Oddendale

Autumn at Oddendale

A wild walk east of Shap, having parked beside the plantation of Castlehouse Scar we headed through the plantation and on to the low ridge. This has several antiquities on it, a cairn and a cairn circle, both were visited. The circle is composed of Shap Granite boulders, there are many erratic's in the area so they would certainly be handy for the circle builders. The footpath enters a walled lane, and this bridleway takes you across the fell to "Oddendale", several homesteads and a working farm. This must be a bleak spot in winter, confirmed after a chat with one of the residents. The route led us down the shallow valley to "High Dalebanks", here a path took us upward via the farm of "Haber". This was a desperate spot, an air of decay, desperation and vicious chained up dogs. My advice to anyone walking this way is BEWARE! Ascending a good track "High Haber" was soon reached this was a barn conversion to eco-home which looked like it had run out of money, a shame as it occupied a grand location.Just a simple walk back over the low ridge remained to bring us back to the car.

RSF ride from Low Newton

Bridleway at Low dale Park

A great day out with the RSF, we met at Low Newton at 10am, our target the low fells south of Grizedale forest. A better turnout than my last ride out with the South Lakes group, seven of us in total. The "Hat Trick" cafe was closed so we rode down to the "Mallard" cafe for our morning cake stop. Cake consumed we rode by Beckside and Bigland before dropping down to cross the river Leven to Haverthwaite. Onwards across "The Causeway" to Bouth. An old County Road took us over to Colton, lunch was taken near the top looking out over the Rusland valley. Then on a bridleway to High Ickenthwaite, and a descent to the valley floor at Force Forge. Crossing to Low Dale Park another bridleway up and over to Field Head, then down the road to Lakeside for the afternoon cake stop. Having watched the lake steamer "Swan" arrive and depart, we cycled mainly on the cycle path back to our cars at Low Newton. For anyone wanting to know more about the Rough Stuff Fellowship, lots of info can be found at http://www.southlakesgroup.org.uk/index.html

The Settle Loop

Scaleber Force

A daywalk from the end of Mitchell Lane, just east of Settle. The plan was to walk a couple of the bridleways between Settle and Long Preston, some of these form part of the Settle Loop of the Pennine Bridleway.Lambert Lane and High Hill Lane led us to Scaleber Force which was in spate and made a grand sight. Back on our route Langber Lane was a surprise this byway has a tarmaced surface, certainly as far as Book Gill Beck, but seems to be very rarely used by vehicles. We followed the beck and eventually arrived on Edge lane. After a break on a handy seat sat in the sun we followed the lane across the low moor back to the car. A splendid walk on mainly new terrain.

Foulshaw Moss

Across the moss's

This is an area of raised bog just south of Whitbarrow Scar on the edge of the Lakes. Although close to home I had never explored this reserve, which is managed by the Cumbria Wildlife Trust. The permitted path, much of this is on boardwalk to protect the bog is only short, but full of interest and worth an hour or so of anyones time. Unusual terrain for the Lakes, similar to Roudsea, for those who know it!

BMW North York Moors & Whitby

Whitby Abbey from West Cliff

Another beautiful day, really warm. I got an early start and rode over to the North York Moors. From Thirsk I went via Boltby, Ryedale, Helmsley, Farndale, Rosedale and Egton Bridge to arrive beside the seaside at Whitby. The dales were nice and quiet, but by contrast Whitby was awash with folk. The beaches looked like a summer sunday, some people were swimming in the sea! My return route led via Sandsend, Danby, Kildale, Stokesley, Cattrick and Wensleydale. The sun retained its warmth almost until I arrived back home just as it was setting. Its a shame I hadn't been able to get across to the moors a few weeks earlier to see the heather in full bloom, its always a magnificent sight.

BMW Alston & Teesdale

Lunch spot.

Taking advantage of the excellent day, because there probably won't be many more suitable for riding the motorbike in comfort. I rode over to my favourite area of the north pennines, crossing Hartside pass to Alston and travelling south to Teesdale, before crossing back to Brough on the western edge of the Pennines. The route then took the more direct way through Kirkby Stephen and Sedbergh. The sun shone for much of the day, and a very lazy lunch was taken on a bench beside a minor road high above the Tees.

Bloggin & Gear Reviews

Ok, so those of us who read a number of outdoor Blogs, lightweight and otherwise, will more than likely have read http://www.andyhowell.info/trek-blog and andy's thoughts on reviews of gear. I am at one with Andy's thoughts on this. I've got to say the chance of me being loaned/given any gear for review are scarce indeed. Anyone who visits this blog will be well aware that there is little in the way of gear testing reported here! I like most am a sucker for the latest and greatest bit of kit, but find that most of it, with odd exceptions doesn't add to the experience but often removes one from it. To be honest I'd rather be out there doing it than sat at home writing about it. My two days off each week are precious time to be spent in the outdoors. Much of the gear I use is no longer made, but is every bit as good as the new stuff, there's almost always a trade off! Doesn't mean I don't like reading about new stuff mind! Back to the point, I'm glad Andy has raised this issue, any reveiw must be transparent to give it any value at all to those out there who are just getting into this outdoor world. Wow that was a bit of a rant!!