Ruthin 10k circular

Off message. Recently Gill and I took time out from family matters for this recent walk in Wales around the ancient hilltop market town of Ruthin, Vale of Clwyd. 

We found the walk on the Ordnance Survey app. Starting from the town centre going north along the Afon (River) Clwyd, cut across to Rhewl then along the fast flowing valley path by Afon Clywedog. At footbridge (yes, you have a right of way) cross over and continue pretty straight back to Ruthin with some great views. 

It was typical Welsh, early spring sunshine and showers (some heavy), muddy in parts but only wished we were wearing gaiters on one occasion. Fantastic skies. Recommended walk, mostly flat but a bit of up and down and also some styles to climb. 

Will post more pics on my Country walking Facebook page. 

Penycoddiau & Moel Arthur Walk Easter 2022

 

Off message - During Easter Gill and I went to North Wales to see my Mum and our family. We went on some wonderful walks. 

This 7.5 mile circular orange walk "Penycoddiau & Moel Arthur" from our ancient (make sure you buy the modern version) "North Wales, Snowden and Offa's Dyke" Pathfinder guide was fantastic. 

As a young boy we use to go for family sledging down the steep slopes of Moel Arthur in winter and later on, as a teenager I would walk and wild camp along these Clwydian Hills with friends, when I was in the ATC (Air Force cadets) practicing for Duke of Edinburgh awards expeditions. 

There are two fairly steep climbs near the start and then near the end but the rest of the walk is along ridgetops and fairly level trackways with glorious views first of the Wirral then the Vale of Clwyd. 

Check out the wild hill forts, the spring blossom and the peace and quiet. 

The bottom picture of the collage is mine and the top suggested by Google. Not sure which one I prefer? Both lovely. You can see other photos from this walk here on my Facebook page. 

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda 2022 Happy New Year

 

"Blwyddyn Newydd Dda" and "Happy New Year 2022". Boris "promised" a better Christmas than last year. Not for Gill and I since we were both stuck indoors with Covid.

Hopefully 2022 will be better.

Picture from my favourite walk of 2021,when I finally climbed "The Glyders" in North Wales.

My home town #Buckley finally makes the "News" due to apparent "bloodthirsty rampage"

 

"Rogue squirrel bites 18 residents of Welsh town in bloodthirsty rampage - locals hide away"

Hat tip Express

Got over Covid ("Unvaccinated people are up to 60 times more likely to be admitted to intensive care")

My self-isolation according to the NHS Covid app finished 23.59 yesterday. I double checked with this Lateral Flow Test (LFT) this morning which was negative. Previous tests had been positive. It was all a little confusing since NHS Track & Trace told me that my self isolation should end 10 days after my first symptoms - which was Christmas Day but I was still testing positive then.

To complicate matters my wife Gill was also tested positive on Christmas Eve (she thanked me for this very special present to her this year). However, both our symptoms were/are relatively mild "colds" (even though I had forgotten how awful a mere "cold" can be). 

 We don't know which "variant" we had but it seems likely it was Omicron. It was a real shame that we were unable to go to Wales and see my Mum and family but much better to be safe than sorry. We were able to get our money back for the holiday apartment which was a plus. Hopefully we will be able to visit soon.

May I thank all the people who got in touch by social media to offer help if we needed anything. Luckily, we were able to get everything delivered.

Thankfully we are both triple jabbed and hopefully there will be no "long Covid" (I am representing two UNISON members at work who are suffering from this and it is an extremely unpleasant and chronic condition).

While I don't know what would have happened if we had not been fully vaccinated I note these recent reports "Unvaccinated up to 60 times more likely to end up in intensive care"

Newcastle Emlyn and Cenarth Pathfinder Walk

Off message but last week Gill and I spent a wonderful week in a static caravan, located in an isolated small holding in mid Wales.  The weather was marvellous and we managed to go on a number of lovely walks locally (despite many blocked paths, which I will be contacting the local Ramblers footpath secretary about, since I have never come across so many serious obstacles on "rights of way" including barbed wire and permanently shut gates).

On our last day, we went on this 7 mile circular Ordnance Survey pathfinder walk (our walk is in the 2011 edition and I assume that this walk is also in the latest version).  No paths were blocked but they were overgrown in parts and wearing shorts was probably not a great idea if you have sensitive skin. 

