Super Delios Water Filter Supply Update.

We all are aware of the terrible problems that Mother Nature bestowed on Japan in March this year.
Well Super Delios have also been caught up in the aftermath of that tragedy.

After a few people had mentioned to me that stock was not available in the Uk, I contacted Miss Fujimoto from Delios Uk for an update on supply and timescales and below is the thorough response from her.

1st Re:- No UK Stock

Yes, Alan, it is true.

I have placed a notice on Delios UK’s website in early June.

Delios has been in overwhelming demand since the earthquake in Japan and we, both in Japan and UK, have no stock, except for several (12) Drip Delios here.

The partner in Japan notified me that the manufacturing facility we have been working for the last 10 years is having a problem, not damages from the earthquake, but overwhelming orders for production of various products, including Delios. It is a shame that they failed to prioritise our order on this occasion. However, I understand that the facility wants to deal with everyone equally.

As I noted in my previous Delios news letter, the manufacturing industry and household in Japan are also placed under electricity use restrictions, which is impacting production capacity further.

Therefore, the partner has been in the negotiation with other manufacturing facilities and they are now in the process of testing Delios filter. When you move to a new facility, you need to produce a new mold and have to go through a rigorous hygiene and safety testing process again.

I was told that it will take 2-3 months to get products for shipping.

We are having a very difficult time as we fully understand that people wanted to try Delios this holiday season.

However, we also understand that we are at the mercy of the Mother Nature.

Yes, I have no stock of Super Delios, only 12 Drip Delios left.

There is no stock in Japan.

Q2.  Can you tell me when stock is due to arrive.

I am expecting Delios to be delivered in September or so. They are doing everything they can to speed up the process.

Q3. Robin Evans, replacement bottle?

Yes, I have contacted Robin last month and explained about the situation. He kindly sent me several photos of damaged bottled, which were also forwarded to the partner in Japan. He replied to me and kindly accepted the delay of Super Delios shipping.

I apologise for any inconvenience caused to you as well as your friends, who wanted to try Delios this summer.

It is a very difficult experience for us that we cannot deliver items at this moment.

In the meantime, however, please do let me know anything you think of Delios.

Thanks so much again for your email.

Your email is always appreciated.

Yours sincerely,

Yasuyo Fujimoto (Miss)

Super Delios Ltd. 

I think i am right in saying that we the customer are very pleased with the product and wish all at Delios and in Japan a speedy recovery. 

May i also thank Miss Fujimoto for a quick response to my questions.

Finisterre Tee shirt

A few weeks ago Millets and The Ideas Network, sent me a Finisterre Tee shirt, they never asked me to review it but i have reviewed a number of outdoor items for them so thought i would, because i do like Finisterre products.

Finisterre are a British Company based in Cornwall and as the location suggests they are more well known with surfers than mountain folk.
However there are overlaps and you will find from there product range numerous pieces of clothing that lends themselves to the hills.


Finisterre are a company that make environmentally friendly technical clothes from recycled or natural fibres, such as merino wool and organic cotton. They even have there own Merino wool sheep on a farm close by.
They also make clothes that last.


The Tee shirt above is organic cotton and there are numerous logo’s/pictures or plain available to choose from and a number of colours too. I chose the basic simple name. 
The Tee shirt is soft feel and well made with no tough seams to rub when wearing gear on top. Although not a hiking Tee shirt it’s a nice piece of kit for everyday use, holidays or a trip to the pub.
It’s machine washable at 30℃ but i would treat it more like a wool mix than just cotton and don’t tumble dry it if you want it to stay in shape.


All the dyes are environmentally friendly and it has a GOTS standard, meeting toxicological criteria. Also as part of the STD at least 70% of the material is organic and that environmental criteria and social criteria has to be met along the entire supply chain of the product.


The STD also involves much more but that is not what the review is about. If you want to read more about it, it’s here.


All in All, it is something i like to wear and it will last some time.

A sign of “The Times”maybe.

Last weekend as my last post shows Sheila and i walked the Duddon Valley or i should say a bit of it. We know the area very well and it’s a favourite place.

While we were there we came across this article by Christopher Somerville in The Times newspaper Saturday 9th July 2011.
It was a walk in the Duddon Valley from the Newfield Inn in Seathwaite.

