeVrmZeuAmvtfbvLJ8h6M5jkK-mnuDh5Pjjd6c1NOHvw6/s1600/IMGP3308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTlTYGtvPtUGspyYSUWKT0LPlPvLspxeL_m-hdE7HkyzW8iJrB51sjD-vFVK1LlD6MvKbS3GUzAq9UPlV0k31k8lzi7j5bVaZeVrmZeuAmvtfbvLJ8h6M5jkK-mnuDh5Pjjd6c1NOHvw6/s1600/IMGP3308.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy, the trekking snowman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-14953880240440474602014-01-15T16:57:00.002-08:002014-01-15T16:57:11.879-08:00An early morning stroll over Black Hill
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu01hBl7Dir29K6-nsXWSOAvUgHgE9tC5p5QUDAs6elS7_Pb5mputQViRYKCaLdk1cwQNrrF-BXFpgHIAryX_IfDTIfu8zTk_E44HhDCkE4R4ylGgtR6nW1t3zS7ejYclTIMYUuFsnByna/s1600/Black+Hill+-+Ray+Green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu01hBl7Dir29K6-nsXWSOAvUgHgE9tC5p5QUDAs6elS7_Pb5mputQViRYKCaLdk1cwQNrrF-BXFpgHIAryX_IfDTIfu8zTk_E44HhDCkE4R4ylGgtR6nW1t3zS7ejYclTIMYUuFsnByna/s1600/Black+Hill+-+Ray+Green.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Ray Green. All rights reserved.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Recently I was asked to write a regular walking column in the Saddleworth Independent newspaper. The following article appeared in the January edition.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Start:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
Wessenden Head, A635</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Distance:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
7.5km (Approx)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">With the season making its change from the rich
golden colours of autumn to the dark blanket of winter, todays early morning walk
onto Black Hill revealed the first snowfall of the season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Setting out from Wessenden Head on the
Greenfield/Holmfirth Road, I headed along the Kirkless Way towards Goodbent
Lodge. This section of the route is often wet under foot, however, today the
ground was firm after a night of hard frost. Upon reaching Nether Lane the
route turns south, over a stile, prior to reaching the former Victorian hunting
lodge. Descending the fields I heard the familiar sound of a heavy-lift
helicopter drifting up the valley on the wind. Scanning eastwards, the double rota-blades
of a military Chinook helicopter came into view above the trees that surround
Digley Reservoir. This beast of burden flew slow and steady above the moor
before disappearing from view behind Black Hill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Continuing my descent I soon reached Black Pool
Bridge, which spans Marsden Clough just below the convergence of Reap Hill
Clough and Dean Clough. This picturesque spot marks the start of the climb over
Good Bent, along a prominent track which leads to Stopes Moor. The numerous
shooting butts which line the track are a clear indication that this is prime
Grouse shooting land.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After crossing Issues Clough, I headed due south and
made the slow lung-busting climb directly up Hart Hill before turning west
along Issues Edge. Looking back down the valley, a wonderful vista unfolded across
to Digley Reservoir as the early morning mist began to rise from the valley
floor. Continuing south-west, my feet broke through the outer frozen layer of
peat that was covered in a thin layer of fresh snow. After a short while, the summit
trig point on Black Hill came into view and soon after I reached the white
concrete pillar known as Soldiers Lump. It was from this point that, in the
eighteenth century, a Royal Engineers party took triangulation measurements
whilst conducting the first full mapping survey of Great Britain, which began
in 1783.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Taking shelter behind the trig point, I savoured the
warming contents of my flask whilst reminiscing about a previous journey across
this peaty plateau when completing the Pennine Way. Unlike today, there was no
stone flagged path providing an easy navigable route across what was a desolate
black quagmire. Alfred Wainwright said of Black Hill, "It is not the only
fell with a summit of peat, but no other shows such a desolate and hopeless
quagmire to the sky”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Continuing on along the Pennine Way, the stone path
was slippery underfoot, beyond Black Dike Head, and care had to be taken on the
long descent after the previous night’s frost. Beyond Dean Clough the short
climb back to Wessenden Head marked the end of what had been a delightful early
morning outing.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-47433251786083847942013-12-24T16:32:00.003-08:002013-12-24T16:38:28.949-08:00A nocturnal festive foray<span class="userContent"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Uw46lD5KFweoJDGrWLvVDLKt_xlto5RZJVGqQAEW5lq1ZEuN0Lc5q7CDEU94hdVoVcFkAsARlHZtT7powhbKta6H1aedxeA_VpOH6gbVXgxLB4j5bu_EP814KSwL_hezJnDB-mXBme07/s1600/IMGP4640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Uw46lD5KFweoJDGrWLvVDLKt_xlto5RZJVGqQAEW5lq1ZEuN0Lc5q7CDEU94hdVoVcFkAsARlHZtT7powhbKta6H1aedxeA_VpOH6gbVXgxLB4j5bu_EP814KSwL_hezJnDB-mXBme07/s400/IMGP4640.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Festive Owls at Pots & Pans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_52ba26ee9a2531006489282">
<span class="userContent">With Christmas Day looming, and following a month of exciting and successful Christmas themed runs - The annual Santa Run and the Christmas Handicap - followed by Howard's Christmas Eve morning, Ho Bloody Ho Run, the Owls held their own noc<span class="text_exposed_show">turnal Christmas Eve Dash.<br /><br />With most people busy making last minute Christmas preparations, myself, Jo and Howard met at the Cross Keys Inn, Uppermill, for a nocturnal foray on the hills and moors of Saddleworth.<br /><br /> The planned route of running Hill Pits, Sykes Pillar, Alderman and Pots & Pans was shortened due to myself feeling under the weather and also as a result of having to get back home for my son. It was a cold night when we left the 'Keys' and made our way onto the hill via Pobgreen. Ascending the outgoing route of the Cross Keys Fell Race, we were met with a strong icy wind as we made our way to Shaw Rocks. Heading south, the gale force winds threatened to stop us dead in our tracks as Howard's head-torch dimmed to nothing more than the wattage of a candles flicker. However, with a clear sky above and a scattering of fresh snow on the ground, visibility was clear throughout the whole route. Passing the Oven Stones, our words were lost on the racing wind as we huddled close in conversation, on route to Alderman Hill.<br /><br /> Attaining the summit, we huddled behind rocks on Alderman to protect ourselves from the freezing wind as we enjoyed the view across the Chew Valley, which was covered under a blanket of stars.<br /><br /> Breaking cover, we made the short crossing of Board Hill Brow to reach the Saddleworth War Memorial at Pots & Pans. Taking shelter on the leeward side of the cenotaph, we enjoyed a wee dram and took a few photo's. Whilst others were busy preparing for Christmas amongst the twinkling lights of Sadleworth's Villages, we hardy few continued our nocturnal foray on the quiet windswept hills and made our descent of Primrose Hill to return to the Cross Keys, via Pobgreen.<br /><br /> Whilst the outing had been short, we had enjoyed a bracing run on the tops and what better way to see in Christmas than with good friends, enjoying a few laughs and doing what we love most. We finished the evening off with a quick festive pint in the Cross Keys Inn.<br /><br /> Merry Christmas everyone!</span></span></div>
<span class="userContent">
</span> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-52778385750234229812013-11-13T15:55:00.000-08:002013-11-13T15:55:07.465-08:00Night Running Around the Chew ValleyThe following report is from the Night Running section of Saddleworth Runner's Club.<br />
<br />
This week, eight Owl's set out from Bin Green for a night run above the Chew Valley. Arriving at our start point we watched the police (and possibly some Mountain Rescue?) searching the slopes of Alderman in the dark. Their torches scanning the rocky hillside as they ascended, with a search-dog out in front.<br />
<br />
Dropping down through the woods we came across another empty Police vehicle parked on the track by the reservoir. Whilst the night sky was clear and a frosty chill hung in the air, we had to remove our cags and some warm layers of clothing, as we made way along the shores of Yeoman Hey Reservoir. Hand-railing Greenfield Brook, the cathedral-like ebony black walls of Ravenstones Brow towered high above our heads, with a bright moon seemingly perched on the rim of Raven Stones Rocks.<br />
<br />
Heading up Birchen Clough, we enjoyed a nocturnal scramble on the rocks that have to be traversed when following this narrow path above the stream. Caught in the beams of our head-torches the fast flowing river and dramatic waterfalls were a spectacular sight.<br />
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Upon reaching calmer waters, we crossed the stream and turned north-west to make our way to the three-pinnacled tower of rock, known as the Trinacle. Now on the open moor we became exposed to a bitter cold wind and made the sensible decision to don cags. Earlier in the run I had swapped head-torches with Bruce, to try out his new Petzl Nao. Flitting along the precipitous edges, the beam clearly illuminated the route far better than my other torch. When glancing down into the vast open space of the valley below, the 'Intelligent Reactive Lighting Technology' instantly switched to full beam and I could clearly identify objects in the far distance. So far I was impressed but the real test would come when we made the rough steep descent of Ashway Gap.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTBOr2IWAZF_mksHJmukw_47JA3dPhhZaZnq-mEAc1ETymx0bVForYfRehXliCCY9X37icFdO20o7KDZtzv8ryq4AHczTqa0V7hgFBkaVyc_iyTlcHQJfIhAkoqaqdbY9pDb0s6yKSZeA/s1600/IMGP4482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTBOr2IWAZF_mksHJmukw_47JA3dPhhZaZnq-mEAc1ETymx0bVForYfRehXliCCY9X37icFdO20o7KDZtzv8ryq4AHczTqa0V7hgFBkaVyc_iyTlcHQJfIhAkoqaqdbY9pDb0s6yKSZeA/s400/IMGP4482.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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With the banter free-flowing, throughout the whole group, we continued to Ashway Rocks, from where we could still see the blue lights of emergency vehicles flashing on the Holmfirth Road. The night-time search was clearly still underway upon Alderman Hill, and in the valley bottom below.<br />
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Dropping off from the rocks, we descended Ashway Gap. Finding a narrow trod, we made good progress over the rough ground and soon picked up the main path. Being a natural down-hiller I'm always looking for the thrill of a rapid descent. However, in recent years I've noticed that my eyesight no longer seems to be at its optimum operating level and, on night runs, I have become more cautious when in descent. However, with the new Nao strapped to my head my foot placement had become more precise again and I once again had the confidence to let go and move up through the gear ratio. Halfway down I again swapped torches with Bruce. Going back to my old trusty companion would be the real test. Within only a few metres, I had discovered the answer to my quest. Running with my old head-torch again was like having tunnel vision, and the ground wasn't illuminated as clearly as with the Nao. Try descending Ashway Gap at speed with one eye shut and the other looking through a Smarty tube and you will get the idea. I made my mind up there and then that I was having one of the Petzl Nao's. They're not cheap but if you're really into your night running these seem a great piece of kit. Anyway, I've already ordered one from Mountainfeet, in Marsden. Si, the shop's owner, has promised to bring it over for me next week, to the Janapar film night.<br />
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After reaching the valley floor we made our way back along Dove Stone Reservoir to return to Bin Green. Returning to the club, we enjoyed a few beers and plenty more banter and laughs, with the rest of the club.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-60259448824468903272013-11-02T08:44:00.001-07:002013-11-02T14:17:06.477-07:00Two Outings in One Day - Part Two: Blackstone Edge<br />
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Some people do business in the boardroom, others on the golf
course. A friend and I had some running club business to discuss, so chose to
conduct our meeting on the moors … <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Howard and I are both members of Saddleworth Runner’s Club,
which is a fell-running club whose headquarters are based at the Cross Key’s
Inn, Uppermill. Howard is the club’s long-standing secretary and I the Chairman.
