Mankinholes YH Walk. Day 2.

Hello there. Sounds of the Sixties is just finishing on Radio 2, and I will get this written up now while I'm in the mood. After a breakfast of beans on toast with the leftover pasta from last night, I stuck a few nibbles in my rucksack and set off from the hostel on day 2 of my walkabout. Yesterday I used a yellow marker pen to  record the route on the map, today is a green one. By using different colours I can check the mileage on bikehike when I get back. 

I thought I'd better make the climb up to Stoodley Pike while I was here, I've done it before and the views are quite good. It's easily accessible from the hostel, taking the Calderdale Way and turning right up the steep climb next to the wooden bench. Off I go, up there.  

Just a bit further, almost there. The blue skies were littered with puffy white and grey clouds which were scooting across in the high winds. The higher I got the windier it became.

A couple of views from the top, it was flippin freezing, not a good time to hang around for very long. My plan was to take the track south along the Pennine Way, but this meant walking across the top of a high ridge, and in view of the almost gale force winds I decided the safer option would be to get down to the bottom. I followed the Pennine Way north instead.  

It is so easy to take a wrong turn around here, there are literally hundreds of paths which crisscross each other. You need to know whereabouts you are on the map so you don't get lost.

I came down off the hill, along some farm tracks and through a few fields until I got down to the canal. I have walked most of this canal before when I did a long coast to coast walk. Across on the other side is where I'm heading. A small stone bridge over the canal, and a tunnel under the railway lines. The following few photo's are in the wrong order and I can't be bothered to move them around, so you'll have to bear with me.

The path up the other side is the Pennine Bridleway, it's twisty and turning, with houses dotted along the tracks. I've just come up through a wood here, the water from the hills above is cascading down the hillside from a spout through this stone whatever it is, ha ha. 

This seems to be a dumping ground for boots at the back of a house next to the path. Not sure how they have accumulated so many pairs. Are they lost boots, or have they been discarded? Mystery, I was not going to knock on the door and ask.

I turned around and look up the path I had just come down. The steps are quite steep.

In the bottom it was like a magical fairy grotto. So peaceful, so quiet, just the sound of running water washing over the stones.

Onward and upward, easy farm tracks to follow. Yes, it's sunny but it was still chilly. 

Now these are the back to front pictures. The steep cobbled path between two houses after I came under the railway bridge at the bottom after crossing the main road.

The spooky churchyard with no church. I asked a passing dog walker about it, he said there used to be a church but it was knocked down.

At the gate to the churchyard was this little wooden sign giving two routes for the Pennine Way. I chose the official one.

A bit further on I joined the road into Heptonstall. Coming down the main street it opens out into a cobbled area, with seating overlooking the remains of a church. It was too cold to sit down so I wandered around and took photo's. Apparently there are very few places in England where two churches share the same graveyard. The old shell has been left standing while the newer one was built next to it. For a bit more info on it, take a look at this site.  

A few more pics around Heptonstall.  Cobbled streets and cottages. 

I left the town and joined the road to Hebden Bridge. 

I had a bimble around Hebden Bridge. I have been here before so didn't stop long, and time was getting on.

The Old Mill which is an art gallery and shopping area.

The easiest way back was along the canal, so I took it. I've done enough climbing for one day. I got to the turn off on the main road where you drive up the twisty narrow road to the hostel. It seems much more twisty and steeper when you are walking it. I was ready for a sit down when I got back. One more person turned up that night, he arrived by bus. Derek sorted him out with a room, and after he had a quick snack in the kitchen, I didn't see him again until the following morning. I think he went out.

Check mileage for today, bikehike is telling me it was 12 miles. That's better. Glad to be back in the warm hostel though, out of that cold wind.

Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up with day 3 tomorrow.
Toodle pip

Mankinholes YH Walk. Day 1

Hello, I've loaded the pics so let's see if I can remember where they were all taken. There was no wifi at Mankinholes Youth Hostel, but I did take the small computer so I could at least upload the photo's from the camera and edit them. 

