Eardisley Circular Walk

Posted on October 3, 2011 by RedEyedMonster

A pleasant afternoon with Eardisley Ramblers Group (Herefordshire) on their first outing.

Yesterday we had a very enjoyable afternoon joining Eardisley Ramblers Group on their first outing. The aim of the group, led by David Bennett is primarily to establish an inner circular walk around Eardisley, not the walk we went on today, and to highlight the poor state of repair to stiles, signage and the footpaths in general.

Twenty-three walkers met in The Tram car park of various ages and abilities. The walk had been designed so that people could easily drop off along the way during and after the first few miles if they desired. It turned out to be a lovely day with good exercise and very good company. For more information on the group and future walks take a look at the Eardisley Community Access Point page on facebook and like it!

Directions
Follow the detailed map for precise directions, however: leave the Tram Inn, head up Woodseaves Road past Canon Ford Avenue and take the first stile on your left. Follow the signs through two fields to join a narrow footpath running behind the Old Mill and The Barns where you exit by Eardisley Church. Go through the Millstream Gardens estate and the field at the back onto the old tram line which joins the Almeley Road. Straight across the road following the signs into a large field. Walking up the right side of the field at about two thirds through cross to the left, over a stile, and follow the line of trees in this field to the top. At the top turn right down a steep bank and across a rickety bridge into Hollywell Dingle. Take the high road (top path) through Hollywell Dingle and follow it right to the end. Over another stile, through a field and onto a lane leading to the A4111. Shortly before reaching the main road there is a footpath to the left follow this across the field and exit via a gate onto the A4111. Turn left for 50 yards or so and then right into Bower Lane. After a short distance (one field width) take the footpath into a field that you cross diagonally. From this point the signage is pretty sparse but basically it’s all down hill from here. Keep an eye out for the few kissing gates and follow your nose!

View larger map

Detailed OS Map

Hergest Common/Grove Farm Walk

Posted on October 1, 2011 by RedEyedMonster

A short but hilly walk exploring the permissive access to Grove Farm from Hergest Common, Herefordshire

The last time I walked on Hergest Common I notices that a new footpath had been opened up. So, on possibly the hottest ever recorded October day, I set off with Bandit to explore.

The great thing about Hergest Common is that, although popular, there are so many footpaths and routes that once off the standard ‘hike to the top’ walk it is rare to encounter more than a few people for your entire visit. Today though, in the unnaturally hot weather with, literally, buzzards wheeling in the sky it had a slightly eerie feel. It was almost like being in a scene from The Day the Earth Caught Fire.

For precise instructions see the detailed OS map. However, walking up from Ridgebourne Road onto Hergest Common, look for a kissing gate after a short distance on your left. About two thirds of the way through the first field there is another kissing gate, again on your left, where you start to descend to Grove Farm. Once through the farm carry on down the farm track. There is a footpath running through some woodland about halfway down the track which I imagine is the official route but it was seriously overgrown and I was only wearing sandals, so I carried on down the track to Upper Hergest. Turn right following the road all the way up to Hergest Common farm. Then right again to take you back down through the common and back onto Ridgebourne Road.

This is a short walk, about three and a half miles but with a couple of quite steeps climbs. I took it easy, ambling along, taking photos, and completed it in a little over an hour and a quarter. Enjoy.

View larger map

Detailed OS Map
Related Post: Hergest Ridge

Slipping Back in Time

Posted on July 4, 2011 by RedEyedMonster

The new track from Captain Ska hits the spot!

I was 19 when Thatcher came to power in 1979. A young man/boy/punk, I was actively involved in the anti-racist movement headed by Rock Against Racism and The Anti-Nazi League. We were already fighting the extreme right wing when this insidious, uncaring, government came into power. The National Front were easy to eradicate compared to the silver tongued politicians who would have us believe that profit was the only important thing in life. Over the next 18 years they dismantled the Welfare State, disempowered the unions, destroyed industries and demoralised local communities. They irrevocably altered our countries social values paving the way for the exploitation of the poor and vulnerable. I’m not saying New Labour were perfect by any means but don’t be fooled into thinking that Cameron‘s way is our only option. Don’t slip back in time!

Captain SKA’s 3rd release is a lament to the current government’s return to the Thatcherite policies that so devastated this country in the 1980′s, and a call to take urgent action to stop the damage and violence to the UK’s public services.

Slipping Back In Time is released on all digital outlets on 11th July.

http://www.facebook.com/CaptainSkaUK
https://twitter.com/#!/CaptainSKA
http://www.youtube.com/TheCaptainSKA

Crystal

Posted on February 26, 2011 by RedEyedMonster

A most remarkable feline August 1998 – February 2011

When my daughter, Hope, was seven we decided to get her a cat for her birthday and she was called Crystal. She came from a young couple in Cardiff, where we lived at the time, who couldn’t keep her. She was infested with fleas and probably wouldn’t have survived for much longer. She was a tiny thing. The night before Hopes birthday we brought her home in my coat pocket and my wife Anna spent the rest of the evening with a nit comb cleaning and grooming her. She didn’t complain.

Crystal spent her first three years with us in Roath and soon gained the respect of our two (now three) dogs. She was a feisty little thing taking full advantage of having the dogs for back up should she run into some mangy tom.

When we moved to Herefordshire she quickly settled into country life but maintained her tough ‘city bitch’ attitude. Even my sons young Jack Russell was fast to realise that she was not to be tangled with. Having said that she was very affectionate with her family. Coming in from the garden she would often give the dogs a quick lick before padding up to my daughters bedroom or jumping up on an available lap.

Sadly she became suddenly ill this week and died. My wife wrote a poem on the evening of her death which I think perfectly captures her essence.

As inevitable as the Shipping News, the Pips or God Save the Queen
That slight creak of the door, the inch of light and the jingle of bells
Then, that silent leap onto the bed
Soft padding footsteps through the downy duvet
With the smallest of meows you lean your body into mine
Then continue your journey to find a patch of skin
Bizarrely licking an elbow, shoulder, cheek or an eye
Until finally reaching your destination – The pillow
Where you pad and paw, extending and withdrawing those sharp claws,
Purring all night long.
Until morning, when with a stretch and a meow you follow me to the bathroom
Gentle soft footsteps downstairs to the kitchen
Where you encircle my legs as I fill the kettle
Letting you out of the kitchen door I watch you trot up the garden;
Always using the path
To annoy the neighbour’s cat or to bask in that patch of golden sunlight.

and my daughter wrote this some years ago, which does just as much.

My City Cat is spoilt.
She’s a pretty City Cat.
She’s an elegant
Yet arrogant
One minded spoilt Cat.

Goodbye Crystal, we miss you terribly (and I think the dogs do too) x.

Kunst und Mode

Posted on January 7, 2011 by RedEyedMonster

The collection of prints by Ludwig Kainer published by Axel Junker

A while ago I posted a selection of these prints here with as much information on the artist and prints as I could find. I have noticed a number of searches and hits against it so I thought I would now post the entire collection for your delight. Enjoy