With the club approaching the end of the administrative year and with the
our AGM looming, there were various matters which needed our attention. With
both of us having a passion for the outdoors, and a loathing of sitting at
desks or in stuffy meeting rooms, where better place could there be to hold a
meeting than on the open moors, whilst partaking in our first love – fell-running.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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After enjoying a delightful, early morning walk in Tandle
Hill Country Park, with my son and our dog, it was clear that the best part of
the day had passed. Picking Howard up from his house, at about 10.45am, the
weather had closed-in and the windscreen wipers on the car were working flat-out in order that we had a clear view of the road. Reaching the White House
Pub, on the A58, above Littleborough, the wind speed had increased and upon
opening the car doors we were met with a surge of rain, which swept straight through
the vehicle. Gore-Tex until end-ex, would be the order of the day!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Initially heading east, along the Halifax Road, we hugged
the right-hand verge as a few high-sided vehicles sped past, en-route to
Rochdale. After about a kilometre, we left the road and followed Rishworth
Drain, on ground more appealing to fell-runner’s. After crossing the Old
Packhorse Road, we skirted below Flint Hill and descended a section of path, to
the east of Thief Clough, which is always wet and boggy, even in the driest of
weather. After the prolonged rain of the past weeks the ground was now more
akin to swamp-land, and we had to carefully pick our way around the worst
sections.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Reaching firmer ground, we crossed a small footbridge and
turned west, along a good path which follows the course of another drain to
Green Withens Reservoir. Passing the West Yorkshire Scouts Outdoor Pursuits
Centre, we followed the reservoir access road south, before hand-railing the
M62, for a short while, to meet up with the Pennine Way, where it crosses the
motorway (see: <u><span style="color: #0066cc;"><a href="http://www.saddleworthdiscoverywalks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/the-m62-pennine-way-footbridge.html">http://www.saddleworthdiscoverywalks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/the-m62-pennine-way-footbridge.html</a> )</span></u></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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The M62, trans-Pennine motorway is one of the busiest
motorways in the country. However, today there was not a single vehicle to be
seen, on either carriageway. Highway patrol vehicles, parked at junction 22,
were a clear indication that the motorway had been closed. Behind their road blocks,
long lines of static vehicles had built up in both directions, on the A672. We
just hoped that no one had been seriously injured or worse.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Continuing north, we now followed Britain’s most popular
long-distance footpath, the Pennine Way. As we climbed to higher ground, and emerged
from the shelter that we had been afforded whilst on the Yorkshire side of the
Pennines, we once again encountered gusting winds and driving rain. This
section of footpath from around Longden End Brook to Sun End used to be in a
bad state of repair and very boggy underfoot. However, a new stone slab path
has now been laid, making forward progress very easy. Howard and I debated the
merits of managed paths on open moorland and, whilst recognising their need, in
order to prevent further erosion of this fragile environment, there is no doubt
that they are an unpleasant sight.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Reaching the top of the climb, we traversed the geological ridge,
which is Blackstone Edge, which once marked the former Lancashire/Yorkshire
border. Passing the summit trig point, we flitted between the gritstone rocks as
we made our descent back to the White House pub.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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We had been out on the moors for a little over an hour and completed
a circuit of just over 6 miles. Whilst others may shy away from venturing on to
the high moors in inclement weather, we had embraced the opportunity. Being out
on the hills instead of stuck in a dreary office would always be our preferred choice,
whatever the weather. The only thing left to do now was conduct the rest of our
business over a welcoming pint and delicious hot meal, in the White House.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-56060912044754323962013-11-01T19:01:00.003-07:002013-11-02T05:27:17.122-07:00Two Outings in One Day - Part One: Tandle Hill Park<div class="aboveUnitContent">
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<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_52745afdb505a8428599814">
<span class="userContent"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/q82/s320x320/1379672_1414381325459075_243409014_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photo" border="0" class="img" height="239" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/q82/s320x320/1379672_1414381325459075_243409014_n.jpg" style="left: 0px;" width="320" /></a>With the passing of Halloween, November welcomes us for another month of enjoyable walks and outings. On this first day of November I had the pleasure of enjoying two separate outings in the countryside. Both in some enjoyable company. Whil<span class="text_exposed_show">st neither of the walks were actually within Saddleworth, each of them took in some beautiful scenery.<br /><br /> I was awakened early this morning with the sun's rays shining through the part-drawn curtain's and a gentle, fresh breeze blowing through the open window. My son came into my room and, proclaiming what a beautiful, autumnal morning it was, and asked if we could take our dog for a walk in Tandle Hill Country Park, in Royton. Having already planned to meet a friend, for an outing in the South Pennine hills, at around 11.00am, we jumped in the car and set out for a pre-breakfast stroll.<br /><br /> Walking through the 110 acre, Beech woodland, we waded through a deep carpet of crisp, fallen leaves as the suns rays streamed through the thinning, golden canopy. My son found a rope-swing, fastened to the limb of a large tree, and enjoyed the thrill of swinging back and forth over a steep ravine. </span><br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/q82/s320x320/1454609_1414381038792437_1643740839_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photo" border="0" class="img" height="239" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/q82/s320x320/1454609_1414381038792437_1643740839_n.jpg" style="left: 0px;" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">The name Tandle Hill is said to mean 'Fire Hill' and was used as a meeting place by radicals, in the 19th century. In the time leading up to the Peterloo massacre, which took place on 16th August 1819, at St.Peter's Field, Manchester, Tandle Hill is said to have been used by protestors for practicing marching and drilling formations. After the appalling incidents of that fateful day, the beech woodland was planted, to prevent the area being used by protestors again, and it became a private game reserve and hunting park, of the Thornham Estate. In 1861 the park was sold to Joseph Milne, whose wife later sold it Norris Bradbury, who was a local councillor. In 1919, Councillor Bradbury gave the park to the people of Royton, as a peace offering to mark the end of the First World War.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://scontent-a-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/q71/s320x320/560051_1414381598792381_1099506412_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photo" border="0" class="img" height="239" src="https://scontent-a-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/q71/s320x320/560051_1414381598792381_1099506412_n.jpg" style="left: 0px;" width="320" /></a>Moving on, we climbed to the parks highest point, where a war memorial, unveiled by the Duke of Derby, in 1921, commemorates the men of Royton who laid down their lives in the First World War. This lofty position offers commanding views over Scout Moor Wind Farm and across to Winter Hill. The summits of these distant peaks were obscured by low cloud and we recognised that we were enjoying the last of the days clear weather as the moisture laden vessels crept closer.<br />
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<br />
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Continuing around our woodland circuit, we made our way back to the car and returned home for breakfast.<br /><br /> Tomorrow I'll post a write up of the day's second outing, which took in the lower reaches of the South Pennine hills.</span><br /></span><br /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-37226407431711294362013-10-27T05:15:00.000-07:002013-10-27T05:15:03.648-07:00JANAPAR - Tom Allen's story of his four year, round-the-world, cycle adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEaPjcO0vpFKuU8Z-SxYEPV32BuieUt1i-bgMELOrIyrNxa7-QrAxcdI8hTPrNtWC0QmzhEFmI-4v9GH6yvhuzRKKPlg19_DwPRqv1OcnicVHji-GOxc0qu0N7JEZ62R71yXKNiVlJT4E/s1600/Janapar_productionstill4_desertcycling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEaPjcO0vpFKuU8Z-SxYEPV32BuieUt1i-bgMELOrIyrNxa7-QrAxcdI8hTPrNtWC0QmzhEFmI-4v9GH6yvhuzRKKPlg19_DwPRqv1OcnicVHji-GOxc0qu0N7JEZ62R71yXKNiVlJT4E/s400/Janapar_productionstill4_desertcycling.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Round-the-world cyclist and adventurer, Tom Allen, will be showing his
film-documentary, <em>Janapar</em>, which tells the story of his four year epic cycle
adventure. The film will be screened at Saddleworth Cricket Club On Monday 18<sup>th</sup>
November. Doors and bar open at 7.00pm with the film starting at 7.30pm. There
will be a charity raffle to raise funds for Dr.Kershaw’s Hospice, with some
great prizes to be won, including signed copies of Tom’s book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Janapar</i>, which accompanies the film.
