Trouble at Rock HQ

I should know better by now, I should have a tattoo on my forehead to remind me every time I look in the mirror. It would say "Always listen to Tracey" backwards of course but in red block capitols.
Today as I prepared to leave Rock HQ to test how my training regime was working in the real world of the Black Mountains, ready for the Big Black Mountain Challenge in six or so weeks she asked me which car I intended to take. Rene of course, on account its a mans car and will be fairly full of wet muddy Berner and walkers. Rene already looking like a mobile compost heap would not mind us wallowing in mud and snow and then transferring considerable amounts of the mountain back into his interior. But, she reasoned, what if I have to go around the Bonsai Mountain to the Technohermit for an unexpected birth of a lamb that he will phone me about when you are out. I pondered the scenario for a nanosecond and dismissed it with an as if and if in the unlikely event that happens take Fifi.

So Richard, Rocky and I set off and explored the Black Mountains. It was an excellent walk, we escaped the ice swamp (below) almost intact. I managed to fall through the thin crust of ice and was plunged up to my testicles in a gigantic slush puppy (subsequent immersions were not quite so severe as A. The slush puppy was not so deep and B. My family jewels had by now sought refuge next to my tonsils)

By the time we had lunch at almost sea level it had brightened up a bit so we took a slight detour to do the tourist bit and walk along to the reservoir. The inhabitants in the cottage at the dams base place an awful lot of faith in God's and Victorian stone masons ability to hold back the water.
After six and a half hours walking and 24k we got back to Rene and headed back to Rock HQ, tired and feeling very pleased with ourselves. As we drove through the gate at the end of drive ominous signs that all was not well were just ahead. The Oracles 4x4 was backed up the steep side of Bonsai Mountain and behind a car that looked suspiciously like Fifi stranded in a gully.
As we got nearer a perplexed driver bearing an uncanny resemblance to Tracey was comforting a sheep much like Springtime, one of our Ryelands, sat on the back seat with what looked like a new born lamb next to her.
Tracey didn't have to say I told you so, I already knew she had. The Technohermit had indeed called to tell her that one of our sheep had abandoned a lamb on the hill. Tracey as instructed took FiFi and did a brilliant job of a 21st century Little Bo Peep and had driven up the side of Bonsai Mountain where cars fear to tread. Unfortunately Murph was on the hill and the lane was blocked by the product of his labour, felled branches barred the way which meant Tracey had to reverse back down the hill. Gravity took over and she was deposited almost at the bottom in a deep gully.
The Oracle was trying to tow her out but lack of a fixing point hampered his efforts. Tracey was now faced by three men, Richard, The Oracle and yours truly who were all experts at vehicle from deep gully extraction and as we debated the best strategy that didn't involve cranes and or helicopters Tracey got bored and reversed out to a round of applause.


So here's Trouble, that's the lamb not the apprentice shepherd, Tracey named her as that's what she was. For a while anyway.

Nice face, shame about the legs

Last nights snow turned to rain, and it rained all day. Thwarted from the plan to sledge down North Face Gully (what could possibly go wrong?) I paced up and down like a caged animal eager to get outside, until I was actually outside when suddenly I became keen for the warm glow of firesides, and so the day progressed without much getting accomplished but lots of clothing getting very wet and dirty.

One need to change completely came from wrestling Ryelands who have all been wormed/drenched/manicured, a job that needed doing before a trip to the osteopath. The sheep are wretched miserable creatures at the moment who have yet to discover the custom built shelter at the back of the stables with its new concrete floor. Instead they congregate around the front door leaving dollops of green pooh which the Berners enthusiastically tread throughout the cottage. Tomorrows trip to see Agnes the osteopath should be money well spent as at present any form of movement including breathing sends sharps stabbing pains everywhere along my spine. An hour with her should sort it all out, or rather mask the damage done from years of excessive training long enough to allow work to continue at Rock HQ. Speaking of excessive training this is the traditional time of year when I review the effects of aging and lack of training programme. Gone are the days of 7 minute miles but still I hanker to the old days of competitive cross country running or covering mental distances carrying huge backpacks over massive peaks. Traditionally this is also the time of year that Sara, an equally mental friend contacts me and we promise to do much more by way of time/distance/peaks this year. Our first meeting led to her being dangled off a rope on a glacier in France, somehow she bluffed her way into the climb, somehow I managed not to kill her, and we have been friends ever since. Those so inclined might search the blog for references to Sara ( The Big Black Mountain Challenge is a highlight of the year), or look at her blog linked to these pages. Sure enough a text arrived and we are planning a walk to kick off the year sometime over the next week or so. No doubt we will both plan a spectacular daring do type effort but as life has caught up with us both we might end up dawdling to the pub, obviously to plan the next big trek. The Offas Dyke Ordeal 2 perhaps? 6 days was far too long, make it 5.

Geisha, those of nervous disposition, easily offended or put off by the sight of blood should look away now. Her leg is getting better, this is a close up of the wound today. In a week I shall take another to see how well its doing.

Big Black Mountain Challenge

Today I have mostly been recovering from the BBMC. My legs have decided to protest about the level of abuse they were exposed to yesterday.

Its only 19 days until we start our epic venture The Great TO DO, see link above.

178 miles

6 days

Confident?

Not really but it will be done.

Big Black Mountain Challenge

44k in the Black Mountains.

70mph winds

Rain, hail, snow and 20 minutes of sunshine.

9.5 hours.

The best bit?

Surviving!