RUMBLINGS…

This is Sierra Jane Manning, born on Monday, March 16. This is supposed to be a (rare, occasional) outdoor blog but I suppose her name is as good as an excuse as any!

The birth was perfect and very swift. As Sierra was two weeks overdue, Steph was due to be induced but there wasn’t even time for that; less than four hours after contractions began, Sierra was delivered in the induction suite before there’d even been chance to get to the labour room.

In fact, Sierra was very nearly born on the ward’s bathroom floor. Steph delivered with only the lightest gasp of gazanairre – there wasn’t time for anything such as proper pain killers. Thankfully she didn’t need stitches afterwards either. Mother and baby came home yesterday and are doing perfectly; Sierra’s feeding well. No doubt I’ll get a hunger for outdoorsy again soon but for now every thing’s family flavoured and it tastes great.

Sierra’s name, of course, refers to the Sierra Nevada in California, the “range of light”. Steph and I hiked there along the John Muir Trail a couple of years ago. It’s one of the most beautiful places on Earth, and a place that holds special memories. Sierra is a fairly popular name in the US – and it’s also a very beautiful name! Ron “Pathfinder” Strickland who I met on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2004 suggested it a few weeks ago during a Skype chat we had… to him we say a very grateful “thank you” for such a beautiful suggestion. We owe you a pork pie Ron – it’s on its way, also via Skype!

And congrats to the wags at TGO who correctly predicted that Sierra’s name might have a PCT connection – by the way, the fluffy rabbit’s great folks!

To everyone who’s sent messages and presents, Sierra says “thank you - see you at the bar!”

Just for fun this one, seeing as how I’m stuck indoors writing about gear, when I should be out there using it.

Not sure what Brock’s doing in the clip… fortunately there’s strategically placed foliage in the way!

Courtesy of BBC’s Breathing Spaces newsletter (cheers Angie). It’s not terribly clear in the final frame of the video but the fox is urging you to go to the BBC’s Breathing Spaces site and pick up some tips about how to help wildlife over the Christmas period.

By the way, if you fancy some graft and a bit of a physical workout this weekend, villagers in Stainforth are going to be “excavating” the old pinfold by the vicarage. Folk who are strong i’ th’ arm are welcome to come along and help chuck boulders out of the pinfold and into a skip.

Pinfolds were pens in which stray animals (sheep mainly, round here I’d guess) were placed until they were claimed by the shepherd or farmer who’d misplaced them.

The pinfold in Stainforth appears to have been filled with boulders, soil and all sorts over the years, so the village’s environment group is going to have a weekend clearing it out and eventually hopes to restore it.

No doubt it will find fresh purpose as somewhere to pen-in those folks who insist on walking around the village with the trouser legs tucked into their red rambling socks and asking for directions to Catrigg Force!

Work starts at 10am tomorrow and Sunday, whatever the weather! You’ll need gloves and wellies, preferably with toecaps, and a bit of muscle.

Morning all, I hope I’ve solved the spam probs and have re-opened the facility to post comments again. The only difference is thast you now have to register -  apologies for that, but it’s better than having a site overloaded with links to gambling sites. You can register by clicking the comments button at the foot of each blog entry, or in the Meta index at the foot of the right hand column. You should then be sent a login password and all will be well in the world. Thanks to everyone who got in touch while the problems were overcome. Now, sign the wild camp petition! (link to the right).  

Sorry folks… had to do a quick fix on the comments as I was getting spammed. Bad news is you have to join up to comment now… good news is I know of dozens of on-line gambling sites!  I might win!      Call back soon,     John