After the film screening there will be a question and answer session with Tom,
followed by a book signing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">The following write-up is taken from a press-release for the film.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">ABOUT TOM ALLEN<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3696IPWjKOQ75PCq_vPTZrVTM1Gmh9Kh-dfGMRVxWhPoWR-mjBTG86V5Gvgokv-XfjzDlVp8n5YYJZPjYTyl7nSSzuaQ6VB7egYtgx1Xx7hUeV7mhWuzwm4e2tlYtTrZKHtLcVRSUbMU/s1600/Janapar_productionstill5_tom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3696IPWjKOQ75PCq_vPTZrVTM1Gmh9Kh-dfGMRVxWhPoWR-mjBTG86V5Gvgokv-XfjzDlVp8n5YYJZPjYTyl7nSSzuaQ6VB7egYtgx1Xx7hUeV7mhWuzwm4e2tlYtTrZKHtLcVRSUbMU/s400/Janapar_productionstill5_tom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">23-year-old Englishman Tom Allen is all set for a successful career in
IT, but he finds himself persisted by the question of our time: isn’t there
more to life than this? Leaving it all behind, Tom sets off on the ultimate
quest for freedom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">For the next 12,000 miles, with neither maps nor guidebooks, Tom films
the unfolding of his dream. Despite an unexceptional background and with no
athletic talent, he cycles and camps his way across three continents. But the
journey takes an unlikely detour when he falls in love with an Iranian-Armenian
girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1NnCrvFAvrJfm88fugK22Cwm0glr_hW73z61ouXwkyq5pLYMqjfeNYc-HTv10ibpok8_zsgaNnRyXtN6e-dGe5UXL0ogUXfzIUXuNdHe7JRwXuRcL6snfJrmWq8P-mgaxGo4EqN1dDOT/s1600/Janapar_productionstill3_tenny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1NnCrvFAvrJfm88fugK22Cwm0glr_hW73z61ouXwkyq5pLYMqjfeNYc-HTv10ibpok8_zsgaNnRyXtN6e-dGe5UXL0ogUXfzIUXuNdHe7JRwXuRcL6snfJrmWq8P-mgaxGo4EqN1dDOT/s320/Janapar_productionstill3_tenny.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Struggling to keep his dream alive, Tom convinces Tenny to get on a
bicycle and join him. But when things don’t go to plan, Tom is forced to
continue riding alone. His decisions lead him to the depths of the Sahara
desert, where - amid challenges unimaginable - he catches a glimpse of the
answer he set out to find.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Filmed over four years with cinematic ambition, <i>Janapar</i> - named
after the Armenian word for journey - is an honest and life-affirming tale of
finding what you’re looking for when you least expect it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 24pt 0cm 6pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="h.194tvjmg61cn"></a><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">ABOUT THE PRODUCTION<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">More than half a decade in the making, <i>Janapar</i> is the directorial
debut for James Newton who worked closely with Tom Allen as he captured every
aspect of life on the road. Cut from over 300 hours of material shot in 32
countries, the film is an unprecedented self-documentary with cinematic
ambition, featuring an original score by award-winning composer Vincent Watts. <i>Janapar</i>’s
World Premiere was held at the 20th Raindance Film Festival in London.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzM8aT5htRxSB2CbXhOkKSYmfBFP8LO1KQnAXyDBD7Rg6tX-8b696XpJrY3dAD82MwStrJA-bUXbEJ-p1ROsKWxXXNQelcfb-sGb97AtS1jFrXwlbAHrZbVqgnTIyF-2BhlaldW1WHMZW/s1600/Janapar_productionstill2_desertcamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzM8aT5htRxSB2CbXhOkKSYmfBFP8LO1KQnAXyDBD7Rg6tX-8b696XpJrY3dAD82MwStrJA-bUXbEJ-p1ROsKWxXXNQelcfb-sGb97AtS1jFrXwlbAHrZbVqgnTIyF-2BhlaldW1WHMZW/s320/Janapar_productionstill2_desertcamp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 24pt 0cm 6pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="h.ue9iguom3efy"></a><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">STATEMENTS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 18pt 0cm 4pt; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="h.tavayp9yaaar"></a><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">James Newton / Producer-Director<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">When I first met Tom, he was about to embark on the journey of a
lifetime. But neither of us knew what that would come to mean. A complete
newcomer to the world of filmmaking, Tom agreed to shoot his experience on a MiniDV
video camera. He would send me the footage whenever possible, and I would offer
him feedback.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Over the next four years his story unfolded. It soon became highly
personal, and Tom began telling his tale with frankness and intensity. While
freelancing as a producer-director for the BBC, I spent my weekends assembling
vignettes of Tom’s adventures and his burgeoning romance, trying to figure out
how this extremely intimate experience could be shaped into a single narrative.
After reading early drafts of Tom’s book and after many months of development,
I finally had a script.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Like a typical indie filmmaker I blagged my way into someone’s storage
cupboard, borrowed some equipment and convinced the best editor I knew to spend
two months in a dark room with only me, a cup of tea and Tom’s raw material for
company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">The footage spanned four years and three continents. Far beyond a simple
journey, it depicted entire chapters of its subject’s life. Wrestling with the
film’s structure, it soon became clear that the story was theatrical in scope.
It possessed the power to inspire and to change the way people thought about
life. It deserved more than to be told in simple chronological sequence.
Thankfully, the feature-length format provided the creative freedom to do the
story justice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Janapar</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> has universal themes. It
was beautifully filmed by Tom with an unusual level of honesty. He invested a
great deal of trust in the lens, and we hope that this is reflected in the
finished film.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 14pt 0cm 4pt; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="h.32yj46js6ps0"></a><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Director Filmography<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">James Newton is a documentary and factual TV producer-director. His most
recent project was a one-off documentary for BBC One about survivors of violent
crime, presented by Kirsty Young and including exclusive interviews with James
Bulger's mother. This 9pm special, transmitted on August 23rd 2012, was James’
first hour-long broadcast piece and became the most-watched program in the
slot. It received ‘Pick of the week’ in the Daily Mail, ‘One to watch’ in the
Telegraph, and attracted strong reviews across the press. <i>Janapar</i> is his
first theatrical feature documentary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 18pt 0cm 4pt; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="h.99qeijfgoq7x"></a><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Tom Allen / Camera & Co-Director <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I met James whilst preparing to take a huge leap of faith, leaving
everything I knew behind to set out into the unknown. He was a director looking
for stories, and although I was initially reluctant, he soon convinced me to
film mine. I had no previous experience, and my early attempts at capturing my
experiences were less than successful. But when my journey began to stray from
the original plan, I recognised that the story was growing more interesting by
the day. At that point I decided to invest in the storytelling role
wholeheartedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">As a complete newcomer to filmmaking, the biggest challenge of all was
to reconfigure my perception of the medium and start shooting for the edit.
Laypeople such as myself typically have no concept of the filmmaking process,
assuming that stories emerge more-or-less fully formed in front of the cameras.
