Swimming lesson #1

Since retiring I've been swimming regularly but, despite an attempt to plan sessions to build pace and endurance, I consider that my performance has plateaued. Admittedly (like everyone) I'm aging but I feel I could do better. A few weeks ago I signed up with Swim Now and my first session was this morning. I discussed objectives with the coach, suggesting that I'd like to achieve a 2 minute 100m. I thought this might need less than 10% improvement but actually I need more like 12% as I have been judging myself in a 25 yard pool.

In today's session I was given a few tips, mostly to reduce drag:

• Keep arms closer to my head when reaching, especially on the left
• Keep legs closer to each other - note a bonus when toes touch
• Aim for a slightly faster kick
• Don't rush reach, make an effort to pause whilst arms ahead
• Be more snappy with turns to save time

During today's session I managed to take a few seconds off and achieved 2:09min/100m twice. The hotel pool is only 18m long so there is a potential advantage over a 25m pool if turns are fast and powerful. I suspect that a high proportion of today's gains came from more timely turns.

My practice will be to  try some intense 100m sets and then close with 'steady' longer sets for endurance. I'm also going to aim to improve flexibility around  my neck and shoulders with the goal of being able to improve my streamlining, if only marginally. I've downloaded a video from Siska Systems and will see if that helps me at all. 

After yesterday's circuit class my arms feel quite heavily worked with a swim and stretch.

First snow of the winter (for me)

Today's weather forecast predicted a high probability of rain but I didn't let that put me off my regular run/walk to Oxstones. Recently I've been tired and not managed to reach the stones in an hour, or on one occasion, not even completed the run. I'd even wondered if lugging 500g of camera uphill was slowing me down, I didn't have that excuse today.

This time I was happy to continue to the moor although I was delayed a little by the jacket off/on/off/on ritual due to getting warm in the woods whilst ascending and then being cold in open fields. In the plantation, a warm ascent phase, it started to snow, not a lot, but enough to show that winter has arrived.

Snow time in Lady Canning Plantation

There was a little more on the ground at Oxstones but it was cold and my fingers were too numb to bother with a photograph.

 

More Unstone paths

My post-Ilkley ankle pain resolved quickly and I suspect that it was more of an inset bite than shin-related injury as it responded well to topical Ibuprofen and the pain was more in the skin than deep in my ankle.

I've been run-walking more local paths although I'm feeling out of condition. I'm partially blaming having work going on in the house which stops me from going out at my usual times. But perhaps that's an excuse? Nonetheless, I went to Unstone this morning, towards the south east of my map in the hope of covering all remaining rights of way between the bypass and B road.  Progress was slower than I'd hoped due to a combination of a lack of fitness, detailed searching for paths between houses and muddy fields.  Some footpaths through housing seem to have been incorporated into the roads, whilst others persist as tortuous ginnels. The A61, the Dronfield bypass, also cuts through some rights of way, without any means of crossing.

This was a safe and easy way to cross the tracks

The farmland has more hills than one might expect and with autumnal colours the majority of the run was picturesque. I returned to the car with a few paths still to visit in this small area as I'd spent as long as I'd planned. Next time I'll have to revisit Whittington as well as completing the paths adjacent to the A61.

 

 

Ilkley moor

On Friday I had the opportunity to spend a day walking from Steeton, near Keighley. I readily planned a route northwards to Addingham High Moor, down to Ilkley and back via Ilkley Moor and the Leeds-Liverpool canal.

Near a footbridge over Holden Beck

The ascent was generally easy-going although with twists and turns through farms and their associated land. The view from the moor wasn't great due to low laying mist, which persisted all day. From the old bathhouse I descended into the town for a coffee and to buy some fresh socks as, for some reason, the right sock seemed to be at risk of causing a blister. I suspect that my brisk descent of the steps initiated an ankle problem that I noticed later.

After a break and a spirited march back up to the moor I crossed the potentially wetland without problem. Lengths of stone pavers have been laid making the walk far less swampy than one might expect. Even the gloriously named Yellow Bog was dry underfoot.

