November

Aah, November.

Velvet Shank?

The last of our massive tomato harvest...

My disappearing history

What have they done!

Kings Arms, Amersham

In the olden days, before colour radio, the two main buildings in any town were the church and the inn.

Dunstable Downs

Half a figure-of-eight between Whipsnade and Dunstable

Well. 

'Ancient Monument' in Dunstable

The plan was to pick up my car from the garage by walking from Dunstable to Iknield Farm.

But it wasn't ready.

Whipsnade's Tree Cathedral

We had already bought tickets so we decided to go anyway,

extending the walk into a figure-of-eight so we could travel back the way we had come.

A direct train from Harrow to Dunstable was possibe but involved visiting Farringdon tube station to pick up a Thames Link.

We arrived fairy late so we then decided to take a bus to Whipsnade and do half the walk!

Mayor's house and police station!

 A welcome break on this popular walk was made at the Gateway Visitor Centre, with its strange air scoop designed to provide green heating (or cooling depending on the time of the year) to the building.

 A nice day.

Data from OS

Lastly, found in Dunstable:

A barber's full of old guitars. Some of them signed!

 

Short Herts Way meander

Kings Langley to Bricket Wood 5 1/2 mile stagger

Courtesy of OS

A beautiful late Summer day.

'Useful Extras'

I found this while sorting out a box of old poo:

Takes me back to when my mates and I started car camping. We all started off camping as a group, one of us supplying all the kit (including the car - a trusty MK 2 Cortina)!

It was he who kindly compiled the list when I first ventured out on my own. I had an Escort at the time that had a habit of breaking down, hence the special items like clutch and AA membership!

Aah, memories...

In the Yorkshire Dales (Old Peculier country)
Looks like Inglborough or Whernisde in the background.

An odd and an end. Not in that order.

The 'Odd' as in 'Odd day out'...

Clouds

Can't seem to get out lately. Just grabbed a moody day on Harrow Hill.

I spent a captivating half hour watching this fellow, hovering and diving just a few yards from his audience as they walked over the hill.

Even got a vid:

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I had to laugh yesterday...

On a lunch time jaunt around the local area I was reminded of a phrase my Dad used to say.

On spying a couple of young lads, sometimes my brother and I, loitering around with a shifty look in their eyes he was wont to say 'What are you two 'erberts up to?'

I imagine this is where they lived, along with their mate:

In other news...

Chasing bluebells on Mayday

Five peaceful miles around Wendover 

Aah, Spring.



Map data courtesy of OS



Did you know that Spring was once called 'Lent'?

The weather was perfect for a jaunt from Wendover in a hunt for views and bluebells.

Bacombe Hill provided the views

Linton's and Fugsdon Woods provided the bluebells.

Driving in to Wendover the kites were numerous and low flying, gliding effortlessly just above the trees.

When I parked and headed in the other direction, not one was nearer than a speck in the distance.

Also spotted and were muntjac deer, a green woodpecker and various other tits and sparrows and such.

Which way now?

Almost all of whom were too quick for my camera.

Sitting in the woods enjoying a banana, there were no other sounds but birdsong.

Much relax.

Absorbing reads

I don't normally think of talking about the stuff I read but just lately I've met some right corkers...

The Mountains Of My Life, by Walter Bonatti.

Translated by Robert Marshall

Image nicked from Amazon

This was a birthday present.

It follows the philosophy and climbing life of one of the world's greatest climbers from his first climb until his retirement. As I read about the situations he found himself in I found it very hard to put down.

The effects on his life of the controversy surrounding the ascent of K2, previously unknown to me, were totally shocking and the additional notes and contemporary references provided by Mr. Marshall greatly adds to the reader's understanding of the events described.

A good read.

Cold, by Ranulph Fiennes.




Another image nicked from Amazon



 

I bought this on a whim from a charity shop in Wales.

Life at -45°C in a 28 knot wind where everything you excrete turns to ice: tears, sweat, breath....

As I read it at times I catch myself reading wearing a worried frown and a gaping mouth and I have to remember to blink and carry on breathing. So absorbing.

I'm only on chapter 2....

I like the fact there's not only 'the story', told with a dry humour, but also history, science and observations about the places visited.

Another good read!

Just a few odds and ends...

First, I got a late birthday present from my wife. A Hunka Bivvy. I'm looking at Alastair Humphreys' website for some inspiration.

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I may be getting my old car back soon. Just right for the Spring.

Can't wait.

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Lastly a link for Sunayana, to remind us what a good Summer we had a couple of years ago.

 

Th-thats all folks

Birthday amble

Three and a half miles over Stockers Hill in Rickmansworth,

followed by a bite in the Café In The Park.

Lots of mud.

 

A few horses...

 

...and a couple of ferocious farm guard dogs

 

 

A good day.