I was the only person staying at the hostel apart from the volunteer warden, so I virtually had the place to myself. There is no TV, but plenty of books and magazines to read. I took my own food for two evening meals and two breakfasts, and enough for packup nibbles during the day. Packets and tins are useful for this and I don't mind if I have the same meals twice, pasta and baked beans. Cheesy biscuits, malt loaf, and currant buns are good to have in the rucksack. I always take boiled eggs as well, great to sooth a rumbling tum when out on the hills. Diluted juice drinks in the bottles. 

The drive up to the hostel from the main A646 road between Halifax and Todmorden is a bit narrow and twisty. Hair pin bends, one is so tight it requires a shunt manoeuvre. There is a small car park between two stone pillars. I arrived about lunch time, the hostel didn't open till 5pm but I expected that, most are closed in the daytime. I had an idea for a shortish afternoon walk so I set off down a track opposite the hostel which soon opened up along the edge of a field. Already I was getting a sense of what's in store, fantastic views, love this area. 

I came out onto a road. This looks at first glance like it is a very posh residence. Someone probably does live here, but at the entrance is a sign saying it is an activity centre for young people. If you note the top of the tower, it is the same design as the old abandoned mill next to it.

There are cottages similar to this, big and small, scattered all around here. Some of them perched precariously high on the hillside.

I joined the Calderdale Way, a long distance path, to Todmorden, and came into the graveyard of a church I have seen on a previous excursion. I'ts high on a hillside and has been left to it's own devices, so is very overgrown.  Looks kind of spooky to me.  

I like Todmorden, have seen it before, so I got on the canal tow path to continue my walk. Not many boats about at present.

That's the railway bridge going over the top. Twas a lovely sunny day, with a cool breeze.

I happened to be standing on a small stone bridge for a few minutes while checking my location on the map. I like to know exactly where I am. A local chappie on a bike asked if I wanted directions. I said no thanks, I'm just planning the next part of the route. He started to tell me stories about the history of the place so I chatted to him thinking he might be looking for someone to talk to. 

Then he told me about the famous award winning fish and chip shop called Grandma Pollards just round the corner, they make wonderful home made pies. I went with him to have a look. They were ready to close for the day but the boss beckoned us to come in. Then I got the whole story from Tony all about the shop being in his family for 50 odd years and him taking it over from his father. He split a potato and onion pie between the three of us to taste. It was nice. 

Tony was a jolly sort, the banter between us was hilarious, he could have been a standup comedian, we made a great double act. The shop was ready to close so we all stepped out onto the pavement. A couple came out of the restaurant to say a few words to Tony, and I was introduced to the lady. I thought the man looked familiar but didn't say anything. Then the lady introduced me to her husband, Tony Booth. Blimey, yes it was, Tony Booth father of Cherie Blair. Chuffin heck. I remember him years ago in comedy sitcoms. He is in his mid eighties now. This chance meeting has prompted me to google him. By 'eck, he has led a colourful life. If you want to read more try this story in the Daily Mirror.  

I finally managed to get away and continue my walk, so off I went down the canal tow path. I eventually came off it and turned north on the Pennine Bridleway which for a while gave me wonderful views down in the valley with the canal in the bottom. 

I followed this track across the moorlands until it joined a road, which took me to Lumbutts, and further on to the Hostel, arriving at 6pm. The door was open and Derek the warden signed me in.

It wasn't a long walk today, 7 miles, as I only had the afternoon to do it, and also there are a lot of hills to climb around here, so I am not going to clock up the miles as I would do on the flat. If I hadn't stopped to chat for so long I would have done more, but if I hadn't spoken to the man on the bike, I would never have met a famous person. Tomorrow will be a full day so I'll check the map for a route.

Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon with day 2.
Toodle pip

Put your thinking caps on.

Hello. I'm a bit annoyed that this blog post did not publish automatically when I set it to. It should have been live at 3pm this afternoon.In theory you should be able to write your posts in advance and set them to publish at a date and time of your choosing. Well it didn't work and now you are wondering what has happened to me. Truth is I have been away, rambling in Yorkshire. Now back and suitably refreshed, or should that be suitably knackered, ha ha. 