Pavers and grass on Yellow Moor

There was more road time than I'd have liked to reach the canal in the Airedale valley but the historical development of industry and housing has built a border between the moor and valley. The canal path has been opened up as a national cycle path which means it's well maintained, but one must keep an eye for cyclists at speed.

Autumn appearing along the Leeds-Liverpool canal

After a few, again easy, kilometres I turned off to retrace my way to the car in Steeton. The last 10km were uncomfortable as I'd noted a gradually worsening pain in my right ankle, or perhaps shin. As mentioned earlier, I wonder if the steps between Ilkley Moor and the town had overload something. I've no better explanation. Ironically, I'd decided to walk rather than slow-run so as not to tire myself before a potential Saturday run. I've not done that, instead taking it easy with ibuprofen gel applied liberally.

It was a lovely 31km walk with a range of terrain and landscape, probably not what many people imagine for the outskirts of Bradford.

Another area of paths completed

My ongoing quest to walk or run all of the local Rights of Way has moved forwards another step today. I've completed those around Barlow at last.

It's taken a number of visits, sometimes from Dore, sometimes from Sheepbridge, to achieve this. The network is fairly dense and a high proportion of paths branched so it's not been easy. This morning I focussed on the southwest of the A61 and determined to fill in the gaps.

There's still plenty to do across the map...

Parkwood Springs

I still have many more miles of rights of way (RoW) to walk or run within the boundary of my local map. Today I took a tram to Hillsborough so that I could explore the network of paths at Parkwood Springs. The area is post-industrial and includes a completed landfill tip and a disused dry ski slope. It doesn't sound lovely perhaps, but it was more picturesque than expected, and with some interesting local history.

I set out from Herries Road towards Wardsend Cemetery where the path passed directly under HV pylons.

It's uncommon for a RoW to be through the ;legs of pylons

The hillside has a fair gradient and in the course of the walk I ascended twice to cover all of the paths. The hill gives a good view across the city with Shalesmoor in the foreground.

Looking Southwest from close to the derelict ski slopes

The ski slope used to be a popular sporting site, and then a night club, but after a fire it became derelict. The land, like the tip is being reclaimed by nature, and even though there are remnants of the ski material on the ground, these are hidden by wildflowers and scrubland.

Even as the bushes are turning orange, Michaelmas daises are flowering

The Pit Stop Cafe served an excellent coffee and after covering all of the RoW I took the long walk home. The parkland has many paths additional to the RoW so I can see myself returning here.

 

Derwent Valley Heritage Way Day 2

I woke with some minor aches and loosened up with a hot shower. After sampling much of the breakfast buffet I was walking before 8am. Despite the early sun, the air was cool and I was tempted to get gloves from my pack, but instead opted to quicken my pace. The weather was forecast to become cloudy but this didn't happen and so later in the day I was applying sunscreen.

The Cromford Canal is easy rural walking

Today's first section around Cromford was familiar although quieter than when I've visited later in the day. The various attractions were still closed. Walking through industrial Belper and Derbyshire was interesting and looked to be worth a future 'tourist' visit. The DVHW guidebook suggests heritage attractions but I didn't have the time for detours and I don't find it easy to mix stops and hiking in a day.

Historic mill houses on a Belper hillside

South of Derby was a tough 8km for me as the path was clear, level and paved. Great for cycling but tedious for a tired walker. Every hundred metres felt like an eternity.

The River Derwent is regulated by many weirs along its length

After some welcome field paths the way passed through villages on the road, once again a struggle. At Shardlow I was relieved to join a canal again with its colourful boats and portside structures.

The Trent and Mersey Canal was a welcome sight

Derwent Mouth is a picturesque ending defined by an information board. It's worth continuing to the footbridge over the River Trent to see the end the the Derwent more clearly, whatever your destination.

The Derwent Mouth is where the River Derwent flows into the River Trent

However, this bridge was part of my route as I continued a few km into Long Eaton to catch a train home. I was very aware of today's 50km with a mild back ache and the beginning of a rubbed toe.

