Yay, it's cheery Friday.

[RIP]

Just about to jump on a train with my faithful Brompton, and a toothbrush and a clean pair of socks, to meet Mr R Picton of this parish at Birmingham International. Between now and tomorrow lunchtime we only have a slight idea of what will be happening. What could be more cheery than that

[thenorthwind]

What could be more cheery than that

Ok, I'll bite... Woke up most of the way up the Colle delle Colombardo, over the top and into Condove for coffee and pastry. Now having a 3 course lunch

[fatbikephil]

Cheery here - the start of my last week off work of the year. Off tomorrow for a whistle stop tour of Argyll and points west, hopefully in sunshine. I'd be out longer but need to give Mother morale support in view of Dad's continued health challenges.

[Lazarus]

Ok, I'll bite... Woke up most of the way up the Colle delle Colombardo, over the top and into Condove for coffee and pastry. Now having a 3 course lunch

Its amazing how quickly you can go off people

You jammy so and so

[redefined_cycles]

Right, so I'm at the YHA in Bath. Where the Romans used to stay apparently. The closest masjid was too close and it's Friday prayers day. Not compulsory on me as I'm a traveller!

What would you do. Walk to the next closest masjid obviously via the most off road but direct route you can plan. Without dirtying your shoes cos you need em for work tomorrow.

So, Juma (Friday Prayers) is at 1315 and the route is 10 miles away (or maybe 9.9, but same difference). I'm needing to set off quick and need to fill my water bottle up. Food doesn't matter as I'm trying to shift a belly for the BB200 to have any meaningful finish-ability.

So clever clogs packs the pack with waterproof jacket and some cards for when the fast is over. Also has the water bottle to the ready to fill it up before leaving the YHA. They have these cure water fountains that lots can fill up with you know. Much more sophisticated than a dirty pond and filter.

Route locked and loaded, out I get. First thing I see is these new-lays. I asks the worker whilst walking past, trying not to be slowed down. "Very nice lay, do you suggest a YouTube channel where I can learn". He didn't know that I just needed to perfect my technique and instead thought I was asking for a quote.



Tells me in his best English that it's for the council. The chap closest to us in bottom pic, but he was right next to me when I asked him. Maybe I was hallucinating as I was so rushed!!


Next comes a bit of hiking and a bit more hiking. Perfect and just what the doctor ordered. But the slopperiness was dodgy and my shoes took a hit


Thankfully I'd got my Bearbones head on and without the bike. I found an escaped route through the woods so didn't need to slide down to my death. More on that later, but suffice to say I was too rushed to worry about a clean. Soon they were looking mouldy and disgusting. Hmmm!


Here we go, safety! I didn't do too bad at managing the pics without smashing my face nor slowing down to miss Juma. I needed to travel at about 4mph, which is tough (for me).


Then a bit more down, and a road. Then the next footpath thankfully, not having to walk the roads. Nor having to manage slippery paths (for now).


Then came the answer to what me and Daniel were contemplating on our long (marathon) hike to Sowerby Bridge and back (to the Huddersfield dentists). What indeed was the price of a barge to which we'd speculated a good one must be about £50k.


How wrong we were. Though I didn't get a chance to kick the tyres, it looked a pile of 'poor show' on the super quick inspection. Thankfully the owner was stood outside, just like an excellent barge salesman. We had a quick conversation across the path as he got smaller in my rear view.

"£50k usually but I've dropped it to £45k for a quick sale". I tried telling him I'm in a rush (and hopefully he'd take the hint that I don't buy barges. But, he wanted me to take a quick peek inside. "It's really nice, you'll love it". I try to sleep in ditches mate, and it's not cos I enjoy it.

My/our house is worth just about £15k more than what he was trying to flog this pile of wood at me. But I politely made my excuses, "maybe on the way back" I excused myself.


Then came some of the vantage points and scenic sections. Absolutely gorgeous and I just about managed to snap a bird of prey. Maybe a heron, but they still eat meat, right!


