On the way to the Gents i passed this sign and it made me laugh, so i thought i would share it with you.
I wonder what they do with them afterwards?
The food was excellent BTW.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Wonderful idea.
Last evening Sheila and I went with 12 others to a birthday / anniversary party at a Chinese restaurant in North Manchester.
On the way to the Gents i passed this sign and it made me laugh, so i thought i would share it with you.
On the way to the Gents i passed this sign and it made me laugh, so i thought i would share it with you.
Only the Energetic should look.
Sheila’s sister in Australia passed this on to me as she thought some of the more energetic of you guys and gals out there might want to consider a nice little run with a holiday in the future.
click on the link HERE
A 49km mountain run with 2790 metres of Ascent. I’d better get into training. Ha.
click on the link HERE
A 49km mountain run with 2790 metres of Ascent. I’d better get into training. Ha.
A local walk. Thornham and Hopwood
A lovely mainly sunny day greeted me as i drew back the curtains (Wednesday 16th). There was still some frost lying white in the shadows but steam was rising from woodwork bathed in sunshine.
I had a cooker to fix at home and also, i needed to wait for the postman but it was just too nice not to go for a walk.
I decided to do a circular route from Slattocks locks on the Rochdale canal, then head up through the woodland at Tandle hill. Down through Stakehill and across to Hopwood finishing back at Slattocks locks.
Through Stake Hill i crossed the main road and into Hopwood Nature park. They have done quite a bit of work here tiding the place up a little. It’s a good spot for a stroll. Plenty of Mallard to be seen and the males look magnificent in all there colour. Coot and Moorhen could be spotted occasionally in the reed beds.
Just beyond the pond there is a short rise up to a good viewpoint and it was good to see that this memorial to a man who recently passed away was intact. The medal was for the Great North Run 2010.
Long may it remain this way.
A local history on the hall and some better accessed photo’s can be found here.
I had a cooker to fix at home and also, i needed to wait for the postman but it was just too nice not to go for a walk.
I decided to do a circular route from Slattocks locks on the Rochdale canal, then head up through the woodland at Tandle hill. Down through Stakehill and across to Hopwood finishing back at Slattocks locks.
Slattocks Locks, Rochdale canal.
Bridge 66 and the Old Lock keepers house. Now privately owned.
Slattocks locks, Rochdale canal lock 54
Is this above picture, Scotland in the making. Too many wind farms will result in a mass of pylons.
Looking North to Scout moor Wind farm in the centre and pylons everywhere.
Looking North to Scout moor Wind farm in the centre and pylons everywhere.
Trig Point on Tandle Hill looking north towards Rossendale
Heading South off Tandle Hill,
Mmm, Dark clouds building up on the South East over Oldham and here’s me without my waterproofs and Down Socks of course.
Just beyond the pond there is a short rise up to a good viewpoint and it was good to see that this memorial to a man who recently passed away was intact. The medal was for the Great North Run 2010.
Long may it remain this way.
View across to Scout Moor.
The path skirts the Hopwood college campus which was once the house and gardens of the Hopwood family. This sad picture of the boarded up mansion is all that is left. What you see was built in the 17th and 18th centuries but a dwelling has been here since the 12th century. It’s a shame to see it like this.
The campus church tower with the sun in it’s stained glass.
A not so well footpath sign, but it was pointing in roughly the right direction.
A lovely tree lined pathway, once part of the Hopwood estate.
Unidentified Fungi
Man made earthwork at grid ref SD 870 081
Not sure what this is but it may be an underground reservoir.
There are no signs around to tell you what it is. Just the usual KEEP OUT notices.
Signs of recent flooding.
Unidentified Fungi
Possibly Coriolus (=Trametes) hirsuta or Trametes ochracea.TBA
Trub brook.
If you have any idea of the names of the Unidentified Fungi then please let me know and i will include them. Thanks.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Another Niche market.
Yesterday i visited all the outdoor shops in Manchester. Talking to staff and generally seeing what they had new.
One of the items i wanted to look at was the new Osprey Hornet 46. I wanted to check the back length.
Well on this point alone my trip was wasted. Nobody in Manchester had any and worse still are not going to stock it.
Nevis sport showed most interest and even offered to get me one if i was prepared to pay up front.
