It's back! Stile Cup 2023

Twitter as a platform comes in for a lot of criticism (sometimes rightly so), but for me one of it's greatest outputs is the annual #StileCup - this year #StileCup2023, run by the @LakesStiles Twitter account. The premise is simple and straightforward. Anyone can submit a photo of a stile by the designated closing date (it was earlier this month), and then by some dark magic, photos are randomly assigned to groups of three or four, and posted to Twitter, whereupon anyone who sees the post can vote for their favourite.

This goes on round by round in this knockout form until a winner is decided.

I first entered last year but disappointingly got the boot in round one (I wrote about it here) but have upped my game for this year's competition with a shot of a stile I came across whilst on holiday in Austria in September, which I'm hoping can at least make it to round 2 and improve my record in this competition.

Things can get quite tense, especially towards the latter stages of the competition, where lobbying for votes is an absolutely accepted norm (hint, hint - vote for me - it'll be under my Twitter name "Statto1927").

Interestingly, although it's called the "Stile Cup"and therefore ostensibly about the stile itself, you can certainly genuinely enhance your chances of progressing by ensuring that your photo of the stile also includes a cute dog (two is better) a fabulous landscape or nice sunset - as it seems in many cases people vote for the general content rather than only the actual stile. 

To see the quality of what you might be up against, see this tweet of the 2021 final 4, eventually won by Quintin Lake (bottom left shot). 

As an aside, @QuintinLake is well worth a follow. He's the chap who walked and photographed the entire coastline of Great Britain in his project "The Perimeter" over a period of 5 years.

All in all, the Stile Cup is a fabulous piece of social media fun that enlightens many for a week or so over this period of the year.

I'd urge you to get out and follow @LakeStiles, and me, and vote for my entry when you see it!!!

Thanks

Twitter: @Statto1927 

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/people/simon_hiscocks/ 

Instagram: simon_hiscocks

Wales and the World Cup: Qatar 2022

Wales

Source: The Independent/Getty Images

Well, the dream is over. Wales are out of the World Cup in Qatar after failing to get past the group stage with what can only realistically be described as fairly insipid performances against all three of their opponents - USA, Iran and England. 

A 1-1 draw vs the USA in match 1 was a game of two halves. Wales were awful in the first period and only a Gareth Bale penalty saved blushes as a point  was salvaged in the second half.

with expectations high(wish) that that would be put behind them and they'd beat an Iran side trounced 6-2 by England quickly faded, and it looked like a point would be all they'd get until to (very) late goals by Iran meant defeat and the unlikely scenario of having to beat England by 4 goals to stand any chance of progressing.

Of course that never happened, and it was pretty much all England as our rivals from across the border made easy work in a 3-0 win, and that was that.

So what can we make of it all?

Whilst I am bitterly disappointed (as an Englishman who now considers himself more Welsh than English)  that Wales never really turned up in these finals, you have to accept that even getting to Qatar was an exception achievement for a country of just over 3 million people, the second smallest nation at the World Cup other than Qatar who qualified automatically as the host nation.

For so many supporters of Wales, now known as Y Wal Goch or The Red Wall, getting to a World Cup is somethings they've never known, 1958 being the last time it happened. The success of the team in getting to the semi-final of the 2016 Euros, and then the finals of the 2020 Euros and now the World Cup  finals in Qatar 2020 means the at the other end of the spectrum, younger supporters might feel this is the norm for Welsh football. It's not, and the achievement of team managers over these latter years - the late, great Gary Speed, Chris Coleman, and Rob Page cannot be underestimated. Yes, they've had some exceptional players in their squads. Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey at their peak were sublime, but the key has been getting the rest of the squad, often drawn from Championship or even League 1 level to perform as greater than the sum of the parts.

It's been an exceptional few years for the country's national team. Anyone who has been at a Wales match to experience first hand the amazing support of Y Wal Goch - well, I can vouch for the fact that it sends shivers down your spine, especially when the fans sing the national anthem unaided by music or some screechy would be diva. Trust me, you don't get that anywhere else.