Yes, definitely another heron. These ones around Bath aren't as shy as our one of 2 locals. Must be the posh effect. Only saw one pile of dogpoo whilst leaving the surroundings of Bath and that too on the side of the path. Back where I'm from they hang the crap off the trees. Just in range that you might smack into it!!


Anyway, onwards and south-eastwards! I quickly snapped this and I doubt anyone from here would know. Or maybe our Reg, but the plan had been to either post this report on the walking forum, in this Friday thread or on the Weight-Watchers silliness we do just to fit in.

Well, weight watchers, bo point. As, even though I'm eating nowt for 20 hours, I'm then stuffing like a bear going into hibernation for the remainder 4 hours. Walking thread on another forum, we'll, no point!! I might say 'All Praise to God' and then all hell might break loose again. Apparently it's 'promoting of religion' according to some. So you bearded tramps will have to endure (again).

Anyway, back to the canal markings. If you (Reg, I'm talking to you with your excellent knowledge base, please, though others are welcome to guess through it) look at that above picture. Why the heck is 'all year' and '2 days' both represented by the same icon. Is that cos they're short of imagination these rich buggers who like to sleep in the canal (in a way, they are ditch sleepers, but a much bigger ditch and deeper pockets)...


Then came the first bit of road which I walked just like a rambler. On the side the b***ards that wanna kill you can look straight into your eyes. Even those ones that tries to give me a shave, I think I may have mistakenly said thanks to. Survived and then got to this here path.

Saw the farmer and asked nicely where (the flip) is the path. I could see it went straight through the back end of his garden but someone long ago had fiddled the signs. Up there he tells me, but I'm not gonna argue with someone with a massive red nose, belly bigger than mine, pants hanging down on one side and the belly peeking out from the opposite front.

So I just acted thick, and got to this pile of cr*p. I think I could smell the human faecal matter that had been used for manure. But I was in a rush and Shirley, these things don't get too much worse.


Walked through the path where there was no path. Looking to the right and I could see that gate he was stood near to. Then came the bamboo path which they'd obviously tried to plant straight into the footpath aswell.


Only they weren't bamboos, but sweetcorn. Even though they were slowing me down to a 2.5mph pace, I was gonna do my bit and trample the stalks back into a path. A few close calls later and thankfully I was out of danger.


Then - and this is the bit whereby it's safer to keep myself restricted to which forums I 'roam freely' - after a few roads here and there, I'd made it. Alhamdulillah, just in time for a toilet break and ablution. I changed my R a p ha Jersey into something dryer (sweat as it hadn't rained just yet) behind the far end of the courtyard.

Took that snap to ensure I created a mental memory to fill up the gorgeous water. Lovely tap it was and all. Juma was over before I knew it and afterwards the Imam asked about me briefly but you could see he was in a rush.

Did I tell you about the apples! Well, enroute down I saw a council patch. Nice Park with a father and daughter playing on one side and me shaking the apple tree ont' other. "It is council land" I'd shouted over to him after he noted how therapeutically I was summoning the apples down.

Well, after Juma it's started pouring it down. Full on thunder and lightening. The chap with the Asian accent who was also waiting/sheltering from the rain thought I'd given him my last apple. Gives it to the Imam, and I pass him another. "It won't last" he tells me (the rain). It comes and goes quickly around here (not like Wales or Yorkshire).


Anyway, I couldn't wait long and nor did I believe him about thunderstorms just passing. So I made myself look like and idiot, locked and loaded my route, and was gone.


The barges got me thinking. Why on earth are the windows inverted. They don't actually open outwards. But I wasn't gonna take the risk of asking a barge-man. Glorified ditch-sleepers, with money!!


The rain came back again and so did the jacket in hunchback form. Good time to check out the Patagonia and maybe race a barge or 2. A young lady was walking ahead somewhere, with her dog. Legs out and me (as a practicing muslim) was gonna guard my gaze. No looking at legs for us lot, but sometimes words go wrong, right.


