Coast to Coast - Day 04: Grasmere to Patterdale via St Sunday Crag

Sunday 11-August-13

8.6 mile, 4:32 hours, 841 highest. 

Day 4 of the walk. Grasmere to Patterdale, via St Sunday Crag. 8.6 miles. Wet climb up to Grisedale Tarn @ 540m then luckily the weather cleared and we were able to do the climb up to St Sunday Crag @ 840m. Brilliant views if a bit windy! Tough descent but now in a lovely B&B in a room by a river where otters nest.

The first ascent up Little Tongue Gill. 

Grisdale Tarn where we had to decide on valley or ridge based on the weather. We chose the upper route via St Sunday Crag. 

The cairn at the highest point followed by lunch in the lee of the ridge. 

The descent towards Patterdale. 

The view of Ullswater from part way down. 

Staying at Old Water View in a lovely slate built annex with Goldrill Beck running past the bottom of the garden. 

Coast to Coast - Day 03: Stonethwaite to Grasmere

Saturday 10-Aug-13

8.4 miles, 4;30 hours, highest point 600 m. 

Day 3 of the walk. Stonethwaite to Grasmere, via Helm Crag. Short but hilly today. Only 8.4 miles but started with a steep climb up to 600m and then a walk along the ridge with spectacular views. Great walking weather again. Legs are a bit weary but feet seem to be holding up.

Cap'n Bob leads the way up Stonethwaite Beck. 

The view back down from Lining Crag. 

The view ahead towards Grasmere 

Lunch at 375 m. 

The final descent from Helm Crag down into Grasmere. 

Staying at the Red Lion, supper at The Jumble Room and another sound night's sleep in prospect. 

Coast to Coast - Day 02: Ennerdale Bridge to Stonethwaite

Friday 09-Aug-13

17.3 miles, 6:22 hours, highest point 600 m. 

Day 2 of the walk. Ennerdale Bridge to Stonethwaite in Borrowdale. No Internet access! Around 17 miles with a high point of 600m. Good walking weather with only one short shower - well it is the rainiest place in England!

Walking the north shore of Ennerdale. 

Walking the south shore of River Liza thanks to a Forestry Commission logging diversion. 

Lunch on the road to Black Sail YHA. 

The descent from Grey Knotts along an old tramway. 

Our overnight stop - the small but perfectly formed village of Stonethwaite.  Accommodation at Knott's View Guest House. Supper at Langstrath Hotel. 

Coast to Coast - Day 01: St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge

Thursday 08-Aug-13. 

14.9 miles, 5:24 time, highest point 353 m. 

Day 1 of the walk. St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge (15 miles) with one climb up to 353m. Good days walking with near perfect weather. No blisters yet . Tired enough to go to bed straight after dinner. 

Started at 10:15 after a photo opportunity at the Mile Zero monolith. 

Passing Birkham's quarry where we saw a peregrine. 

Lunch was at the nine mile mark in the porch of St Leonard's church, Cleator 

The highest point was Dent at 353 m above sea level. 

The up hill was woody, the downhill was open fell and very steep. 

Our destination was the Shepherd's Arms but due to flooding we were reallocated to The Stork Hotel, Rowrah.

Time for a shower, short lie down, a beer, supper and an early night. 

Coast to Coast - Day 00: Wandsworth to St Bees

Wednesday 07-Aug-13

Midday train from Euston to St Bees. Virgin first class to Carlisle, then a one-coach rattler to St Bees. 

St Bees High Street all abustle.

We checked in to our accommodation  Stone House Farm B&B.

This was followed by a pint of Jennings in The Queen's Head and supper in Lulu's restaurant. And so to bed. 

Taj Mahal Trio at Under The Bridge

Sunday 28-July-2103

The second time of seeing Taj Mahal at Under the Bridge. Unfortunately Mary was not able to go as work sent her to Jo'berg and she had to leave at 4:30pm on Sunday. Nigel and Kate stepped in, bought the extra, odd ticket and kept me company for the gig.

Nigel and Kate wanted to be down in the mosh pit so I ended up right next to the stage with a brilliant view of the man. Like last time, he played a number of old favourites and switched between several different guitars, a banjo and keyboards - the latter to a good humoured shout of "show off!"

No support act. He came on about 8:20pm and played for over two hours solid, no break, just non-stop entertainment.

"The gravel-voiced singer, banjo player and undisputed US blues great has got his act well and truly together" says The Evening Standard.