So, on the one hand, the experience of getting to the finals has been incredible. For those that managed to get out to Qatar it must be an experience that will live with them forever.

But that said, and as I set out at the beginning of this post, the disappointment in the performances in our three group games has been palpable. The team didn't perform anywhere near their best, collectively or individually in any of the group games, and with one goal (from the spot) in those matches we didn't deserve anything either. Several of those players are now probably done in their careers in a red shirt. Neither Gareth Bale or Aaron Ramsey looked fit or had any real impact in any of the games (Bale's penalty aside). Joe Allen was wrapped in cotton wool until the England game but couldn't influence the game unduly. Those three have been outstanding servants for Wales, but it wouldn't surprise me if we don't see them in a Wales shirt in any significant or meaningful way again. 

But there are some excellent and exciting players coming through. Ethan Ampadu has significant tournament experience now even as a youngster. The likes of Brennan Johnson and Dan James who come in for a lot of stick are pacy and attack minded. Kieffer Moore is a great front man. Neco Williams has bags of potential and quality. And it was really pleasing to see two Cardiff City players in the World Cup squad - Ruben Colwill and Mark Harris, with Colwill even getting some minutes on the pitch in the England game. There's no time to stop and think with the Euro qualifiers just round the corner starting in March, but there's still room for optimism.

Much as it will incense my Welsh pals, I still have a soft spot for England, and I'd like to see them do well,  but I'd much rather have seen Wales do well and get out of the group stages, even at England's expense

Let's hope that Wales can keep this great run of qualifying for the finals of major tournaments going.

Bring on the Euros!

Twitter: @Statto1927 

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/people/simon_hiscocks/ 

Instagram: simon_hiscocks

Lord of the Manor: A week in the Peak District

We're just back from a weeks family holiday in the Peak District. Until 2019, this trip was an annual occurrence, but after changing venue to North Devon in 2019 due to lack of our preferred accommodation availability and then a break for Covid in 2020, it's taken us until now to get back to Derbyshire.

Winster Hall dining room on Halloween

Our bedroom!
(Very creaky floorboards!)

Our base for the week was the impressively named Winster Hall, a three storey Grade II listed building dating back to the mid 1600's. Although it has clearly had work done (a nice kitchen and conservatory), it still retains much of it's old world charm and is an impressive building from the front. A large stone flagged, and dim dining room greets you as you enter through the solid wooden front door, draughty sash windows, creaky stairs and floorboards are par for the course. We even found some round pin electric sockets! It was however comfortable, well equipped and warm, and importantly able to accommodate up to 16 people (the most in our party at any one time was 15).

Situated between Matlock and Bakewell in the old lead mining town of Winster it was reasonably based for our break, although a little further south than we'd have liked, but not inconveniently so.

With a mix of ages from 6 to 73 and a range of mobility within the group, our activities necessary had to be adapted to suit. Days of 10 mile hikes across the peaks and valleys are probably behind (most of) us. A gentle amble at Carsington Water (although there wasn't actually much water in it!), and couple of miles along the Monsal Trail into Bakewell were comfortably flat, and punctuated as always by coffee stops.

Carsington Water reservoir - worryingly low on water

Bakewell

Later in the week, we were able to get into some more traditional walking as we completed circular trails around the Chatsworth Estate (plenty of deer to see), Birchen Edge and Stanton Moor, and although none were overly taxing or longer than about 4.5 miles, they definitely required walking boots, cake stops and raincoats.

Nelson's Monument on Birchen Edge

The Three Ships near Nelson's Monument
L-R: Victory, Defiance, Royal Soverin (sic)
The names are carved into the rocks

The Eagle Stone near Baslow Edge

The weather wasn't great, but one cataclysmic downpour at Chatsworth apart that soaked us to the skin in about a minute flat, we managed to avoid the wet stuff, although the sun was in generally short supply until our last day. The temperatures held up nicely, with just a hint of frost on the last day.