I can order one from the US myself so i didn't pursue this option. But at least they called me back to confirm that head office were not getting the 46 at all.
While they all checked their computers i had the feeling that they were able to check up on what other shops were going to get in which left me a bit bemused. But hey who am i.
The Hornet 46 weighs 0.6 kilo’s, that’s roughly half the weight of my current sack for the same capacity, and as its one of the big three, i am interested.
I am really surprised at the negativity i found. I think this would be a big seller in the UK.
I asked family in Australia to check up in the outdoor shops there and the story is the same. Probably not going to stock it.
Just like the reaction i got in the Cotswold shop when i discussed the Inov-8/ Gore-tex socks scenario a year ago, this must be for niche markets also and they don’t stock items for niche markets.
If anyone knows of UK retailer i would be pleased to hear.Thank you.
One of the items i wanted to look at was the new Osprey Hornet 46. I wanted to check the back length.
Well on this point alone my trip was wasted. Nobody in Manchester had any and worse still are not going to stock it.
Nevis sport showed most interest and even offered to get me one if i was prepared to pay up front.
I can order one from the US myself so i didn't pursue this option. But at least they called me back to confirm that head office were not getting the 46 at all.
While they all checked their computers i had the feeling that they were able to check up on what other shops were going to get in which left me a bit bemused. But hey who am i.
I am really surprised at the negativity i found. I think this would be a big seller in the UK.
I asked family in Australia to check up in the outdoor shops there and the story is the same. Probably not going to stock it.
Just like the reaction i got in the Cotswold shop when i discussed the Inov-8/ Gore-tex socks scenario a year ago, this must be for niche markets also and they don’t stock items for niche markets.
If anyone knows of UK retailer i would be pleased to hear.Thank you.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Down Socks
As we push our limits on weight of backpacking gear some ultralighters tend to stray beyond the normal boundary to achieve that increadability.
Take sleeping bags just as an instance. We look at what the manufacturers are offering and check the specifications of extreme temperature range and balance that against the overall weight.
Sometimes we pick a bag that in all respects does not do quite meet the temperatures that we may encounter but it meets the weight limits we set and therefore we overcome the deficiency in performance by wearing some of our day gear or that ultralight down jacket when night temperatures fall.
Whilst down equipment is very expensive, it is necessary, to keep the bulk of the rucksack as small as possible.
So, for long distance treks like the Scottish TGO challenge walk coming up quite soon, The KIMM or the OMM or for the odd weekend away these down socks may be just what you are looking for to enhance your kit.
Take sleeping bags just as an instance. We look at what the manufacturers are offering and check the specifications of extreme temperature range and balance that against the overall weight.
Sometimes we pick a bag that in all respects does not do quite meet the temperatures that we may encounter but it meets the weight limits we set and therefore we overcome the deficiency in performance by wearing some of our day gear or that ultralight down jacket when night temperatures fall.
Whilst down equipment is very expensive, it is necessary, to keep the bulk of the rucksack as small as possible.
So, for long distance treks like the Scottish TGO challenge walk coming up quite soon, The KIMM or the OMM or for the odd weekend away these down socks may be just what you are looking for to enhance your kit.
These are Made by Ringsted Dun A/S of Denmark
'NOMITE' and OEKO-TEX 100/1000 certified. Allergy and Asthma Safe Washable at an incredible 60°C.
In the UK they are sold by the Feather Company, London
I called the company and asked for permission to use the above photograph and had a chat with a very nice lady about the product and My Blog. She was very pleased for me to use the picture and to post a link.Link to website
The socks are available for Ladies (one size 5-7) and Men (one size 8-10). Packaged in a white cotton drawstring tote bag, allergy safe and washable at 60°C/Tumble Dry.
For the outdoors the supplied tote bag can be changed by yourself to a small dry bag.
On the down side, no pun intended, these down socks are not made specifically for the outdoor scene and the outer covering is down proof cotton rather than a water resistant material such as Pertex.
But that doesn't mean that they cannot be used as part of a lightweight sleeping system. Hence me sharing this with you here.
The socks are available for Ladies (one size 5-7) and Men (one size 8-10). Packaged in a white cotton drawstring tote bag, allergy safe and washable at 60°C/Tumble Dry.