I also had to train myself to form an honest, uninhibited relationship with the
lens. This took months of practice, far too many failed attempts, and some
serious soul-searching.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAINqYgZy9B0HqVE3eZTvD0NuBn6LCmWzW3raBlWj0GOw3CCydh0ECwFa7_6HpsANTzEtwO7jJrF_-aTvKe6vBUOEXxWibudkshxbrVEagV1O5dWoroVsHMZEn1PEcmI7yuA8_wwVCPa5/s1600/Janapar_productionstill1_loveonabike+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAINqYgZy9B0HqVE3eZTvD0NuBn6LCmWzW3raBlWj0GOw3CCydh0ECwFa7_6HpsANTzEtwO7jJrF_-aTvKe6vBUOEXxWibudkshxbrVEagV1O5dWoroVsHMZEn1PEcmI7yuA8_wwVCPa5/s400/Janapar_productionstill1_loveonabike+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">The footage I sent to James from the second and third years of
adventure, and the unexpected relationship I found in that time, now forms the
main story thread of <i>Janapar</i>. James and I worked hard on the production
throughout 2011 and 2012. I was writing a book concurrently with the script
development, and we’ve now got a finished feature documentary on our hands,
which we’re really proud of. Looking back, it’s funny to think that this
five-year project only came to completion through a string of fortunate
accidents entirely outside our control.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 24pt 0cm 6pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="h.cp6kct773bwu"></a><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">What people are saying about the film<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">"A profound, gripping adventure - a dramatic story about the things
that matter most in life."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Oliver Steeds, Explorer & Investigative Journalist<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">"Tremendously moving, engaging, honest, and wonderful!!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Roz Savage, Ocean Rower & National Geographic Adventurer Of The Year
2010<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">"So engrossed I almost missed my stop!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Shane Winser, Expedition & Fieldwork Adviser, Royal Geographical
Society (with IBG)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Thanks to Tom Allen for the photos and information © Tom Allen<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Tickets can be
ordered at <a href="http://www.janapar.ticketsource.co.uk/"><span style="color: blue;">www.janapar.ticketsource.co.uk</span></a>
. For further information contact Chris: <a href="mailto:saddleworthdiscoverywalks@gmail.com"><span style="color: blue;">saddleworthdiscoverywalks@gmail.com</span></a></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-29450020039079034912013-10-24T15:18:00.001-07:002013-10-24T15:19:41.960-07:00A report from the Saddleworth Owl's<span class="userContent">Nine Owls took flight tonight on what was a very pleasant and warm evening. Setting out from the Castleshaw Outdoor Education Centre we made our way along a narrow, sunken track which, after the recent d<span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show">eluge of rain, was more like a stream than a footpath. This ancient highway is aptly called, Waters Lane.<br /><br /> Upon reaching Huddersfield Road, we turned left and passed the Saddleworth Hotel on route to Bleak Hey Nook, where we had to stop and remove some layers as we began to feel the effects of such a warm, still night. Following the Standedge Trail we climbed onto Millstone Edge, via Rock Farm B & B. As we attained the trig point a wonderful vista unfolded, and to the East a large orange moon hung high in the clear sky above the twinkling lights of Huddersfield.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmpXJlQ1J7k97R87FqiO13D81kxZOW_veSPSMQYls54NwnwDGnm-xM0Ash05TllqWfh5zYBqSnJDiWd-gdieSwrP6mj4xboJmfMwn97huhxjSuCnCcIBttIuCN5e-hPp8zSz9VKj09Mwj/s1600/IMGP4288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmpXJlQ1J7k97R87FqiO13D81kxZOW_veSPSMQYls54NwnwDGnm-xM0Ash05TllqWfh5zYBqSnJDiWd-gdieSwrP6mj4xboJmfMwn97huhxjSuCnCcIBttIuCN5e-hPp8zSz9VKj09Mwj/s640/IMGP4288.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show">Moving on, we skipped from rock to rock as we traversed the gritstone edge. Our head-torches penetrating the darkness and illuminating the way, as a welcome breeze drifted up from the Castleshaw Valley, below. <br /><br /> Following the Oldham Way we crossed Castleshaw Moor, Hind Hill and then the upper slopes of Dowry Castle Hill. With our feet now truly wet and with legs caked in ivory black peat we found firmer ground as we headed along Moor Lane to the four lane ends junction, beyond Broadhead Noddle. Turning south-east we made for lower ground along Low Gate Lane and once again soon felt the effects of the balmy night as we left the cooling breeze upon the higher slopes of the valley rim.<br /><br /> Crossing the dam wall, between the upper and lower reservoirs, the Harvest Moon sat proudly just above the dark skyline of Millstone Edge, casting its bright lunar rays across the still waters of the upper reservoir. Content with the evenings run we skirted below the ancient Roman Fort, along Dirty Lane, to return to our cars for the short drive back to the nest, for a couple of pints with the rest of the club.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-55651564400205928112013-10-07T17:30:00.000-07:002013-10-07T17:30:01.014-07:00The M62 Pennine Way Footbridge<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRvZx29w2EPagZYKVHaQzOVx255uBeyYSj_JmpSrfsQ8j_QoW7DFruODvRnroTTk_-tRLxOjxZhy7bEkU8tb_I0Xtrz3oqc9iII4kvXgEXWvl2mxPLfQfm2sXEUFIJIQjrWheygfAyTJh/s1600/1382371_422149887885071_209626364_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRvZx29w2EPagZYKVHaQzOVx255uBeyYSj_JmpSrfsQ8j_QoW7DFruODvRnroTTk_-tRLxOjxZhy7bEkU8tb_I0Xtrz3oqc9iII4kvXgEXWvl2mxPLfQfm2sXEUFIJIQjrWheygfAyTJh/s320/1382371_422149887885071_209626364_n.jpg" width="256" /></a>The Pennine Way, which was officially opened in 1965, is
intersected by one of Britain’s busiest motorways, close to Rishworth Moor. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Pennine Way footbridge, which spans the M62 is an
instantly recognisable landmark for both commuters and walkers alike. This
narrow bridge has a span of 320ft and carries Britain’s first long-distance
footpath 65ft above the carriageway. <o:p></o:p></div>
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During the design stages for the building of the M62 the
Pennine Way had not yet being granted Public Right of Way status and therefore
no plans had been considered to erect a footbridge, to allow safe passage across
the future trans-Pennine motorway. The original intention was that Pennine Wayfarers
would have to follow the A672 underneath the motorway and re-join the footpath
further north. However it is said that Ernest Marples, a former Manchester
Rambling Club member, and owner of Marples/Ridgeway Civil Engineering
Contractors, played an instrumental part in ensuring that the pedestrian bridge
was built.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Apparently the original design for the bridge was to span
the motorway horizontally. However, some sources say that the Transport
Minister, who was in office at the time, was a prolific walker and insisted
that a more impressive structure be built. This decision is said to have considerably
increased the construction costs. Whatever the original design, the final
structure consists of a reinforced concrete three pin arch which has a span of
220ft, complete with side cantilevers. Each cantilever supports pre-stressed
concrete approach spans each of which are 85ft long.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Since its original construction this now iconic landmark has
provided safe passage, above the swarming traffic, for thousands upon thousands
of walkers making their 270 mile pilgrimage along Britain’s best known
National Trail.</div>
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<o:p>Thanks to Ray Green, who's photo inspired this short article. You can see many more of Ray's fabulous photos at <a href="http://www.raygreenphotography.co.uk/">www.raygreenphotography.co.uk</a></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-31780014469807099272013-09-30T17:11:00.003-07:002013-09-30T17:11:40.408-07:00Autumn
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUzacOrgoot2Tsg4dW_6zy5QzszDmNznc52Fr7Pr8QInwPxY5ncQQRIkUzbjJs_IT95FzKGrpyDMglRs2Fzr2pFN9f5br7h5Mm15_iQLxEbTwZj0LRMN0m6AzNEpQcuQun_Mf8PDCB517/s1600/autumn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUzacOrgoot2Tsg4dW_6zy5QzszDmNznc52Fr7Pr8QInwPxY5ncQQRIkUzbjJs_IT95FzKGrpyDMglRs2Fzr2pFN9f5br7h5Mm15_iQLxEbTwZj0LRMN0m6AzNEpQcuQun_Mf8PDCB517/s400/autumn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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After the fine summer that we’ve had the season has been
slowly slipping away over the past weeks. This morning I was awakened by a
distinctive cool breeze blowing in through my open window. The cold breath of early
dawn caressing my face as my head lay exposed outside the warm covers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When I left the house I became instantly aware that the
trees were a blaze of Autumnal glory. It was as if the leaves had changed from
their varying shades of green to the rich golden colours of autumn overnight. A
strong wind was blowing and the trees swayed back and forth in time with the
rise and fall of each gust. With each surge of invisible atmospheric energy these
swaying giants lost their seasonal grip on their dead and dying leaves and the
cycle of life moves into another stage.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Carried through the air like confetti, thousands of leaves drifted
on the wind before gently coming to rest on the ground. Walking to school in
warm coats, children dragged their feet through the deep beds of crisp dry
leaves, kicking and throwing them into the air, where they were carried on
currents of air as the wind once again whipped up and lifted them high above
the their heads in ever increasing spirals.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As a noisy flock of Canada Geese flew overhead in tight
formation, heading in search of winter pastures, I sat for a while and watched
a squirrel collecting its harvest high in a tree. At regular intervals it would
dash down to ground level and scurry into the undergrowth out of sight.