The DVHW was an enjoyable 90km walk, generally easy underfoot and with only a few minor ascents. To a degree its ease might be seen as a drawback as it didn't provide much variation in pace. 

Derwent Valley Heritage Way Day 1

I walked from home to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital to catch the 257 bus to Yorkshire bridge. Although the bus was a few minutes late it caught up with itself and arrived at the reservoir on time. I know most of the route of the northern half of the Way and readily reached Grindleford Community Cafe for a coffee stop. I dawdled over coffee having unexpectedly met an ex-colleague and this affected my day's average pace!

Near Bamford the river is fairly narrow

The weather was very kind to me, sunny but not hot, and with a light breeze. I wanted to take some exciting photographs but was visually fatigued with green trees, grass and brownish water. I worked to find compositions as I walked but naturally didn't want to explore options.

Watch out for cattle blocking the path in Rowsley

The route passed through, or close to, a range of shops and tearooms so plentiful options to top-up on snacks if they were required. I limited myself, after Grindleford to collecting some items for tomorrow's lunch from Matlock Co-op.

Much of the 'heritage' reflects historic industry and the remnants are widespread

I'd chosen my destination of Matlock Bath as being around halfway and the New Bath Hotel being reasonably priced. It's famous for its spring-fed lido which at 19°C is cool by my standards. I couldn't keep my head in and only managed a 12 minute dip. This was a pleasant chill after a fairly easy-going 40km.

After eating at the hotel I slept soundly, apart from a few minutes when a loud diesel engine was being started in the car park.

Three weeks in Falmouth

After spending a thoroughly enjoyable month in Falmouth last year, we decided to visit a little earlier in the year, for just three weeks. Unfortunately we couldn't stay in the same apartment but found another very comfortable one near Castle Beach. 

ON our drive over Bodmin we stopped off at the Kerdroya labyrinth. It's not much 'exercise' but a very pleasant place to be restful, or, admire the skill of the Cornish hedgers.

The labyrinth isn't fully walled as yet, but enough is to give a clear impression

As before, I ran to Flushing a number of times and we walked towards Helford passage twice and around The Lizard.

The pontoon at Flushing was a popular spot for children to swim

Last year I didn't find a suitable opportunity to visit the Via Ferrata attraction just outside Falmouth. So I made a point of going  there early in the holiday while the weather was favourable.

The site is a reclaimed quarry and offers opportunities for climbing and water activities

I've had an interest in this since 'accidentally' being on an engineered trail in Austria nearly 40 years ago - without a harness. I'd also read about them in Italy when I'd been learning about the mountain forts built in the Alps a hundred years ago. I'd thoroughly recommend this as a half-day activity and was pleasantly surprised how much confidence I had in the engineering, as someone who professes to be afraid of heights!

I also took an evening boat trip which included stories, and history, of the local coastline. The springtide allowed the ferryboat to venture further towards Penrhyn than is usual although it did disrupt some other part of the excursion.

Falmouth harbour was welcome after a few hours exposed to the sea breeze

Once again, I very much enjoyed the extended holiday period and wonder why I never thought it possible whilst working. Conversely, I suspect that I won't want to return to Falmouth next year, mainly because the paths are limited by the many river estuaries and a number of country estates that hinder route planning.

Loosening the legs

I've had a week away from running in preparing for, and then taking, a few days of swimming in the Lake District. With a fair weather forecast, and surprisingly stiff legs I took an indirect loop to Oxstones. I wasn't rushing so took a few pictures along the way.

A wisp of wool was not easy for the camera's autofocus

The Lake District is to my mind more exciting and picturesque than the Peak District but it's good to remember that I can reach the countryside on foot in less than half an hour.

 

Lakes and Tarns

I've just returned from 3 days based in Grasmere for SwimTrek's Lakes and Tarns swim holiday. Across the days I've swum around 4km which is far more than my usual training load, but so far, no harm done.

