The FAMOUS and WONDEFUL Magpie fish taster!

As an addition to the last blog, I thought you might like to see why I LOVE the food at the Magpie so much. THIS little beauty is the 'fish taster'. It has SO many different flavours, and is never the same twice, as they use what's in season and available.

I must say, the four times I have had it, it has been top drawer! I love ALL the food at the Magpie, but this one is my particular favourite.

After a good 15 minutes - the damage is evident! The poor fish never stood a CHANCE! Yes - I ate it all - yes, call me 'shellfish' if you like!

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH!

STRETCHER BEARER!!!!!!!!

(Applause from the sidelines)

Whitby folk week

WHITBY FOLK WEEK

2006

This weekend saw the Whitby folk week take place. As one of my hobbies is playing the bodhran (pronounced BOW-ron), I have been going to the festival for years. It's a great week, although I usually only stay for four days as by then I am played out and ready for a rest! If the weather is good, the streets as well as the pubs are alive with music. Not just 'finger in yer ear' type stuff, but all sorts of folk music and dance. Another of my hobbies is walking, so I also get to walk the cliffs by the sea. I LOVE the sea, and wish I lived nearer to it.

The view of the harbour, from the 99 steps up to the abbey, is a classic. Here it is, taken from about a third of the way up the steps. The weather forecast was for mostly rain and showers, but the whole weekend was like you see here, apart from one or two little squalls.
Once you get ensconced in a pub, the mood and music take over and it's all for one - one for all! These impromptu sessions are my favourite. There are LOTS of organised concerts, with luminaries from the folk music world, but this is where the bare bones of the tradition are to be found. Sometimes you can't get into the pubs, especially if word has got around that one of the greats is at that session, which often happens.
One of the things I also look forward to is eating fish and chips, REAL fish and chips - the sort you only find at a fishing port. The Mecca is, of course, the famous Magpie cafe, opposite the fish dock. Some of our greatest chefs have eaten here and declared it the best! I had to go and check for myself, and after doing that many years ago, and becoming a convert, I now visit at least once, but often more, each time I go, Judging by the constant queues at most times of the year, many, many others have the same view as me. This, naturally, leads to queuing outside - something I and many others are QUITE prepared to do. If it rains, staff come out with Magpie umbrellas so you won't get too wet! The food, staff and ambience just CAN'T be beat, and I have been served by my favourite waitress Maureen, for as long as I've been going.

A fly has appeared in the ointment though, as some of the neighbours (from hell) of the Magpie have complained to the council. I mean - we CAN'T have people being more successful than them - CAN we?? I am amazed and incensed that the council even BOTHERED to respond, but respond they HAVE and, instead of actually BACKING the success of the Magpie, decided to make their life difficult by insisting on trying to make people queue ACROSS the road! I have written to the council concerned at; highways.northyorkshire@northyorks.gov.uk about this ridiculous situation. They should be applauding the Magpie for all the business and visitors they bring into the town, NOT getting on their case!

Here is the daft situation - see the 'pedestrian waiting area' across the road (and SEE how a passing car could present danger to people crossing the road to eat???). ONLY the council would make you queue at the side of rubbish bins before going to eat - CHARMING!

Here is how it was and should be left - people happy to queue

The place I love to stay is called 'Holmleigh' This place is run by a brick ***house called Kev, and his lovely wife Carol. Kev is a gentle giant (as long as you don't cross him), and is PERFECT f'ront of house'. NOTHING is too much trouble for them, and if you act like an adult, there are no rules, just come, enjoy, make yourself at home. The house is kept lovely, and the breakfast is one of the best. Here are the happy couple - aren't they lovely?
So, that's it for another year, folk music wise, at Whitby, but my love of the place means it won't be long before I'm back - I need a 'fix' at regular intervals!

Norway pics, posting two

Here are the second lot of photo's of Norway. I have had some strange effects trying to upload these, and some wouldn't go, but I hope these are OK.

