Oop North

No caching yesterday, Landy was being pampered; new tyres all round. The last set survived for 35,000 miles, it will be interesting to see if I can squeeze a bit more out of this new set as I adopt a calmer, less hurried driving posture.

I'd planned to go Foraging and Galloping around Ellingham in Norfolk today, but the A14 westbound was blocked. Fortunately the weather for oop North was looking better this morning than was forecast yesterday evening, so a hurried change of plans took me onto the Cachephrase trail, a series of 70+ caches recently published. It proved to be a great walk, over 14 miles but all flat and easy-going. A good variety of caches, interesting listings to read on the way round thanks to the theme, and caches set to be easily found.

I did have one serious DNF episode, being unsuccessful in finding all the caches from #1 to #8, which I was doing towards the end of the day. I suspected sabotage as the caches were all found earlier by others, but it could just as well have been serial cache blindness on my part; we'll know soon enough when others hit the trail. Of course it is Halloween tonight...

Still managed 62 smileys and really enjoyed the walk, so a good day.

Strolling around Stevenage

Down the M1 to Stevenage today. First circuit was the On yer bike series, set along well-appointed cycle paths - more like cycle motorways - around the town. I parked up at St. Nicholas's and bagged the Church Micro there first.

St Nicholas

Interesting memorial stone to see on the way to that GZ.

I don't do biking so I had to walk it, but that was fine; the caches were close enough together to keep me from getting bored. Not normally keen on urban routes I wasn't sure how this one would turn out, but I needn't have worried.  It being half-term, the paths were mostly muggle-free, and much of the time the trail didn't feel particularly urban - perhaps more suburban :). Bumped into fellow cachers Shortmat a couple of times, always nice to meet others. I completed the 6.3 mile distance in 2hrs40, then it was on to the second circuit of the day.

A Wednesday Walk takes you out into the fields and woods to the NE of Stevenage. It was nice to get some grass under my feet after all the pavement-plodding. Managed to find all the caches, although a couple of the woodsy ones took a while.

Knocked off a few Pedal Power drive-bys as darkness fell, to build up a respectable day's tally of 58 finds.

Stepping out in Suffolk

Taking advantage of the extra hour, I took a drive down (across?) the A14 yesterday into Suffolk, to do the WWW.TRAIL. Only 25 caches, but it looked like a nice walk and I always enjoy visiting Suffolk, having lived there for some time. It did indeed prove to be a nice walk, with the weather remaining kind. Some of the hides proved to be a little troublesome for me to find, but I emerged with just one DNF.

Imaginative hint of the day: "Helix aspersa, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Helicidae, (Called BRIAN)".

Dark at 5pm! I do wish this country would re-introduce double BST.

A slight hiccough on the return journey, a tyre blow-out at 80mph.

It did well to hold together

Luckily it was on the rear, so the Landy just kept going in a straight line. Still rather unsettling. I was near to an emergency pull-off layby, so was able to get the car there and change the wheel; a task I'd practised beforehand, to ensure I knew I could do it when I had to. Silver lining; the tyres were due to be changed anyway in the next couple of hundred miles.

Today marks the end of week one of my steroids treatment. Happily no more side effects. Not so happily, no sign of symptom ease yet.

Aynho where to go today..

The COYQ series is a trail of some 30-odd caches around the strangely named Aynho, over a distance of 7 miles. The caches were released in stages but it quickly became apparent that they were likely to form a circular route when all had been set, so I kept my patience. With that circle finally being closed it was time to come and explore.

I started the afternoon's caching off with a multi, which involved careful study of  a super roadside carving.

A lasting gift

The inscription is worth a read. I'm informed that the carving was originally topped by an owl, which has been cut down and stolen; mindless.

The wind was a little blowy today, but I understood the storm winds weren't due until tomorrow:

A week's work for a competent wall builder?