Grasmere village straddles the River Rothay

The hotel was able to check us in a little early which was convenient although the welcome message was to my mind slightly ambiguous as to how we should prepare. I suspect that I'm a bit pedantic and my questions were seemingly on many participants' minds in the Q&A. Our first swim was a dip in Grasmere from close to the tourist beach. A 150m triangle was laid out for use to circulate around so that we could get a feel for 18°C water and the guides could appraise our swimming abilities informally. The water started clear but became cloudy as we disturbed the sediment.

Day 2 was a walk-swim-walk-swim-walk sequence. I was allocated to a faster swim group than previously which was perhaps a mistake. The whole group would swim from the south of Grasmere, along the River Rothay, into Rydal water and then loop back at various points for the return. The longest route would be 2400m which is a lot for me. Around the time we should turn back I started to feel cold and felt my strength ebbing away. The journey back was slow and done in 100m steps encouraged by one of the local safety guides. I accepted a tow for a 100m or so but determined to complete the swim under my own power. I was distinctly cold when I landed and very glad of a steading hand and a sweet, hot drink. With warm clothes, a walk and lunch I recovered and was happy to do a loop in Grasmere in the afternoon although I was aware of some shoulder soreness. For me it was quite an achievement to manage 3km.

I was vey much looking forwards to the third day where we walked to Easedale Tarn for a brief swim before returning to town for lunch and departure. I've walked and run up to the tarn a few times and been attracted by the clean mountain water but never ventured in.

Thanks to the guide team for this photo in Easedale Tarn

I left the group very much wishing that I was starting the holiday again (after a day's break for a shoulder rest). The other participants were great and helped each other out as needed. The SwimTrek guides (Andy and Orla) and local safety team (Becki and Justin) were absolutely perfect in allowing us to rise to challenges and support where required.

A new (to me) camera

I've used a few cameras on my runs and walks. I started digital photography with a Nikon Coolpix 2500 which was OK for 2002 but in reality generated rather indifferent images. I upgraded to a Lumix LX5 which was a vast improvement apart from not being quite as smooth in a pocket. Its images still look good to me although the rear dial has become faulty which makes it very difficult to alter parameters. I do like to believe that I can make adjustments better than 'iAuto'. With its telescoping lens it isn't especially dust resistant and I've had it cleaned by the Panasonic agent once. As my running became more serious I bought a waterproof Lumix FT25 which I was initially very happy with. Unfortunately the lens is fogged internally making all images misty. I did treat it as if waterproof and I don't believe it really was! I also tried a generic 4k action camera, it was small but the white balance and hence colour was terrible and the buttons almost unusable in the waterproof case. Ultimately its battery swelled which gave me a good excuse to dispose of it into WEEE.

My old iPhone SE that I use for navigation takes pleasant photographs and I use it in a fairly well sealed case so it ticks a few boxes. In use it doesn't feel to be really taking a photograph and the camera unit can't really be controlled.

The LX5 is a great camera but I couldn't bring myself to pay the nearly £200 quoted for a repair. After a lot of YouTube browsing I've bought a lightly used Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II. It is 10 years old so there is a risk that switches are worn but in view of its very low shutter count I hope that is unlikely. This model is nominally weather resistant but perhaps 10 year-old gaskets are perished and the cheaper micro four thirds lenses aren't sealed!

I'm hoping that if I look after it I'll be able to sell it on without much of a financial loss if I don't like it as this model is currently sought after. It is larger than the LX5 in every dimension, especially weight and I haven't found a good way of carrying it yet. All of the switches to appear to work and despite its age it is clearly far more advanced than the LX5, with many, perhaps too many, operations.

There is another problem, that opening the Pandora's box of camera reviews and specifications can lead to GAS.

So far most of my pictures have been in the garden or local woods, trying to understand exposure modes, IBIS and custom set-ups. However, today I did do a real trail run which covered some rights-of-way for my mapping project and took me over the lovely Eyam Moor.

There is something, almost romantic, about derelict buildings and the red hose pipe caught my eye.