For the outdoors the supplied tote bag can be changed by yourself to a small dry bag.
On the down side, no pun intended, these down socks are not made specifically for the outdoor scene and the outer covering is down proof cotton rather than a water resistant material such as Pertex.
But that doesn't mean that they cannot be used as part of a lightweight sleeping system. Hence me sharing this with you here.
On the up side is the cost:- £27.00, which makes a purchase well worth considering.
Most of us use a dry bag for compressing sleeping bags in the rucksack and therefore if you keep these socks inside the sleeping bag for transporting, then their is no need to go to the expensive offerings from the more usual outdoor kit suppliers.
There is also the possibility of spraying the cotton with something like Fabsil if you think it necessary, but my feeling is to try them first.
Most of us use a dry bag for compressing sleeping bags in the rucksack and therefore if you keep these socks inside the sleeping bag for transporting, then their is no need to go to the expensive offerings from the more usual outdoor kit suppliers.
There is also the possibility of spraying the cotton with something like Fabsil if you think it necessary, but my feeling is to try them first.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Stove stand
I still own the well tried and tested Trangia stove but i rarely use it as a complete unit these days. It’s a bulky piece of kit although it’s not a heavy lump it’s just too big to carry in the rucksack.
I also make my own spirit burner stoves and as many of you will be aware sometimes all spirit burners can be a little unstable with a pan on the go.
I recently came across this stand which is made for the Trangia burner. I’m sure that it can be adapted for different makes of burners and also the home made variety.
The price is fantastic at £3.99 and looks well made. It will certainly assist those of us on tight budgets who want to get lighter carry weights and less bulk and paying little money for the privilege.
Just thought i would share it with you and for anybody interested you can find it here, just click on the link.
From comment no.1
I have added below 2 photographs sent to me from QDanT who’s blog "Teddy tour teas" can be found with a click of the mouse.
Simple, cheap, replaceable, effective, stable, in built windshield, what more is required.
I also make my own spirit burner stoves and as many of you will be aware sometimes all spirit burners can be a little unstable with a pan on the go.
I recently came across this stand which is made for the Trangia burner. I’m sure that it can be adapted for different makes of burners and also the home made variety.
The price is fantastic at £3.99 and looks well made. It will certainly assist those of us on tight budgets who want to get lighter carry weights and less bulk and paying little money for the privilege.
Just thought i would share it with you and for anybody interested you can find it here, just click on the link.
From comment no.1
I have added below 2 photographs sent to me from QDanT who’s blog "Teddy tour teas" can be found with a click of the mouse.
Simple, cheap, replaceable, effective, stable, in built windshield, what more is required.
Idea for a pot stand come wind shield made from a Heinz sponge pudding tin and a church key can opener,
not only is it light weight and the meth's stoves fit in, for transporting, a splash of meth’s in it works as a pre-heat when it’s cold.
Thanks Danny.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
A Warm Break
In more ways than one Sheila and I needed a bit of a break from the UK, so i checked out some places to go that wouldn’t cost a fortune, relatively close to home and where we could get some sun.
I chose a last minute deal in southern Spain, Fuengirola in fact.
This was to be a week where we could relax and it wasn’t going to be a week of walking.
I hadn’t been to this part of Spain so i asked around and worryingly i didn’t get any rave comments.
Oh well, it was booked and it’s up to yourself what you make of the place. What some people like others don’t and visa versa etc. and it was only for a week.
We had a good flight and drop off at the hotel. It looked a nice hotel. Checked in, room good, view pretty good, sea in front and mountains behind. Very pleased.
We had booked half board so basically we had nothing to worry about like shopping or cooking and so we set off to get our bearings in town.
It was so nice to feel that hot sun on the body and so nice to be shorts and T shirts again, if only for a week. It wasn’t long before we found a bar and sat watching life go by.
The client-el in the hotel was definitely on the “Old” side but hey they know how to enjoy themselves and they were mostly a friendly lot. We thought that a remake of the film Cocoon was being done.
The food was English basically but vast choice and good quality. No complaints at all. It would have been nice to have some Spanish cooking but i can imagine that complaints would come rolling in from some stuck in a time warp.
