Comments on: Coniston Old Man ??? Backwards and Forwards

By: McEff

McEff — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 21:07:25 +0000

Ha ha. I must admit, Greg, after the Budgie jacket phase I did gravitate towards the hippy gear ??? more of a “greaser” than a hippy, though. Long hair, German army trench coat, patched jeans, John Lennon specs, that sort of stuff. Very few photos exist.
I have this fantastic mental picture of you tearing around Tebay on your scooter in your baggy jeans and Dr Martins. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re still wearing stuff like that up there even now.
All the best, Alen

By: Greg.

Greg. — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 20:29:22 +0000

Bloody hell that wooly hat could have been mine! My aunty Kath knit me one but it was red. Father in law said I looked like a puch match. ( I was thin in those days).
I can see the attraction of a change of scene Alen and this could be an opportunity. I left a job after 21 years and looking back wonder how I stuck it so long.
Never heard of those jeans, you must have been a hippy! I wore 22 inch parallel Fulmer jeans and Dr Martin boots. These were worn flat on the bottom as the brakes on my scooter were poor.

By: McEff

McEff — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:39:37 +0000

Hi Alex. Good to hear from you. Yes, I climbed Lucero last year from the Granada side and it’s a great mountain with spectacular views. I believe it can be done from the Malaga side, but it’s a hell of a slog with a very steep ascent right at the end. If you drive around the back to Bermejales reservoir, a series of dirt roads that end at an old marble quarry deliver you right to its foot. From there it’s a leisurely climb ??? exposed in places ??? to the summit. The drive is much scarier than the climb, by the way.
There’s a ruined Guarda Civil lookout post right on the summit that dates to the guerilla conflict that followed the Civil War. My post is here:
http://becausetheyrethere.com/2012/10/04/lucero-where-old-hatreds-linger/#
If you want road directions I can email them. Alternatively, it might be worth trawling the internet for a route from the Malaga side.
All the best. No pasaran! Alen

By: Scotlands Mountains

Scotlands Mountains — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:19:48 +0000

Happy New Year to you also Alen :)
Still have one of those hairy balaclavas myself for when the weather is really bad !
Spain sounds really tempting during this awful spell of bad weather I must admit.
Have you ever been up a hill called El Lucero on your Andalucian travels ? I`ve been looking over at it a few times and it has a nice pointy top on it from the Malaga side.

By: markswalkingblog

markswalkingblog — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 16:11:25 +0000

I thought the series was 73-74 but maybe I saw the repeats.

By: McEff

McEff — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 16:04:17 +0000

Wow. There’s almost the makings of a fan club there when you read those comments. Yes, Adam Faith in Budgie ??? 1971-72, according to Wikipedia. Blimey, it’s longer ago than I thought.

By: markswalkingblog

markswalkingblog — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 15:56:07 +0000

See link. http://www.inthe70s.com/clothes/budgiejacket0.shtml I now remember they were named after that excellent series with Adam Faith as Budgie.

By: McEff

McEff — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 14:36:56 +0000

Hi Mark. I’m glad someone remembers Budgie jackets. I thought I was imagining them for a moment. But I’m sort of glad I haven’t got an old picture of me wearing mine.
Yes, I enjoyed the 70s. But like you say, I’m sure every generation thinks the same of the era in which they grew up.
All the best to you too,
Alen

By: McEff

McEff — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 14:32:23 +0000

My old house it still there, so it must be firmer ground it’s standing on.

By: McEff

McEff — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 14:31:18 +0000

Hi David. It does you good to jog the old grey matter now and again. All the best to you too.
Alen

By: markswalkingblog

markswalkingblog — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 13:57:56 +0000

It is great to look back at old photos.I don’t have many from early walking days. To me then, cameras + film were an expensive luxury and I spent my hard earned on walking boots and the like. Pity because I only see those pictures in my head! I do however remember Budgie jackets, but not Salt Dog jeans. Great the 70’s – simpler times, I don’t think we have progressed always for the better, but I am sure every generation says that about their formative years!

Happy New Year Alen

By: mountaincoward

mountaincoward — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 02:27:41 +0000

I know not to even go into the start of the mine levels around Coniston Old Man as suddenly you’re likely to be met with a 1000 foot plunge in some of them!

Scary stuff about the terraced houses!
Carol.