Daily Stages.

Hello everyone, I haven't posted for a while, mostly because I've been busy planning my walk which is due to start on the 5th July and finish on the 20th. I got my pitch lists (places along the way where I can pitch my tent) from the backpackers club so I think I now have all the daily stages planned out. The longest day being 21 miles (3 days from the end) and the shortest and last day just 8 miles, all the rest being somewhere in between but mosly around 16 miles which will be okay. Vicki is coming to join me on the weekend in the middle of the walk and I will have the Sunday off and we will go round and visit a few places and have dinner out and what have you. I've given my gear a quick check over to make sure everything is that and working that I will be taking with me, I have it packed in my rucksack and so far it weighs in at 35lbs or 16kgs. It would be nice if I could keep it at that but there are a few things still to be added. That weight includes a weeks food plus a bottle of water so the more I eat the lighter it will become.

Can Anyone Help?

Hello everyone, today I have a bit of a different post to make. Last Saturday I went walking in the hills of the Peak District National Park which is near where I live. Whilst out on the high moors above the Derwent Reservoirs I came across a memory card that is full of someone photo's. I realise this is a tall order but I would like to return the pictures to the owner unfortunately the only clues I have are in the first picture below. There are several pictures of this guy and in this particular picture I can make out 'Montrail Ultra Running Team' written across the front of his top. I've Googled 'Montrail Ultra Running Team' and visited a few of the links but they haven't really been a lot of help although on one site I found a picture of a guy by the name of Steve Reifenstuhl who sort of looks similar to the guy in the picture also his surname could resemble the one on the wrist band the guy in the picture is wearing but that could just be wishful thinking on my part. Anyway if anyone knows this guy or has any ideas how I might get in touch with him, or even put me on to somene who can help it would be great to hear from you, either leave me a comment or email me, my address is in my profile.

Does anyone recognise either of these two people?

(Click the pics for a better look).

Bob.

Gardena Aquazoom 350/T

Of late Tommy has been sulking quite a bit and I didn't know why until I got Matron's comment to my last post and then I realised that he was feeling like he was missing out with Tippy having all these good idea's on gardening tips and getting all the praise. It reminded me how just before I had to delete all those blog posts Tom was doing his own little bit by road testing various gardening tools and items so that if it came with a star rating from 'Tommy's Trusty Tools' you would have an idea what you were getting. Anyway as I say we didn't get very far with it at the time so to keep him happy I am going to start it up again now. The first item he wants to tell you about is a sprinkler.

We got it one day last year, Tommy insisted on taking a trip to the garden centre – he just loves that place y’know. He isn’t actually allowed inside, I’m not sure why as he is way better behaved than the kids which ARE allowed in. Anyway he told me what to get so I nipped in and got it for him. As you will see below it’s a really nice Gardena sprinkler, it even has a timer so he can set how long he wants it to run for then he doesn’t have to leave off half way through the motor racing to switch it off or anything – is that cool or what?

Look at this! Its a Gardena Aquazoom 350/T

This is the timer control, you can set it to run all the time or anywhere from 5 minutes to 120 minutes. As Bob says this is very handy to save you having to get up and turn it off when watching the racing or if you prefer you can put it on before going to bed and it will stop itself and as you know the night time is the best time for watering. One thing I will point out though and that is it can only turn itself off and not on. The control is easy and simple to use, you just turn it one way for on all the time and the other way goes on to the timer, the further you turn it this way the longer it stays on.

The bottom control allows you to control the flow of water from off to full on this is good because it saves you having to go back and forth to turn it off when you have to move it and you can also regulate how much water goes on, Bob likes this as it saves him getting wet when he tries to moved it still switched on, I think it's boring though and spoils my fun. It is a very good and useful idea though.

The top control regulates how much ground is watered length ways, this control is easy to use even with the sprinkler working which is good as you can easily fine tune it to put water just where you need it and so not waste any.

This control sets how wide you want it to water, there is one at each end of the sprinkler bar and all it does is turn the knozzles outwards so widening the area covered. Again its very easy to use and can be done so with the sprinkler running.

All controls are in orange, it seems well made out of plastic, only having had it one season I can't say how durable it is but Gardena seem to have a good name. It wasn't cheap at £49.95 but for what you get I think it's okay and it puts the water where you want it so if you're on a meter you will save there. There are smaller versions also one like this but without a timer which are obviously cheaper so if you already have a water timer you could get one of these instead.