The walk starts and finishes in Newcastle Emlyn, which is a small historic Welsh market town with a ruined castle (with a fascinating but bloody history). It is a "Orange" level walk but not too strenuous, lots of ups and downs, enclosed paths, tracks, lanes and woodland.  The Cenarth falls and water walkways are delightful. There are also great views towards the end of the walk overlooking the town and the river Teifi.

I recommend the freshly made sandwich deal at the Ty Croeso deli in the main street (sandwich, crisps and drink for £4.50). 

 

May 6 aftermath: Sadiq, Unmesh & Farah win well; Newham Democracy Referendum narrowly loses; Wales keeps Red as does some regions (but crushing by election defeat)

Now I have had some time to recover from electioneering and reflect upon last Thursday 6 May - some thoughts:-

Congratulations on Sadiq being re-elected as London Mayor; Unmesh re-elected as our local City & East Assembly member and Farah winning the by election in East Ham Central with over 52% of vote. Newham turnout was 35% which is by any standards unacceptably poor. We did not get out the Labour vote in Newham that we should have had. 

The Newham democracy referendum on replacing the Executive Mayor with a Councillor run committee model was lost by 44% to 56%, which is a shame but the narrow majority shows the concern felt by many residents about such governance arrangements. I supported the "Newham for Change" campaign and hope it will continue to argue for greater democracy and transparency in government, both locally and nationally. Certainly we should support the opposition to the Tory led referendum in October to change Croydon Council into a Mayoral system.  

My UNISON colleague Lola came second in the Kent Police and Crime commissioner election, doubling the Labour vote from the previous election & having the highest single candidate vote Labour has ever had in Kent. 

I was so pleased that Wales kept "Red" and Labour had one of its best ever assembly votes despite the very high Welsh brexit vote. Unlike the dreadful by election outcome in Hartlepool. 

Welsh Labour shows that we can win back our traditional working class base with a left of centre pragmatic socialist programme (and working in partnership with trade unions). 

Labour did well in many areas but overall it was not good and we need to get much better, we need to unite around Keir and get our policies across better. 

I did suggest at a recent meeting of UNISON Greater London Regional Council officers, where we compared the strong support for Labour in our region and the principality, that perhaps London ought to consider leaving the UK and forming a political union with Wales? It was just a thought....

Happy 80th Birthday Mum!

This is the 2nd "off message" post in a row but it is my personal blog and many families in the UK (and elsewhere) are in similar circumstances. Gill and I spoke to my Mum on FaceTime this morning  to wish her happy birthday and had a lovely chat. 

My sisters and I had chipped together to buy her a new IPAD for her 80th. Thank God for Facetime during the past 13 months!

She had her 2nd Covid Jab on Saturday (Oxford Zeneca - no side effects so far). I am discussing with staff in her Housing Association sheltered accommodation block (in North Wales) how and when we can go and see her. The last time was August last year. 

She has a new Great Grandson (see top right) that she has not even seen yet and while she is really keen to see us all, she recognises she is very vulnerable and only wants to meet when it is safe. Hopefully very soon. 

UK Covid Lockdown as 4 January 2020

(As BBC website)  "England is going into lockdown to try to prevent the NHS from becoming overwhelmed by a surge in coronavirus cases.

Primary and secondary schools will close to almost all pupils, and people will be instructed to stay at home.

Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are also under lockdown, with schools in Scotland closed until at least the end of January.

What are England's new rules?

People in England will have to stay at home and only go out for essential reasons. Primary and secondary schools will move to online learning for all pupils apart from vulnerable and keyworker children, while those who are clinically extremely vulnerable will be advised to shield.

Activities still allowed include:

• Unlimited exercise outdoors
• Meeting one other person from another household in an open public space to exercise
• Shopping for essentials such as food and medicine
• You can leave home for work, education, training, childcare and for medical appointments and emergencies
• Communal religious worship
• Support bubbles are still allowed and children can move between separated parents

What are the restrictions in Scotland?

Scotland has its own restriction levels - from zero to four.

On Boxing Day, mainland Scotland went into a level four restrictions, while Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles and other island communities are in level three.

From midnight on 4 January, the mainland will move to "enhanced level four restrictions" until at least the end of the month. During this time, schools will be closed to almost all pupils, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says. The islands will stay in tier three.