Returning empty handed, it was clear that it was busy stocking its winter
larder.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Autumn is a magical time of year, when I most enjoy walking
in the woods. I love the rich vibrant colours and the sounds of crisp golden
leaves crunching underfoot. The freshness of the cooler mornings is a reminder
that the chill of winter is on the horizon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Follow the link below for the Forestry Commissions top 10
list of forests to visit in autumn.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/autumntop10"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/autumntop10</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
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The Autumn Gallery has a selection of beautiful photographs
that you can download for free and use as screensavers or simply printout to
keep.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/autumngallery"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/autumngallery</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-82998855026683389012013-09-03T09:47:00.000-07:002013-09-03T09:58:23.192-07:00Sunay Morning in Saddleworth<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgul_AH4UG0iSsSUFIDHajhgmGVtVIhvy9I1Rl4o5S0ObDlfKeCGy8_MsaQDwNbm_Q52LRYdMCJFK7u6qP2Unk5-Ii2YZ4kVkB9G8_8meb8HLHVv_rKWaqAIz57kz-iIjLEuZmarKmxGPZu/s1600/03082010597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgul_AH4UG0iSsSUFIDHajhgmGVtVIhvy9I1Rl4o5S0ObDlfKeCGy8_MsaQDwNbm_Q52LRYdMCJFK7u6qP2Unk5-Ii2YZ4kVkB9G8_8meb8HLHVv_rKWaqAIz57kz-iIjLEuZmarKmxGPZu/s400/03082010597.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span class="userContent">With one or two Sunday morning runners nursing sore heads, after last night's wedding, a good strong group set off from the Castleshaw Centre, in Saddleworth.</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">Heading up the valley we made our way onto a windy Millstone Edge, before heading north along the </span></div>
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Pennine Way. At the Nant Sarah's Road we continued north for a short while before crossing access land to Readycon Dean Reservoir. From here we picked up the Pennine Bridleway and passed below Lurden Top, on route to Dowry Reservoir.</span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">After a morning of showers, the sky now cleared and we removed wet cags as the sun broke through the scattering clouds. Continuing on, we climbed the PBW and picked up Moor Lane and then on to Four Lane Ends. Enjoying the delightful grassy descent we dropped into the valley to return to the car park on waterworks Road.</span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Another great Sunday morning run.</span></span></div>
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</span><br /></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-41974970932040291622013-09-03T09:46:00.001-07:002013-11-02T06:10:47.923-07:00A Short Walk Around Dove Stone Reservoir<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Dove Stone Reservoir, situated in the Chew Valley, Greenfield, is a popular tourist attraction for Oldham residents and visitors from further afield. Considered as the northern gateway to the Peak District, this beautiful valley offers an array of low level strolls and high moorland walks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Setting out from the RSPB operated car park, adjacent to the Sailing Club, I made my way along the southern shores of Dove Stone Reservoir, with the evening sun warming my back. Turning north, at Chew Brook I watched a flotilla of sailing dinghy’s straining to make forward progress as their crews attempted to harness the light breeze in loosely flapping sails.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Passing below Dean Rocks the air was still and quiet, except for the distinctive calls of the Peregrine Falcons which nest high on the cliffs. Reaching the foot of Ashway Gap I sat on a bench in the grounds of the former Victorian Hunting Lodge, called <a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=ashway+gap+house&qpvt=ashway+gap+house&FORM=IGRE#view=detail&id=AA3B5013A83EB639E1B96B6ED774BE91C961EE38&selectedIndex=1">Ashway Gap House</a>, and trained my binoculars to the sky in search of the high speed raptors. Built in 1777, and previously owned by the wealthy Platt family, the once majestic, castle-like, building was, in the First World War, used as a military hospital and in World War Two as a holding centre for Italian internees, before later, once again, becoming a Prisoner of War site. The property was sadly demolished in August 1981, after plans to turn it into an Outdoor Pursuits Centre failed. The layout of the site can still be seen today amongst the
Rhodedendron bushes </span><br />
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C<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">ontinuing north I made my way along the eastern shores of Yeoman Hey Reservoir, which was the first to be constructed in the valley. Following the clear path I climbed to the south-east corner of Greenfield Reservoir and crossed the dam to reach the far bank. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Looking up the valley I watched two climbers scaling the formidable tower of gritstone rock, known as the Trinacle. The sound of their clanging ironmongery drifted down the valley on the still air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As the setting sun bathed the valley’s upper, west facing slopes, in a blanket of orange light, I turned south and headed along the wide track, below Bill o’ Jacks plantation. Named after a 19<sup>th</sup> century pub which once stood close by, on the Saddleworth to Holmfirth Road, it was once the scene of a most gruesome murder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At the end of the track I dropped down the path and continued along the shores of Dove Stone Reservoir, as a pair of ducks escorted their young brood along the water’s edge. Crossing the dam wall I made my return to the car park to complete what had been a wonderful evening’s stroll in the Chew Valley.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-4757439066236734872013-09-03T09:45:00.002-07:002013-09-03T09:45:20.261-07:00The Saddleworth Runners Summer Solstice Coffee Run<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year and is also the birthday of one of the members of Saddleworth Runners. At 8pm on Friday 21<sup>st</sup> June over twenty club members met at the Clarence Hotel, Greenfield, for birthday drinks before departing on a night-time round of the 20 mile Saddleworth Trigs route. Inspired by a previous, nocturnal winter round by two fellow SRC members, Nicky Torr wanted to complete the route, with friends, to celebrate her 40<sup>th</sup> Birthday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at the half-way point</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Starting out at 9pm, on what was a perfectly mild summers evening, the group was full of laughter and joy, as the 20 strong group made their way up Alphin Pike to the first trig point of the night. With a bright moon peaking from behind dark clouds the contingent made their way along the Chew Valley edges past Wimberry Rocks to Chew Reservoir and onto the 2<sup>nd<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></sup>, and most remote trig point of the round, upon Featherbed Moss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the conditions ideal the miles were quickly ticked off as the going underfoot, along the Pennine Way, was ideal and Black Hill trig point was soon attained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get the coffee on love they're coming</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy birthday Nicky</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At Snoopy’s lay-by, on the Saddleworth to Holmfirth Road, another group of SRC members were waiting to join the first group for the second leg of their overnight journey. Husband and wife duo, Ruth and Stuart Hutchinson, had offered to set up their outside catering van to provide everyone with copious amounts of their finest coffee. Recently married, the SRC couple, who’s relationship was cemented by a love of the outdoors and a passion for fell running, own a newly established business called ‘Coffee Run’. Their specially kitted-out van can be seen every day, outside Greenfield Railway Station, serving Tea and Coffee to Saddleworth’s early morning commuters. At lunch times they provide hungry workers, at several business premises, with quality sustenance to see them through the remainder of the working day. Having a passion for fell racing they are now looking to set up stall at local fell races, to share their wonderful range of coffee’s and light snacks with fellow hill loving folk. Indeed they recently quenched the thirst of runner’s at two of SRC’s popular races, the Cake Race and the Saddleworth Fell Race.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks for the wonderful coffee!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">No sooner had their stall been set out, with lanterns glowing and birthday balloons floating in the wind, when a line of head-torches could be seen descending the northern flanks of Black Hill. As the group arrived, Ruth and Stuart set to work serving cup after cup of freshly brewed coffee to the parched runners. Within the space of a few minutes they had served around thirty nocturnal runners with freshly brewed coffee’s and home-baked cakes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West Nab trig point - one to go</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">With everyone suitably refreshed, the ever growing group set off on the final leg of their Summer Solstice run. Under an angry looking sky we reached the trig point upon the rocky summit of West Nab in good time. A heavy rain now moved in, on an ever increasing wind, and it was time to don cags for the remainder of the outing. Making good progress down Wessenden Valley we once again followed the Pennine Way past Swellands and Black Moss reservoirs before traversing Broadhead Brow to reach South Clough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">With the weather now turning to near winter conditions and the driving rain reducing visibility to only a few metres ,everyone was still in high spirits as we marched on a bearing across the bleak and featureless Wicken Clough Moss. Crossing the Cotton Famine Road we drifted a little too far south and had to readjust our sights in order to reach the final, elusive trig point of the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wessenden Valley</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Upon reaching Sykes Pillar (Broadstone trig point), named on OS Maps after the late Frank Sykes, one of Saddleworth Runner’s founding members, we didn’t linger long as some of the group were now beginning to feel the effects of this unusually chilling weather. Dropping off the hill, to escape the worst of the driving rain and bone chilling wind, we headed down Broadstone Clough and past Slades Barn to reach Pobgreen. With dawn now breaking we followed a much more sheltered course along the lower flanks of Primrose Hill, below the Pot’s and Pan’s War Memorial, and into Greenfield were yet another strong contingent of club members had turned out to toast Nicky’s birthday and mark the passing of the solstice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nicky had thoroughly enjoyed her birthday run with her husband, Matt – a member of Oldham Mountain Rescue Team – her sister-in-law, who had travelled up from Sheffield to take part in the fun, and all her friends from Saddleworth Runners Club, for making her birthday so special. Nicky would like to pass on her thanks to everyone who turned out to support the run and a special thanks to Ruth and Stuart for providing the freshly brewed, energy giving, coffee’s. If you would like to book the ‘Coffee Run’ to support a race or club event, you can contact them via their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/coffee.run.uk?fref=ts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-77344579277735547022013-09-03T09:44:00.000-07:002013-09-03T09:44:21.790-07:00A Walk Along the Denshaw Valley to Heights<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_51a6a9620bff53011547799">