Bob & Tom.

Planter Tip.

Tonight Tippy is going to show you a little something we put together the other day. Me and Tom went to the garden centre as Tom wanted some bonemeal so while we were there I decided to buy some pots to do something I've been thinking about for a while now. I was just going to get three ordinary clay pots, it doesn't really matter what the pots are like as long as each one is smaller than the other, the reason for this will become evident in the next picture. As it turned out there were three pots that both fit the bill and that took my fancy.

If you start off with the biggest pot and fill it with potting compost and then take the next size pot and just put it on top of the one you just filled and lightly press down, this will both firm the compost in the lower pot and also mark where the pot will eventually sit. There should be a part all the way around the lower pot that the second pot didn't touch and this is now where you need to put some plants, I used Busy Lizzies but you could use begonia's or sat Petunia's, trailing Lobelia would be good too. When this is done then you do the same thing again with the second pot first of all filling it with compost as with the first. If you planted the first pot right you should be able to just sit in down on top of the first pot without damaging the plants. See the picture below.

For the third pot you can finish off with the same sort of plants if you choose, I decided to put a Fuchsia in the top pot as I felt it would just give it that bit more height. Below is the finished article although I'm thinking I might see if Vicki can get some some trailing Lobelia from the shop as I think it would be better with something flowing down a bit although in time the Busy Lizzies will grow up and fill out.
This next picture was taken later on in the summer and shows you how it all worked out.

All the best,
Bob.

Queen Mary's Bower.

I've sort of not stopped all day today yet the day has only really been partly productive. The first part of this morning was spent watering and feeding the greenhouse plants, I also had to spray against white fly using Vitax Organic spray. I'd rather not spray at all but if I didn't the darn things would wreck everything and I only sprayed the Fuchsias and the Pelergoniums which seem to be their favourites. If they start to get on the tomato plants I'm going to try the 'Natural Born Killers' remedy which is where they send you cards with the parasitic wasp Encarsia formosa on them. You hang the cards up amongst the plants and thats it apparently. The Vitax Organic is supposed to be okay to use on food crops but it would be better to go with the wasp thing if it works. I think you have to get the timing right though as it only works when the temperature can be kept at a minimum of 16C, also I would have thought you need to have a certain amount of infestation to start with.

The second part of the morning was taken up at B&Q, I went to buy some paint to finish off the earns I started at the back end of last year. Vicki came with me as she wanted some paint for the sitting room so by the time we got that done it was time for a spot of lunch.

After which I spent the rest of the day planting up the memorial beds in the walled garden. I used the Border Princess Dahlia's at the front with some Nicotiana's for scent at the back. The Nicotiana's didn't do well at all last year, they came down with what looked like blight to me although it was the first time I ever saw them fail in this way, they always seem a reliable plant to grow. Anyway I will see how they go on this time, hopefully this year won't be as wet because I don't think that did them any favours.

Below are a few more pictures from the walk the other Saturday. They are taken in Chatsworth Park and I kept them back because I wanted to show you this seperately. The stone structure is whats knows as Queen Mary's Bower and if you click on the picture below it should enlarge enough for you to read all about it, if not let me know and I will copy out the writing so you can read it properly.

This is the view from the Bower looking towards the cricket ground.

Inside the bower there is this flight of stone steps leading down in to it, wouldn't you like to go exploing down there? I would but unfortunately there is a big iron grill over the hole.

Well thats all for today, Vicki wrote quite a bit of stuff on her blog yesterday so if you want something else to read go and see what she put, there is a link to her blog in my sidebar.

ATB BoB

A Pint At The Strines Inn.

Hello everyone, how are you today? Here are the final pictures from last weekends walk.

From Burbage Bridge car park we continue in a north easterly direction to the next edge, this one is around 4 miles in length and is known as Stanage Edge and will take us to the A57 road.

After a very short climb we gain the edge and seem to be on top of the world with excellent views all round. We are now in to wild desolate country, the wind on this occasion being very brisk and with a cold bite to is so much so I decided to get down amongst some rocks to finish off the last of my food.

One of the many views along the edge, not a good picture I know, the light was very strange. Thats my excuse anyway.

