a Trip To Llandudno & A Search for Emmerdale Viaduct

Hi Folks, sorry its been so long since I last posted a blog, but how odd the more time we have the more we fill it with other things we cant remember about later, plus I seem to of really slowed down in the last few months, with various health problems.

Maybe that’s a good start, I have now been diagnosed with angina & am off for an angiogram in a couple of weeks time to find out what is causing the problem, hopefully it will be nothing invasive, they have already told me that I will be on tablets for the rest of my life, hope they have got it wrong

My other problem with my back seems to be changing to, its funny because I have been the one who origionally wanted the operation, but the thought of the restriction on my life for some time after does not appeal, having said that if the long term will be better it will all be worth it, they are going to review me after heart is sorted out so it seems soon will sorted out & maybe better again

Well back to the adventures first I must tell you of my trip to Llandudno at August bank holiday with Brian & our new mascot Pierre, you may remember him from our earlier trip to Blackpool, but, on with the story, the weather was okay so we spent time taking photos of Pierre in a variety of settings, one being on the beach, I had an idea of getting one of him exploring peoples sandcastles, found a really good one, but was a very large young man with a child, for some reason, did not feel he would take well to me asking for photos.

Instead found a less menacing person & on the understanding that we only wanted his sandcastle & not his daughter on the photo, plus that it would feature on my blog, as well as being used to fundraise for a charity I think made his day, I suppose we could of made our own but then we would have had to buy our own buckets & spades & we had photos to take.

Well that evening we decided we would aim to take some stunning photos of sunset from the Great Orme, (not sure think would be classed as large hill rather than mountain) so sought suitable locations, eventually decide higher was better so set off just before dusk in the car, unfortunately I had misjudged the time so by the time we had driven up , guess what the sun was gone for the evening, despite that we then took photos of the clouns & horizon just in case, but the got really windy & cold so eventually even us intrepid photographers gave it up

The next day off inland to Betsy Cowyd an area of narural beauty, well it would be but for us and all the other people who had come here to escape the crowds, we had a pleasant walk along the bank of the river looking for some sort of different photo to take as a souvenir of our trip, well that’s the right word because that’s exactly what Brian did, well what a fool I was here was a unique opportunity to get a photo, but being the kind caring person I am I got my priorities right & instead went to rescue his umbrella that had blown onto the bank of the river, whilst he managed to get up only losing a little dignity & no real harm, but in my efforts I nearly fell in the river instead.

For the rest of the trip we were more careful & sadly there were no real photographic opportunities for either of us, having said that it was a pleasant break from normal life if only for a brief time

Our Trip Seeking Emmerdale Viaduct

My next adventure was much more exciting when I went searching for the Emmerdale viaduct with another friend to take photos of it, we knew the location so was this not going to be the easiest experience ever, well no because we could not find the path marked on the map & when we established where we were realised we should have had the map of the next section.

Therefore we first wandered through fields then through someones private drive in our quest only to be told we were on the wrong side of the river & the best way was to take shoes & socks off & roll up trousers & wade across the river, now this is to someone who struggles to balance on a nice flat surface, plus I had my camera to consider, so after directions we set off again,

Now we found a sort of map, but it seemed very odd the route, but it couldent be that far could it, oh yes it could, it was through woods & kindly someone had but boards & handrails for people like me, but quickly the pain set in, & the only thing keeping me going was the sensational photo I was going to get soon, but I got more & more tired the further we walked & my feet were aching in the boots.

Well we eventually got to a point where there was a wire fence & the rain started, seeking shelter there was some sort of brick structure that we could shelter under, hey hang on a minute, it was it was a viaduct, it must be the viaduct, well what was the problem, well it was sounded by trees & there was nowhere to get a good photo of it, just then a nice family came a along & we asked about a quicker easier way back to the car, they gave instructions which included climbing some stairs up to the fields which we did, all I wanted to do now was get back to the car & collapse as soon as possible, cutting a long story short we ended up lost & met up with the family again who suggested we should return to the woods as It was the quickest way back.

Well we did this & the aches & pains as well as breathlessness all got worse the further we went but at least we were on our way back, many of the wood areas had chicken wire on for some reason, it seemed rather odd to me until, when distracted my right foot slipped forward on one that had no wire on (now I know why it was there to stop people slipping) I fell backwards banging my head & spine on the boards, my companion who had been leading turned round at the noise & wondered where I had disappeared to, I eventually I managed to get up but ached all over, at that time I even hoped I had done something to myself which would of meant the emergency helicopter would of come & just lifted me away, unfortunately I was able to stand & walk, but in great pain.

Well you can imagine what the trip back was like from then, my feet were already aching, as was my head & lower back & every step hurt me, why is it always a longer distance when you are exhausted than when feeling happy, I hated every step I took, I suppose I could of asked my companion to put me out of my misery but don’t think he had a gun to do it, sob sob, its all right for you reading this in a nice warm room, for me I just kept thinking what am I doing here, how stupid to of even attempted it given my health & had it made my spine any worse.