Chatsworth House

We enjoyed a couple of meals at the local inn, the friendly Miners Standard a short walk top the hill from Winster Hall, with what must have been a parliament of owls hooting madly in the dusk on our walk up. They'd probably do a better job than that other parliament.... 

The group by Wednesday

The Cork Stone, Stanton Moor

All in all, we had a hugely enjoyable week, and are already looking forward to returning to the Peak District next year.

There are more photos on my Flicr page in the Peak District 2022 Album.

Looking towards Matlock from Stanton Moor

Twitter: @Statto1927 

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/people/simon_hiscocks/ 

Instagram: simon_hiscocks

Golf in the Algarve

Not quite Rory McIlroy

I took up golf when I retired at the end of 2019, a promise I'd made myself years before when playing cricket regularly made playing another sport alongside a growing family and work untenable. 

In the three years since I retired, I've played regularly, joined a club and as well as having fun enjoying the personal challenge of improving my game (I'm currently playing off 20.9 for those who know about those things). The group I play with at the Vale Resort travel to Portugal each year for a few days of golf in the warm weather, and this year I was lucky enough to be able to tag along.

We flew out to Faro on a Thursday, with four rounds booked Friday-Monday, and a return on Tuesday.

The weather forecast was a bit iffy - we'd hoped for wall to wall sunshine, but on arrival in Faro it was hosing down, and did so for the rest of the day. The forecast over the weekend for the golf was improving but with a chance of rain on at least the Friday and Saturday.

We stayed at the Pestana Dom Joao II hotel on the outskirts of the small town of Alvor, near Portimao a pleasant enough hotel, right on the beach front.  

The rear of the hotel, backing on to a long and lovely beach

Our first round was at Pestana Alto, a woodland course just a few minutes from the hotel. I managed a respectable, if not spectacular round, the highlight of which was winning "nearest the pin" on the designated par 3 which won me a princely sum of €1 from each of our group (so €7 in all!!!).

The 1st hole at Alto

The second day saw us play at the more upmarket Palmares resort about a 30 minute drive. This is a links type course. The forecast was for the worst day of the weekend, but in the end it was decent enough save for a massive squall whilst we were playing the very long 15th which soaked us all to the skin, but by the time we'd finished the round we were virtually dry. This is a very long course (it's actually three 9 hole courses of which you play two on any given round) and with extra added distance between tees, and as I'd chosen to walk I ended walking 10 miles in the round! An extra bonus was a joint nearest the pin, so I racked up another €3.50! 

Gorgeous views across to Portimao from Palmares

Day three saw us at the picturesque inland course of Pestana Silves, and I had my best round of the weekend. Despite an unexpected and not forecast downpour whilst waiting for the first tee at the ungodly hour of 7.45am, it was a great course to play.

An elevated tee at the long par 5 4th at Silves

The final round saw us at the Pestana Vale da Pinta. Another inland countryside course, but very hilly. Again I had a decent round and was pleased with my efforts, including yet another nearest the pin!

The undulating fairways at Vale da Pinta
with our 2nd group coming up to the green

All in all we all had a great time. The company was good, the golf mostly decent (I averaged 30 Stableford points a round over the four rounds, twice scoring over 30) and plenty of food and beers were to be had. Alvor is a lovely location, though still busy late in October.

A great experience, and will look forward to playing out there again.

Twitter: @Statto1927 

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/people/simon_hiscocks/ 

Instagram: simon_hiscocks

Seidlwinkl and Rauris: Austria Part 6

On our penultimate day, we took a walk up the Seidlwinkl valley, about further up the valley from Rauris.

The Seidlwinkl is alleged to be one of the prettiest valleys in Austria, and accessible only during the non snowy season. Once the white stuff falls, that's it, you can't get up there. We drove to the car park and a couple of the party waited for a regular mini bus that goes up the stony tracks to the three alms that are in the valley, and we'd meet them at the first one. The initial climb is fairly steep and gives you a good work out, but after a kilometre or two the valley flattens and widens, sided by steep mountains.