This first one is one from the deck at sun up. I got up most mornings at 05:00 to see the sunrise, and believe me, it was WELL worth it! If you go to somewhere like Norway, you have to get as much out of it as you can. It's not a stay up late and lie-in holiday - that's not what it's about. It's a see as much as you can holiday. I did have a 03:00am late night, but that was on a sea day!

Once the sun had risen, this was the sort of view and colours we got. As the holiday progressed, it just got better and better. I feel SO lucky to have had what I did in Norway. As I have said, it was a dream location, and the dream was as lovely as it could have been.

I decided to book a trip to the Briksdal glacier (pics of that later) and that was stunning. However, for me, the trip up the valley TO the glacier held the most beauty! This valley was singularly the best and most beautiful place I have ever been to, and I mean that! I took LOADS of pictures, and I hope they can convey a little of what it was like.

The lake was still, llike a big mirror. All around were high mountains and steep walls of rock.

This was the view from the car park of the Briksdal glacier. Again, a really stunning place with waterfall after waterfall - all glacier fed. The area hadn't had a lot of rain, in fact they have had a good summer like us, but there was NO shortage of water here, the glaciers saw to that.

This waterfall was the DADDY! The thundering sound could be heard from 1/2 a mile away! Here, we had just crossed a bridge where we got a soaking in lovely, cold spray. I must admit, we deliberately walked slowly and enjoyed the cold shower on what was a very hot day.

PERFECT Norway cruise!

Well, I've just had a really TERRIFIC time in Norway, courtesy of P&O and the wonderful Arcadia! The sea was flat all the time, the sun shone every day, and the scenery - WOW!!!!!!! I have never had such a great holiday, only problem is, I put back 1/2 a stone in weight :-) If you could SEE the food, I ate in Gary Rhodes restaurant, and the Orchid Thai, and of course, the rest of the time I was WELL fed by the Meridian restaurant. This is the third time I've cruised, but this was by FAR the best!

No - it's not me walking on water - I am actually on the roof of a boat on the glacial lakes of Olden. The views just got better and better.

This cloudy-looking scene was at about 5:00am. I got up every morning at that time to watch the lovely sunrises, and also made sure i saw every sunset too.
You can see the glacier on the top of the fjord in this picture.

The sides are incredibly steep, and the depth of the fjord can be anything up to 3,000 METRES deep.

This photo can not do this scene justice. I can tell you, I and the dozen or so other people on the decks that morning were absolutely mesmerised by things. It was just so beautiful and serene, very moving.
Here, the sun is up, and the sky is once again blue. This was how all the days went, and it was great, but it DID tend to 'burn out' photo's, that's why the best ones were taken either later on at night, or early in the morning.
I left the Arcadia at Eidfjord and climbed part of the way up the side fjord wall until it was too difficult to go any further, and I was rewarded with this picture of 'our lady' at rest in the harbour.
A self-portrait of me on a rock at Eidfjord.
This was one of many, many fabulous waterfalls. With the fjords being so steep-sided, it was waterfall heaven! The best one was still to come at Olden, BUT this one will do for now.
That's all for now, but I took just under 1,000 pictures! I also went up in a sea plane at Bergen, so I'll post more pictures later - so please call in again in a few days (oh - and sign the guest book).

Les

Norway, here I come!

ONE sleep left!!!

Yes - that's ALL there is, and I will be aboard THIS baby, heading for my dream destination - NORWAY!

I've been checking the forecast, and have all my fingers and toes crossed that we'll get clear days to take all the pictures. This will be my last post (cue bugle) before I go, so I'll no doubt have a picture or two to blog when I get back.

To all those of you at work -

SHAME!!!!! HAHHAHHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Butterflies

BUTTERFLIES!!!!!

Here are a few pictures of butterflies, taken in a NOT lovely position, but they ALWAYS look lovely to ME!


