Peak District (Win Hill) - 9th April 2014

Peak District (Win Hill)  - 9th April 2014

After our gig at Sheffield City Hall, we headed for the Peak District the following day from the Premier Inn  at Meadowhall.
We arrived at Ladybower reservoir around 10:45, parking along the road just down from the reservoir head and crossing point. boots on we set off at 11am on a dry, but cloudy day.

View near to the reservoir head and the large overflows.... 

Big plug hole.................

Once across the reservoir we took a right turn, then a left on a clearly marked path heading upwards into the woodland.

This widened into a distinct, but rather muddy trail for about half a mile or so, before narrowing to a trail upwards and signed towards Win Hill.

From there a step like path leads up to the top of Win Hill at 1590ft., with good views around the Hope Valley. 

It was rather blustery at the top, so we did not hang around there for too long!

The view after coming down from Win Hill, with the hill in the background. Nice wide trail here, with plenty of puddles though from previous rain. Nice open views all around, though the wind was head on. 

After a couple of miles we arrived at Hope Cross, a junction of ancient trails and an old stone way marker.

Walking past the way marker and through a stile we then headed immediate right into more woodland, and headed off downhill. The way down here was a little confusing as we struggled to find the described path down, but eventually found a way down to the main path, following the course of Ladybower Reservoir. 

From here it was about another 4 miles back to the car, but along easier trails just following the shore of the reservoir. A few inclined but nothing too severe.

We arrived back at the car around 16:00, a little tired, this was the first decent walk of the year, so guess we are a little out of practice. distance was just short of 9 miles.

Our Walk Score: 7.5/10

Foreigner, Europe, FM Sheffield Arena - 8th April 2014

Foreigner, Europe, FM Sheffield Arena - 8th April 2014


A triple bill of AOR at Sheffield City Hall promised to be a good night of entertainment in an excellent venue (more intimate than the larger arena).
We had checked into the Premier Inn at Meadowhall mid afternoon, after a quick scoot round the shopping centre and a burger. Then a taxi ride to the city centre City Hall.

After a beer, we found our seats on the 1st tier, very close to the stage and a prime view. 

F.M.

First band on at around 6pm was F.M., a band I particularly like and have done since the late eighties/early nineties when their first couple of albums were fairly popular. After support slots with some big upcoming names then like Bon Jovi, they faded away with subsequent albums doing less well. However, having remained a fan, they reformed around 2007, doing just a few gigs over a few years. The last 2-3 years they have released a couple of good albums and toured supporting the likes of Thin Lizzy, and now this Foreigner/Europe tour. We saw them in a small room in Sheffield a few years ago (O2 academy 2) and it was their first gig of a mini UK tour, quite different to the surroundings tonight.     

Introduced as "The mighty FM", they came on stage into their recent-ish Tough Love single.
Although the gig was more about Europe/Foreigner (See Europe backdrop and small stage area for FM), they held their own with a tight sound, and the voice of Steve Overland as good as ever, with lots of "whoooing" and "wheeeying" in typical FM style. Typical 80s AOR you say, but whats wrong with that!!

I am sure most of the audience had perhaps not heard of FM, though a few t-Shirts were spotted form some obvious fans, still holding the faith.
The set was a mix of old and new (there is so much new!), and after 35mins was over far too soon for me. Thoroughly enjoyed, and would like to see them again on their own in a similar setting as this - maybe one day!

FM Set list

1. Tough Love 
2. I Belong to the Night 
3. Don't Stop 
4. Closer To Heaven 
5. That Girl 
6. Crosstown Train 
7. Burning My Heart Down 

Europe

After a short break of around 30 mins, the stage area was opened up only a fraction for Europes kit, and with a short intro, Joey Tempest, bounded onto the stage into a more recent number form their last album, the rocking "Riches to Rags".

Europe are a band that have re-invented themselves after reforming several years ago. Their traditional AOR, pop rock sound and image has changed to a rockier, edgier, slant. tonights set, however, whilst starting with more recent material, was predominantly "Final Countdown" era to no doubt please the Foreigner crowd. 

The bands sound and energy could not be criticised, far more rocky, edgy and energetic than FM, with Joey performing microphone acrobatics and leaping from one end of the stage to the other.

All in all, another enjoyable performance, and even a reference and short rendition of Def Leppard "Hysteria" a nod to their home town -  Sheffield. 

The set was 60 minutes and again seemed to be over too soon, but with still the headline act to come.....

