Hell it's been a while since I've tapped away as frantically as I am doing now. I'm rushing a tad because I should really be sorting my stuff for my trip to El Chorro which is only FOUR sleeps away (possibly six to eight if you include potential naps...) and it's almost past my bed time.
Anyhow. I thought that I'd post a light hearted blog. It seems that if you are taken in by the worlds media then there is nothing but doom and gloom at present; the seemingly eternal "recession", the Tories telling us that the UK is falling apart, the mail telling us that the UK is falling apart, the pesimists telling us much the same thing...you catch my drift.
So yes. Light, jovial banter (or bollocks...depending on your outlook on life.)
The blog is titled "The Westmerian Barometer" as today boys and girls, we will be hearing about just that.
(NB. May I add at this point that any historical references may not be factually correct [or fictionally for that matter] and that names may or may not have been changed to protect the innocent and incriminate the guilty.)
The Westmerian Barometer was used first in the late 1800's by farmer's, lengthmen, pit owners and other tradesmen working in the great outdoors, more specifically in the County of Westmorland (Now more commonly referred to as Cumbria after the administrative amalgamation with Cumberlad due to the Local Governments act in 1974) to attempt to forecast the weather for the day.
A photo of men being men from the 1800's. (It's black and white so I'll say it's from the 1800's but it's more likely to be from around the early 1900's looking at their attire. Anyway...it's old.)
The forecast was attained by hanging a "bit'o'tat" out of the window of the house or off the side of a cart on the way to work.
Old rope or string was often the "tat" of choice.
After leaving said "bit'o'tat" (pronounced bittertat) for a minute or so they would then retrieve it. Upon testing the condition of the 'tat' a forecast was given.
Forecasts would depend on what the tat, usually old rope or string string looked like, how it felt, and were then given in the traditonal Westmerian dialect.
Below is a list of the more common forecasts and the condition of the string to which the forecast was decided;
String is wet: Nowt but a lal bit'o'rain in't'air like.
String is dry: Nowt but a lal bit'o'sun in't'air like.
String is frozen: Nowt but a lal bit'o'frost in't'air like.
String is flapping: Nowt but a lal bit'o'wind in't'air like.
Can't see the string: Nowt but a lal bit'o'fog in't'air like.
String is burned: Spots'a'fire.
The accuracy of the Westmerian Barometer has been questioned on occasions, but having seen it in action for myself, I can confirm it is 100% accurate. Feel free to ask a friendly Westmerian for a demonstration.
There are believed to have been many other forecasts that were used but it would seem they have been lost in the tapestry of time. The above are thankfully being kept alive by a keen Westmerian, an ambassador for the county and for the traditional dialect and ways of Westmorland. Mr. Mark "Dez" Walker Esq. is pictured below.
Mark "Dez"Walker Esq. Loyal Westmerian and all round gentleman.
Mr. Walker is often found loitering around his place of work, the Lakeland Climbing Centre at Kendal. Sometimes he may be sighted at various crags around the country climbing traditional routes, winter routes or maybe perhaps enjoying a spot of bouldering.
If you happen to chance upon Mr. Walker, may I suggest a friendly, and somewhat gentlemanly shake of the hand or pat on the back.
You may even wish to participate in a conversation with him about reviving the old Westmerian dialect. Maybe ask him : "Ast e'er seen a cuddy laop a five bar yat?" or "Fancy twa cups'a'chatta watta?".
That's it for now boys and girls, I thank you once again for reading and I do hope you enjoyed what I had to offer. My next blog won't be so delayed and it will DEFINITELY be climbing themed. Unless I think of something better which is highly unlikely.
I bid thee farewell as I make tracks for El Chorro.
Thanks again.
Liam.
PS. I'm pretty sure Dez just made it all up, either way it made for an interesting blog eh?
Now these shoes are most certainly not designed for road running, and Hi-Tec don't sell them for that purpose, but the steep tarmac slopes in and out of El Chorro are as good a testing ground as any and again, the Hornet HPi performed fantastically well. The midsole and Comfort-tec custom sockliner provided ample cushioning and support for the ankles and knees, the lateral support of the shoe and the heel support served well also and again, the heat sealed overlays kept the foot in place. I'm not saying by any means, that the Hornet HPi is the perfect road running shoe, their weight and construction style are not designed for it, but for infrequent, one-off use on the road, they really are great.
Being "ultra-breathable" due to the synthetic upper and Ion-Mask hydrophobic technology they were comfortable in the heat with a thin 'Coolmax' liner sock. They were also equally comfortable without a sock for throwing on and moving quickly between sectors and for sitting at belays. They gripped the dusty limestone slabs superbly when scrambling between routes and areas and they again provided all the support needed when carrying gear. The performance of the Hornet HPi again had managed to exceed my expectations.
I have only one thing to say about the Hornet HPi in terms of criticism, and that is that they are designed to be hydrophobic and not fully waterproof. When I recieved them I knew what I was getting, but it just seems that with the weather I experienced out there, which wasn't too far from a traditional Great British summer that making them waterproof would have offered that little bit extra, especially for sale to a British market. Also, with the amount of plastic and rubber that is already on the shoe, the toe protection, the heat sealed overlay and the casing round the heel, it wouldn't be compromising breathability too much more to have an eVENT membrane included. Nonetheless I was still mightily impressed my there superb construction and impeccable performance. Plus HI-TEC do manufatcture fully waterproof shoe in the same 'Adventure Sport' category.