The route allowed me to bag a trig on the way round, TP6719:

Good views shame about the grey clouds

This was much more of a 'traditional' caching series than the hurly-burly of the poshrule/izaakwilson type of trail. Good separation between caches, a variety of containers, and one or two trickier hides in amongst the mix. It took me 3hrs35 to complete, with all caches found - although several required quite a struggle. A good trail to walk, only one bovine encounter - which passed by peacefully - and good views over the Northants. and Warks. countrysides.

View to the West, the field below the trig

With only 36 caches bagged it wasn't a high numbers day, but it was a very enjoyable, even lethargic, walk.

50 caches after lunch

The East Midlands cache setters' arms race continues, with the latest izaakwilson offering - Tinwell and Back - taking him to within 50 caches of overtaking poshrule.

I waited for the morning's rain to blow over, and set out after lunch.

I walked around! That's Ketton Cement Works in the distance

A muddy start to the trail from where I chose to join it, but it became much better. I was soon back in Easton on the Hill, a place I'd last visited just a few days ago. This time the route took me past the Priests House.

Priests House

An unremarkable building I thought, but it is a National Trust property so I must assume there is historic value.

The village sign at Tinwell, erected in 2000:

Tinwell Village sign

it has a small but interesting plaque, take a moment to read it. After Tinwell there was some inevitable road-walking, with the farmers busy in the adjacent field:

Root crop harvest (beet?), under attack by hungry seagulls

I didn't hit the trail until after 3pm, but still managed to complete it before full dark fell; 7.5 miles in 3hrs25, and 50 smileys claimed.

Shenanigans down South

I headed South today, across the scary QEII bridge into Kent (actually, it's not scary in my Landy; scary is when you cross it on a fully-laden Honda C70, with the wind alone deciding which lane you are going to use, as I did in the early 90's). The object of today's adventure was the 40-cache series Shorne Shenanigans, topped and tailed with a couple of early Church Micros.

Church Micro 71... Shorne

I cheated a little here; I was able to glean one set of numbers whilst still at home. That info, combined with the hint and a smidgeon of geocaching nous, allowed me to find the cache before I visited the Church. Having completed that mini-mission I set off on the trail proper.

Set out in a figure-of-eight, it's an uncomplicated caching series through a tame rural landscape. I like figures-of-eight, they allow for convenient re-supply half-way round so no need to lug the victuals all the way round.

The first loop is the longest, taking me 2hrs20 to complete, then it was back out of Shorne to complete the second half. Some good views down to the estuary along that section.

Estuary view, on the second loop - I know you can't see the water in
this little pic, but it is down there!

All the caches were found with ease. The listings mention there might be coord issues due to the tree cover, but I found them to be fine throughout. At a little over 4hrs, it's a decent stroll, with no livestock issues - just horses in adjacent fields - and an easy route to walk.

Mega-jams on the M25 on my return - how unusual - meant that TomTom diverted me off at the M11 to bring me back to the Midlands via the A14. The number of times I've driven that road in the last few years..

This was day four of the steroid regime, only 55mg. Side-effects have now faded; my heart-beat has returned to its usual dum-de-dum, and I am once more blessed with the sleep of the innocents.

Stamford on Steroids

Day two of my fourteen-day steroid treatment regime. Still on the max. dose of 60mg. That's twelve tablets to swallow, with breakfast. Luckily they are tiny; I don't do big tablets well, my gag reflex kicks in too quickly. Side effects so far: a heightened heart rate, insomnia. I don't think I'm experiencing any of the mental issues that can occur, but self-diagnosing mental issues is somewhat of a challenge!

A new series posted yesterday by izaakwilson, Stamford and Back. I didn't think I'd be able to get round it in the next few days given the wet forecast (I don't like caching in the rain). However when I arose - at the usual late hour, despite the insomnia - the forecast was offering a window of opportunity for the afternoon. Sorted out some admin then set off. The rain was still dribbling when I left the house so I plotted a few drive-by Church Micros before moving on to the main mission.