We decided to go out on the search for some authentic Spanish bars which proved successful and we were warmly greeted. Because we made the effort with a little Spanish language we seemed accepted and although their English was far better than our Spanish we made the effort to ask how we pronounced some words and what the meaning was. It was great.
Unfortunately on one evening we went into English bar in the back streets and i was ashamed to be English. What the Spaniards thought of these people and subsequently the knock on effect to other tourists i would hate to think. The language and the tone was a disgrace. Luckily this was the only bad part of the whole trip and fortunately it was the only time it occurred.
I would not like to visit here in the busy summer period thats for sure.
In the mornings, post a good breakfast, we set off for a walk. I know i said no walking but the promenade, or paseos in Spanish, was a delight to just slowly wander down.
At one end is the Castle of Sohail built in the 10th century probably by the Romans but rebuilt in the 12th century by the Moors.
What is there today is due to a restoration project started in 1989 and they have done a good job. It’s well worth a visit and the views are terrific.
The paseo starts a 1/2 mile or so west of the castle and continues east for about 5 to 6 miles i guess, to Belanmedina. Along the beach at regular intervals there are Chiringuitos, these are a cross between a tavern and a restaurant, they do wonderful seafood and we can recommend one close to Los Boliches square. We loved the Paella.
I was quite surprised to find how many Scandinavians lived there and there were plenty of Finnish people and a Finnish school in the area. Like us they must go there to get away from the winter months in there own country.
Looking back we have enjoyed our visit to Fuengirola. It’s spotlessly clean and quite well manicured. The people were nice, helpful and fun.
I wouldn’t like to go in the season and i think this is where the poor comments came from when i originally asked about the place, but out of season it was great. Its easy to get around on cheap busses and the train is right there too. The hills are close by and the walking would be good.
There was still snow on the tops so i presume there would be some winter skiing areas too.
The downsides for us:- 1. The English bars, 2. The sea is still very cold. 3. The people who stop you wanting to do surveys who are basically trying to sell you all sorts, don’t give them your time and remember that nothing is for free! Apart from that, Great.
Batteries recharged.
Some other photos of the trip here if you are inclined.
I chose a last minute deal in southern Spain, Fuengirola in fact.
This was to be a week where we could relax and it wasn’t going to be a week of walking.
I hadn’t been to this part of Spain so i asked around and worryingly i didn’t get any rave comments.
Oh well, it was booked and it’s up to yourself what you make of the place. What some people like others don’t and visa versa etc. and it was only for a week.
We had a good flight and drop off at the hotel. It looked a nice hotel. Checked in, room good, view pretty good, sea in front and mountains behind. Very pleased.
The Hotel Angela.
We had booked half board so basically we had nothing to worry about like shopping or cooking and so we set off to get our bearings in town.
It was so nice to feel that hot sun on the body and so nice to be shorts and T shirts again, if only for a week. It wasn’t long before we found a bar and sat watching life go by.
The client-el in the hotel was definitely on the “Old” side but hey they know how to enjoy themselves and they were mostly a friendly lot. We thought that a remake of the film Cocoon was being done.
The food was English basically but vast choice and good quality. No complaints at all. It would have been nice to have some Spanish cooking but i can imagine that complaints would come rolling in from some stuck in a time warp.
We decided to go out on the search for some authentic Spanish bars which proved successful and we were warmly greeted. Because we made the effort with a little Spanish language we seemed accepted and although their English was far better than our Spanish we made the effort to ask how we pronounced some words and what the meaning was. It was great.
Unfortunately on one evening we went into English bar in the back streets and i was ashamed to be English. What the Spaniards thought of these people and subsequently the knock on effect to other tourists i would hate to think. The language and the tone was a disgrace. Luckily this was the only bad part of the whole trip and fortunately it was the only time it occurred.
I would not like to visit here in the busy summer period thats for sure.
In the mornings, post a good breakfast, we set off for a walk. I know i said no walking but the promenade, or paseos in Spanish, was a delight to just slowly wander down.
At one end is the Castle of Sohail built in the 10th century probably by the Romans but rebuilt in the 12th century by the Moors.
What is there today is due to a restoration project started in 1989 and they have done a good job. It’s well worth a visit and the views are terrific.