I'll second that. Yet another fine musical evening in old London town.

A Walk on the South Downs Way

West Sussex, England. Saturday 27-July-2013

Yet another fine walk in sunny Southern England. Mary is taking this training for Coast to Coast seriously. Like the last two walks this was also from Time Out Country Walks volume 1: Walk 32 - Arundel to Amberley


Hiorne Tower, Arundel Park

There were hills at the start then the route levelled out for some walking along the River Arun. Lunch was a picnic sitting opposite the George and Dragon, Burpham.



We were promised wilds flowers and wild flowers is what we got.



We extended the route by tacking on a bit of Walk 22 from Volume 2. It meant a brisk pace as the trains from Amberley were only one per hour.

Just to add to the fun the heavens opened for the last 15 minutes so we were a bit soggy by the end. Fortunately I had a dry top in the back pack.



Twelve miles at a fair pace of 3.2 mph.

Home for a quick shower and out for supper with Tim and Sarah. It's all go round here!

More photos on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/markmclellan/sets/72157634893393336/

Trullo Azzurro July 2013

Another hectic weekend in Puglia. As well as all the Sotto le Stelle stuff we managed to pack in Aperitivo Classico at Bar Fod, a sea food lunch at La Rotonda da Rosa, a Jazz concert and assorted admin. Oh yes, and a couple of hours sunbathing.

There was a marching band event in Cisternino while we were inspecting Sotto le Stelle.



The band passed under our window. What we had not spotted was the parking bay suspension between the hours of 18:30 and 21:00 which cost us a EUR 41 parking fine.

The next day it was off to Bar Fod for Aperitivo Classico followed by supper at Chris and John's (hic!).



The band was altogther...



On our last visit we commissioned Saverio to spruce up our side of Trullo Azzurro ready for letting the entire property. Various scuffs, dents. stains and leaks all fixed. We could live with them if it was just for ourselves but for renting they have to be tip-top!

Other admin including paying the Italian equivalent of council taxes and buying wine and coffee for the welcome packs.

Monday was spent mostly down the beach at La Rotanda da Rosa.


Cavatelli con Frutti di Mare

There was a bit of a last minute flurry of activity getting internet connection and wi-fi sorted on our departure morning. We had to leave for the airport leaving Chris and John to lock up for us. Now we can offer full-on connectivity for our guests - another selling point :-)

Puglia-a-go-go!

More pictures on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/markmclellan/sets/72157634874689463/

Trullo Azzurro: beautifully restored trullo in delightful, secluded valley near Locorotondo, Puglia, Italy. Available to rent on a per week basis, sleeps 8-10. For more information visit http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/trulloazzurro

Sotto Le Stelle 12 - Floors, doors, windows

Cisternino, Puglia, Italy. Saturday 20-July-2013

Steady progress on the apartment:

• all the walls have their final top coat of finishing plaster
• tiling finished, not just the main floor but entrance and landings (first and second floor)
• shelving in alcoves, niches, window, dividing stub wall and roof landing
• electrical sockets installed
• refurbished front door installed and looking good
• roof terrace door fitted - toughed glass so the stairs act as a light well
• zanzariera (mosquito screens) fitted to terrace door, balcony door, and valley window
• bathroom prepped ready for cement and resin plastering to be followed by fitting of sanitary ware and shower screen 
• stone bench on the roof

Shopping done:

• two 140 cm beds: one for Trullo Azzurro, one for Sotto le Stelle
• arranged washing machine move from Trullo Azzurro to Sotto le Stelle while scaffolding and winch still in place
• new washing machine ordered for Trullo Azzurro for our guests
• up-lighters for Sotto le Stelle to illuminate the arches
• internet and wi-fi installed at Trullo Azzurro

We even moved in our first piece of furniture - the day bed from Trullo Azzurro.



We are not going out in August but we hope to be able to sleep in the apartment in September. There will be deliveries of a fitted kitchen, dining table, bed and washing machine.

More Photos on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/markmclellan/sets/72157634879838164/

Santana at Wembley Arena

London, England. Friday 19-July-2013

Another musical legend ticked off the bucket list. My sister had a copy of Abraxas so Santana has been part of the soundtrack of my life since 1970.