<span class="userContent">On Bank Holiday Monday my son enjoyed a rare opportunity for a rest day from swimming training. With me just having returned from a weekend in the Lake District, working with a group of Youth Workers on a Forest School and Bush Craft traini<span class="text_exposed_show">ng course, we decided to get out and enjoy a pleasant evening walk in Saddleworth.<br /><br /> Setting out from Denshaw we made our way along the upper-reaches of the River Tame, where a lone Heron stalked the shallow waters in search of an evening meal. At New Years Bridge Reservoir we made our way over to Ox Hey Farm, where, more used to being seen in the high mountains of Peru, Llama grazed in the lush grassy meadows .<br /><br /> With a light rain being blown in, from the south-west, we headed over to Heights where we looked around Heights Chapel, which has appeared in many a film and TV production. Afterwards we enjoyed a coke and a packet of nuts each in the Royal Oak, opposite. Sitting in front of the open fire we chatted with the landlord and his wife, who were very friendly and welcoming. Soon afterwards their son arrived, and we discussed a trekking trip to Nepal which he was about to embark on in a few days time. Over-hearing several conversations it was clear that many of the regulars were keen walkers and anyone calling in, when passing by, would fit in and be made very welcome.<br /><br /> With the refreshments and warming fire taking effect we left the comfort of the pub and made our</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> way down into the Denshaw Valley, past the cricket club. Crossing the fields we discovered a Lapwing's nest complete with incubating eggs. The protective parents had taken to the skies to chase off a couple of marauding Carrion Crow. Hopefully the batch of eggs will hatch and the chicks survive to adulthood, as unfortunately the lapwing (or Peewit as it is also known, in imitation of its display calls) is now on the RSPB's 'RED', endangered, list.<br /><br /> Continuing north we made our way along the valley bottom to return to Denshaw. We had enjoyed a couple of hours gentle stroll and had seen a range of wildlife on route. With a great sense of humour and an ability to hold varied and interesting conversations my son is fantastic company to be in and we had enjoyed some great Father and Son time together.</span><br /></span></div>
<span class="userContent"></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-75705012848905066852013-09-03T09:43:00.000-07:002013-09-03T09:43:18.865-07:00Cross-border skirmishing into West YorkshireDue to a busy work schedule and my son's swimming commitments it's been awhile now since I've managed to get out for a Sunday morning run. With a free morning slot in my diary I was determined to get out on the hill today. I decided a walk, instead of a run, would give me a chance to assess how my injured knee was recovering.<br />
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Setting out from Standedge Cutting, which is a century's old trade route crossing, I headed along the old Turnpike Road to Pule Hill. The climb up the southern face of Pule Hill is steep and a great test of leg strength. The views from the summit are wonderful and reach far across the windswept moors. The route to the Memorial Cross, which over-looks Marsden, was a delight on such a lovely spring morning. Passing several groups of walkers I could here the clanging of metal, drifting by on the wind, from the rattling racks of ironmongery clipped to the harnesses of climbers on the crags below. <br />
Descending to Intake Head Farm I crossed the busy A62 and made my way to the Tunnel End Visitor Centre where I enjoyed a fresh cup of Yorkshire tea and a cream bun. The visitor centre is well worth a visit and if you're lucky you may see canal boats emerging from the dark tunnel after their deep passage from Diggle on the opposite side of the Pennines.<br />
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Heading along Waters Road I made my way to Close Gate Bridge which spans Haigh Clough. This narrow packhorse bridge stands at the start of an ancient trail that once crossed the moors to Rochdale. The course of the trail is now a designated Bridleway which I followed up the flanks of Willykay Clough. The moorland grasses appeared to flow in the wind like waves in the ocean and on the leeward slopes, new-born lambs were nestled amongst the grassy tussocks, sheltering from the wind, as their mothers stood close-by grazing.<br />
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At the top of the climb, on Little Moss, I turned south and followed the course of the Pennine Way along Millstone Edge to return to Standedge cutting. The morning had been lovely and whilst a strong wind had blown throughout, the weather had been mild and dry. However, I had timed my return perfectly for dark menacing clouds had now blown in and were beginning to unleash their sodden contents upon the parched moors.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-57921936659846180482013-09-03T09:42:00.000-07:002013-09-03T09:42:02.893-07:00Castleshaw Skyline - A lovely winters morning<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> 31<sup>st</sup> March 2013<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Only a small contingent of seven runners met at Brownhill’s on what was a gloriously sunny Easter Sunday morning. Many of the regular Sunday morning crowd either had family commitments or must have forgoten to change their clocks to British Summer Time and therefore were still lying content under warm bed sheets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Brownhill countryside visitor centre is the traditional meeting point for the Saddleworth Runners Club’s Sunday morning outings. Operated by Oldham Council’s Countryside Service, the visitor centre and Lime Kiln Café is situated in the heart of Saddleworth, on the banks of the Huddersfield canal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Leaving the visitor centre car park, at just gone 10.00am, we headed North along the canal for a short while before picking up the A670 for the short stretch of tarmac to the Navigation Inn. Passing through the little wooden gate, at the side of the pub, we ascending the series of paths which provide a route up onto Lark Hill. Turning North along Harrop Edge Lane we were confronted by a cold wind blowing in from the East. It was these chilling Easterly’s which had brought in the recent bout of snow over the past weeks which, although now receding, as the spring temperatures begin to rise, was lying in deep drifts upon the frozen ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As we dropped into the saddle before Hunters Hill a couple of our group muttered suggestions of dropping down past the Saddleworth Hotel into the Castleshaw Valley, to avoid the wind, and follow a route back along the Tame Valley Way. Not wanting to miss the delights of running on the high moors on such a beautiful morning I instigated a coup and led a break-away group in the direction of Millstone Edge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHp5555AmgMreWPcedeh5D5Z6sndj6iCv8eiR5uGyrluOtS39QS8BmF1r-km9Xlg1_AB4NMaDPaH1rOcF8lWgDFXJUxd4pvxKsLEUjeJvVOY2rHnplfN1q4FTyP8gDZbWbfFWDnf7ruoX/s1600/IMGP3290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHp5555AmgMreWPcedeh5D5Z6sndj6iCv8eiR5uGyrluOtS39QS8BmF1r-km9Xlg1_AB4NMaDPaH1rOcF8lWgDFXJUxd4pvxKsLEUjeJvVOY2rHnplfN1q4FTyP8gDZbWbfFWDnf7ruoX/s320/IMGP3290.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Parting company with the others we headed for Bleak Hey Nook and, after crossing the normally busy A62, passed behind the old, now long derelict, Horse & Jockey pub and headed up Whimberry Lee Lane. At Stanedge the remaining five ascended pure white, crisp snow fields to attain the trig point on Millstone Edge. Under a clear sky there was not but a breath of wind on this rocky edge which marks the Lancashire/Yorkshire border. The views all around were magnificent and far reaching and we reflected on what the others were missing after opting for lower ground.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Whilst today was glorious this rocky edge is often battered by strong winds, the year round. In bad winter weather this must have been a grim posting for the Roman soldiers stationed at the fort in the valley below, who’s job it was to guard the military road from Chester to York. One of a series of Roman Forts the original stronghold covered over three acres and garrisoned around 500 infantry. At some point it was abandoned until being re-occupied in the early 2<sup>nd</sup> century A.D. as a small out-post.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlauyF_Aw1zQWHJosqIgU78dD3TR5P7l_ey0bYpYumRYfSjRhl9i09XCOvBd_NCH8Fpb8ROZxC630yKSynLvFn2_9-3nHDLc7fvu95pDEywGqvynXKdVgae-aCbaB__K4HDeA2cp5Rzx0z/s1600/IMGP3299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlauyF_Aw1zQWHJosqIgU78dD3TR5P7l_ey0bYpYumRYfSjRhl9i09XCOvBd_NCH8Fpb8ROZxC630yKSynLvFn2_9-3nHDLc7fvu95pDEywGqvynXKdVgae-aCbaB__K4HDeA2cp5Rzx0z/s320/IMGP3299.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Following the Oldham Way we made good progress over the firm snow, the frozen surface of which was yet to thaw under the warming sun. Looking over to the West, the Denshaw reservoirs could be seen glistening in the morning sunlight.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Picking up the Pennine Bridleway we dropped down Moor Lane where it meets Ox Hey Lane, at the old Cross Roads known as Four Lane Ends. Continuing South we enjoyed running on the deep snow drifts that had completely filled the sunken track that is Broad Lane. The views down into the Castleshaw Valley were a delight as we headed towards Heights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwMjtzmot9ecSe97_3NQFyVK5MzLot8XhBIfml8_0IkgxqZmg6K4dU3riPKJE6QZziNRnhOiz564TaqA5qTzqL57sELyv13sEf1i3OGPxyj2oyxgGYJ1JBRlH4x_6_0YgjZvF-hxfALKr/s1600/IMGP3304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwMjtzmot9ecSe97_3NQFyVK5MzLot8XhBIfml8_0IkgxqZmg6K4dU3riPKJE6QZziNRnhOiz564TaqA5qTzqL57sELyv13sEf1i3OGPxyj2oyxgGYJ1JBRlH4x_6_0YgjZvF-hxfALKr/s320/IMGP3304.