Intriguing Porch Angel at Church Micro 4334... Thorpe Malsor

 Timing was pretty good; I pitched up at Easton on the Hill just before 3pm, with the sun breaking through. It looked like it was going to turn into a nice afternoon, but unfortunately the skies darkened again and most of the walk was completed under a grey cloud blanket. Silver lining though, as I completed the trail just before the rains returned.

Stamford and Back is a series of 33 caches; walking it the 'wrong' way round (I usually choose to do this, as it provides better opportunities to bump into other cachers, without you then getting in each other's way), the route took me from Easton down through fields to the R. Welland and then on to Stamford, via a path under the A1.

Scurrying under the A1

From Stamford it was back under the A1, then track and field walking - past the still imposing, but now derelict - Wothorpe House before returning to Easton.

Wothorpe House, front and back

I had time for some more drive-by's before darkness fell, taking my day's total to 54 caches, with two DNFs.

No caching tomorrow; Landy is getting new brakes.

A quickie at Thornhaugh

The weather forecast wasn't too clever for today so I had nothing planned. There I was sitting indoors trying to get some work done, with the sun shining down and the promised deluges stubbornly refusing to materialise. I finally gave in, got my stuff together and headed out to North Cambs. and poshrule's Thornhaugh Trample. I'd originally planned to do this trail at the same time as the larger Thornhaugh and Back trail which adjoins it, but I ran out of both time and stamina.

The Trample is a short series of just 17 caches, taking you through some pleasant woodland paths around the back of Thornhaugh Hall. There is quite a long road section, but it's a quiet road with little traffic.

A neglected Daimler, one of the sadder sights along the route

By the time I'd arrived at my chosen start-point the skies had darkened, but I was able to make it all the way round before the rains finally arrived - late but violent. All caches found without too much effort, although a couple of the BOT micros played hard to get.

I had time for a quick drive-by Church Micro at Water Newton before hitting the water-logged A14 for the drive home.

Oundle Outing

I headed back to izaakwilson territory today, to walk the long Barnwell and Back trail, a series of 69 caches with others available en route, including four Church Micros (although I'd already visited two of those). The skies were grey and mizzly, but half-way through the sun broke through for a while. Very warm for October, still T-shirt weather.

Oundle's Most Holy Name of Jesus Church,
from outside the Museum

I started the trek in Stoke Doyle and walked the route the 'wrong' way round, so soon found myself in Oundle where I bagged a Church Micro that has been on my todo list for some time. Then it was out of Oundle past the impressive Oundle Mill.

Oundle Mill, a posh restaurant and B&B

The route was a little iffy after that, using what looked to me like private quarry roads; I'm not sure how viable that part of the circuit will remain. Onwards through Barnwell where I picked up my second Church Micro of the day. A nice place, but a very strange Church building. A gauntlet of cows to confront after Barnwell, but they let me pass without getting too antsy.

Lots of road walking took me to Pilton, then there were more fields - one a cowfield, thankfully empty - to get me back into Stoke Doyle. A trail of some 11 miles, completed in a surprisingly quick 5hrs. This was a good thing, as ten minutes into my journey home everything went very black, and the rain chucked it down.

With 76 finds, this was a good caching day.

Anosmia

I lost my sense of smell over a year ago, following a cold. This means I've also lost much of my taste sense. Some of the little pleasures in life - early morning dew in Spring, chips at the seaside, roast beef just coming out of the oven - are sadly now much diminished for me.

My first appointment with the ENT consultant was a couple of months ago. He was a very straightforward, up-front kind of guy. After peering up both my nostrils with his head-torch (a lot more powerful than the one I carry for geocaching, I suspect) he told me he had good news, and bad news. The good news - he couldn't see anything. The bad news - he couldn't see anything. Often, how one has lost the sense of smell is never discovered.

In order to rule out anything nasty happening up at the top end of my nose, near the brain, the consultant organised a CT scan, which I underwent a month or more ago.