My search couldn't find a perfect trail running camera but I'll see how well this one serves me over the coming months. I'll probably keep an eye on other options which include:

• Sony RX100 (no attempt to be weather sealed but pocketable)
• Lumix GM1 (too small to be usable) and its cheaper relatives 
• Fuji X100 (too expensive and unobtainable)
• Insta360 Ace Pro (at heart it's an action camera)
• Lumix LX100 (a new weather sealed version would probably be perfect!)
• IP68 sealed mobile phone (I don't like the style of heavily processed images)

 

Kinder reservoir circuit

I had the opportunity to spend a day in Edale and planned a circuit along the edge of the Kinder plateau, past the downfall, to the reservoir, to Hayfield and back on the Pennine Bridle Way via Chapel Gate.

During my ascent of Jacob's ladder it became clear that it would be far colder on the hill than in the village due to a strong northeasterly wind. The past weeks have been dry which was reflected in the minimal flow in the waterfall. However the wind was strong enough to be blowing back uphill most of the water. I thought that it had been around 40 years since I was last on this part of Kinder. I completed the Pennine Way in the early 1980s and walked up past the reservoir with a fellow student one very snowy morning at some point pre-1986. We'd hoped to reach the downfall but stopped as the snow was too deep for reasonable and safe progress. This time I found the path to be dry, well-made and unpopular. The latter was perhaps due to it being a potentially wet Monday morning.

I'm unaccustomed to the steepness of the cloughs and wasn't walking as quickly as hoped. So I chose to turn back after the reservoir rather than go to Hayfield village. This might not have been a wise decision as I had a caffeine-deficiency headache all afternoon.

The route along the bridleway was longer and more undulating than I recalled. Perhaps this is because my last use was on a motorbike while the track still had legal motorised access?

Chapel Gate gave me a great view along the Edale valley with Hollins Cross and Win Hill highlighted.

Rivelin to Stannington

There are still may Rights of Way for me to traverse on my 'local' map but generally they are close to the periphery of the map and thus up to 14km from the house. Today I took the car northwards to cut the distance I ran though the familiar local paths. My self-imposed rule is that I must walk or run at least 10km or for 2 hours if I don't set off from home. 

Riveln and Stannington include steep hills in both urban and farmed areas so any journey can be hard work. There are many areas of allotments, I assume that the land was believed too steep for house-building.

Coal Aston towards Unstone

In my ongoing quest to cover the local paths I drove to Coal Aston to help me reach further into North East Derbyshire. This is an area with many intersecting paths so the task is larger than for some parts of 'my map'. The majority of the land is agricultural, a combination of dairy farming and small arable fields. Some smaller plots are paddocks for horses, recreational riding looks to be popular around here.

Although there were a few dry weeks in late May, recently there has been a little rain so the hedgerows and field boundaries have been flourishing.

Port Patrick coastal path

This morning I went out-and-back along the Southern Upland Way and a little of the Rhins of Galloway Coast Path for 2 hours. The latter seems to be under development still and where it became unclear on the ground I headed back.

As is so often the case there was a fair amount of walking involved due to steepness and/or uneven ground. However, the coast is picturesque and there was no need to rush.

Whenever I'm in this area I think that one day I should walk the cross country Southern Upland Way but haven't committed to it fully!

Running water even in a dry spring

The hills around Sheffield are, of course, separated by numerous brooks that are well known in the area.

The Burbage bridges are popular landmarks and meeting places. After plentiful rain it can be quite a challenge to cross the stream beside the bridge, but at the moment stepping stone rocks are well exposed.

The path down Wyming Brook is fairly steep and not easy to ascend or descend. The brook tops-up Rivelin reservoir with crisp, clear water from the moors.

Intentional camera movement (ICM)

I'd read about the effects that could be made by camera movement so had a little experimentation whilst on a walk in the local woodland. My legs felt too tired for a run. These are the best.

The path is naturally ringed by trees and is enhanced by a rotation that emphasises the arches.

A simple flower picture becomes more abstract with a distinct background. Fill-in flash fixed the petals in place.