 Can you spot the three obvious mistakes above?

No! Well let me increase the zoom. 

Spotted them now? Yes - No?

Ok for those who have given up.

1. Seathwaite has gained an extra h, where did that come from.

"Anybody can make that mistake”, i hear you say. Well yes i suppose, but this is “The Times” we are looking at here.

2. The photograph is Borrowdale and not the Duddon Valley.

How can this happen, who vetted the piece prior to it’s release to press?

And to make it worse.

3. The title on the photo is the Duddon Valley which the author goes to length in the first paragraph to emphasize that this is not Seathwaite Borrowdale but the other one in the Duddon.

My goodness who own’s this paper.

The author, at the end of the guide specifies that it is a moderate walk and boots are essential. What rubbish! Boots essential, i don’t think so. Good trail/approach shoes are all that are required and, ok boots if that is what you prefer to wear. But essential, No, not in the least.

Dear oh dear.

Thunder in the night

From Grey Friar to Dow Crag a low rumble of thunder was passed around the combe and encompassing tops. Our wild campsite at Seathwaite Tarn that we hoped would be a calm, sunset evening was anything but. Fortunately no lightening just God re-arranging the furniture as my mum used to say.

We had checked the weather before setting off on thursday evening from home to Seathwaite in the Duddon Valley and although it said rain for the weekend it also mentioned, showers, intermittent, sunny spells, changeable. It will be ok we thought and set up a base camp at Turner Hall Campsite.

Our route basically, was to follow the River Duddon north up to Birks Bridge where we would then take the track through Pike House Close and head up to Seathwaite Tarn for a wild camp before hitting the heights and returning to Seathwaite via Walna Quarries, Natty Bridge, Stephensons Ground, Long Mire and the Park Head Road. All together about 15 beautiful miles.

Friday morning dawned, the day was calm, ever so sunny and humid, the campsite was quiet, no kids. We laughed at the weather forecast, they’ve got it wrong again. It has been a glorious week we had been told by our friends and residents of Seathwaite.
The River Duddon was slow running, the birds singing and all was good with the world.

The scenery following the Duddon is magnificent, with scree, broad leafed woodland, forestry plantations, open fell, hills, wild flowers, bubbling becks and the odd waterfall or two.
There are also lots of good swimming pools for days like today.

 The River Duddon

 Scree slope below Wallowbarrow crag

 The views open out as you approach Grassguards Gill, Long Stand at the head of the valley can be seen and to the right Dow Crag, The Coniston Ridge and Grey Friar dominate.
Many Bog Myrtle plants can be found here and the leaves exude an aroma similar to eucalyptus when crushed in the hand.

 Broad leafed forest at Grassguards Gill

 Fickle steps with low water in the Duddon.

 Still in the Broad leafed forest with the sun so strong we stopped for a minute or two at the waterfall at Wet Gill. Sparkling in the sunlight it’s a lovely spot to relax.

 One of the many good swimming pools.

 Not too far ahead we lost the lovely broad leafed trees and entered the world of the man made forest with the needle floor. Such a difference to the previous hour but not ugly in this instance as many  forestry plantations can be.
Sheila took a bit of a tumble just a little further on, tripping over an exposed root. Fortunately she was able to carry on but her ankle is a bit swollen now.

 Bog Asphodel

 Birks Bridge

We could hear voices even before we arrived at Birks Bridge and the splashing as lads were jumping off the bridge into the deep pool below. It’s usually a busy place being adjacent to the fell road but today there were only 3 people there. It’s a good spot for a picnic and a swim.

We had lunch here, capitalising on the picnic tables which today were empty. The blue sky which had dominated the last couple of hours was looking fragile as the cloud cover started to blanket out the sun.

The odd rain drop noisily landed on the plastic map case whilst we demolished our mackerel and rye bread but it was just a threat.

We were greeted with a hello from a chap heading up Harter fell as we finished lunch, packed up and headed off up the road for a short distance before a right turn takes us into Pike How Close.

The clouds were mounting at a pace and the temperature was noticeably a little cooler. Still the rain held off.

North end of the Duddon Valley with Hard Knott on the left and Little Stand on the right.