A waterfall in the Seidlwinkl

There are numerous waterfalls cascading down the valley sides, into the icy clear river that tumbles its way down the valley. Soon after the track flattens and the valley widens you are greeted by the sight of the Gollenhenalm, the first alm in the valley. Here we met up with those who caught the mini bus, and has a nice coffee/hot chocolate. It's a small alm, that also serves cake and food. These are generally family owned/leased, and run in the summer months, but of course as this valley closes in the winter, the family move out for the duration. 

Gollehenalm - the first alm in the valley

After being suitably refreshed we continued down the track towards our next destination, the Palfneralm. In the meadows alongside the river, cowbells clanged as the herd munched their lush green grass. Soon, they'd also be moved out of the valley for the winter.

It was a sturdier bridge than it looks!

After about 30 minutes walking along a mostly flattish track, we arrived at the Palfneralm. This is the second of three (or maybe four) that run into the valley, but this was as far as we were going today.

Palfneralm 

 

By now it was time for a snack, and we variously ordered goulash/noodle soup, bread meat and cheese, apple strudel and of course a refreshing drink of choice - usually the local Steigl beer for the boys, or Radler (like a lager shandy using cloudy lemonade), or Almdudler, a sparkly type herbal drink.

The food was wonderful, home made and delicious. Following the meal, the alms hostess plied us with a complimentary schnapps made from infused cranberries - really nice - so much so, a couple of bottles were purchased for later consumption!

After we were sated, it was a gentle walk back down the valley to pick up the cars.

The Seidlwinkl valley near Palfneralm

The Seidlwinkl

And then, before you could say what a week that's been, it was our last day. We reprised our first day trip up the Hochenbalm in Rauris, but exactly a week after our first trip up, all the snow had gone - at least up to 1,700m were we got to.

What a difference a week makes.
Exactly 7 days apart - top our first day, bottom 7 days later

The lack of snow, at least meant we were able to sit outside at the alm and enjoy our refreshments - in fact, it was pretty warm!

Luckily not deep (here at least)

There might have been no snow, but there was also less cloud, so the views whereas always, fabulous. as we walked down from the top cable car station to the middle station, catching glimpses of Rauris four to five hundred metres below. There was even the opportunity for a rest now and again!

A quick lie down to catch breath

Walking down to mid station

We have walked all the way down from this spot before, but it's a long old walk, and frankly we were glad to jump into the cable cars at mid station and see Rauris getting closer

Almost at mid station

So that, pretty much was that. We had a fabulous time. Drank far too much, ate probably too much, but walked plenty to combat both the former sins. The fresh mountain air did us all good, and the company was fabulous. 

This was my second time here, and we'll definitely be back - I've only come in summer/early autumn, so I'd love to come in the winter when it's proper snowy (although Anne I think is less keen).

It's a beautiful part of the world, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely.

You'll be pleased to know, dear reader, that our trip back was wholly uneventful. Our flight times on our home journey meant we had a six hour stop wait over at Frankfurt, so no danger of missing our connecting flight, and plenty of time for getting sustenance. I must remember next time though, that if we go via Frankfurt again we need at least 2 hours between connecting flights. 50 minutes just won't cut it!

Thanks for following these posts. For now, auf weidersehen!

Twitter: @Statto1927 

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/people/simon_hiscocks/ 

Instagram: simon_hiscocks

Going up. Dienten and Steinbochalm: Austria Part 5

Most of our walking in Austria thus far had been either on level ground or downhill, with occasional exceptions, given the age and fitness of most of or crew, that was no bad thing. Today, our destination was Dienten, a small skiing village in the Hochkönig range about half an hour from Rauris, and ultimately the Steinbockalm at 1,634m. My wife's brother in law, who's had their apartment in Rauris for about 12 years, assured us that whilst this walk was "up", it wasn't that long (about two and a half miles) and wasn't that steep, and the path was good. A couple of the party who struggle a little with extortion decided to catch the cable car up, and meet us at the top.