Wembley Arena - waiting to see Santana

Andrea, Mary

Nearly two and a half hours of non stop classic tunes.
Set list: http://www.santana.com/Historical-Tours/Set-List/3738/185/

Quasar intro
1. Toussaint l’ouverture
2. Sunshine of your love
3. Black magic woman / gypsy queen
4. Oye como va
5. Maria maria
6. Foo foo
7. Corazon espinado
8. Incident at Neshabur
9. Batuka/ no one to depend on
10.taboo/ hope your feeling better
11. Jingo
12. She’s not there
13. Evil ways/ a love supreme
14. Smooth/ dame tu amor

Woodstock chant
15. Soul sacrifice
16. Saideira



Photo by ZumbaGirl123 via http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Santana-tickets/artist/741473

For me the highlight was Santana playing Cream's Sunshine of your Love. Two classics from my teen years collide - epic! My eyes may have leaked. For Mary the highlight was a riff from While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

Picture courtesy of Marshtowers

A somewhat sycophantic review at the official site http://www.santana.com/News-Articles/1028/:

"... they opened with a rendition of “Toussaint L’Overture” that threatened to rock Wembley off its foundation. There was a moment’s hesitation after the band concluded-almost as if the crowd was asking, “did that really happen?”- and then absolute pandemonium ensued as a tidal wave of sheer delight and approval erupted. [...] no one could remember a UK audience that behaved with such abandon and fervor. It was truly fantastic!"

More measured words and more pictures at Marshtowers - Santana at Wembley Arena

CSC alumni at The Crusting Pipe 2013

I was prompted to organise a cscalumni gathering by a couple of LinkedIn requests from ex-CSC colleagues. I arranged meet up with Roy and Anne and sent out an APB in the hope that some others might be free to join us.

It is several years since the last gathering (June 2010) and, despite many apologies, only a hard core turned up. But that was fine: we drank, we ate, we chatted, we went home.

Anne Carter, Farrakh Siddiqui

A special mention, and commiserations, go to Valter Johansson (formerly of Index) who came but could not find us hidden in a booth thanks to the poor cellular coverage.

Roy Thompson, Mark McLellan (me)

One of the apologies was from Nalin Goonewardene who will be visiting the UK in September and October so I'll propose another gathering then - and not on a Thursday so Simon Hargrave can attend. Let's see who can make it next time with a little more notice.

Race for Life Hyde Park 2013

London, England. Sunday 14-July-2013

Ten thousand women dressed in pink is an awe inspiring sight. It is heartening amongst all the bad news headlines to be reminded how many people with big hearts there are out there. http://raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org/index.html

Four of those women were "Team MACE" - Mary, Andrea, Christine, Elaine.


Andrea, Elaine, Mary, Christine

We made a bit of a weekend of it: Andrea and Elaine came over on Saturday afternoon for an evening of barbeque, drink and talk. It was great to be able to dine al fresco and sit out in shorts and T-shirt till it was time for bed.

Sunday I was chauffeur so we could take the makings of a picnic for after the race. We were joined by Andrea's son, Daniel, and his girlfriend. A beautiful sunny day - great for a picnic.



After we all dispersed I drove home and Mary and I enjoyed another barbeque and balmy evening and fell weary into bed after a most successful weekend.

More photos on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/markmclellan/sets/72157634784811344/

PS This was Mary's second Race for Life this year. The earlier was in Battersea Park (12-June-13).

Not so sunny that first Race for Life, but it's not about the weather it's about awareness and fund raising and the human spirit.

A Walk in the Surrey Hills 2

Surrey, England. Saturday 13-July-2013

"We need more hills!" was Mary's verdict after our previous Walk in the Surrey Hills. So we consulted the Time Out book of walks and picked Box Hill to Leatherhead. What we got was some wonderful woodland walking.

The walks are all designed to be doable by train, often walking from a farther station to a nearer station, allowing for a cheap day return ticket - this one started from Box Hill and Westhumble.



The hottest day of the year was the forecast so we dressed lightly and packed plenty of fluids in the day pack.


The view from half way up Box Hill

Fantasic views from the top and then wending our way back down to our lunch stop.


St Michael and All Angels churchyard, Mickleham

Lunch was a sandwich and a pint of Ringwood Best at The Running Horse, Mickleham.



Towards the end we had choices of route so we chose the longer option and, instead of walking on to Leatherhead, we circled back round to return to Box Hill and Westhumble station.

In addition to the 7.7 miles you have to add an extra two miles for the walk to Clapham Junction station and back to home. Not as scenic but still it's walking.



Full set of photos on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/markmclellan/sets/72157634784716182/