Went for another Shropshire walk yesterday. Was initially going to just go over Caer Caradoc but as I reached the top I decided I would carry on over the Lawler. After all, I was feeling fine and energetic, the weather was OK contrary to the forecast and I had loads of time. So off I went down over Little Caradoc.
Archive for December, 2006
Wet and windy over Caer Caradoc
Sunday, December 31st, 2006Orange Broadband is great
Friday, December 29th, 2006Well, I got Orange Broadband on the 27th after a surprising cutoff from PlusNet. I didn’t think I would be changed over till the 2nd and neither did Orange. But I got the Live Box and a working connection after several phone-calls to Orange Technical Support. Was disappointed in their support having had conflicting statements about Apple Mac support and the accompanying cds and manuals were all geared on XP / Wireless connections. After setting up the Live Box though, I have been happy with the connection. 3.5Mb isn’t that fast, but it seems to have quickened browsing a bit, and I am awaiting an OSX update to test it properly. God, how sad!
Also, I don’t think the Live Box is unattractive, maybe odd, but it is ok. Just await the free calls part to be activated.
First proper walk
Friday, December 29th, 2006Righty, yesterday was my Birthday and as a present to myself, I decided to go for my first proper walk since all the knee / ankle trouble. So I went back upto the Hope Valley and repeated a Ladybower walk from earlier in the year. Starting from the A57 Snake Rd by Ladybower Inn, I walked up past Ashopton, Winstone Lee Tor, the Wheelstones, White Tor, Salt Cellar and upto Lost Lad. I then dropped back down to Ladybower and walked along the eastern bank to the car. There you go, a good 7 or 8 miler. Not massive, not great ascent but I felt nothing from my knee other than when I was walking around Hathersage buying some clothes. My ankle was ok too and my physio has now provided (freely – as in beer!!) more adhesive foam to protect my outer ankle bone, good job as I couldn’t find them for love nor money – I am now officially Loving the Scarpas©.
No photos today, as I tried some funky panarama stuff but forgot the spirit level for the camera and they all came out rubish.
Got the slow shutter stylee running
Wednesday, December 27th, 2006Went out on Boxing Day to test my knee again (it worked fine 
) and try some slow shutter / blurred water stylee. I therefore went over the Light Spout Hollow on the Long Mynd and took these. Only a short walk (about 4 miles) but did come down Cardingmill Valley deliberately quickly to put stress on knee and it survived admirably – think it might finally be on the mend!
I’m back on the hills.
Saturday, December 23rd, 2006Went to physio last night, which was by far the least painful visit. This inspired confidence to go to the Peak District or Shropshire for my first proper walk since, er, the last one. It must have been at least a month.
Requirements of the walk:
Maximum chance of seeing a cloud inversion.
Fair amount of ascent with little horizontal mileage as I am unsure how my knee will be and how ankles are ( this is the first walk I have done in a while in boots).
Exposure to fog to improve my micro-navigation.
Woke up this morning, and checked out the weather. The fog (with its cloud inversion possibilities) and closeness of big hills to Edale was the winning choice. So off I went.
Got my chrimbo presents
Sunday, December 3rd, 2006Went to Brum today with dad to buy Marilyn’s birthday present, dad and Marilyn’s Christmas present and steer my dads chrimbo present choice in the right direction.
Got mine quickly by going into Snow and Rock. Got a Sigg water bottle, a funky fleecey hat and best of all, some funky new Mountain Equipment Pinnacle Gloves. They appear to be stupid warm and have seperate inner and shell so can customise heat / waterproofing as required. Just got to wait until christmas now, hope it doesn’t snow beforehand!!
The Malverns with the Sants
Saturday, December 2nd, 2006Did the Malverns today with Phil Sant from work and his brother Paul. First time I had met Paul.
Got to North Malvern Rd Car Park 9ish then agreed to move to next car park (at foot of Worcester Beacon). Transferred here to the Sant-mobile which took us down to Little Malvern.
Went up Hangman’s Hill then British Camp before the ascent of the two biggies – Hereforeshire Beacon and Worcester Beacon. Decent hills and a moderately visible day though long range photos would not be possible.
Knee went again and the funny for the walk was Phil Sant’s boot sole falling off. Emergency elastic band surgery failed and he resorted to carrier bag surgery encouraging a few funny looks from passers by. Got back to the car 2ish ready to munch a BLT, yum.
Got home about 3ish to buy chrimbo tree. Photos uploaded soon…
Longnor to Chrome Hill
Saturday, December 2nd, 2006Went out yesterday to retry the Scarpas. It must be 6 weeks or so since my ankle started hurting and it is still bad. Went to Sutton Park, walked about 250 metres then returned to the car. Not good. Looks like a winter in approach shoes as even my old boots hurt to wear now.