We drove through the pretty village of Dienten, onto the parking place to begin our walk. Starting through the fir trees, we began to climb steadily from our starting point at 1,290m. The views across to the Hochkönig were fabulous and we stopped (frequently) to admire the sights and catch our breath. 

An alpine church near Dienten

Where we started

The view on the way up

I can't lie, it was an exerting walk. Despite the relative shortness of the walk, and a good, if stony track of just under two and a half miles, we climbed 344 metres, or just over 1,100 feet. There were very few flat sections and some reasonably steep bits, and we were very glad to reach the top. However, as usual, the views were worth it!

Where we finished!

Cable car pylon

Wedding ready

At the top, there's a small chapel next to the alm. and preparations were underway for a wedding  - we saw some guests arriving via cable car, whilst others took the easier way and had come up the same track we'd walked, but in a taxi. Should have flagged one down.

A well deserved refreshment break

As mountain top alms go, this one was a bit posher than most we'd visited, but was nonetheless pristine, with excellent options. Of course no walk with this crowd is completed without a refreshment break, and so we imbibed of various soups and alcoholic and no-alcoholic beverages before contemplating the walk back down.

At the Steinbockalm

Austrian mountain tracks are generally very well signposted

One thing that was very apparent during our various walks was the excellent signage. Most paths were superbly way marked, and signed would regularly indicate how far (in time) it was to the next hut or alm. No count this is even more useful in the winter when the tracks are less obvious and there's snow on the ground, but it good to see, with little chance of getting really lost.

The walk down was much easier than coming up - in fact even those that went up in the cable car walked down, and the sunny day and glorious views made for a pleasant descent.

It was MUCH easier coming down.

Twitter: @Statto1927 

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/people/simon_hiscocks/ 

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The Großglockner High Alpine Road: Austria Part 4

Almost the highest point of the High Alpine Road

Today was one of the (many) highlights of the week for me, as we took the trip up the Goßglockner High Alpine Road. Rather than me trying to explain, it, this is taken from their website.

The mountain pass road with a total of 48 km and 36 turns leads deep into the centre of Austria’s largest national park with an area of 1,800 km² that extends across the provinces of Salzburg, Tyrol and Carinthia. The highest point of the mountain road is the Edelweissspitze located at just above 2,500 m. Several 3,000 m peaks open up to the wandering gaze, but the largest of them all is the Grossglockner. The striking mountain towers above the entire region at 3,798 m, and is at the same time the highest summit of the Alpine Republic.

At this point, and especially in relation to todays trip, I have to thank my brother in law Paul and his brother Mark, who drove us to all our destinations this week, as in addition to Paul picking us up and dropping us off at Salzburg for our outward and return journeys home. We're very grateful to them.

For a couple of days prior the website had been advising no cyclists or motorbikes, with cars and motorhomes requiring snow chains, but today it looked like 4 greens, as the snow continued to melt.

The entrance to the valley where the high alpine road begins

Turning into a valley just before Zell am See, the road meanders through the valley floor before starting to climb steeply. After a mile or two of climbing, we hit the first proper "bend" marked appropriately with a blue sign saying "Kehre 1". Only 35 to go. The views were truly staggering as we climbed higher through the hairpins. There was plenty of traffic, so the going was slow (also because of the massively steep drops off the side of the road), although we did get overtaken at one point by a twat in a Ferrari who was clearly hell bent in showing off. There were plenty of opportunities for stopping an admiring the glorious views.

At a couple of points there are tunnels in the mountains

Considering the altitude of the road, the environment it sits in and the amount of traffic it gets, the road was seriously well maintained and smooth. Where meltwater was running off across the road, there was a slight concern that it might have frozen into a thin sheet of ice, but luckily that wasn't the case.

Seriously gorgeous views!

The Gang

High up amongst the peaks

Finally, we reached the end of the road at a huge set of buildings, housing a massive car park, shops, restuarants and a visitor centre. It was very busy, but likely not as bad as it gets mid summer. We treated ourselves to the no obligatory coffee and a huge meringue/strudel type pudding, before having a wander. The view is dominated opposite by Großglockner, the 3,978m peak, the highest in Austria and the adjacent Pasterze glacier.

