I may not be an expert but....

            Well after a full day spent upon project two yesterday (patience people, patience) today was ear marked for a thoroughly enjoyable and long walk up and around Moel Famau. Oh not there again I hear you lament, yes there again ya buggers. Now I’m not an expert but there is method within my madness for sticking to the familiar trials of this part of the Clwydian range I have to be less focused upon where I place my dainty, hairy hobbit’s feet and can so pay a little more attention to what is going on around me without fear of getting too lost at the same time. Also the gradients here allow myself to make inroads into the spare tyres that seem to be a permanent fixture around my waistline these days. For a change I was a little more prepared for a long hike remembering to fill my shoulder bag (no not a man bag) with the basics that were needed.

            Stepping out of the fun cruiser onto the car park I was chuffed to see that there was only one car there, Mmmm bodes well for not seeing anyone which means more chance of taking some wildlife photos, now before you start I didn’t say ‘more’ wildlife photos cause you all know that unless it’s vegetable, mineral or dead I’m pretty crap poor at the moving furry, feathered or scaled type of shots that the rest of you guys seem to do so easily (oops almost let the grumpster out then, sorry). Have to admit though it’s hard to feel down in the dumps on a day like today and the walking was the best I’d done in ages but (here it comes) but in the ten miles or so covered once again yours truly failed miserable to get anything resembling a wildlife shot, oh they were there right enough, chirping away in the deep undergrowth, scurrying lightening fast across the trails ahead or flying so far in the distance to be neither use nor ornament in a photo, the little buggers  are in cahoots in a conspiracy I’m telling ya!

            But being truthful I couldn’t have cared less, just being there was enough, must have been the hottest day of the year so far with the gentlest of breezes and the views were as good as ever. I was stopped in my tracks and held spell bound for at least 15 minutes by a pair a Odin’s eyes, their raucous calls first getting my attention. The aerial display that they provided was spectacular to say the least  with flying skills you wouldn’t credit these large birds with, I take it was a courtship display as they were continually rising up and then dropping a stick stooping at speed to snatch it just before it hit the ground, absolutely stunning.

            With the sun climbing high now it was time to head back, being the wrong of the hill I decided to make a straight line, head over the summit and down to the car park, just over an hours walk to finish off the ten miles already covered. That’s when the day went slightly awry. As we crested the summit approaching the Jubilee Tower I became aware of a crescendo of noise that wasn’t coming from any black grouse, turned out that I’d not counted upon it being half term for some schools and the place was bloody heaving with the little darlings!

They're on the other side, listen....

            Though I’m not an expert I do feel myself getting slightly hot under the collar when confronted with the ‘once in a blue moon’ exodus that holidays bring to the hills hereabouts. From sweating, ruddy faced parents (what you didn’t bring any water?), dogs of all shapes n sizes under no control what so ever and most looking as if their going to collapse on their yearly walk (oh you don’t know about lambing sheep then?), and litter throwing cherubs winging about it’s not real like their ‘insert games console here’ (what do you mean it’s lighter now I’ve eaten everything so I should carry the wrapper back?). Oh Ok maybe just a tad over reaction there, after all it’s great that the kids are getting fresh air and seeing that there’s life outside four walls but just why cannot some folk take the time to clean up after themselves, teach the kids some of the countryside code, train the dog at least to recall and stop asking me ‘are we near the top yet?’ when they’re just getting out of the bloody car park.

!! If they would just learn a little about gear, planning, WATER, and the like and perhaps put some values into their darling little children perhaps the next generation would have a tad more nonce and respect in for the outdoors. Yes I know we’ve all had to learn (Christ I was breathing through me arse three years ago after my first 40 minute walk up here), but at least could some of them make an effort.

            Sorry about that, tell you what I’ll show you a few pictures of the quiet part of the walk to divert your attention (that's right no bleedin wildlife);

and yes I did get over that hill yonder

             Right on to project two, now I may not be an expert with wood but it does fit the bill, full report coming up next week but here’s proof that I was not sitting upon my, very cute might I say, derrière yesterday but did indeed complete project two apart from a lick of paint that is so the mystery can be revealed;-

Can of cider strictly for scale - honest

            So closest guess goes to Helene Burnett (you may name your prize me dear, another thing if you get it ;o) ), this little contraption (pah little! 5 foot high n long, bottom shelf 2 foot wide, top 18 inches!) will increase my meagre growing area quite considerable. Full run down on it’s skilful construction(re cobbled together) next week me thinks, suffice to say that no delicate carving or fettling was involved but lots of testosterone fuelled power tools and the odd can of cider, well I’d run out of bottles and it helps lubricate me thought process – and that needs all the help it can get! But hey ho already thinking about project three, ah just remembered I have a staff to make for a certain lady in Manchester (not project three) and I think I've found just the right piece of wood so project three may be delayed a tad yet.

            So that’s about it folks, a walk, a whinge about the walk and a glimpse of project two – not a bad couple of days doings, even if I do say so myself.

         Oh one last thing I not be an expert but I think Willow is well knackered after her little stroll..

Till next time, take care of yourselves and each other

 Your friend,

John