Photography while out and about

On my last few runs I've taken my LX5 camera as the images are far crisper than those from my 'mapping' iPhone SE. Some of its controls are showing signs of wear and I've been considering buying a replacement. However, despite the online hype for a plethora of cameras I haven't found one that I'd be prepared to spend on just yet. The influencer videos have encouraged me though to make an effort to find good angles to photograph rather than become trapped in GAS (although I may already have this for trail-running gear!).

My favourite route to the moors from home is via Limb Valley which starts from a semi-managed pond.

Typically the bluebells in the local woods are at their best in the first week of May. This year they arrived early but are lasting well in shaded spots.

The top of Limb Valley leads onto a very popular byway that leads into the Peak District National Park. I frequently use a section of the track, and perhaps monthly, run to its far end at Fox House.  

Houndkirk Road is littered with milestones and old gate posts. This one is on the site of the old inn. I often wish there was a cafe with toilets on the moor, although there are perfectly good pubs at each end of the byway.

The cotton grass is perfect at the moment, and with the spell of dry weather it's easy to cross directly from Oxstones to Houndkirk Road on the peat without getting wet feet.

Even in urban environments nature works hard to make an impression.

Ringing Roger

This morning I was in Edale, setting off just as the village was getting busy. I could see a stream of hikers heading up Grindsbrook Clough so decided to head east, starting with the ascent to the viewpoint of Ringing Roger.

Looping towards Lose Hill gives an excellent view of the valley which I find preferable to the Kinder plateau.

Despite making an effort, progress was relatively slow as the ascent is steep, the level paths have stones waiting to trip you up and the 'flat' route past the YHA is anything but!

North East Derbyshire

In my ongoing exercise to walk all of the rights of way on my local OS 1:25000 map, I headed to Unstone to walk in the South East corner of the map. I designed a marathon-length circular route to include a range of terrain and opportunities to take a break at a village pub or cafe.

A few kilometres at the map's edge were along the Chesterfield canal path, or Cuckoo way, which I've written about previously. Turning away from the canal I found that bridges over the river had been dismantled and so my intended path, and an alternative, were not possible.

 

This part of Derbyshire is quite different to the Peak District. Much of it is post-industrial, some agricultural and a fair proportion is suburban. The borders between the zones sometimes have surprises, for instance an area of HGV storage in a derelict farm.

Some of my route was along the Sheffield Country Walk which I'd like to complete as a single route one day. It included some very pleasant woodland that took me to the village of Ford where I was able to buy a long overdue coffee.

Every small town used to have a garage with a petrol station and the remnants of one were still in place in New Whittington.

Due to route changes on the go, I didn't quite cover the intended mileage but I was happy with 42km in 6:34hrs. Incidentally, the route included almost 900m of ascent as it literally went uphill and down dale.

  

Round the reservoirs

I've been waiting a few weeks for some pleasant weather to do a long, slow run, and today was the day! Over the winter I've looked at various long distance paths, some near home, others that would need accommodation. On the LDWA website I found Round the Reservoirs which looked perfect. It is only a 45 minute drive from home and promised to be a good days jog. I planned to travel in reverse so that I'd finish on the boring, but easy, track alongside the reservoirs.

I made a reasonably early start to benefit from the sunshine. The route passes many of the small reservoirs to the northwest of Sheffield, including Dale Dike which caused a fatal flood in the 19th century.  

Many sections of path were muddy, slippery and often including black puddles. Of course, where there is farmland, there will be ruined buildings and rusting equipment. Occasionally they can be photogenic.

After Langsett the route turned to cross Midhope Moors which gave me the last significant ascent. As a bonus, navigation was much easier than previously, I just had to follow the scar of the path across the landscape.

Although the path was easy to follow, in some areas it returned to bog, in others it was practically a river to walk in.

With 1300m of ascent across 45km I struggled to maintain my target pace of 10 minutes per km. The easy track in the Derwent valley allowed me to catch-up some time and even though my legs had run out of run, I could achieve a very brisk walk.

Ultimately, I've had a grand day out and seen some parts of Sheffield for the first time.