"Enhanced" level four rules

From midnight on 4 January, all of mainland Scotland is under enhanced level four, or lockdown:

• Nursery, primary and secondary schools will close to all but vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers until February. Learning will move online
• People should only leave home for essential reasons such as caring responsibilities, essential shopping, exercise or seeing their extended household
• Those who are shielding should not go into work, even if they cannot work from home
• A maximum of two people from up to two households can meet outdoors (under-11s are not included in the limit and can play together outside)
• Places of worship will close except for weddings (up to five people) and funeral services (up to 20 people). Wakes are not allowed.
• The definition of an essential business will be tightened with premises such as ski centres, large retail showrooms, and cosmetic clinics required to close

Level four rules

Indoors:

• No household mixing
• Exceptions include providing care to a "vulnerable person", or "extended households" to reduce loneliness
• Children can move between homes of separated parents

Outdoors:

• Up to two households - no more than six adults - can meet in a private garden or a public place like a park
• Children under 12 are not counted and don't need to social distance
• Young people aged 12 to 17 can meet in groups of up to six outdoors - they're not subject to the two-household limit, but need to be physically distanced

Pubs, cafes & holiday accommodation:

• Restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars must close - but takeaways can operate as normal
• Holiday accommodation must close - but hotels, B&Bs and self-catering can open for essential customers (such as people staying for work)
• Hotels and other accommodation providers can serve food up to 10pm to guests

Supermarkets, clothes shops & markets:

• Only essential shops can open, and must follow Covid-safe guidelines.
• Homeware stores and garden centres must close
• Click and collect, online services can open
• Hairdressers, nail salons and other close contact services must close

Sport, leisure & entertainment:

• Indoor sports facilities, including gyms, must close
• You can meet others outdoors for informal exercise or sport - outdoor gyms can remain open
• Outdoor non-contact sports are permitted
• Leisure and entertainment premises, including cinemas, must close
• Film and TV production can continue
• Public buildings, such as libraries, must close - but libraries can operate click and collect

Places of worship:

• Places of worship can open with social distancing and a maximum 20 people
• Wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships, are allowed with social distancing and a maximum 20 people
• Wedding receptions are not allowed
• Funerals and wakes can take place with a maximum of 20 guests

Education:

• Schools, colleges and universities can remain open
• Early learning and childcare can remain open
• Informal childcare is only allowed for parents or guardians employed in essential services

Level three (very high) rules

• Pubs and restaurants can open until 18:00, but alcohol can't be served
• Leisure and entertainment venues must close
• Non-essential travel in or out of the area is not allowed
• Indoor gym use is restricted to individuals
• Hairdressers and barbers can open

Levels two, one and zero

There are three further levels - two, one zero. However, none of these levels currently apply to any area in Scotland.

What are Northern Ireland's rules?

IMAGE COPYRIGHTGETTY IMAGES

A six-week lockdown began in Northern Ireland on Boxing Day.

The new rules include:

• Closure of all non-essential shops, including garden centres and homeware shops
• No click-and-collect services
• Closure of hair and beauty salons
• Hospitality businesses open only for takeaway and delivery
• Leisure and entertainment venues must close
• Off-licences must close by 20:00
• Car washes must close
• Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies and funerals limited to 25 people - wedding receptions not allowed
• Churches can open, but with measures such as compulsory face masks
• Elite sport allowed behind closed doors

Read Northern Ireland's official guidance.

What are the rules in Wales?

IMAGE COPYRIGHTGETTY IMAGES

Wales has a national lockdown. The new level four measures mean that:

• You must stay at home, except for very limited purposes
• You must not visit other households, or meet other people you do not live with, unless they are in your support bubble
• Many types of businesses are required to close
• Wedding receptions and wakes are not allowed

You should also:

• Work from home if you can
• Not travel without reasonable excuse
• Not travel internationally without reasonable excuse

The following must close:

• Venues for events and conferences
• Entertainment venues including theatres and concert halls
• Indoor and outdoor visitor attractions
• Sport courts, golf courses, leisure and fitness facilities
• Holiday accommodation
• Pubs, bars and cafes (except for takeaway and delivery)
• Hairdressers and nail salons
• Non-essential shops (click and collect allowed)
• Libraries (click and collect only)" 

Ffermwr gyda Ffon mewn Storm Eira/Farmer with a Stick in a Snowstorm by Kyffin Williams (& World Aids Day)

 

Another print from a calendar published by National Library of Wales featuring the works of Welsh Artist, Kyffin Williams.