The bush they are on is a Buddleia.

If you can, set one in your garden - it will pay you dividends when you SEE the huge array of butterflies and moths it attracts!

That special feeling

There's a very special feeling that only people who have done something like a long distance walk get. When you have tramped, day after day, from one side of the country to the other, and THEN.........THEN you see that glittering expanse ahead - well, I really can't put it into words how that makes you feel! Maybe this picture will convey it somehow?

Of course, for every up, there's a down - natural really. You DO feel quite depressed when it hits you that the sojourn is over :-(

The best way to combat this, I always find, is to plan the next one! One persons view of how all this feels is at; http://members.ozemail.com.au/~kconnell/

I have written several diaries myself on some of the LDP's (long distance paths) I have done, and intend to put them on here.........WHEN I get time!!! LOL

(NB - diaries are NOW on Blogger at;

www.walkdiaries.blogspot.com )

Some like it hot

I know it's a bit blurred - but I just wanted you to see how bl**dy hot it was yesterday, and they are saying it's going to get even HOTTER today - PHEW!
This was taken in my car around 1:00pm, and it remained at this temperature for about 3 hours. I think last night was one of the most uncomfortable of my life, even though I had a fan going in the bedroom ALL night, and lay on top of the bed.

Some like it HOT!!!!!!
And today, if you're one of those people, it was JUST right for you. For me - I HATE it when it's like this. Today showed 36C on my thermometer, and that held for at least three hours. Thank God for air con', that's all I can say!
As you can see by the forecast, it was only supposed to go up to 32C, and they are saying 34C for tomorrow, so I'm wondering what it really WILL go up to?

GOD Caruthers, the heat and the flies!!! (And those DAMNED native drums). LOL - well, that's how it feels here, it is REALLY hot (although my mate Ed in Utah poo-poohs our temperatures, regularly sending me HIS weather forecast, which has temp's akin to Hades!).
Yesterday I had a day off from walking, and went to the great Ashbourne Highland Gathering.
This event, in its 22nd year, is a dream if you like all things Scottish. If you don't, well I suppose it would be a nightmare. Me? I fell in love with the skirl of the pipes when I walked the coast to coast walk, and heard a lone piper playing in the Ennerdale forest. To me, it sounded ethereal, romantic, drawing and sombre. It REALLY fitted the scene. I was told later by my B&B hostess that he played there regularly because his wife HATED the pipes, and wouldn't let him play near the house! (Damned sassenachs!).
The day at Ashbourne starts around 10:00AM, and there are dances, highland games (watched over by none other than mr Geoff Capes, our very own strong man (retired). Geoff holds the record for tossing the stone, which is a bit like putting the shot, but a more 'pure' version, using a real stone. The record has stood for a very impressive TWENTY TWO years!!!! Now, when you think how many really strong men there have been in recent years, particularly the Scandinavians, that is some record!).
The day progresses with all sorts of side shows, from jugglers to magicians, folk bands to fairgounds, and ALL in a village fete setting. If you're within striking distance of Ashbourne, the date for the 2007 show is SUNDAY 15TH JULY 2007. WELL worth a visit. Put it in your diary.
The best, though, is saved until last. ALL the bands, from grade three up to grade one (genuflect here) mass on the parade ground, play before the crowd and the Chieftain Then, en masse, they proudly march through the streets of Ashbourne (closed off) and play their hearts out! God, the hairs on my arms are standing up now just THINKING about it! Anyway, there's a very old pub in the town centre called; 'The Green Man and Blacks Head' (not very PC, I admit, but I really care more for history than PC), and the pipe majors (they're the ones who twirl the fancy chrome sticks at the front of the bands) try to THROW their batons OVER the pub sign, which goes from one side of the street to the other, about the height of the first floor windows. If they successfully throw it over AND manage to catch it, they win a huge bottle of Scotch whisky. Those that dare NOT to 'have a go' are heartliy booed by the huge crowd that gathers to watch the specatacle!
It all ends around 7:00PM, and a damn good day was had by all.