So as I'm marvelling at my jacket and racing the barge (which came first, I'm not sure) the rain goes from mild to bad to, WTH. I assume at that point she made a U turn as she suddenly appeared again. I tell her, "thank god for lovely jackets" as I quickly walk past. She and her dog look at me funny.

Then I realise, her legs. Maybe she thought I said, something something, nice legs. "Old pervert, bearded looking asian man", maybe she (and her dog) had been thinking. Then I recalled Ms Lindley back when I was a lad (8 or 9), "Jack the Lad" she'd remind me, "engage brain before opening mouth".

Anyway, it really was a lovely jacket. Nice bright yellow, no markings but obviously no cheap 'sh*te and it reminded me of the GILL I'd owned for cycling for a while. Anyway, back on point. Anyone (female) that looked under the age of 25/30 after that, I just smiled and walked. Didn't even bother looking up or saying hi. Lest something else stupid sounding comes out!


Next, another heron and I was ready.


Caught it mid-flight Alhamdulillah (All Praise to God) and the many many many times I've contemplated how to ensure every bird doesn't get away. Well, it all worked out in the end.

Oh, before we get back to the boggy patch. There were a bunch of ladies probably on a hen night, (but it was day!! So now I'm confused) sounding boozed out of the brain. Not sure how they were controlling the barge and sadly I'd have to walk past and try to overtake. Thankfully though, as I just kept my head down and moving forth, I got away with a 'just give us a wave' and I did.

But it was hardworking staying well ahead and who knows what embarrassment I was in for if they'd caught me again. Other lad that walked past (almost) red in the face got away by walking in the opposite direction.


Got to the body section and (let's call him) Dave had just come through it. He was trying to clear the muck off his saddles. Dave was from Wiltshire! Where's that I asked... "Southampton". But I could have sworn the other masjid closely the the Trowbridge I'd been to, was called Wiltshire Masjid. Maybe my older brain!



Anyway, erm... THE END

Actually no, that's not the end. So the imam I'd listened to earlier at the masjid in Trowbridge, sometime well after the heaviest rainfall and meeting young lady with bikini bottoms and an excellent (yellow, our favourite colour) waterproof jacket on top, I once again saw the imam. I was about 6 miles or so into my hike back and he looked rushed.

I suppose he may have not recognised or maybe (actually I really think) he was Syrian or some other wartorn country. Where walking 20 miles is a no brained, but I asked how he was and what was going on. He told me in his best English (quite good actually) that the train broke and he needed to get to Bradford.

Hmmmm, that's where I'm from and you mate are walking in the opposite direction. Bradford train station isn't here but 219 miles north (I just checked). Turned out it was Bradford in Avon and thankfully some lovely women who must've also been on the same train overheard us. They shouted over that they're going that way and will show him the way (may Allah guide them to that which is good).

Next came another soaking and some other passengers also walking the same way, to Bradford-on-Avon. So when I sat down to eat my food - I had been going for just under 20 hours by now, but the bench was too good to resist and I think I'd earned just 5 or 10 minutes ahead of time - I asked the next walker. Young lady, pleasantly spoken (but not with bikini bottoms and nor was I gonna compliment her on her jacket!) , who explained to me that it wasn't a train problem.

Someone had crashed into a bridge up yonder, so passengers were forced off the train. Thankfully she didn't have far to go and would get a lift from Bradford-on-Avon. I guess the other passengers would be having quite the logistical nightmare to find a decent path to Bristol or Bath.

Now to really end the story - time of completion writings being after Fajar/early morn prayers - I must've been so knackered last night. At about 2230, despite having started the new fast at 2000, I had to grab a couple of chocolates and a couple of crisp packets from reception. At the YHA Bath that is.

So I set my alarm(s) in as low a tone as possible, especially being in a dorm room with mostly university aged lads. Wouldn't wanna wind them up with my alarm, right! So this alarm goes off at 0530, in as gentle a tone as possible. Me being the tired idiot I am, turns it off thinking I'll awaken just now.