The paseo starts a 1/2 mile or so west of the castle and continues east for about 5 to 6 miles i guess, to Belanmedina. Along the beach at regular intervals there are Chiringuitos, these are a cross between a tavern and a restaurant, they do wonderful seafood and we can recommend one close to Los Boliches square. We loved the Paella.
On the sea front walking towards carvajayal.
As the photo above shows, the place was quiet. Not yet the tourist season. Most of the people walking were Spaniards dressed in full winter gear of hats gloves and big coats. Its no wonder the English are perceived mad because we were getting strange looks in our shorts and T shirts. It was sunny and 18 degrees, what did they expect.I was quite surprised to find how many Scandinavians lived there and there were plenty of Finnish people and a Finnish school in the area. Like us they must go there to get away from the winter months in there own country.
Looking back we have enjoyed our visit to Fuengirola. It’s spotlessly clean and quite well manicured. The people were nice, helpful and fun.
I wouldn’t like to go in the season and i think this is where the poor comments came from when i originally asked about the place, but out of season it was great. Its easy to get around on cheap busses and the train is right there too. The hills are close by and the walking would be good.
There was still snow on the tops so i presume there would be some winter skiing areas too.
This picture was taken after take off so it is through 2 thick pieces of glass.
The downsides for us:- 1. The English bars, 2. The sea is still very cold. 3. The people who stop you wanting to do surveys who are basically trying to sell you all sorts, don’t give them your time and remember that nothing is for free! Apart from that, Great.
Batteries recharged.
Some other photos of the trip here if you are inclined.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Kinniside walk part 2
We are now back home from Sheila’s mums and i am now able to expand on the Kinniside walk we did on the last post.
(I’m still not convinced about blogging on the go but i don’t want this point to corrupt this post, so i will leave it at that for now.)
We drove up the cold fell road from Calder Bridge and parked at NY 05587. As Dorothy was walking with us today there would be no mountains being summited, we were basically following the Calder river to the watershed and then retracing our path. It was still good to be out though.
Following Friar Gill east we passed Friar well which is a natural spring but was covered in algae but larger than i had expected.
This area was originally part of the great church estates. The land being owned by Calder Abbey which is now a derelict ruin in Calder Bridge, a small village a few miles south of here.
(I’m still not convinced about blogging on the go but i don’t want this point to corrupt this post, so i will leave it at that for now.)
We drove up the cold fell road from Calder Bridge and parked at NY 05587. As Dorothy was walking with us today there would be no mountains being summited, we were basically following the Calder river to the watershed and then retracing our path. It was still good to be out though.
Following Friar Gill east we passed Friar well which is a natural spring but was covered in algae but larger than i had expected.
This area was originally part of the great church estates. The land being owned by Calder Abbey which is now a derelict ruin in Calder Bridge, a small village a few miles south of here.
Calder Abbey was founded in 1134 by Ranulph de Meschines, Lord of Copeland, for a colony of monks from Furness Abbey originally as a Benedictine monastery. The Abbey was once one of the most enchanting in the British Isles. So its said.
After the Dissolution in 1536, when Henry VIII’s demolition teams began their work of closing the monasteries, the monastery buildings slowly became the ruins they are today.
The privately owned abbey is not normally open to the public, and views from the nearby road or river path are a bit restricted.
However the numbers of people who go and have a peek at the ruins are growing so maybe at some point the owners will grant access.
As we made progress further there are good views of Caw Fell, Haycock and Seatallon. Visibility was excellent today although it was bitterly cold in the shade and still quite a bit of frost on the North facing slopes.
It’s a good track down to the confluence of the Gill and the River Calder where a sturdy foot bridge is crossed.
Over the bridge the path splits, one heading east for the ridge line following Worm Gill up to the North of Caw Fell and our less adventurous path heads north towards Blakeley Raise.
Not far along this path and down to the left we passed Monks Bridge.
According to information this is the oldest pack horse bridge in Cumbria and was built by the monks from Calder Abbey.
A number of official websites state that this bridge was built over Friar Gill. In my opinion it’s not. It’s built over the River Calder.
More good pictures of the bridge can be seen here:-
The sun was giving off some heat at last and we could take off our gloves and hats and the odd fleece. It’s a reasonable path following the Calder although there are some difficult bits to cross if your not too good on the legs such as Latterbarrow Beck. However it is worth it as you pass Gill Force waterfall.