As height is gained on Grey Friar’s lower slopes the splendid views of Harter fell and the middle section of the Duddon Valley open out.

 Caw, (far Left) with Tarn Beck in the lush valley, High Tongue in centre and Whit fell in the distance.

Harter Fell in background

The good track starts to meander to miss the extensive boggy ground ahead which surrounds Tarn Becks exit from the reservoir. Otherwise it is a track with good views. 

Ahead of us the blue sky was hanging on but the quantity of it was reducing fast. The dam wall came into view and a short shower greeted us to our first view of the reservoir. Not heavy enough for waterproofs but a warning non the same.

 Seathwaite Reservoir dam, centre left.

North shore of the reservoir.

The original tarn was damned in 1904 and the navvies working on the construction rioted in The Newfield Inn, in Seathwaite village which resulted in one man getting shot and much damage done. A newspaper cutting of the event can be found in The Newfield Inn pub.

The reservoir was built to provide water to Barrow-in-Furness and it was also featured in the film Plague Dogs by Richard Adams.

We found a decent enough spot and pitched the tent, the mist rolling in encouraged us not to hang about. We had no sooner got things in place when we had our first taste of wet weather. Looking out across the tarn the hills to the south west were rapidly disappearing as the weather closed in. Fortunately this shower only lasted for 1/2 an hour. 

 We managed to get tea done and dusted. I had Wolf fish casserole and Sheila had Pasta Bolognese before the heavens opened once again. This time it rained heavily for 2 hours before we had a lull and we had the chance to venture out.

 An all to brief venture out.

 We had some wooly visitors, i think we may have pinched there spot.

Too quickly the rain started again so it was back to the tent. This time we said it’s in for the night. Nothing else for it but to call it a day. So an early night was had. 9.00pm.

We were woken up quite a few times before it dawned with some very heavy rain and low rumbles of thunder. The noise on the tent was like rapid multi drum beats and the tranquil stream of a few hours ago had began to increase in decibels. 

It always goes through the mind at times like these. “Have we pitched far enough away from the beck if it overflows”? And this was no exception.

At 6.00am there was still no let up and looking out of the tent door the mist was very low and it was so eyrie, the tarn so dark and foreboding, just the rain and the stream to be heard, no birds, no sheep. 

At 7.00am there was no change so we opened discussions on what to do. Do we wait a couple of hours and see if it improves or do we pack up now and head down. 

We decided to wait until 8.00am and then make the decision.  8.00am came and the weather was getting heavier if anything. We decided to call off the walk and head down.

The rain was really heavy now and the wind had picked up, it was so bad that i wouldn’t risk getting the camera out of it’s dry bag to capture the event. 

As we made our way back along the path to the dam, which was now flowing nicely we saw a shape come out of the mist. It was a fell runner, he came to the end of the dam and then retraced his steps back down. 

Many new streams were flowing down the fell side, they were appearing out of the mist like great white tails. Before we got down to the bottom of the track we heard the cacophony which was Long House Gill. A tremendous noise of the power of nature. Photographs and words cannot express fully the sound.

 Long House Gill

 Sheila at the confluence of Long House Gill and the Walna Scar track.

 We made our way back to Turner Hall campsite passing Tarn Beck 
which also was noisy in spate.

And as we reached the campsite the heavens opened just to let us know that we had made the right decision in giving the high ground a miss today.

Believe it or not but we had had a nice time. The modifications i made to the Scarp 2 proved successful with no leaks what so ever. It stood up to the severe conditions superbly and that was without the additional pole set.

Number of ticks removed....1

Cannot wait to go back and finish what we started.

A tale of two bridges.

I have spent a little bit of time away from the blog this last week or so.
At some point within the year you have to give priority to jobs around the house and i needed to decorate the kitchen, landing and stairs.
The call to be doing anything but this was always there but i knew it had to be done. It had been put off far too long.
We absolutely blitzed the job and so today having arranged with a friend to go out and do a bimble from Sowerby Bridge to Hebden Bridge, i managed to fulfil the arrangement.