Europe Set List

1. Riches to Rags 
2. Firebox 
3. Superstitious 
4. Let the Good Times Rock 
5. No Stone Unturned 
6. Carrie 
7. Sign of the Times 
8. Cherokee 
9. Rock the Night 
   (with snippet of "Hysteria" by Def Leppard)
10. Encore:
9. Prelude 
10. Last Look at Eden 
11. The Final Countdown

Foreigner


With a slightly longer break whilst the stage was cleared and the stage area expanded for Foreigner the band hit the stage around 9pm.

Kelly Hansen is an excellent front man as his energy and enthusiasm, audience interaction is infectious. The band hit the stage running straight into the rocky "Double Vision".

Though there appeared to be a key figure missing - guitarist and founder member Mick Jones.

The classic "Cold As Ice" came up as 3rd number in, and the crowd were warming up (as were the band). Kelly Hansen left the stage and "interacted" with the crowd getting right between the seat rows (not just the aisles).  

After things calmed down a bit and no doubt everyone wondering where Mick Jones was, Kelly finally introduced the man himself with suitable acclaim and he walked on stage to loud applause, and showed off his guitar work.  

A mix of slow number and rocker fare catered for all throughout with material covering all of their classic years. The sound and energy fantastic and the whole set was enjoyable.

The obligatory Sax made an appearance, and after around 1hr, 45 mins it was all over after a 3 number encore. The crowd swaying on their feet throughout "I want to know what love is" and backing vocals from a local Sheffield school choir. 

The evening ended with a rockier "Hot Blooded", and we left the building having had a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining evening.

Foreigner Set List

• 1. Double Vision 
  2. Head Games 
  3. Cold as Ice 
  4. Waiting for a Girl Like You 
  5. Feels Like the First Time 
  6. That Was Yesterday 
  7. Dirty White Boy 
  8. Starrider 
  9. Urgent 
  10. Keyboard and Drum Solo 
  11. Juke Box Hero 
  12. Encore:
  12. Long, Long Way from Home 
  13. I Want to Know What Love Is 
  14. Hot Blooded 

Our Gig Scores

F.M.  (7.5/10) too short, needed bigger staging.

Europe (8/10) 

Foreigner (9/10)

Monsal Trail Cycle Ride - 3rd March 2014-

Monsal Trail Cycle Ride -  3rd March 2014 

So, we tried and liked our short cycle trails in 2013, and decision was made to purchase new bikes to replace the £99 supermarket specials we bought early last year.

After a bit of research online we decided upon Hybrids, as we would not be doing too much road cycling, only maybe quiet back roads and we would be leaving the mountains for walking.

We would, we decided, be tackling canal paths, old railway trails, gravel tracks, trails etc... but nothing that would require a full blown mountain bike.

We bought the bikes from Macclesfield (yes, nowhere near home!), but it was a good deal on 2013 models from Whyte (Caledonian for me and Malvern for Susan) and the bikes in question did get some reasonable reviews. So we went for it.

After a few local spins around Cleethorpes country park and sea front, we though somewhere a little farther afiefld would be good, and thought of the Monsal Trail.



The trail runs from Bakewell on the route of the old railway towards Buxton, though does not at present go that far as a cycle trail. Its about 8 miles (Then the same back to the start point of course)
To save parking in Bakewell, we picked up the trail at Hassop station, where there is ample parking and a cafe, shop and bike hire if you need it.
So after a Bacon bun in the cafe we found the trial behind the cafe and set off. 

The trial is nice and flat (OK maybe a slight incline in places), and a good surface.

The old tunnels are one of the highlights, and there are about half a dozen of these of varying lengths, all lit up (though still a bit dark). The trail is shared with walkers so careful especially through the tunnels.

Some good views to be had at Monsal Head. We had walked here a few years ago, but then, underneath the railway viaduct. 

At the end of the trail, you can walk the bikes down a few steps and carry on for maybe about another mile to a car park (Follow the path seen above by the river).

We returned back the same way, so about 16 miles, thoroughly enjoyed it!!

Humber Bridge January 2014

Humber Bridge - January 2014

Only a short walk on a bright January day. The first walk of any decent sorts of the year.
Just parked at the Hull side viewing area, and walked over the bridge and back.

Nice bright clear sky. A test for a newly aquired SLR camera - not new but pre-owned, but a Canon Mk1 5D, so a few years old, but should be decent as its "Full-Frame", so larger sensor size form my old 350D.