On our right hand side is Lank Rigg at 541 metres. There is lots of history here with numerous sites of cairns, settlements, homesteads and a Tumulus near the summit. There is also a trig point here with good views across to the Ennerdale peaks. Those peaks were not for us today though.
In about 1/2 hr you come to the watershed of the Calder and there are a number of routes from here where you can extend the walk and with varying grades of walking.
Its a lovely area and one we plan to come back to.
For us we were retracing our steps back but it has been very enjoyable if short walk.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Kinniside walk, West Cumbria
Its a lovely cold clear day with good views of Seatallon and Caw.
Still lots of frost around but quite warm if you keep in the sun.
More pics on Monday
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Friday, January 28, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Backpacking spoons. MYOG
I had to post a parcel today so i decided to walk into town rather than use the car. Due to the closures of village Post Offices this is now a 6 mile hike for us.
While i was there it gave me the chance to have a look round some of the shops. On my mind had been the idea of buying a Bamboo spoon for backpacking. Bamboo is the ideal material, it’s strong, relatively light weight, food doesn’t stain Bamboo so i am led to believe, and therefore it should be ok for those packet curries and spagbols we tend to take with us.
Also, i wanted a spoon with a longer handle to get down to the bottom of the packets without getting food all over my fingers.
Over the years i had tried many spoons, from the cheap and cheerful to the expensive folding titanium but had never been happy with any really. Although i did receive a freebie from Expedition foods which was quite good. Below is a few of our collection.
Then in one of the less expensive shops in town i spotted these tongs. (Sorry the photo contrast is too similar.)
They were only £0.59p and as you can see they are basically 2 spoons glued together. They are just the right length at 24 cm (9.5”) So i thought it wouldn’t take a genius to make something of these to suit my requirements.
Getting back home i set about them. First splitting the tongs and then sanding them down until smooth.
I decided just for cosmetic reasons to drill some holes in the handle and then tie in a length of Dyneema cord.
So here we have the finished spoon. Weight 0.5 oz or 14 grams. Only 3 grams heavier than my Expedition foods poly spoon, so that’s pleasing.
It looks good, and it will make a good companion for any Kupilka.
For £0.59p, a bargain i think.
While i was there it gave me the chance to have a look round some of the shops. On my mind had been the idea of buying a Bamboo spoon for backpacking. Bamboo is the ideal material, it’s strong, relatively light weight, food doesn’t stain Bamboo so i am led to believe, and therefore it should be ok for those packet curries and spagbols we tend to take with us.
Also, i wanted a spoon with a longer handle to get down to the bottom of the packets without getting food all over my fingers.
Over the years i had tried many spoons, from the cheap and cheerful to the expensive folding titanium but had never been happy with any really. Although i did receive a freebie from Expedition foods which was quite good. Below is a few of our collection.
Getting back home i set about them. First splitting the tongs and then sanding them down until smooth.
I decided just for cosmetic reasons to drill some holes in the handle and then tie in a length of Dyneema cord.
So here we have the finished spoon. Weight 0.5 oz or 14 grams. Only 3 grams heavier than my Expedition foods poly spoon, so that’s pleasing.
It looks good, and it will make a good companion for any Kupilka.
For £0.59p, a bargain i think.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
New homes required
As my clear out is taking effect i have a few bits of good hiking gear needing new lodgings. If anybody has any interest in these few items then send me an email and we can do a deal. Hopefully.
1. Therm-A-Rest Neo Air - short with stuff sack. In excellent condition. SOLD
2. Garmin E Trex H gps. Still with it’s box and with all the usual pamphlets. Been in my rucksack but hardly ever used and there’s not a scratch/mark on it. SOLD
3. Optimus Crux stove. One of the lightest gas models available. In excellent condition. STILL AVAILABLE
email jalanr188@yahoo.co.uk
1. Therm-A-Rest Neo Air - short with stuff sack. In excellent condition. SOLD
2. Garmin E Trex H gps. Still with it’s box and with all the usual pamphlets. Been in my rucksack but hardly ever used and there’s not a scratch/mark on it. SOLD
3. Optimus Crux stove. One of the lightest gas models available. In excellent condition. STILL AVAILABLE
email jalanr188@yahoo.co.uk
Just a bit of fresh air.