Sowerby Bridge and Hebden Bridge like so many so villages gained prosperity with the Mill’s and with the development of the canals and railways to transport goods.
The walk today follows the Rochdale canal. It is quite an unusual area with 4 modes of transport running parallel the whole way. Apart from the Rochdale canal, there is the River Calder, the Railway line from Manchester to Leeds and the main A road.

We caught the train from Castleton to Sowerby bridge which took about half an hour or so and as the conductors ticket machine had run out of battery we got off scot free.
Where did that saying come from Scot Free?

Amendment added 14/7/2011.
Phrase, Scot free:-
 'Scot' is a Scandinavian word for tax or payment. It came to the UK as a form of redistributive taxation which was levied as early the 13th century as a form of municipal poor relief. The term is a contraction of 'scot and lot'. Scot was the tax and lot, or allotment, was the share given to the poor.

Scot as a term for tax has been used since then to mean many different types of tax. Whatever the tax, the phrase 'scot free' just refers to not paying one's taxes.

No one likes paying tax and people have been getting off scot free since at least the 11th century.

(My thanks to Phrases.org.uk)

Our walk plan was not distinct but quite fluid. Fluid being the intention. If we could get a beer along the canal every half hour or so that would be great.
As it turned out this was never achieved.
We alighted from the train at around 11.00am and after a spell of window shopping in the lovely Sowerby Bridge we headed off east past the wharf with the 253ft Wainhouse tower taking the background view.

We got to the Navigation Inn to find lots of hoovering going on but alas too early for anything liquid so we retraced our steps and carried on along the Rochdale canal West towards Luddenden Foot.

The Navigation Inn at Sowerby Bridge.

But before leaving Sowerby Bridge we had to have a look at the Deep Lock.

 The deep lock. Sowerby Bridge.

The day was quite warm with the sun to our backs and the walking obviously very easy with being alongside the canal.

 One of the many tunnels on route.

We came across this statue of Patrick Branwell Bronte along the towpath.

The scenery was most enjoyable, the industrial archeology there for all to see with the now derelict mills, some that had been renovated into new homes and the old canal cottages and small business’s.

 Now derelict canal side industry

It is a sign of the times that from Sowerby Bridge to Mytholmroyd we didn’t find a single pub open along the canal.

The ones we knew were boarded up or for sale. Yes, we could have strayed away from the canal to find some refreshment but desperation had not taken over.

We decided to carry on ahead towards Hebden Bridge where we came upon this cheeky heron who didn’t want to move.

 Cheeky Heron.

 All too soon we were on the outskirts of Hebden Bridge, having passed 2 herons, a field with Highland Cattle, numerous ducks, geese, chickens, goats and 2 stoats that i never had time to get a photo of.

 Hebden Bridge 

 Hebden Water at Hebden Bridge

The Rochdale Canal at Hebden Bridge.

There was a need for some lunch and a beer now that we had reached our destination. The Railway pub was first in sight and we made haste there. Unfortunately no food so we moved on until we found the White Swan Pub on Bridge Gate. 

Our luck was in, food was ordered and Black Sheep Cask bitter served and demolished.

We were on a timetable for transport so we had to keep an eye on that. 10 past the hour for the train back to Castleton or 20 past the hour for the bus back to Rochdale where we could then get a change of bus home.

The train was the most convenient and the shortest travel time so we chose that. 

Having then walked for 20 minutes finding the railway station we said we could have been half way to Todmorden in the time. 

Maybe another day.

Blackberry blogging

My Blackberry Curve was bought more or less because i had read good things about it and quite a lot of more experienced bloggers were using it.
My first attempts at blogging with it were a disaster as i just couldn’t get it set up properly.
See here if you want to know why.

The Mobile Blogging page on the blogger site was no help as it is written for people living in the USA.

In comparison to Sheila’s HTC Desire the Blackberry was second rate.
Everything we wanted to do was easily accomplished with the HTC whereas the Blackberry was long winded and you never have the feeling that what you have done is correct.
We just seemed to be on the same wavelength with the HTC whereas months down the line i am still unsure with the BB.

I managed eventually to get the BB to accept new posts to my blog via emails and with the odd photograph. Nothing too spectacular though.
I was certainly not in the same league as Martin Banfield whose blog is here. or Mick and Gayle who’s blog is here. They didn’t seem to be having any problems with writing long posts with numerous photo’s, whilst on the move and on long trips.