"ARE YOU GONNA TURN THAT OFF", but maybe not in such a high pitch. Young lad from opposite bed had had enough and was up, loomin over my bed but I'm on the top bunk. So we're at eye level to each other. Ms Lindleys words must've rung in my mind and trying to avoid an escalation (or smacking his face in). "That's been going off since 0530", and it's 0615 now and I recall turning it off both times. So it's not entirely the truth.

"OK, thanks for waking me up". "I'VE WOKEN YOU UP" he shouts back angrily and with that his shadow of a puny self recedes into one of the beds opposite. Do I quietly tell him that maybe a dorm room isn't for him, or do I keep my mouth shut. I chose the latter, made sure all alarms were off and sat up to get out and ready for Fajar. Obviously I didn't tell him that!

[RIP]

Hello from a canal here in Birmingham!

I reckon those signs mean you can moor all year round but only for 2 days. Probably completely wrong. Maybe we need similar signs for bivvy spots - kip in this ditch anytime but only for 2 nights.

[redefined_cycles]

Very clever Reg. Thanks for that. Yes, makes sense and definitely need something for the bivy spots.

[voodoo_simon]

Thinking of Shaf’s post when I came across this

Don’t view it only a PC as the pictures are so bad Gordon Buchanan has nothing to worry about yet…

[Lazarus]

I reckon those signs mean you can moor all year round but only for 2 days

Yes 48 hour moorings all year round ( some are enforced some are not depends on how busy / near a lock keeper / nimby type who volunteer to walk each pound - the bits between locks ) are very common or 24 hour by water points and toilet.
You can get a key by just asling them so access to their toilets and locked water points.. think ypu can get them online but not sure as still have one.
The shower rooms are generally heated in winter
I lived on a boat for about a decade

[redefined_cycles]

I lived on a boat for about a decade

Silly question maybe, but how much did you eventually sell it for. Sounds like alot of upkeep and organisation to keep moving? I'm a (well I was with the mtb when I lived there) regular on the Huddersfield Narrow canal but the amount of barges I saw on this canal was so, so many more.

[redefined_cycles]

Thinking of Shaf’s post when I came across this

Don’t view it only a PC as the pictures are so bad Gordon Buchanan has nothing to worry about yet…

Yes. I just can't get the pics right! Gordon Buchanan, best go google him.

Well I now know who he is. But seems most of the pictures are behind paywalls. I've just seen a load of pics of him staring at the camera. Going to his site doesn't show a wildlife pic either, but wants me to join an event to go see em! I'll stick with a pixelated heron. Lol.

[Lazarus]

how much did you eventually sell it for

Boihht forn5 k sold for £20k.
They used to be cheap till people started selling houses to buy them then they went through the roof.
Every 4 years gget a boat safety and boat out to black the bottom ( viat with bitumen to prevent ruse and replace cathodes or anodes but something sacrificial)

" rules " * around moving changed when i did it i did not move that often ( monthly) then got a permanent mooring
Used to cost about £1k a year all in for insurance fuel, licence and mooring. More like 3 k now and boat prices are nuts.

* the agency that run it have regulations but they dont ( or did not ) have much legal weight. No idea about now

[Raggedstone]

Just received an email from HQ quarters that has cheered me up considerably

Now where's my truss !!

[thenorthwind]

Definitely cheery here in La Brigue, over on the French side of the border for the final time, after a long descent off the Via del Sale. Hot and sunny (before the sun disappeared behind a mountain) so drying everything out after yesterday's absolute deluge. Stayed at a Rifugio, thankfully, but they're clearly not used to needing so much drying space!

Great little campsite run by a proper character of a French farmer with a perfect spot for swimming in the river. All downhill to Nice from here right?

[Boab]

[Verena]

'Twas definitely a Cheery Friday last night - I was "out out" in Abergavenny doing some, erm, fieldwork based research for SWWB

[Dave Barter]

Sh1t3 Saturday. Trained hard for six weeks for a 10k race tomorrow and it’s just been cancelled.