I had my follow-up appointment on Thursday (the wheels of the NHS still grind slowly). He showed me the pictures from the scan; it's really quite interesting seeing what the inside of your head looks like. Fortunately for me, I didn't have anything really nasty in there (well, nothing physical anyway!). It transpires that my sinuses are bunged up with polypoidal tissue. He has prescribed a 14-day steroid regime. This is what they call a reducing-dose regime; an initial dose (60mg) for 3 days, then you taper off by 5mg a day for the next 11 days until there are no more to take.

I'm not particularly looking forward to this steroid regime, having read up on the side effects. I've decided to start it after the weekend; that way if I do suffer any bad side-effect, I won't be pitching up at the hospital on a weekend day, when hospitals are usually under-staffed.

Alongside the tablets I am prescribed a nasal corticosteroid spray; this is designed to help maintain the work done by the steroid tablets blast - and I am to use this nasal spray for the rest of my life..

This treatment is unlikely to reverse my loss of smell; or if it does, such reversal would be transient, I am informed. However it will hopefully mean I can breathe more easily, without the feeling that I have a permanently blocked up nose which is what I currently experience.

Whilst looking up some material for this blog post I came across an NHS article on anosmia which mentions the NHS Smell and Taste Clinic. They carry out an operation to clear the sinuses, called BiCASS: Bilateral Computer Aided Sinus Surgery. The success rates are apparently quite good. I'm going to wait and see what - if anything - the steroids accomplish, then have another chat with my GP with a view to getting a referral to that clinic.

Thornhaugh and Back

Out to North Cambs. today to tackle an izaakwilson trail. He's the UK's second most prolific cache setter, hot on the heels of his near neighbour poshrule. Between them, these two cachers make up more than 10% of my total cache finds. Their styles are quite similar; lots of caches set out in close proximity to each other on long rural walks, all designed to be easy to find. I like this kind of trail, although they are not everyone's cup of tea.

Today's offering, Thornhaugh and Back, is a 46-cache series set over 9 miles of North Cambridgeshire.

'Road not suitable' - no kidding!

It proved to be a pleasant, uncomplicated route, apart from the penultimate caches which had me getting lost in the quarry/wood area. All the caches were found without any drama. It would be possible to combine this trail with poshrule's Thornhaugh Trample to add another 19+ caches, but the 46 caches I found on the main trail were enough for me today so I'll save that trip for another time.

Dry feet are happy feet

I normally wear nubuck/fabric boots, always gortex-lined. I've never been keen on traditional leather boots because of the weight, and the necessity to spend more time looking after them, with all that dubbing and suchlike (do they still do that?). With my fabric boots, care entails cleaning them under the tap on my return from a trip, and occasionally re-proofing them with a Nikwax re-proofer. I re-proof my boots frequently to try and maintain their water resistance. I can stand in a stream and they won't let in water.

However, their efficacy against moisture ingress is completely undone in just a few minutes under one particular circumstance; walking through wet grass. The grass seems to have the ability to permeate right through the outer boot layers and my feet quickly begin to squelch. This is never a comfortable feeling, usually made worse by the knowledge that I could still have miles to go before I can get my feet dry again. I was walking in just such circumstances yesterday on my Somerset Saunters; within 30 minutes of the trail start my boots were soaked through. However this time, my feet remained perfectly dry - and continued to remain dry for the rest of the trail, and the next trail as well!

My secret? - SealSkinz socks.

SealSkinz socks - completely waterproof

Dry feet are happy feet; wearing these socks ensured that my feet stayed happy.

I have no connection with the company, and I haven't been rewarded in any way for endorsing this product.

Somerset Saunters

It's finally stopped raining, and with the day promised fair I decided to make the most of it. A long drive down into Somerset to explore poshrule's out-of-his-usual-area offerings, starting with the Babcary Bounce. This kind of trail is poshrule's speciality; no complications, no 'clever' stuff, just lots of caches close together on a good walking route.

Ford at Babcary #3; not passable on foot!