One of the problems i had, was that when i mobile googled my blog and signed in i couldn’t answer comments or write up a new post, but i could make a new entry via email. Very strange.
I asked both Martin and Gayle if they could shed any light on the problem but alas they posted via email too instead of using the blog page as if you were sat in front of your Mac or PC.

I eventually put it down to me being thick and i resigned my self to posting via email or not bothering at all as it was all getting a bit tedious.
Also, one of the issues with mobile blogging is battery life. It certainly drains the battery quickly and drains the will to live too.

Then today whilst playing around with the phone menu’s i noticed that some tick boxes were not enabled. Eureka i thought, am i onto making a break through here.
I ticked the boxes and went on my blog. The comments box was lit up for the very first time and allowed the cursor to make text. It worked!
I have managed to write posts, to comment and answer comments. Fantastic.

So for those that have had issues like i have explained above, here this is what i did.
From the BB homepage go to the browser and highlight it.
Press the Blackberry button (the one with 7 dots)
Go to options and press.
Go to Browser configuration and press.
Enable, (tick) Support JavaScript
Press the return key (right of centre) and save the changes made.

I hope that this resolves your problem with blogging on the move and prevents you throwing the phone through the window. At least for now anyway.

Moffat Roundup

Our sojourn to Moffat ended today with the weather forecast being wrong again. It rained the whole way home.
Driving south, the Howgills looked bad as did the Eastern and Northern Lakeland fells. The Southern Fells looked ok from the car.

It has been a good trip despite the lousy weather. (Although it would be possible to dispute the weather from the photo’s but i assure you it was bad).
The photo’s of the trip are here. Sorry there are 145 of them.

So, what a beautiful area the Southern Uplands are. Moffat is a good place to spend some time with plenty of walks available, both high and low depending on the weather. The campsite is run by the Caravan club but non members are welcomed. No kids allowed so that was very pleasant.
The hotels and pubs seemed to be doing well and there is a good coffee shop culture.

The walk from Moffat to Ettrick head is pleasant with fine views but the Ettrick Glen was magic in the rain and the wildlife such a pleasure to see and hear. The path from the bottom of the Glen over to Tibbie Sheils Inn is clear and well marked and even in bad conditions is easy to follow.

The camping facilities at Tibbies are basic but adequate although there is no way they can cope with the volume of weekend campers. The ground is good but i hear it can be liable to flooding occasionally so be warned.
Once we got the tent up i was in need of a warm shower, i grabbed my soap and stuff and once in the shower, which was barely warm,  squeezed what i thought was soap on my hair, only to find out when it didn’t lather that it was Gerwhol foot gel. Back out to the tent for what i thought was shampoo and repeated the event with clothes wash. It was not my day. But we had a laugh later.

Tibbies itself is a great place, good bar and food and warm wood burning stove to dry out those wet clothes. Very helpful staff.

We managed to get a walk in up to Loch Skeen and the Grey Mares Tail in between the low cloud. This is a lovely walk and should not be missed. The surrounding hills were begging for us to walk them but it will have to wait until next time.

What about some of the gear we took.
Well before we went i couldn’t decide what to take regarding footwear. It was going to be very wet, we knew that. I decided to take my Meindl Softline Ultra GTX boots which have a membrane.
Big, Big mistake. I obviously had forgotten why we moved to trail shoes. They got wet and took on the guise of lead divers boots.
Yes, my feet were dry but back to the trail shoes asap! Boots are now redundant.

Sealskinz socks.
I have called these socks for ages because when i bought a pair years ago they leaked after about 1 hr and i never got over it. I bought Gore-Tex socks ever since.
However Sheila bought a pair against my better judgement but they turned out be slightly too big so i had them and wore them a couple of times through the week with my Inov-8’s. They were wonderful and didn’t leak at all. I take back my comments about them and i will wear them on future walks.

Optimus Crux gas stove.
I gave this stove another chance and to see if it could redeem itself to me after i was very harsh about it’s regulator. I thought that in a warmer clime and with full gas cylinder it would perform better but alas no.
The regulator is bad and only stays stable when full on.
Another piece of kit destined for redundancy.