Grossglockner (the pointy peak centre) 3,978m
at the Pasterze glacier

However, what we all wanted to see, my wife in particular was a marmot, a large species of ground squirrel that lives high in the alps. And we weren't disappointed! A couple were roaming about just below the parking area, no doubt feeding of scraps that tourists might "accidentally" drop. But up behind the buildings as the terrain became more remote, we saw a couple sunning themselves on rocks. Difficult to capture on photos as I didn't have a long lens for my camera, but I'm pretty pleased with this one.

Its a Marmot!

The drive down was just as spectacular and we stopped off in another alm/restaurant, the Fuschertorl (well it would be rude not to), for another coffee. All the alms we experienced are rather unique, and this one was curious for its range of (in some cases rather badly) stuffed animals, including a rabbit or hare that had added bandages and was walking on it's hind legs with a crutch, some taxidermy chickens in a wooden cage plus the inevitable marmot!

I was rather sad to be leaving the highest mountains behind, but thankful that the weather had allowed us up there, and was suitably good that we were able to experience the fantastic views.

Just a note - You can't just drive in here - there's a cost (€38 for the car) unless you have a special pass for the area (a Sommercard), and there is a toll complex at the entrance to the valley proper.

All Austria photos available from Flickr (see link below)

Twitter: @Statto1927 

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/people/simon_hiscocks/ 

Instagram: simon_hiscocks

Zell am See and weird statues: Austria Part 3

After a couple of (fairly) energetic days - all of our party are over 60, and some 70, we opted for a quieter day. A quick 5 minute walk to the shops in Rauris for provisions, before a shortish drive out of the Rauris valley, and along the Salzach valley to the picturesque lakeside town of Zell am Zee which is also close to the small but well known ski resort of Kaprun. Here we parked up and had a gentle stroll around the lake to the town, where inevitably we stopped for coffee and cake. After shopping for some souvenirs it was back to the apartment for a quiet day.

Rauris - our apartment was on the far right of the photo

The main Street in Rauris

Rauris Town Hall, dating back a couple of centuries at least

Straw figures in Rauris - a common sight 
in villages and towns in the region

A building in Zell am See town centre

The lake at Zell am See. The town on the right

The next day we were back on the march. Driving a little further than Zell am See, we arrived at a small town (barely bigger than a village) called Hollersbach. Here we boarded the Panoramabahn cable care for the ride that takes you up 1,892m in about 12 minutes to a snip under 2,000m From here the views are truly panoramic, with 2,000m to 3,000m peaks in pretty much every direction from south towards Großglockner, the highest mountain in Austria at 3,978 (shrouded in clouds) to Kitzbuhel to the north.

The Panoramabhan cable car - Ronseal really

Views at 1,900m

Still some snow

As we were about 200m higher than we'd been so far, the snow was still in evidence, but it was also clear that it was starting the thaw, but there was enough around to be slightly excited about as we look around at the chocolate box views. A few of the more hardy (ok, fitter) of us walked further and higher from the top cable car station to the actual Panoramaalm right at the top. I find it incredulous that on top of these mountains there are fully functioning restaurants. The logistics and infrastructure to put these (many) alms in place and keep them running is fantastic. This one, popular with the "beautiful people" also sold 3 litre bottles of champagne and wine topping out at over €700 if you were so inclined. I stuck to beer.

Views from the cable car

We were heading to the building centre of pic
(for refreshments obviously)

After walking back down to the top station, we re-boarded the cable car for the trip back down the mountain, and then the drive back to Rauris. En route we passed through a small town called Mittersill, where this rather bizarre statue/fountain  was on a roundabout. I'm not sure exactly what it's meant to be representing, but it looks like a woman looking down at a man having a wee. Answers on a postcard please...

An "unusual" statue in Mittersill

All Austria photos available from Flickr (see link below)

Twitter: @Statto1927 

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/people/simon_hiscocks/ 

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