I might as well publish this now as it's done. I will be back tomorrow with all the gen on my three days walking in the beautiful Hebden Bridge, Heptonstall, and Todmorden area. I've had a fab time, and it was a superduper cheap holiday.   

Hello. I wandered around the car boot sale on Sunday, browsing what was on offer, not because I needed anything, but what could I make with ordinary everyday items. I was looking for something that might jump out at me saying take me home and make me into something else. I have already shown you what I did buy, but I also took a few snaps of what I saw, while searching my brain for ideas. 

These colanders are shiny round shapes with holes in them, any ideas for alternative uses for them? Put your thinking caps on and help me out, there must be something they can be used for other than straining food.  

I saw lots of boxes of cutlery and kitchen utensils, I reckon these could be bent into different shapes. I've seen bent forks screwed onto a piece of wood to make coat hooks, now that's a good idea. Anybody got any more ideas? I don't have any means of cutting through metal so I might be a bit limited as to what I could do with them. It would be easy to squash them flat with a big hammer though, I think, or would it?

Lots of plastic action men, some of them in their undies. Hmmm, that's interesting. I'm sure there must be a use for these. I'll have to think some more about these, maybe you have some ideas.

I didn't ask how much all these items were, maybe they are collectors pieces and are worth a bit more than cheap car boot prices. It's funny what you come across, other people's rubbish is fascinating.

Another fascinating thing I saw was a woman pushing a bicycle with lots of bags hanging from the handlebars, and bulging panniers. She had a trailer hitched up to the back of it, stacked high with boxes and bags full of stuff, and on her back she had a massive rucksack which looked pretty heavy. I thought oh dear, poor woman must be homeless. I pointed her out to the stall holder I was chatting to, and the woman said, oh she comes every week and sets her stall up. I thought, flippin heck, a car booter without a car, that's ingenious that is. I suppose she doesn't live too far away, there's no way she could have ridden that bike.

Right I'm off. Let's have some ideas from you for the colanders, cutlery, and action men. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Don't get lost in Blogland

Hello. Virginia asked a question a few posts back, so I'll answer it now. She is thinking of starting a blog and asks how do people find me. Well Virginia, it is a bit of a mystery isn't it, when I started no one knew me, and now I get 6,000 page views a day. Where do they all come from? I never expected this when I started my online diary.

I'll start by asking you a question, how did you find me? There's a clue in your answer. I started looking at other people's blogs, and if I felt I could add anything to the topic I left a comment. That then left my footprint (link) which other people could click on to have a nosy about me on my blog. They in turn left me a comment and put me on their sidebar reading list. It's like a snowball getting bigger and bigger and gathering momentum as you roll it down a hill. The more you read other peoples blogs and leave comments the more you get back.

Blog hopping from one to the next is normal, everyone does it. I do it, I see a post title on someone's side bar which catches my eye I think, I'll go and have a look at that. I might make a comment, or I might not. If you click on any of the followers little pictures it will take you to their profile so you can see if they have a blog or not. When you follow a blog your picture will appear on their sidebar.

It used to be that some bloggers asked for an exchange in links, you read mine and I'll read yours. They don't do that so much now. Those that asked were usually those who were starting a blog as a business and wanted to increase their page views, thus enabling them to get sponsorship.

Some bloggers do make a lot of money, but they spend a lot of time promoting their blog on other social networking sites. They need people to follow them and ask them to sign up, it makes the numbers look good. Someone could sign up to follow and never read the blog again, or on the other hand a blog can be open for anyone to read without them having to join anything.

Of course, you could ask all your friends and family to read your blog if you start one. I did at first, and they did read, but now most of them don't bother. My sister and my best friend very rarely read unless I tell them of a post they might be interested in.

If you do start one, Virginia, do it for you. Don't write for an audience because that is a different style of writing. I would much rather read a chatty, humorous blog than one from someone who has spent time writing a word perfect, grammatically correct, with perfect punctuation, article. I think it''s easy to tell the difference. I can read a magazine or newspaper if I want to read an article.

Are you going to give it a go, let me know and I'll have a read.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

How to make cheap 'no stitch', bunting.