Inov-8 130 Mistlite Overtrousers. 
We both wore these for most of the week and they did a really good job. I have no complaints about them whatsoever and they have had a hammering.

Tarptent Scarp 2
Love this tent. The inner space is huge for 2. I don’t know a better 2 man tent. It’s a bit awkward to pack up with having fixed poles but you learn to get by with it.
It developed leaks at the very ends of the 2 roof vents where the vent is final stitched to the fly. All 4 places were found vulnerable.
It was easily resolved, i bought a tube of silicon and spread a little onto the stitching and underneath. Problem resolved until we get home, then i am going to add a circle of silnylon under the ends to give it some extra re-inforcing. I know you shouldn’t need to do this and it may have become worse if i hadn’t been base camping but i will live with it.
I had previously sealed the seams but this area is a vulnerability in my eyes and needs to be changed.

Icebreaker base tee.
I have always liked this base layer and it excelled this week. Warm when damp and fast drying. It didn’t smell after 4 days of wearing it and that included the smoky atmosphere created with the bothy wood burner. I am so impressed i am going to look for a polo neck type with a front zip.
Those 2 items will then do all my walks.

Carn Cobra shoe.
Sheila wore her Cobra’s throughout and found them excellent. Comfy, good grip and supportive.
She finds that they do take longer to dry than her Inov-8’s but with wearing Sealskinz socks it didn’t matter on this occasion.

Well enough of gear. It can get a bit boring and we don’t want that do we.
Thanks for reading.

Friday, our last day. Loch Skeen.

It hammered down during the night but it has stopped raining for the moment.
Decided to go back down the glen and stretch the legs with a walk up to Loch Skeen.
3 cars in the car park and Mr Ranger is there.
It is certainly a steep pull up to the level of the Grey Mares Tail waterfall which was flowing spectacularly. (Photo from Google Images as i left my camera data cable at home)

 It took an hour and 15 minutes to reach the Loch which almost hits you full in the face as you arrive. It is a beautiful spot and we had blue skies at last with some sun.

All the tops were clear, first time this week. Absolutely stunning.
We soaked up the tranquility for a little while and took some photo's which i will post when we get back home.
As we turned to depart the first shower came and went. Nothing much thankfully.

Quite a few people were now on the way up the track and we were pleased to have got up there early as we had it more or less to ourselves. ( there was 2 guys fishing).
Reaching the main road we disturbed a hare and it shot off along the tarmac at a fair rate of knots.
A lovely day. Hurrah.

Thursday 23rd June. Peebles.

Checked the pubs out last night and cask bitter is hard to find. The Annandale hotel is serving Merlin Bitter and the Star (hotel bar not the back bar) has one cask beer.
The others have only keg beers. The Stag has Old Specled Hen in keg form. Yuk!
The Annandale bar closes at 11 pm and that means stop drinking and leave, please.
So the Star has our vote for best pub in Moffat.

Getting up this morning was in sunshine, yes, sunshine. It must have lasted 10 minutes and then the black clouds covered up the sun and that was that. Raining again.
We decided over breakfast in the Rumblin Tub Cafe to do a tourist run to Peebles. It's a lovely drive.
There was blue skies breaking through as we arrived but again it was just a blip.

Waterproofs donned we checked out the high street and into the outdoor shops. This was fatal and the old card took a bashing with Sheila getting a new Tilley Hat and a pair of sealskinz for her webbed feet.
We had a walk up through the estate in Glensax and they were still burning brush wood as they were in April.

A leisurely drive back to Moffat via St Mary's loch was taken and the car got another drenching. It is looking clean though.
Stopping for 5 minutes in the empty car park at the Grey Mares Tail we looked up but couldn't see the fall for mist. The ranger must have been fed up because his trailer was all shut up.
The forecast is a little better tomorrow.

Wednesday. Moffat Town.

Never stopped raining today and frequently very heavy.
No thunder and lightening thankfully so the weather men got that one wrong.
 We are now camped at Moffat Camping Site.
Locals say they have not seen the sun for 6 weeks. The only thing to do is check the pubs out.

Oh and the Scarp has developed 4 leaks. It is leaking where the roof air vents end. So off to the hardware shop to get some silicon seal. Forecast no better for Thursday.