Well eventually we got back to the car park & the map, it was no consolation to be told that maybe we should of carried on to the other end of the track by car & walked along the disused railway line, I just wished I had the energy to have a tantrum, oh forgot to say we had not eaten from early morning so was starving as well

We cleaned me up & went to a pub for a meal & the young waitress was lovely when I told her the story even offering me an ice pack to ease the pain, being a martyr I refused, must say was best steak & ale pie have ever had, on the way home slept most of the way, & when got back straight in the bath, well not quite true had to wait for it 20 minutes whilst it filled sob sob

Well the next day went & Googled the viaduct, guess what readers I think it was the wrong one, (stamps feet very hard on the ground in tantrum) so it was all in vain

The pain got worse in lower back so went to see GP, mine not available so saw young locum, who looked young enough to be my grand daughter, she had that sort of disbelieving expression until she saw how badly I was bruised, but said nothing broken just bruising & to take pain killers, it was three weeks before I seemed to get over worst, spent much of my time in bed in the meantime feeling sorry for self

Well will close now until the next great adventure, hopefully will not be so painful

Our Day in The Country, Viewing Viaducts

Well readers this story goes back some weeks ago, possibly even months ago, when my friend Geoff suggested that it may help him, if we went on a trip to take a photograph or photographs of a couple viaducts of outstanding beauty.

Of course I agreed this was acknowledgement of my photographic skills, as well as a nice ride in the country, I had initially suggested that he take my camera to save me the trip, but he felt I would do more justice to the subject, how could I refuse.

Time passed and we never seem to quite get round to it, so in the end we agreed on a specific date, because another friend of mine was feeling down I asked if it was possible for her to come along for the trip, which he was agreeable to.

On the day he was ready, flasks, biscuits, all sorts of walking gear, two walking sticks and there was still room for me and him, I explained I only had my normal walking shoes but he felt this was not a problem, so of to Anne’s we went, she was as sensibly dressed as me, in that she had high-heeled shoes which she felt would help with her walking, but otherwise was dressed for the day.

Although Geoff told me where we were going, I had never actually pinned him down to the location of these two viaducts, so after a while, I started to wonder just how far we were travelling, it was about two hours before we finally reached our first destination, New Biggin, he then told us that we now had a long walk, mainly over flat ground, but to reassure us he provided us both with a walking stick, being fair to him, he provided us with a warm drink of coffee and a biscuit.

We seemed to walk and walk and walk, apart from three walkers, the only other things we met were a group of sheep, who initially ignored us, but then on closer inspection decided to run off into the distance never to be seen again.

Along the way, Geoff pointed out the drovers Bridge and the path up the hill that they used to use, which now I would imagine people would go up on quad bikes, finally in the distance we saw it, Smardale viaduct, I have to admit it was very impressive from a distance, which prompted me to take a couple of photographs, but putting myself at great risk of falling down the hill, the things we do for others.

Well now we were well on our way, and found extra strength for the last lap, as we approached Geoff explained about how the trains used to go along the path we were walking, across the viaduct, but I cannot remember where the train went after that, we crossed the viaduct and I took a series of other photos, to show the magnificence of the viaduct.

When we checked the time, Geoff announced that we needed to make progress if we were to look at the other viaduct, now at this point I should have realised if it took two hours to get to this viaduct plus the walk maybe it was going to take some time to get to the other one, plus we now had to walk back to the car, which when we were going didn't seem too bad but now, we realised how far we had walked, but never mind hey every day is a new adventure.

Off we set in the car, after another drink coffee, now it gets really complicated, because I was exhausted, and quickly fell asleep, so I am not really sure where we went or how far we travelled before we reached our next destination, I do remember waking up and seeing miles and miles and miles of narrow country lanes, also that the Sun was dipping which may create problems, when I tried to take photos.

Finally we reached our destination, sort of, as far as I can make out we were at Lambley, wherever that is and that we were heading for the Duke of Carlisle's viaduct at New Biggin, Geoff it said that it was not a long walk so we should be okay, well I have to be honest, it wasn't a long walk compared to the other, but it was up and down, over slippy leaves damp soil, plus the light was fast deteriorating.

I have just realised I had not mentioned Anne so far, she seemed to cope remarkably well up to now, but on this path I did get quite concerned, because she had one or two falls, she explained that she was okay going downhill, because high heels helped to balance her out, but the problem was going uphill and that was when she was falling. Despite this she still wanted to continue on the adventure.

Well it got darker & slippier until finally there we were there on top of the viaduct, now you would think this was a good thing, no you cant take a good photo from on top because you cant see the sides very well. I looked over the top to see a bdide in the distance, so said how do we get there so I could get that brilliant photo I was looking for.

Geoff took us off on another trip through the woods, slipping & sliding until we finally got back down to the ground, all the time Geoff was explaining more of the background to the railway line & the viaduct, until we finally reached the bridge, by the way I forgot to say I had taken my digital & SLR cameras to get the best photos, but the SLR had decided to play up, so these are from the digital.

Well now it was getting quite dark, but I tried my best, this is the product of my hard work, it was decided that we needed to come back in the summer on a proper trip, & to explore better places to get a view of the bridge, so finally we slipped & slid back to the proper path & the main road.

It suddenly occurred to me that apart from 2 cups of coffee & 2 chocolate biscuits I had not eaten all day, so we set off on the path home, Geoff said it wasent far to the motorway & then back home for a meal. I thought this was a positive thing until I saw the sign for Hexham, which I know is in Northumbria.

I then asked Geoff where we had been, he explained we had been to Cumbria as well as Northumbria, no wonder I had fallen asleep on the drive, the short trip to the motorway was over the tops & far away, but yes we did eventually reach the motorway & began the long trek home, never was I so pleased as when we finally got to our turnoff.

When I spoke to Anne later in the week she was happy about the day out & felt quite refreshed, in fact she did not have any bruising from the falls, I spoke to Geoff & he also siad he did not understand why I was so tired, having said that he admitted we had done 3oo miles that day, but was looking forward to the next trip in the new year.

Well I am glad they are happy I am still recovering, but pleased with the digital photos & hope the film ones turn out as well.

Whats the lesson I have learnt, next time ask the location & distance we are travelling & make sure I am fed properly on the way.