Hello. As the second key holder for the Village Hall, I opened up this morning for the Crafty Club, as Ann was having a day off. We had a small turnout, a few missing, but no matter, we still have a good old natter. I made a start on more felt hearts, this time in orange and green.

I think bunting is quite popular at the moment, so I thought I would make some. I have an old park guide from Legoland when I visited in 2002, fancy keeping this for 14 years, I must be daft. I have lots of memorabilia from places I visited with my last boyfriend, blimey was it that long ago.

The bunting looks quite pretty and it cost virtually nowt.  

Remember Woolys, I am still using bits and bobs I bought from them when the store was closing down. This sticky back clear film was only 20p.

I cut the paper into oblongs, then trimmed them into flag shapes. If you are going to do this make sure you get them the right way up. You can have them any size you like, and if they are printed on both sides make sure you have the right side up.

First of all I cut a strip of sticky back twice the height of the flags, took the backing paper off, and laid out the flags with a length of cord along the top edge. Then folded it over to enclose the paper and the cord. When the two sides were stuck together I trimmed off the excess plastic. I found it quite difficult to work with the plastic, getting it smooth and not wrinkled. 

I thought there must be an easier way, so I decided to cover the flags individually, which worked better. Cut the sticky back into smaller pieces.

Put a crease mark along the centre and peel back the backing to expose the crease. Stick on the flag, a fraction from the crease mark.

The cord should be as long as you want to make the bunting. Lay it along the crease line, and fold over the rest of the plastic enclosing the flag and cord. 

Then cut off the excess plastic. add the flags one at a time, until you have enough.

I positioned these one inch apart.

Next I made a Christmas bunting, a good way to use up old Christmas cards. I have used a gold coloured cord here, and laid them closer together. If you are going to do this, the sticky back doesn't stick very well to glitter cards. You could use ribbon instead of cord. 

A cheap way to make Christmas decorations. You could probably get a roll of the plastic from the £1 shops, and you would get a lot of bunting from it. You could use anything colourful, like brochures or magazines, or maps, or what about using cat food pouches? Now that's an idea, I must try that.

The sun is shining so I'm off out to do a bit of hedge trimming. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Car boot bargains

Hello again. I found a few bits and bobs at the car boot sale. Some new projects for me to play around with. This mirror frame looks a bit scruffy but no worries, I will tart it up. It was a bargain at 30p. I might take the mirror out and put a picture in it. 

You'll never guess how much this table lamp was, it's smaller than the brown one and the shade is a bit battered. The woman was starting to pack up and she was putting things in a big box with a label on saying everything 10p. Yep, it was 10p, and it's got a bulb in it and working. I will give it a makeover.

Another 10p bargain. Curtain rings. Not sure what I will do with them but there will be something.

Anyone for tennis? No, I am not going to take up a new sport. £1 for this. I fancy weaving something through the mesh, maybe make a picture.

Heaven knows what these are, but they are solid wood and heavy. £1 for four. I'll think of something. 

Cute and colourful beads, you can never have too many of them. 50p for these.

I've got plenty of projects to keep me going now.

Thank you to those who have sent in their mileage for the walking challenge. We only have three months left to do. Some have already passed the 1000 miles, so well done. You can decide if you want to stop now, or carry on to the end of the year. I am off on another walkabout soon, so I'll get some more miles in there.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Horsing around with Bailey

Hello. I had a doggy pal to look after yesterday while his owner went to a wedding. Joyce was out the whole day , so I thought it would be a good opportunity for me and Bailey to have a ride out in the car. Here he is wearing his harness which clips into the seat belt holder. He was very good sitting in the front seat. Isn't he a handsome chap. 

We went to Bransby Horses, it's a rescue place near Lincoln, they have almost 500 horses to look after. Thankfully the forecast of rain did not happen, and we were able to walk around the perimeter of the paddocks. I don't think Bailey has seen a horse before, he stood still and stared at them.

When I took him back home, Joyce had already arrived.

I'm going to dash now, want to have a nosy at the car boot sale, and pick up some shopping at Tesco. We'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip