Pumpkin

Pumpkin Carving

This evening I carved the pumpkin that I had grown.

Climbing - Portland

Portland Climbing

Fiona got to us about 9 am and we headed over to Portland.  We decided that we would go to the Bower first but there were climbers already there so we continued down the cliff to The Dell.  We hadn't climbed there before so new climbs for all of us.

Due to the clocks changing we were already hungry when we arrived so first thing was lunch!

After lunch I started things off by lead climbing 'The Naughty Corner' 

and then we climbed 'Sjambok the Skelem' which was the next climb to the left.

Next we went back up to see if The Bower was free, unfortunately it wasn't so we went to The Cuttings and climbed 'Quality Family Day' - a longer climb with some good hand holds

before moving on to The New Cuttings.  The last time we were in this area I was not able to climb as I had had my hand operation 5 days before.  We first of all climbed 'Two Nuns, a Hang-glider and Jesus' 

and then 'Elephant on Rollerskates'.
A great day of climbing.

Clapper Chaos - Handbell Rally

Wincanton Rally

Today Clapper Chaos attended a handbell rally in Wincanton.  

We arrived and were greeted by the Wincantata group who were hosting the rally.  We had had 4 massed ringing pieces in advance to look at ready for today.  

We arrived by 11 for set up and tea/coffee/etc!

 The rest of the day went as follows...

12:00 Welcome and Notices

12:10 Massed Ringing 1: Appletree Wassail

12:25 Solo: Moretonhampstead

12:30 Solo: Kingston St Mary

12:35 Massed Ringing 2: Waltzing with Tchaikovsky

12:50 Solo: Mere Melodies

12:55 Solo: Wincantata

13:00 Massed Ringing 3: Keep That Wheel 'a Turning

13:15 Lunch

14:00 Massed Ringing 4: Christmas Rainbow

14:15 Solo: Clapper Chaos

14:20 Solo: Mere Melodies

14:25 Massed Ringing 1: Appletree Wassail

14:35 Solo: Moretonhampstead

14:40 Solo: Kingston St Mary

14:45 Massed Ringing 2: Waltzing with Tchaikovsky

14:55 Solo: Mere Melodies

15:00 Solo: Wincantata

15:05 Massed Ringing 3: Keep That Wheel 'a Turning

15:15 Solo: Clapper Chaos

15:20 Massed Ringing 4: Christmas Rainbow

15:30 Tea Break and Raffle

16:00 Finale Starts

17:00 Thanks and Finish, Clear Up and Go Home.

Other groups that were represented but didn't play a solo included Barn Bells and Perran Rebells. Forour solo pieces we played Orange Juice and Somewhere Over The Rainbow.  We were well received and I think we did ourselves proud.  The other groups came and spoke to us about our playing style as it is a little different to the norm!  At the end we did a play through of each of the massed ringing pieces.  We were asked to play Orange Juice again!!  They obviously liked it.  We had a good fun day and we look forward to reading he write up in the next edition of Reverberations.

Climbing - Portland

Portland Climbing

Fiona and Olly came over around 9.30 and we set off for Portland.  We decided that we would first go to The Lost Vally at Cheyne Wears and then move on to Dungecroft Quarry.  Tim and I had climbed there before but there are lots of nice low graded climbs. Tim lead up 'Head In a Bush' and left it top roped for Fiona and Olly.  I then lead 'Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This'.  We also climbed '4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42' and 'Rhys Gets Another Monkey Bite'.  By now it was time to stop for some lunch and find somewhere more sheltered, I was feeling quite chilly.  We packed up our stuff and made our way to Dungecroft Quarry in search for a sheltered lunch spot.  After eating we went to 'Doris Does Dungecroft', 'Dirty Bertie', 'The Alpha and The Omega' and 'Dungecroft Delight'.  To finish Fiona and Olly had a go at another couple of climbs that Tim and I had done on a previous trip to Dungecroft Quarry.  A good day of climbing.

Kayaking - Taunton and Bridgewater Canal

Kayaking Bridgewater Taunton Canal

Smelly ditch!

Today's activity is kayaking. As we were on annual leave we decided to drive over to Creech St Michael and have a paddle on the Bridgewater and Taunton Canal.

It started off being quite pretty with ducks and swans swimming with us.  About half way up the section we paddled it started getting rather overgrown the water.  At one point we were in very thick undergrowth that we were not able to get our paddles in the water!!  We went as far up as the lock to make sure we had done it all and didn't need to come back again!  Near the lock the water became rather nasty and stagnant!  Still a good days paddle though.