We are now approaching the last three miles of the walk, we're headed for the centre of the picture, the A57 road can be seen crossing the centre of the picture. Here we can look over the wall at the Strines and Dale Dike reservoirs in the distance. We are now walking on a tarmac back road that will in a mile or so deposit us outside the Strines Inn and our destination for this walk.

The Strines Inn. I didn't actually take this picture, I was that desperate to get inside for a pint of Fosters that I completly forgot to take a picture. There again maybe I was just so overjoyed to see Vicki that I just never thought! Anyway she had brought my mum and dad plus Tippy & Tommy along for the ride so we all went in for a drink before heading off back to my mums house back in Rowsley which is where I started from that morning.

This walk was 19.5 miles in length and took 10 hours and 20 minutes at an average speed of 2 MPH. I could have done it quite a bit quicker but I had plenty of time so didn't rush and took plenty of breaks.

Bob.

The Edges.

Hello everyone, I can't pretend that I'm very happy tonight so I think I will just get straight on with telling you about the pictures.

After the climb out of Baslow you will find yourself on a high gritstone edge over looking the derwent valley. In this picture we're looking back over where we have walked so far.

This is looking down on the villages of Curbar and Calver.
After Curbar Edge we enter Longshaw Country Park which if I rcall right is now owned by the National Trust. Its pleasant walking along a good level track, becareful where you sit down and rest though as the place can be crawling with wood ants, especially when warm and sunny.
I will show you this little path because I thought it idylic wandering through the trees and down to the stream the way it does. We won't be taking this path today though, instead we turn in the opposite direction and head towards the main road to Hathersage. For any Robin Hood fans Hathersage churchyard is supposed to be where Little John is buried.

We don't go near Hathersage on this occasion, instead we follow the track below Burbage edge...

...where you will be able to watch in awe the climbers on the rocks. People are not meant to be in such places and it shows.

Finally we reach the car park at Burbage bridge where there is an ice cream van waiting for you, don't be too long about it though because there are still some miles to be covered and we want to be there before the pub closes.

All the best,

Bob.

Baslow.

Hello everyone, thank you for comeing to read my blog. Take a look at what I found when I checked out the conservatory this morning. For those that don't know I will tell you that its a Strelitzia or Bird of Paradise plant. This plant was one of only a handful of indoor plants that was still alive when I took over the gardens here and this is the first time its flowered so I am really pleased.

Tonight I am going to show you some more pictures from the walk I did on Saturday. This will take us through part of the village of Baslow as we start the hardest part of the day, the climb up Eaton Hill and then Bar Road to the gritstone edge which we will follow for the rest of the day - more of that tomorrow.

This picture was taken on the bridge over the River Derwent, this is where we leave the river which we have been following from Rowsley. Note the row of thatched roof cottages on the left of the picture.

Leaving the bridge we head straight across the green in front of us to cross the busy main road. If you fancy a break this is a good place to take it as there is a shop, cafe and a couple of pubs just around the corner to the right, the shop being on the left where the bus is parked.

Once across the main road we start our climb up Eaton Hill at the top of which we turn right on to Bar Road.
We exit Baslow on this road, which is at first has a tarmac surface but this soon becomes a narrow rough track always climbing but nothing too serious.

Part way up there is a spring in a shady spot, a nice place to stop and catch your breath. I removed my fleece and took a drink, not from the spring though but from my water bottle.

Now we're almost onto the open moorland and the worst climb of the day is over. Tomorrow we will see some wonderful views so please come back and take a look with me.

Bob.

A Walk In The Park.

Hello everyone. As I think I told you me and Vicki spent last weekend at my parents house. On Saturday I went for a walk while Vicki and my mum went to see some of the Welldressings, Vicki may tell you about those on her own blog sometime.

I walked from Rowsley to the Strines Inn which is over near Moscar, a distance of just over 19 miles. The walk went much better than the last one although it has to be said that the walking was easier but I did walk a lot further however it was much cooler so it suited me better. I will show you some pictures I took along the way, not all at once though as I took rather a lot.

This was taken entering the village of Calton Lees after a steady walk from Rowsley long the banks of the River Derwent.

You are now in the surrounds of Chatsworth Park, part of the estate belonging to the Duke of Devonshire. Here is an old flour mill, its been out of use since the early 60s after a tree fell on it during a gale.