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
That Taboo word - Death and beyond
I've had numerous conversations with myself about should i be posting this issue here on my outdoor blog or let it pass.
In the end i decided that it is an issue worth making folks aware of and maybe our experiences will help others when this event comes unwillingly into there lives.
As readers of my blog will know, Mum passed away a month ago. (Hence the reason for the lack of posts). Dad passed away 2 years ago.
When you are at that point where you have lost both parents it's a very strange feeling and one that i must admit i wasn't expecting. The void is massive.
There is an emptiness i feel, knowing that you cannot just give them a call or pop round for 10 minutes. To have that quick disagreement that all parents and their kids have.
Even though the kids are now adults, they are still wrong.
When one parent dies, the family get together and help the remaining parent sort out what needs to be done, but the final decisions lie with the remaining parent. When the 2nd parent dies then everything has to be done by the kids and you just don't realise how traumatic and stressful that event is because it's all so final, the end of an era. A complete clear out.
When Mum died after her operation for a burst bowel, we walked out of the hospital almost completely at a loss of what to do next.
Because she died in hospital there had to be a post mortem. We didn't particularly want this as we thought she had been through enough but the coroner has to know that the death has not been caused negligently during the operation. It had to go ahead and you have to wait for the results before you start to organise anything.
Then there is the death to register and the forms to fill in for the local council and the dept of works and pensions.
Then a form has to be acquired from the registrar or the coroners office and passed to the funeral directors so that they can acquire the body and make arrangements.
Once this has been cleared the funeral can be arranged, the church procured, the vicar organised, the music for the service, the wake, flowers, charities etc.
Usually a lot of this has been decided prior to death but not always as some people just cannot bring themselves to go through it and talk about it. And worse still is the clearing of the house and estate.
Mum and Dad didn't talk much about death and didn't leave a Will so we were pretty much in the dark as to what to do.
The house they lived in was rented and they were not well off by any means so we didn't have the sale of a property or probate to go through. So this was a big plus but on the minus side we have had to clear the house within a month or so.
They had lived in the house for 53 years and believe it or not i doubt that they had ever thrown anything away. The things we found took us back, literally.
Every Birthday card, Christmas card, Get well soon card that they had received had been collected. Lots of Christmas paper carefully remove from presents had been neatly folded and saved. Morrisons and Tesco plastic bags the same. Why? Why had they saved all this for all those years.
I understand sentimental value but how many times did they ever see the light of day? Never is the answer.
We found lots of broken appliances, toasters, kettles, hair driers, hoovers, lamps. They didn’t work, none of them. I can just hear my dad now “ Don’t throw that out i will fix it when the weather gets a bit better” and yes it never got fixed it just gathered dust and i mean dust.
Bits of wood that would come in handy one day had been stored under the stairs. Did it ever come in handy? No.
Old newspapers of big events, the ending of the 2nd world war, Churchills death, the 1st man on the moon, Charles and Diana’s wedding and the like.
Every bill, receipt, even mundane item like bus tickets had been kept in envelopes, just in case. Just in case of what? God knows.
I even found TV licences from 1957 onwards. That Justin Case has a lot to answer for.
One good thing i found was the Manchester United programme v Sheffield, 19th Feb 1958, the match after the Munich Air crash. It has a team sheet but there is no team shown.
I could go on and on but the point of this post is this, death is not just an old age thing it can happen at any time. There are no rules. We tend to push it away like it doesn’t affect me. But it could and we need to make sure that we have things in place for when that times comes.
DO make a Will out, even a simple one that you can update over the years, don’t leave it till the last minute because you might miss it.
DO specify who you want to be the administrator of the Will.
DO let your kids/family know what you want to happen to you. Burial, cremation, other.
DON’T be afraid to talk about it.
DON’T hoard tons of absolute rubbish for your family to send to the tip or charity shops. Lofts, cellars, sheds, garages, have a good clear out while you can. It’s not nice for the family to have to do this, believe me. You know it makes sense.
DO find out about what happens when somebody dies BEFORE it affects you. You can’t take it all in at that point when a loved one passes away. I know it may sound morbid but i do wish i had done this.
Well i am going to leave it here. I think i have made my point and i do hope it has been helpful or at least an eye opener into a world that we don’t necessarily want to be involved with. Well not too soon anyway.
