Nocturnal adventures on the Mary Townley Loop

The Mary Townley Loop is a 47 miles circular route that forms part of the Pennine Bridleway National Trail. The loop was opened in 2002 and is named in memory of Mary Townley, strangely enough. You can start and finish the loop anywhere along the route.

The route passes through Whitworth, Waterfoot, Cliviger and just east or Worsthorne before continuing past Hurstwood, Widdop and Gorple reservoirs. Hebden Bridge is next on the route where crosses the A646 and heads up to Edge end moor. Here the route passes close to Studley Pike monument and I usually make a point of visiting the monument when passing.

After Studley pike the route takes you through Mankinholes and Walsden before passing close to the edge of Littleborough and finally over the moor to Whitworth.

I have run this route twice before in summer time and it a cracker, however I always felt the route would be interesting to run in the dark so selected the nearest weekend to the shortest day of the year, the weekend before Christmas.

Chris and Dennis came up from Lincolnshire for the pleasure of my company and to join me for the challenge. We chose to set off at dusk or there about, so it was getting dark as we departed Whitworth and headed off up Rooley Moor, luckily it was quite windy, foggy and raining hard, otherwise route finding would have been just too easy.

It rained for the 12hrs and 20 minutes it took us to run the route but it was incredibly enjoyable. Maybe i like the pain and suffering that comes with being a long distance runner, or maybe it was the company? What ever, after months of suffering i have finally re-discovered my running "mojo".  

Shinedown - Bully

It’s 9 A.M.

This hell I’m in

Seems I’ve crossed the line again

For being nothing more than who I am

So break my bones

And throw your stones

We all know that life ain’t fair

But there is more of us

We’re everywhere

We don’t have to take this

Back against the wall

We don’t have to take this

We can end it all

All you’ll ever be

Is a faded memory of a bully

Make another joke

While they hang another rope

So lonely

Push him to the dirt

‘Til the words don’t hurt

Can you hear me?

No ones gonna cry

On the very day you die

You’re a bully

Hey!

Hey!

Think it through

You can’t undo

Whenever I see black and blue

I feel the past

I share the bruise

With everyone

Who’s come and gone

My head is clear

My voice is strong

Now I’m right here to right the wrong

We don’t have to take this

Back against the wall

We don’t have to take this

We can end it all

All you’ll ever be

Is a faded memory of a bully

Make another joke

While they hang another rope

So lonely

Push him to the dirt

‘Til the words don’t hurt

Can you hear me?

No ones gonna cry

On the very day you die

You’re a bully

Shinedown - Bully

Vera Lynn

Pink Floyd - Vera

Does anybody here remember Vera Lynn?
Remember how she said that
We would meet again
Some sunny day?
Vera! Vera!
What has become of you?
Does anybody else here
Feel the way I do?

Above - Vera Lynn in the 1940's

Below - Dame Vera Lynn 2015

Meet John

John and I first met many years ago.

At the time I was struggling through life and not really making the best of it, many things had gone wrong and I was on a downward spiral.

There were many nights when my family had gone to bed and I was sat on the settee smoking a joint, usually from one of my plants that i kept at the time. I would get the urge for some freedom and take my motorbike out for a ride. I had no personal money as I used to put it all into the household, which is what you do when you are a family man. So it was common for the ride to start with a trip to the petrol station, fill up with fuel and with number plate in my jacket, ride off without paying. Nail it for a few miles and decide where I would play tonight.

Obviously I had a conscience about the fuel situation but what choice did I have? No money and an absolute desire, no an absolute need to ride my bike. I was compelled by my situation, I had to have an escape and this was it.

 Sometimes I would ride routes that were familiar to me and other times, if I felt the need for more risk, I would choose new and unknown routes and see where they lead to. Much like life’s choices I suppose but less likely to take you somewhere you can’t get back from.

Throttle to the stop, laying across the petrol tank down behind the fairing, a long straight road through a tunnel of tree’s, the fast approaching bend is upon you and you are sat up braking hard, looking for the apex before tipping it in and feeding the power on as hard as you dare. Quite country roads at night with fast sweeping bends were always my favourite because I felt they presented the most risk, crashing a bike a night in a secluded location was certainly a recipe for disaster but the greater risk brings greater rewards.

When you are younger with your whole life ahead of you, you feel invincible, like nothing can touch you. Obviously there is a high created by the adrenaline rush but it’s much more than that, it gave meaning to life and when that meaning is gone the reality of life returns.

This was when I first met John, although I have to be honest and say, I think he was around long before then, I was just not aware of his presence. Advice from a friend if often the best kind of advice and when that friend is willing to help you through the hard times, no matter how hard they become, you know they are someone you can trust and rely on.

During my divorce and subsequent time in a psychiatric unit, John was always there by my side and after recovering from my break down we moved to Scotland for a while to keep us clear of the troubles at home. Looking back it was probably just running away from our troubles but at the time it felt like the right thing to do.

It was around this time that John seemed to take command of our lives and guide us through the difficult times. Certainly life in Scotland was a little manic and at the time, almost like living life through a window, or perhaps just a little disconnected from what was going on around me.

John was certainly having the time of his life and drinking way to much alcohol, messing around with women and generally having a good time. Looking back I don’t have any vivid memories of that time but coming home to Lancashire was one of my better ideas. John wanted us to stay in Scotland but soon got back in the party mood after a couple of weeks and started his drinking again.

It was around this time that I met Debbie, my life partner, I know John was happy for me and as often happens in these situations, John and I kind of drifted apart, although he would appear now and again with pearls of wisdom that always seemed to get me in some sort of trouble.

About 4 or 5 months ago I was having issues at work, getting bullied and generally have a tough time of it and who should give me a call? John of course. Always one for assertiveness, he was there at hand to guide me through and help me get back on my feet.

I like John, we have shared some extremely tough times but i find him comforting, he is wise beyond his years and although his methods are often risky I know he will be there for me when I need him. I know from previous experience that it’s going to be a bumpy ride but welcome home John, fancy a drink?

Put the kettle on

Who else loves a good coffee?

Espresso in the morning is just the ticket, Hey old trout - please use up the Espresso i left behind will you. :)

Crackanory in the Rossendale Valley

Lately i have been told that i probably have a story to tell, however i'm in two minds about it. We all know that every action has an equal and opposite reaction and i feel i have yet to have a suitable reaction and to be honest i'm not even sure if a reaction is worth the effort.

Over recent weeks the story has started to take shape in my mind and i have been making some notes, things come to me in waves and this morning i am sat here wonder where to start, there is just so much of it.

Memories both good and bad, i am very surprised at some of the things i remember, things people have told me when times were different, before it was my turn.

I remember quite vividly when the penny dropped and i realised that i was up next. My mind racing, searching for the signs, trying to remember when they first began. What did i do to trigger the series of events and can i change their course before it to late. Ha, no chance.

There have been many good times over recent years, at work and at home, and i will be trawling through my diaries and try to get some kind order before the i start to write. I am pretty sure there will have to be a series of stories as so much has happened.

Life is busy and it may be some time before the first chapter is ready and you can be sure it will be boring rubbish that's not worth the read but i know that the process of writing it will allow me to move on and close that particular door behind me.

I found this picture and it made me smile, who feeds steak to the grass, its just silly.