The walk continues on through the park always by the river towards Chatsworth House.
Chatsworth House, this is where I had my first job when leaving school at 15, I worked as a gardener, this is where I learnt my trade.
A view from the park of the cascade within the gardens.

This is the hunting tower that sits high on the hill over looking the park. This is where the ladies would go to watch the gentlemen hunting in the park, this was many years ago and no long happens.

This is the cricket ground, where the estate cricket team plays. When I worked at the house, after a while one of my jobs was to come down here once a week to cut the grass, a job that took me all day. I used to enjoy it being away on my own for the day.

This is where I was to exit the park and enter the village of Baslow which I will post pictures off tomorrow. As you will notice there is quite a lot of blossom out at the moment which added to the pleasure of the walk.

Today has been wet and miserable, its the first rain we've had in weeks so can't complain and it will do nicely for getting some planting done. Its also meant I can get caught up with some repotting. I needed to get some done but with the weather being so nice it seemed a shame to spend it indoors potting up so I've been putting it off as much as I can.

I've not had any news from the hospital yet, in this case no news is good news because they only get in touch if they need to see me again for something.

By the way, Vicki has done a post of her visit to Chelsea flower show on her blog. If anyone is interested you can find it by clicking this link http://vicks-floral.blogspot.com/

Well I will get off now, take care and I will see you again tomorrow with more pics of my walk.

Bob.

Why Not Give This A Try.

Hello everyone, Tonight I have a bit of a different post. My brother in law John passed this email on to me, it concerns the cost of fuel, something which is affecting us all, not just people who own cars but everyone who buys things transported/delivered buy truck etc. It all goes on the price you have to pay. Anyway here is the mail, it will explain itself and if you wish you can copy and paste this to an email and send it to as many friends as you can.

See what you think and pass it on if you agree with itWe are hitting £1.15.9 a litre in some areas now, soon we will be faced with paying £1.20 a ltr. Philip Hollsworth offered this good idea:This makes MUCH MORE SENSE than the 'don't buy petrol on a certain day campaign that was going around last April or May! The oil companies just laughed at that because they knew we wouldn't continue to hurt ourselves by refusing to buy petrol. It was more of an inconvenience to us than it was a problem for them. BUT,whoever thought of this idea, has come up with a plan that can really work.Please read it and join in!Now that the oil companies and the OPEC nations have conditioned us to think that the cost of a litre is CHEAP, we need to take aggressive action to teach them that BUYERS control the market place not sellers. With the price of petrol going up more each day, we consumers need to take action. The only way we are going to see the price of petrol come down is if we hit someone in the pocket by not purchasing their Petrol! And we can do that WITHOUT hurting ourselves. Here's the idea:For the rest of this year DON'T purchase ANY petrol from the two biggest oil companies (which now are one), ESSO and BP.If they are not selling any petrol, they will be inclined to reduce their prices. If they reduce their prices, the other companies will have to follow suit. But to have an impact we need to reach literally millions of Esso and BP petrol buyers. It's really simple to do!!Now, don't wimp out at this point... keep reading and I'll explain how simple it is to reach millions of people!!I am sending this note to a lot of people. If each of you send it to at least ten more (30 x 10 = 300)... and those 300 send it to at least ten more (300 x 10 = 3,000) ... and so on, by the time the message reaches the sixth generation of people, we will have reached over THREE MILLION consumers! If those three million get excited and pass this on to ten friends each, then 30 million people will have been contacted! If it goes one level further, you guessed it... ...THREE HUNDRED MILLION PEOPLE!!!Again, all You have to do is send this to 10 people. That's all. (and not buy at ESSO/BP) How long would all that take? If each of us sends this email out to ten more people within one day of receipt, all 300 MILLION people could conceivably be contacted within the next 8days!!! Acting together we can make a difference . If this makes sense to you, please pass this message on.PLEASE HOLD OUT UNTIL THEY LOWER THEIR PRICES TO THE 69p a LITRE RANGEIt's easy to make this happen. Just forward this email, and buy your petrol at Shell, Asda,Tesco, Sainsburys, Morrisons Jet etc. i.e. boycott BP and EssoWorth a shot? I think so.

Well I will get off now as I need to get my hiking stuff together as I plan on taking a walk tomorrow and hopefully it will turn out better than the last one did.

Have a good weekend,

Bob.