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Although we wouldn’t be passing it today, St Thomas’s church is located just a few hundred metres further along the lane. Known locally as Height’s Church it has featured in many film and TV productions. Opposite is a small public house called the Royal Oak which is well worth a visit, if passing this way, as they are reputed to offer fine ales and good food.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Opposite the entrance to Spring Hill we turned South East, towards Grange, and descended the sunken bridleway, which is believed to have been an old packhorse road or ‘saltway’. This area of Saddleworth was part of Friarmere which in turn was part of the Roche Abbey estate. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Local historians believe that the Black Friars had a house or ‘Grange’ here which possibly lends its name to the area.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FI2r15tKDODN187ShHlphRfgWBleqxj33AwyEr1kzhQbjc5i-zG5SMnUyekaIsLlJnDu6g4TjZ-b74IcDuhVEhjlQGDZrZMFxpl959NAqD5JAjkQMrHSg8Da-Awt5ix_wrvLkwtkSPk1/s1600/IMGP3308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FI2r15tKDODN187ShHlphRfgWBleqxj33AwyEr1kzhQbjc5i-zG5SMnUyekaIsLlJnDu6g4TjZ-b74IcDuhVEhjlQGDZrZMFxpl959NAqD5JAjkQMrHSg8Da-Awt5ix_wrvLkwtkSPk1/s320/IMGP3308.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our descent once again took us over deep snowdrifts and we eventually emerged at the ford which crosses Hull Brook. In summer, after a long run, crossing the ford offers a welcoming, cool relief to hot, tired feet. However, with the brook flowing cold from melt-waters gathered from the frozen moors high above the valley we chose to cross the wooden bridge, a little further upstream, and keep our feet warm and dry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">With our morning outing nearing the end we followed the course of Hull Brook, picked up the Tame Valley Way and followed its route through Delph and Dobcross and back to Brownhill’s in Uppermill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We had had a fantastic run and marked the start of British Summer Time on what was a beautifully clear sunny morning. A nice hot brew and bacon butty was all that was now needed to end what had been a perfect Easter Sunday morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251773633381693460.post-43028055477390991852013-09-03T09:40:00.002-07:002013-09-03T09:40:57.119-07:00High peak Marathon 2013<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It was over two years ago since my last encounter with the High Peak Marathon. On that occasion, probably due to the lack of training, after we got a last minute entry as a reserve team, I had struggled over the last section of the route from Snake Top. So with a guaranteed entry this year, surely I would arrive at the start line race fit?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Whilst I hadn’t been able to do any regular long distance training, due to work commitments and a busy schedule with my son’s swimming training, I had got some decent runs in with fellow club mates. Andy Gartside and I had completed a night-time round of the Saddleworth 5 Trigs and Howard Chambers joined us for a night round of the new 5 Trigs a couple of weeks later. In addition, fellow HPM team member Gaynor Keane and I had a good run around the 26 mile Anglezark Amble at the beginning of February. With three weeks to go to the HPM I had planned a couple of other long runs on the hills that would stand me in good stead. Like all best laid plans it wasn’t to be. Work etc. got in the way and I had to fly out to the Middle East where I wouldn’t run another step until returning home. Spending all my time cooped on board aircraft, sat in vehicles and hanging around in hotels I could feel my legs wasting away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Returning home to the UK, I went out for a six mile run on the Tuesday previous to the HPM. Whilst the run went well I woke the following morning with my legs aching. With only 3 days to go it wasn’t a positive sign. With the exception of breaking a leg, or something similar, I knew I would complete the route but I didn’t want a repeat of the last outing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The High Peak Marathon has a reputation as a tuff and daunting challenge that traverses some of the most severe upland terrain in the Peak District. Combined with the distance and severe weather conditions that can be encountered, along with the fact that the majority of the route will be completed in darkness, it is not for the faint-hearted. Lack of sleep is another contributing factor to the events toughness. With most competitors arriving at the start-line after finishing a full day at work they will be setting out into the night for what, for most, will be over 12 hours of arduous, sleep deprived, running.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Race day arrived and I spent all day at work looking forward to getting down to Edale and getting the challenge underway. My kit was sat at home packed and ready to go and I was eager for the off. After finishing work there would be no time for going home and putting my feet up for a rest. As always I was running about doing one thing another. With the team meeting at my house for 8.30pm I called at the chippy for a late tea. Chips, Pie and Peas. The food of Athlete’s!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Chris Webb and Roy Gardner arrived at my house bang on time. We loaded the kit and collected Gaynor Keane on route to Edale. Chris, Roy and myself know each other well and the drive down was full of chatter and banter. Chris, in his usual joyful manner was going on about us setting, and maintaining, a 7 minute mile pace across Bleaklow and on into Edale. I glanced across to see the look on Gaynors face, who was doing the HPM for the first time, which read, “What the hell have I let myself in for here”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I ran the HPM with Chris on my last outing. Chris was unsuccessful at getting his team into this year’s event but joined our team after Colin Bishop had to pull out due to work commitments. Chris is a very experienced ultra-distance runner. Extremely fit and highly motivated, with an infectious enthusiasm, he completed the 145 mile Grand Union Canal race, a couple of years ago, in a very good time. There are a handful of people who are a pleasure to run with on long-distance outings and Chris is definitely one of them. Whilst he is capable of quick times over long distances he is a great team player and never looks down on people just because they don’t move at the same pace as himself.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not long to go now</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Arriving at the event centre in Edale we conducted the mandatory kit inspection and then set about devouring the mountains of pre-race food and drinks that are laid on for the competitors. The atmosphere in the village hall is always buzzing and it’s an opportunity to catch up with people you haven’t seen for a while. This event attracts some of the biggest names in ultra-distance fell running but there is no sense of elitism from anyone. The whole room is filled with a vibrant, friendly atmosphere and the students of Sheffield University, who organise the event, can’t do enough for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our start time of 11:29pm soon arrived and we were off out of the door to a round of applause and shouts of ‘good luck’ from organisors and competitors alike. The route to the first check point is straight forward enough and involves a direct ascent up to Hollins Cross. Full of enthusiasm and spring in their steps many teams set out too fast, in these early stages, only to burn out later on. With it always taking me at least an hour to warm up and settle down, on any run, I took the ascent nice and steady. With a couple of teams passing by and the rest of Team SRC waiting at the check point my legs felt good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The route to the second check point, on Lose Hill, is only a couple of kilometres away but teams chose a variety of lines. The decent towards hope is good going underfoot and on normal occasions is a down-hillers paradise. However, tonight, in a bid to save leg strength, the descent is conducted in a controlled manner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Passing the Cheshire Cheese public house Roy had the sudden urge to need to find a secluded spot in the woods. Earlier in the evening, at his daughter’s birthday party, she had given him a bottle of Coconut Water. Telling him it was the latest energy giving drink, he had consumed the whole bottle just before we crossed the start-line. Obviously she was getting her revenge on her father who had had to leave her party early to go off and do some mad-capped run. When she gave him the witches brew she could not have envisaged just how many times her Dad would pay for his crimes, throughout the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Roy was a last minute addition to the team after Howard Chambers had been forced to pull out due to injury. Standing at over 6 feet tall he is a strong, talented runner and a great team asset. With his relaxed, friendly attitude and supportive nature he is the ideal person to be out on the hills with for any extended period of time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">With Chris setting a quick pace we soon reached Win Hill and made our decent to Yorkshire Bridge. Chris continued the quick walk/jog pace up the long road section that is New Road. Deciding that this was too quick a pace, at this still early stage, I deliberately dropped off the back a little and chatted with an all-female team who were moving at my preferred pace. Always with a spring in her step, and still experiencing the early stage highs of the event, Gaynor was happy to go at Chris’s pace. However, we still had many more miles to go and we still hadn’t stepped foot on any real rough ground yet. Being her first event I wanted to ensure that we moved at the right pace to ensure success and save energy for later on. Besides, I didn’t want to burn myself out either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It was whilst on this road section that I began to feel a sharp pulling under the arch of my left foot. Whilst not causing any real pain, the nagging worry that it may develop into something worse would plague me for some time to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Catching the others up at the track which leads up to Stanege Edge I joked with them about the merits of adopting the ‘Maylor Shuffle’ and jogged by, on route to High Nebb. Another check point down we moved at a good pace over Moscar Moor to the food station on the A57. As with all the check points we were greeted by a group of joyous students in fancy dress.