Countdown to cruise - THIRTEEN sleeps!!!! :-)

YIPPEEEEEE!!! The weekend is here :-) I live for the weekends, and I reckon the government should allow SPECIAL dispensation for folk like me to retire early, say - thirty-five? Who wants to be at work, when you can be enjoying life?

Today it's a friends birthday, and she's being given a surprise party at Butterley railway museum; ( http://www.midlandrailwaycentre.co.uk/English/high2006.html

It's what they call a 'champagne breakfast'. Sounds good - I'll have some of THAT then!

There's a French market in Wirksworth today, and as I love France and all it's food etc, I'll be going to see if I can pick up some treats. Tomorrow, it's the Ashbourne Highland gathering. I've been to this for the last couple of years, and I love it. You have to like bagpipes though! Luckily, I do. I'll take a picnic this year, as it really looks like picnic weather, and just have the whole day there. The day finishes with the band majors trying to throw their batons over an overhead pub sign for the prize of a bottle of best malt Scotch whiskey, no mean or easy feat, I can tell you. http://www.ashbournegathering.com/

ONLY two WEEKS tomorrow (or, to measure it officially, fourteen sleeps) until I go to Norway. Have you ever been so excited, you could burst????

Another lovely morning dawns here in God's own county. It's just a shame I have to work! No matter, only NINETEEN sleeps until I go on a cruise to Norway - and BOY - I can't WAIT!!! This will be my third cruise, the others were taken for the ship and experience on board - this one is a dream location. There were three places in my 'wish list' to go. First is New Zealand (south island), second was Peru (Inca trail), and third was Norway and the fjords. Now I am about to realise that dream, and I'll be going on this baby! (see above).

My first blog

Well, this is my FIRST go at 'proper' blogging. Here's a picture of me and my brother, Colin. We are on holiday in the south of France, that's why we look so happy! We have walked three times in the Pyrenees in the last four years.

Here I am looking towards the Med' on a PERFECT day.

Here we go - my first blog! This is me, the name's Les, and I am, (on this date - July 10th 2006) 52 years old.
I LOVE walking/hiking/rambling - call it what you will, and get out almost every weekend. I have been doing this as a hobby since 1986, and it helps to keep me fit. I also love photography, which goes hand-in-hand with walking, and have a substantial library of pictures from everywhere I've been, expanded even more by my foray into digital a few years ago.
I live near the Peak District in Derbyshire, and that's where most of my 'home' walking is done. Every year though, since 1991, I've done a long distance walk, usually lasting around ten days, and usually accompanied by my best friend and brother, Colin.

The walks I/we have done so far are;

Offa's dyke.

Pembrokeshire coastal path - 170 miles (twice)

The English coast to coast walk - 177 miles

The Scottish coast to coast walk (Southern Upland way - 212 miles).

Dales way - 95 miles, started in Shipley.

Wicklow way - 82 miles.

Cleveland way + Tabular hills link walk - 156 miles

And my very favourite, and in my opinion, the best British walk there is;

The West Highland way - 95 miles - (four times - yes, I LOVE it). The first time, we did Ben Nevis as well (most do this). The second time, we did the Aonach Egach ridge - supposedly the best ridge walk in this country, and it WAS spectacular. Diaries of some of these walk can be found here; www.walkdiaries.blogspot.com

Colin & I have also been to the Pyrenees four times in the last five years. It's a walkers paradise. We did the Basque region for two years, walking about 180 miles of the GR10 LDP on the first visit, then, thanks to two very good friends, Brenda and Mannes, have explored a lot of south eastern France, Roussillon area. We are deeply grateful to Brenda and Mannes for making this dream come true.

I hope to add to this blog on a regular basis, and will try to create some sort of album for the pictures, but for now, that's it!

Day one - SORTED!