I have been posting the paintings each month.

This is Rhagfyr December 2020 and of course today December 1 is World Aids Day.

#GreatNationWales

Adeilad Fferm, Eryri: Farm Building, Eryri - Kyffin Williams

 

This is from my calendar for Hydref/October 2020 by North Walian Artist, Kyffin Williams

Heol yn Arwain at y Fferm / Road to the Farm by Kyffin Williams

Gorffennaf / July 2020 Calendar by Welsh Landscape Artist, Kyffin Williams. The National Library of Wales 

(hopefully I will be walking along similar tracks in Wales sometime soon)

Mountain Landscape With High Sun by Kyffin Williams

Mehefin June 2020 Kyffin Williams Calendar. The National Library of Wales.

My COVD19 experience: Mark Fisher

Mark is a friend, a UNISON comrade and fellow Labour Party activist. He is a similar age to me and of course, a fellow taff. It was shocking that such a larger than life, fit and active person should become so ill. A lesson to all of us to keep self isolating and seek advice. He is 3rd from right in photo with me at the TUC demo in 2018 alongside UNISON former lay Presidents Wendy, Maureen and our current senior Vice President Sian.  

"My COVD19 experience.My name is Mark Fisher Chair of Neath Port Talbot/ National Executive Council Member for the Great Nation Of Wales 󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿representing UNISON.

This is my experience of COVD19, testing Positive also having hospital admission. 

I was feeling unwell for approx 10 days before I became very ill. I had dry cough, dry eyes , headache, loss of taste and smell and difficulties with breathing. I fought it at home which in hindsight was not a good decision, after sleeping on the settee, couldn’t lift my head off the pillow or keep water down plus a high temperature I gave in listening to my concerned wife and rang 111 also my Doctors, who advised to call the Paramedics. 

The fantastic paramedics turned up and checked me out and due to my symptoms advised me to go into hospital, I was very concerned about the lack of PPE the Paramedics had, it was only a small plastic cover and small mask . He was concerned about me coughing on him and asked if I could try not to cough on him. 

On reflection I am very concerned about the lack of PPE for front line workers, I was tested positive for COVD19 and they put themselves and their families at risk to treat myself, I was so proud and grateful for those fantastic paramedics.

I was admitted to Morriston Hospital with high temperature, lack of oxygen, breathing problems and headaches, I was tested for COVD19 and given chest X-ray which showed infections, I was treated with oxygen, fluids, antibiotics etc , I stayed on the temp COVID19 ward for 36 hours, until I was moved to ward H, where my treatment continued with IV drugs , fluids, oxygen and one to one nursing. I was very ill for 2 or 3 days, however the treatment made me better after a few scary days.

The ward I was put on was for potential COVD19 patients who were very ill , the treatment received was fantastic, Doctors were fantastic and staff were very busy looking after very ill patients. I have to say, due to the lack of staff, also high risk element, there was little care element, this is no reflection on staff as they were extremely busy also short staffed.

As a frightened patient without visitors, it was hard getting information to family . The PPE on the COVD19 holding Ward was excellent all staff had full PPE when entering or leaving the ward.

A few days after my admission I was informed by the nurse that I tested Positive for COVD19 and I was infectious and had to be moved to a full COVD19 Ward. Due to them being extremely busy, I had no explanation on the positive COVD19, I was moved to the COVD19 Positive ward and spent 2 days in there having further treatment, the staff had full PPE and Doctor spent time explaining Positive COVD19. 

Again there was little care due to them running around and lack of care, however, as said the treatment was excellent, nobody spoke to update my worried family, due to them being extremely busy. I am pleased to say that after 5 days in hospital, I was discharged to continue my recovery at home with full antibiotics to fight the virus. 

After 2 weeks self isolation, I am on the recovery and feel 100% percent better. I have to pay respect to all who treated me in hospital also at home, the fantastic NHS potentially saved my life. 

I hope my experience will help others seek help straight away, as I could have avoided an hospital admission if I had sought treatment sooner, please, please, please - if you have any concerns ring 111 or seek advice. 

I am also pleased to say I agreed to trial new drugs whilst in hospital also when home and I believe these drugs helped improve my condition and after 3 weeks I am on a full recovery, I am happy for you to use my experience to help others. Thanks Mark Fisher"