Went out for a little walk this morning over at Hebden Bridge, a later start than I had planned had me arriving at 8:00 but I was still the only car in the carpark which is always a good sign that I would have the woods to myself for a while. Dropping down from Clough Hole carpark I made my way down to Gibson Mill making use of the facilities.
Onwards to Hardcastle Crags now as I was gagging for a brew, of all the times I have walked round here I've never actually been up the crags, to be honest they're not as impressive as they sound, the crags are just a big pile of overgrown rocks and boulders, but still it's a nice view from the top. On reaching the top, well as close as I could get due to the overgrown vegetation, the buzzing started, I was been harassed by loads of flys! Sod it! I'd found a nice spot with a good view and I was in need of a brew so I was staying and I'd just have to deal with the flys.
Dropping down from the crags I followed the forest road for for a mile or so when I came across a few trees with the bark scrapped off, does anyone know what animal would of done this and why?
So far I had only seen two joggers while I was out which was all good as I prefer it when it nice and quiet. It's strange really I feel safer walking in a woodland by myself early morning than I do if was out in town on my own.
Can anyone identify this fungi? I didn't touch it as I have no idea about them plus it was yellow which to me would be a warning not to go near it.
Before I got to the bridge to cross the river I met a guy and his dog who had slept down by the river last night (lucky git!) he picked a nice night to do it. I crossed the bridge and followed the road back in the direction of Gibson Mill admiring the view down the valley.
Rejoining the footpath and back into the woods I found my stomach grumbling away, time for a snack and another brew me thinks, I spent the next half mile trying to find a suitable spot, as the footpath runs along a slope this was easier said than done. Eventually I found a boulder forming a small outcrop with a pleasant view down the slope to the river below. No sooner had I got the water on the boil and my sandwiches out of my bag then out came the midges! Thousands of them!! I got my brew made and my sandwiches eaten but only got half of my brew drank before I had to give up and pack my kit away as I was getting eaten alive!
Swiftly rejoining the footpath and still itching I realised that I had been bitten on my eyelid which had caused it to swell up, ouch! I made swift tracks now towards Gibson Mill as I knew I could rinse my face off in the toilets, fortunately it wasn't too far away.
After a quick wash I was back on my way and bit cooler to say the least, just the rather long ascent now up the hill to the carpark, I'm glad I brought my walking pole as its a bit of a climb and I was bloody knackered by the time I got to the top. Just before reaching the car I spotted some horseshoe fungus on the stump of a felled tree.
All in all I really enjoyed my walk this morning, shame about the midges, I'm just a bit worried now about next weeks meet at Stead Hall, hoping I don't get eaten to death all weekend, think I need to stock up on the insect repellent!
Thanks for reading
ATB
Ben
Onwards to Hardcastle Crags now as I was gagging for a brew, of all the times I have walked round here I've never actually been up the crags, to be honest they're not as impressive as they sound, the crags are just a big pile of overgrown rocks and boulders, but still it's a nice view from the top. On reaching the top, well as close as I could get due to the overgrown vegetation, the buzzing started, I was been harassed by loads of flys! Sod it! I'd found a nice spot with a good view and I was in need of a brew so I was staying and I'd just have to deal with the flys.
Dropping down from the crags I followed the forest road for for a mile or so when I came across a few trees with the bark scrapped off, does anyone know what animal would of done this and why?
So far I had only seen two joggers while I was out which was all good as I prefer it when it nice and quiet. It's strange really I feel safer walking in a woodland by myself early morning than I do if was out in town on my own.
Can anyone identify this fungi? I didn't touch it as I have no idea about them plus it was yellow which to me would be a warning not to go near it.
Before I got to the bridge to cross the river I met a guy and his dog who had slept down by the river last night (lucky git!) he picked a nice night to do it. I crossed the bridge and followed the road back in the direction of Gibson Mill admiring the view down the valley.
Rejoining the footpath and back into the woods I found my stomach grumbling away, time for a snack and another brew me thinks, I spent the next half mile trying to find a suitable spot, as the footpath runs along a slope this was easier said than done. Eventually I found a boulder forming a small outcrop with a pleasant view down the slope to the river below. No sooner had I got the water on the boil and my sandwiches out of my bag then out came the midges! Thousands of them!! I got my brew made and my sandwiches eaten but only got half of my brew drank before I had to give up and pack my kit away as I was getting eaten alive!
Swiftly rejoining the footpath and still itching I realised that I had been bitten on my eyelid which had caused it to swell up, ouch! I made swift tracks now towards Gibson Mill as I knew I could rinse my face off in the toilets, fortunately it wasn't too far away.
After a quick wash I was back on my way and bit cooler to say the least, just the rather long ascent now up the hill to the carpark, I'm glad I brought my walking pole as its a bit of a climb and I was bloody knackered by the time I got to the top. Just before reaching the car I spotted some horseshoe fungus on the stump of a felled tree.
All in all I really enjoyed my walk this morning, shame about the midges, I'm just a bit worried now about next weeks meet at Stead Hall, hoping I don't get eaten to death all weekend, think I need to stock up on the insect repellent!
Thanks for reading
ATB
Ben