Climbing - Hedbury

Hedbury Climbing

We parked at Worth and walked out to Seacombe and then onto Hedbury.  First of all we had some lunch while we identified which climb was which.
We started off with the easiest and then gradually got harder.  I managed to lead the first 3 climbs.  Tim struggled leading the last bit of Moral Flexibility and even with it top roped I did not manage the last part.  It is there for another day.
Very Ordinary Route
Another Contribution
Sea View
Moral Flexibility
Tim finished by doing another climb but I decided to call it a day as my had was getting quite uncomfortable.  We climbed for about 3 hours and then walked back to Seacombe, onto Winspit and back up Winspit Bottom to Worth.

Caving - Hunters Hole

Hunters Hole

Today's plan was to go caving and do Hunters Hole.  The last time we went here I really struggled and thought I was going to die!!  I thought it was about time I got over my fear of the place and knew I was more than capable of doing it especially as we were going to use SRT.  

It is not a long trip so we decided to go after lunch.  We decided to have a roast dinner! Feeling very full and sleepy we got ready to go caving!  We took the Far Right Pitch route.

It was a good trip and I am very pleased with my self for getting over my fears of the place!

Climbing - Calshot Activity Centre

Tuesday 6th October - Toby breakfast, Bieulieu cream tea, looking at launching sites.  Lepe for launching, Calshot climbing with Alex - got assessed and signed off as full supervisory members.

Calshot Climbing

The weather today was still a bit grey and wet.  We decided that we would go to Calshot Activity Centre for an evenings climbing.  Alex was going to meet us from work also.  The climbing opened at 6pm so we headed over early and went to Bucklers Hard to find out about launching kayaks.  We also found time for a cream tea!  We then went on to Lepe and looked about launching from the beach.

We arrived at the activity centre early and had a little walk around the beach.  Just before 6 we went in and started to sort out signing in and getting assessed to be able to climb.  We were assessed as being fully competent and able to supervise others!!  We signed up for annual membership and got climbing.  Alex eventually joined us after a slow journey from work.  There was a massive queue for him to sign in and get assessed so while he was waiting we all went for some dinner.  We climbed till the centre closed and then had the hour and 15 drive home!

Ten Pin Bowling

The weather today was not good - wet and miserable.  We had a Clapper Chaos Handbell rehearsal tonight so had to be back for that.  We had a look online for things to do when it is raining and one of the suggestions was ten pin bowling!  We hadn't been for ages and both thought it was a fun idea!

We went into town on the way as Tim wanted to get some new climbing shoes.  Luckily it wasn't as difficult as we thought it might have been!  We went via the pasty shop to get some lunch and then went up to Tower Park and for bowling.

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

It was good fun and I was surprised at my scores!!  

Kayaking - Christchurch

Kayaking Christchurch

We had a quiet morning and then got ready to go kayaking.  We had decided to go to Christchurch and launch at the quay.  The traffic over was better than we thouht as there was a running event on.  We managed to park very near to the launch site which made carrying the kayaks easier!  We paddled up the River Stour to Iford bridge.  That is as far as kayakers are allowed to go ont that section, I think due to fishing. It was a lovely paddle but nicer on the quieter  section further up where fewer boats were going. We stopped at Iford bridge and had lunch before returning back down stream.  The tide had turned on the return journey so there was less flow helping our down stream journey!  A lovely trip and definitely one to do again.  Back at home we had the job of washing the boats and kit down and get the washing machine on!

Wessex Military band - Shaftesbury Carnival

Saturday 3rd October

This morning we were both feeling quite tired so we had a lazy morning doing some jobs at home.  After lunch I got my band stuff ready and set off for Shaftesbury.  The Wessex Military Band were playing in the carnival.  We met around 4 and had a rehearsal for the marching display we were going to be doing.  After the practice we found something to ea and went to the pub!  Just before 7 it was our turn to march up and down the square as Tim puts it.  When we had done out bit we processed off through the town to join the main carnival procession.  By now it was dark so I was glad I had taken a head torch!  At the end of the procession we were presented with a Best Overall Band Trophy!!  The procession finished just after 8.30.  It was around 10 when I got home.  This was the first time back with the band after having my hand surgery, it was nice to get out and play but my hand is certainly aching now!!