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Grabbing a cup of tea and a sandwich we headed off down the A57 to the checkpoint at Cuthroat Bridge, before striking out across the moor to Derwent Edge. The edge is runnable virtually the whole way and we made good progress to Lost Lad where Roy, yet again, had to pay the price for crimes against his daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Dropping down to Sheepfold Clough we climbed up onto Howden Edge and made way to the Trig Point at Outer Edge, via Cut Gate. From here on the ground is extremely rough and notoriously boggy. However, with temperatures down to around minus six degrees and, in parts, covered in snow we were able to make good progress. The firm snow was a delight to run on and, using it to our advantage, we passed teams who were travelling on rough frozen ground and had not yet recognised the advantages of our new found friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZ3ixCRJNrX4eP15bYOM5KHMkUCnSy1yScXuxvxc1EnQeELyQoIWSGfW3E4YPX64Q0Fbdd6zEM5NXQMI6jYWrxT7Mt1vGhfbRBpaayLBZMg2Cb1amWs0cnuyTl-t4ZQFVFRscHdL3l7Y/s1600/IMGP3277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_uid_393335714="4" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZ3ixCRJNrX4eP15bYOM5KHMkUCnSy1yScXuxvxc1EnQeELyQoIWSGfW3E4YPX64Q0Fbdd6zEM5NXQMI6jYWrxT7Mt1vGhfbRBpaayLBZMg2Cb1amWs0cnuyTl-t4ZQFVFRscHdL3l7Y/s200/IMGP3277.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">With a cold wind now blowing head-on the temperature dropped again and rucksacks and cags became encrusted in a layer of frost. My water bottle had frozen and I couldn’t open the valve to access the solidifying solution within. The traverse across Harden Moss to Swains Head passed by with relative ease, although both Roy and I did break through a frozen bog together and ended up knee deep in its freezing cold contents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The next section onto Bleaklow is one of the most difficult sections as far as navigation is concerned. Whilst visibility was perfect we wanted a good line across this rough ground which is bisected with countless deep peat groughs. This is where Chris’s intimate route knowledge is an advantage. We decided to continue to use the snow to our benefit and, whilst many other teams seemed to be going across country on a direct bearing, we followed the meandering, snow filled, peat groughs. It was definitely a good choice as we made good progress, whilst saving valuable energy, and emerged just a couple of hundred metres short of the checkpoint at Bleaklow Stones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JP-gDsGQazp-hXgQQNE0XWjxuqFWJVQqo-WtAHsfNV9Bz8xEX7I39xfuzK40MHBrwqs5Cil-DYrS542lDKg0xNoet7J9o-8K9Ov8jqbRe3xPUuL9fWtFbSA0WbLkD6ziHNIq79fejGs/s1600/IMGP3283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_uid_393335714="5" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JP-gDsGQazp-hXgQQNE0XWjxuqFWJVQqo-WtAHsfNV9Bz8xEX7I39xfuzK40MHBrwqs5Cil-DYrS542lDKg0xNoet7J9o-8K9Ov8jqbRe3xPUuL9fWtFbSA0WbLkD6ziHNIq79fejGs/s200/IMGP3283.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The long awaited sunrise</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Whilst grabbing a quick bite to eat we enjoyed watching a much awaited sun rise over to the East. It was a beautiful sight and one that we would have missed had we opted to stay at home tucked up in warm beds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sXkVXeVu5eRBUE7NXXHbmUhHHyj7F5Bbqm4H0bsSYH84n2fDaFdGoj8tauA2An1t0Hfo4dCGaLZplv1vFq0gjh88UQL-B6TXYE4_rVh8ju05lu3DQpURP-32pIz-7Weqo5JHsO7u4nw/s1600/IMGP3282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_393335714="6" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sXkVXeVu5eRBUE7NXXHbmUhHHyj7F5Bbqm4H0bsSYH84n2fDaFdGoj8tauA2An1t0Hfo4dCGaLZplv1vFq0gjh88UQL-B6TXYE4_rVh8ju05lu3DQpURP-32pIz-7Weqo5JHsO7u4nw/s200/IMGP3282.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Once again using the tried and tested method of following the meandering, snow filled, groughs we headed for Bleaklow Wainstones. With a warming sun now emerging on our backs we could, at last, turn off the head torches as we picked up the Pennine Way and made our way to the second feed station at Snake Road Top.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After a quick cup of tea we crossed the Snake Road and followed the paved, runnable, path up onto Mill Hill. The temperature was warming up now and Roy and I opted to take off our cags. I only wish that I had had my shorts with me because I was desperate to lose my longs too and get some air to my legs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwmLfe3AlTm4Ihm9XlNC_SLKlMYrw-_fA3hRi1bakCI1c-aX3iC4nUVDvlFlPSiXVhW2iTtA0hRVXJlHy7B9w7MpgpkXL3Pnj5XGg0OLizRzvemvXzvEuYGoz9YQ-cmBNEc26ATq51Y8/s1600/IMGP3284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_uid_393335714="7" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwmLfe3AlTm4Ihm9XlNC_SLKlMYrw-_fA3hRi1bakCI1c-aX3iC4nUVDvlFlPSiXVhW2iTtA0hRVXJlHy7B9w7MpgpkXL3Pnj5XGg0OLizRzvemvXzvEuYGoz9YQ-cmBNEc26ATq51Y8/s200/IMGP3284.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friendly students at Snake Road Top</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After Mill Hill we made the short but steep climb onto Kinder Scout and followed the edges past Kinder Downfall over towards Kinder Low. Normally, when running along this edge you would be skipping and flitting from rock to rock with the grace of a ballet dancer. However, with tiring legs and aching joints every rock and boulder now becomes an annoying and unwanted obstacle in the way of forward progress. Many people mistakenly think that if you can make it to the Snake Road Top you are almost home. In fact, this last section, back to Edale, is much further than appreciated and it is now that the dividends of adopting a sensible pace throughout will pay off. Unlike my last HPM I was feeling good. Whilst not running fast I was feeling comfortable and enjoying the whole experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Dropping down off the Kinder Plateau Gaynor was starting to suffer badly from a pain in her knee. She had had a great run, so far, but was now beginning to feel the effects of moving into untested distance. Gaynor has a natural running talent. Full of energy and light on her feet, she is fast over the shorter distances and has proven that she also has a talent for long distances too. She is a great person to run with and an ideal team member for an event like this. Knowing how Gaynor likes a challenge she will deffinately be looking to enter the HPM again. Now that she has experienced it, and with the right training and the right team she will probably look to go for a faster time in future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Reaching the checkpoint to the East of Edale Cross, and whilst waiting for Gaynor, the marshal’s produced a packet of chocolate chip cookies from within the depths of their tent. Offering some to us they tasted fantastic. The taste gave us an instant lift and we set off with new found energy and enthusiasm. Passing Brown knoll we enjoyed running on the last of the snow, and like my water bottle, it was beginning to Thaw. My foot broke through a small snow bridge, over a stream, causing a tumble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Although Gaynor was now clearly suffering from the pain in her knee, and lagging behind a little, she maintained the effort and we soon reached Rushop Edge before skirting around the bottom of Mam Tor for the final traverse of high ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">With the last checkpoint in the bag, at Hollins Cross, all that was left was the final decent into the valley below, from whence we came many hours before. The last time I completed the HPM, it took me as long to make this descent has it had done to climb it on the way out. This time I flitted down with relative ease to the road at the bottom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joined by the rest of the team we made the short return trip along the road to the event centre and, applauded by organisors and competitors, we clocked in with a very credible time of 11 hours 39 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16ZcQJBOnzAYy8hvM12jT8sQSQ1lCOuOtgq6q5j7qR0oQ16GoS99vinyDeh0yw1DbJq8lzValQ_Wd1m864c7T4QpBV6Pmm89lMEHDTnFL359zjWpYbfuJJ7E0YjocUVIlVQCbihDpRBY/s1600/IMGP3287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_uid_393335714="8" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16ZcQJBOnzAYy8hvM12jT8sQSQ1lCOuOtgq6q5j7qR0oQ16GoS99vinyDeh0yw1DbJq8lzValQ_Wd1m864c7T4QpBV6Pmm89lMEHDTnFL359zjWpYbfuJJ7E0YjocUVIlVQCbihDpRBY/s200/IMGP3287.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Job done</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We had had a fantastic event and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience together. The make-up of the characters within the team was ideal and we all worked well together, throughout. I am already looking forward to next year’s event and would gladly run it again with Roy, Chris and Gaynor. Thanks to you all for your wonderful company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The final words have to go to all the High Peak Marathon organisors. Without the relentless energy and enthusiasm that these students show this successful event would not be what it is. The organisation is second to none and faultless. In addition to all the pre-event organisation, they arrive at the event centre at 07.30 on the Friday morning to get everything prepared. They make all the sandwiches, cakes, pre and post-race meals themselves and transport food out to the two feed stations. Marshalls go out to the remote checkpoints as early as 5:00pm and are there to greet you, in the dead of night, with big smiles and boundless energy and support. Then when it’s all over, and the competitors are heading home to have hot baths and put their feet up, these enthusiastic students still have to pack up and come in off the hills.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Long after the race was done, and just as I was going to bed at gone 11pm, I was reflecting on how I’d been awake since 6am on Friday morning. Forty one hours in total. As I contemplated enjoying a nice Sunday morning lie-in I thought about a conversation I’d had with one of the students after the race. She had told me that she had been at the event centre since 7.30am on Friday morning. Saying that she must be looking forward to putting her feet up on Sunday, she told me that she was studying Neurology and that she had a dissertation to get done. Whilst I was thinking that she probably had a few weeks to get it completed she duly informed me that it had to be written and handed in by Monday morning!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hats off and a big THANK YOU to them all!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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