[sean_iow]

Sub Standard Saturday. Trained hard for six weeks for a 10k race tomorrow and it’s just been cancelled.

Due to a weather warning? The MET Office warning system seems a bit too keen to predict severe weather. I've noticed here that events (car boots/car shows/charity runs etc.) keep getting cancelled due to warnings of severe rain or wind and on the day the sun shines

Sub Standard Saturday here as well, I'm at work but I do have the internet so not working too hard

[Dave Barter]

Sh1t3 Saturday. Trained hard for six weeks for a 10k race tomorrow and it’s just been cancelled.

Due to a weather warning? The MET Office warning system seems a bit too keen to predict severe weather. I've noticed here that events (car boots/car shows/charity runs etc.) keep getting cancelled due to warnings of severe rain or wind and on the day the sun shines

Sh1t Saturday here as well, I'm at work but I do have the internet so not working too hard

This race goes along a seafront and is very exposed. It will be sand and sea blasted for sure. But I think they do their risk assessment on the weaker runners which is probably fair enough.

I ran an off road half marathon to console myself and now have devils nipples

[Dave Barter]

It’s a noun referring to something unpleasant Shaff. Perfectly valid as the papers regularly refer to Suella Braverman

Edit: I seem to have replied to a deleted post

[voodoo_simon]

Finally some good news, cat has been missing for a week and we’ve found him today!

So excited to have the little knobber home

Tracker ordered and it’s on its way - he’s ground until tomorrow

Found via the power of Facebook, through a friend of a friend

Time to feed him up

[Boab]

Tracker ordered and it’s on its way - he’s ground until tomorrow

What did you go for...? Was considering getting one for one of ours...

[Verena]

Finally some good news, cat has been missing for a week and we’ve found him today!

So excited to have the little knobber home

Tracker ordered and it’s on its way - he’s ground until tomorrow

Found via the power of Facebook, through a friend of a friend

Time to feed him up

Excellent news

I seem to be in the process of being adopted by a rather sweet all white cat, which is hanging around the house and garden lots, and which I'm told is wild/ownerless.

Risky with a greyhound....but she seems to not have noticed him or her yet, as too close I think and not moving ...

[voodoo_simon]

Tracker ordered and it’s on its way - he’s ground until tomorrow

What did you go for...? Was considering getting one for one of ours...

Went for this
https://tractive.com/

Will see what it’s like, arriving tomorrow. Was recommended by a friend, they have the dog version and think it’s good (I think the husband did a spreadsheet of all of them and worked out the best for them), so going with that.

They had a problem with their device 11 months in and the company couldn’t have been more helpful if they tried, our friend has been impressed with them

[quote=voodoo_simon post_id=328490 time=<a href="tel:1727620117">1727620117</a> user_id=3402]
Finally some good news, cat has been missing for a week and we’ve found him today!

So excited to have the little knobber home

Tracker ordered and it’s on its way - he’s ground until tomorrow

Found via the power of Facebook, through a friend of a friend

Time to feed him up

Excellent news

I seem to be in the process of being adopted by a rather sweet all white cat, which is hanging around the house and garden lots, and which I'm told is wild/ownerless.

Risky with a greyhound....but she seems to not have noticed him or her yet, as too close I think and not moving ...
[/quote]

We live next door to a husky type dog and Thor doesn’t seem bothered by her, she’s wary of other dogs but fine with this one

[frogatthefarriers]

I seem to be in the process of being adopted by a rather sweet all white cat, which is hanging around the house and garden lots, and which I'm told is wild/ownerless.

Risky with a greyhound....but she seems to not have noticed him or her yet, as too close I think and not moving ...

I read somewhere that all-white cats are often congenitally deaf. I came across one when I was a milk-man (remember those?) many years ago. It may be that he hasn’t noticed that Hermiony’s there