In the end i decided that it is an issue worth making folks aware of and maybe our experiences will help others when this event comes unwillingly into there lives.
As readers of my blog will know, Mum passed away a month ago. (Hence the reason for the lack of posts). Dad passed away 2 years ago.
When you are at that point where you have lost both parents it's a very strange feeling and one that i must admit i wasn't expecting. The void is massive.
There is an emptiness i feel, knowing that you cannot just give them a call or pop round for 10 minutes. To have that quick disagreement that all parents and their kids have.
Even though the kids are now adults, they are still wrong.
When one parent dies, the family get together and help the remaining parent sort out what needs to be done, but the final decisions lie with the remaining parent. When the 2nd parent dies then everything has to be done by the kids and you just don't realise how traumatic and stressful that event is because it's all so final, the end of an era. A complete clear out.
When Mum died after her operation for a burst bowel, we walked out of the hospital almost completely at a loss of what to do next.
Because she died in hospital there had to be a post mortem. We didn't particularly want this as we thought she had been through enough but the coroner has to know that the death has not been caused negligently during the operation. It had to go ahead and you have to wait for the results before you start to organise anything.
Then there is the death to register and the forms to fill in for the local council and the dept of works and pensions.
Then a form has to be acquired from the registrar or the coroners office and passed to the funeral directors so that they can acquire the body and make arrangements.
Once this has been cleared the funeral can be arranged, the church procured, the vicar organised, the music for the service, the wake, flowers, charities etc.
Usually a lot of this has been decided prior to death but not always as some people just cannot bring themselves to go through it and talk about it. And worse still is the clearing of the house and estate.
Mum and Dad didn't talk much about death and didn't leave a Will so we were pretty much in the dark as to what to do.
The house they lived in was rented and they were not well off by any means so we didn't have the sale of a property or probate to go through. So this was a big plus but on the minus side we have had to clear the house within a month or so.
They had lived in the house for 53 years and believe it or not i doubt that they had ever thrown anything away. The things we found took us back, literally.
Every Birthday card, Christmas card, Get well soon card that they had received had been collected. Lots of Christmas paper carefully remove from presents had been neatly folded and saved. Morrisons and Tesco plastic bags the same. Why? Why had they saved all this for all those years.
I understand sentimental value but how many times did they ever see the light of day? Never is the answer.
We found lots of broken appliances, toasters, kettles, hair driers, hoovers, lamps. They didn’t work, none of them. I can just hear my dad now “ Don’t throw that out i will fix it when the weather gets a bit better” and yes it never got fixed it just gathered dust and i mean dust.
Bits of wood that would come in handy one day had been stored under the stairs. Did it ever come in handy? No.
Old newspapers of big events, the ending of the 2nd world war, Churchills death, the 1st man on the moon, Charles and Diana’s wedding and the like.
Every bill, receipt, even mundane item like bus tickets had been kept in envelopes, just in case. Just in case of what? God knows.
I even found TV licences from 1957 onwards. That Justin Case has a lot to answer for.
One good thing i found was the Manchester United programme v Sheffield, 19th Feb 1958, the match after the Munich Air crash. It has a team sheet but there is no team shown.
I could go on and on but the point of this post is this, death is not just an old age thing it can happen at any time. There are no rules. We tend to push it away like it doesn’t affect me. But it could and we need to make sure that we have things in place for when that times comes.
DO make a Will out, even a simple one that you can update over the years, don’t leave it till the last minute because you might miss it.
DO specify who you want to be the administrator of the Will.
DO let your kids/family know what you want to happen to you. Burial, cremation, other.
DON’T be afraid to talk about it.
DON’T hoard tons of absolute rubbish for your family to send to the tip or charity shops. Lofts, cellars, sheds, garages, have a good clear out while you can. It’s not nice for the family to have to do this, believe me. You know it makes sense.
DO find out about what happens when somebody dies BEFORE it affects you. You can’t take it all in at that point when a loved one passes away. I know it may sound morbid but i do wish i had done this.
Well i am going to leave it here. I think i have made my point and i do hope it has been helpful or at least an eye opener into a world that we don’t necessarily want to be involved with. Well not too soon anyway.
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