This particular series has 35 caches, set over a distance of 5½ miles. A mainly flat route along bridleways and big wide fieldside paths, with a small amount of (very quiet) country lane walking. Given all the rain we've had recently it wasn't a surprise to find that much of the route was muddy and damp, but it was still mostly easy walking, with just a slightly harder section from #24 to #31. All the caches set to be easily found, and so they were. This first stroll was completed in 2hrs45. Then it was off down the road to Charlton, to tackle the Charlton Crusade - but not before stopping off for the odd Church Micro or two.

Church Micro 2877...Keinton Mandeville

The Crusade is a smaller route at just 3.8 miles, with 19 caches. Another typical poshrule effort, it proved to be a 'cleaner' trail than the first, much less in the way of mud and puddles. I sped around it, bagging all the caches on offer, in just 1hr35. This left me time to bag a couple more Church Micros.

Overhead entertainment on the Charlton trail

Ended the day with 60 caches, including 4 Church Micros, and no DNFs. With a good traffic-free journey home, I even made it back in time to watch the football; which I'm doing right now..

poshrule's OK

poshrule, the UK's most prolific cache hider (although he does have strong competition), has been busy of late setting out some new trails. This afternoon, with the weather not looking as damp as it had promised to be, I decided to check out the Elton Eclipse. At 5 miles this is shorter than most of poshrule's offerings, so provided a nice post-lunch stroll.

Stepping stones shortcut (you don't have to take it!)

It's a flat easy-going route, all off-road, with 24 easy to find caches. No cows today - which was nice. I completed it in a comfortable 2hrs15, bagging a Church Chapel Micro along the way.

Church Micro 4043... Nassington

To date poshrule has hidden 1680 caches; I've been lucky enough to find 1394 of them. I've discovered he is venturing into new territory; now planning a trip to tackle the Babcary Bounce and Charlton Crusade trails.. when the weather improves.

Jessica's Jaunt

Despite warnings from the forecaster of possibly dire weather conditions, yesterday I was lured up to Grantham by a newly published series of 70 caches, Jessica's Jaunt. The weather turned out to be far more benign than predicted; windy, but the sun broke through often, and the squally showers failed to dampen my enjoyment of this long trail (rain doesn't really bother me once I'm out on a walk, but I'm reluctant to start a walk in the rain).

First part of the trail is along a dismantled railway

The route is flat and very easy-going, with good paths throughout, but at nearly 14 miles it's not a short one. I treated it as a figure-of-eight. This meant walking the 'shortcut' section of caches twice, but it also meant I could return to the cachemobile halfway through for re-supply.

I had one mildly scary bovine encounter - my bête noir (sometimes literally), I'm always very nervous when I meet up with walking beef/milk - but I emerged unscathed. With eight FTFs and just one DNF, it was a very good day, topped off with a Church Micro multi on the way home.

I'm sleeping my life away

I'm 54. With good fortune, I could expect sixteen more years of a mobile, reasonably pain-free, existence.

The problem is I sleep too much. I sleep ten hours a day. That's not quite accurate; I lie in bed for ten hours a day. The hours not spent sleeping are spent trying to get back to sleep after waking up. Sometimes I'm just lying there, but I still don't - can't? - get up.

I did some arithmetic. The 'average' person sleeps 7-9 hours a day, so let's presume I only slept - sorry, stayed in bed - eight hours a day instead of my usual ten. I'd have fourteen more waking hours a week, almost a whole day. So that's fifty-ish more days a year I'd be awake, and properly responding to stimuli. Over that sixteen years of pain-free and mobile lifestyle I'm still hoping to enjoy, that's eight hundred more days; 114 weeks; more than two years.

So, all I have to do is sleep for two hours less every day, and I can enjoy two more years of mobile, relatively pain-free living.

Unfortunately, I suspect that the fact I've rationalised this all out won't be enough of a spur to get me out of bed before 10am tomorrow.

On the plus side, I did a 70+ series of geocaches yesterday, walking nearly 14 miles in sometimes invigorating weather conditions. So I'm not going to flagellate myself too much.