Blog catch-up

I've been negligent lately so here's a brief summary.

02/04/2012 - Did the Cawthorne Christmas Coroborree series with the kids, my mum, my sister, my brother-in-law and their dog. The weather was excellent and we all enjoyed a lovely 6 mile walk through the countryside before ending up at a pub for some quality food.

09/04/2012 - Good Friday. Drove to a car park near Derwent Reservoir and did a long circular route around the bottom east/west leg of the dam. Shocked upon arrival by the remaining snow which had fallen a couple of days earlier and we'd forgotten all about, we crossed the dam wall and headed directly up Win Hill which was seriously tough going and had my good friend Paul putting me to shame. Once at the top we headed NW along to the Hope Cross, then North down the hill, over the A57 and back up past Hagg Farm before turning SE towards Crook Hill. The path doesn't go to the actual summits but we detoured off to visit all three before descending back down to the A57 and a final disappointing mile along the roads back to the car. 10.2 miles total and a fab day out.

12/04/2012 - Easter Monday. Paul and I were picked up by Chris from work at a shocking 7am for a drive to Hope. Here we did Chris' favourite walking route which involved ascending Win Hill (again - but a different route), then the same route over to Hope Cross before turning South-West towards the bottom of Jagger's Clough and down to Nether Booth. We followed the road for about half a mile before turning up the steep climb to Back Tor and then the steady ascent up to Lose Hill. (Win Hill/Lose Hill - it's all historical you know!) From here a long and steady descent back to Hope. Drizzle most of the walk but very refreshing and great company. Another 10.1 miles walked and back home for mid-day!

A quick catch-up

I know I've been remiss lately with regard to my blog, so apologies to me when I read this rather slack diary in the future.

Christmas and New Year have both been and gone, and I've worked pretty much through it solidly. I've been caching quite a few times but simply not had the chance, or really the motivation, to blog it.

So here is a summary:

29/12/2010 - Did 12 drive-by caches with Patrick. He was pushing to get his 1000 before his 12-month caching anniversary and as the weather was rubbish he decided to do these - they're pretty much ones you wouldn't want to do in nice weather. We only walked to a couple and the distance was under half a mile.

29/12/2010 - In the evening we popped out to get the last three Patrick needed for his 1000. The plan being that they'd be Mr Truffles as his very first cache was also one by him. Sadly one of the caches had been muggled so we left at 999 having walked 1.4 miles. (Patrick actually got a good result here - that very evening Mr T published a very tough puzzle which Patrick got the next morning for his 1000th cache with the bonus of also being the First-To-Find.)

02/01/2011 - Went to a BBQ(!) at Snoopyisboss's house. This was a small event with 15 fellow geocachers and a great time was had by all, Snoopy (Sarah) really did herself proud. No walking or caching but certainly lots of eating and drinking!

03/01/2011 - Went to do a Mr. Truffles series at Barnburgh, one we'd thought we might squeeze in at the Halloween event but ran out of time. This was a nice walk with Patrick & family who were just along for the walk as they'd found them all before. Four miles in total.

08/01/2011 - Did a series called 'Scooby Doo - Where are you?' near Hooton Pagnell. This is all reclaimed pit land and made for a nice, albeit very wet, four mile walk. It was also a good test for my new 'real' walking boots which I had treated myself to over the festive season and of which I am very proud. (There was a small footbridge which had flooded so I carried the kids across.)

And that's that. I'm hoping to get some good solo walks in this month as I have holiday days I need to use up. Fingers crossed I sort my act out and do it!

Christmas Corroboree VIII

I'm not sure why the organisers have used an aboriginal word (for ceremonial meeting) but on Saturday afternoon we attended, for the first time as we've only cached for 6 months, the annual Christmas Corroboree VIII in Elsecar. This year it was run by MikeG and involved a HUGE puzzle cache hidden up in the woods full of presents and sweets for the children, a raffle for charity, pie and peas and of course lots of chatting to friends old and new.

Having some time constraints I decided we wouldn't do any caching on the day except for the related puzzle cache "A Gift from St. Nicholas" which now takes the credit as being our largest find to date, it being about 36" long, 18" wide and 24" deep. A hearty and merry thanks must go to MikeG for the effort (and cost!) in arranging and positioning such a festive treat for everyone.

I had a lovely chat with Mr Truffles about my planned walk along the Yorkshire Dalesway next year, met up with The Black Sheep (Rob and Jen and their super-energetic 20 month old son), chatted to MikeG and Penfolio, and teased Bleaklow about him not being able to find Not a Bit Sticky - with an invite around for a cup of tea next time he looks for it.

Patrick and family were all there and also YorkyPudding and AgingHippy, many more I don't know and no doubt a few I do know but I've forgotten to mention... sorry!

We bought a fiver's worth of tickets and ended up winning the donation YorkyPudding brought (a string/wood puzzle) and in return she won the ready-to-place cache container I'd donated. Such a small world, she only lives a few doors away so we could have just popped around, done a swap and saved ourselves a few quid :) [I know that's not in the spirit of a raffle, I was joking!]

Big thanks again to MikeG - well done Sir.