Author Topic: Win a £50 Starless River Voucher and a £50 Inglesport Voucher!! (Read 3475 times)

Pegasus · « **on:** January 01, 2021, 09:55:28 pm »

WIN ONE OF TWO £50 VOUCHERS!!

How have you been social distancing??!!

What a heart warming start to 2021 - someone on the forum has been in touch and donated a £50 prize for a competition (Thank you, thank you ). We've decided to match it hence £100 worth of vouchers (Inglesport or Starless River, winners choose) to be won

Christmas and New Year have been different for many of us this year - gone the raucous caving hut nights, large family gatherings over a turkey or nut roast and trips to caving areas to escape it all... or for that one last trip underground of the year with lots of friends....

However cavers are a resourceful bunch and I'm sure have found ways to enjoy Christmas and New Year in or under the great outdoors whilst sticking to those rules - tiers, lockdowns and social distancing....

Badlad and I went up Pen Y Ghent on Christmas Eve with 2 friends and took this shot of our socially distanced shadows at Hull Pot

To be in with a chance of winning a £50 voucher, post your photos on this thread with a brief tale of how you adapted to the new blummin normal... entertaining, funny or even touching posts welcome as this has been a tough time for lots of people - haven't hugged my Mum in months If you couldn't get to the caving areas, what hidden gems have you found locally or have you run a marathon round the back garden?? It's not just about the best photographic skills so don't let that put you off

(Please don't turn this into an argument about lockdown, or post photos that are going to get folks fined and arrested

- those posts will be deleted, so if you want to discuss it, please start another thread, ta)

3 entries per person. Winner to be chosen by me with input from our anonymous donor if they'd like to.
Competition closes 10pm Friday 15th January.

Good luck!!

PeteHall · « **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2021, 12:37:18 am »

While caving with members of my own household is slightly limiting, it has its rewards.

Fulk · « **Reply #2 on:** January 02, 2021, 09:25:47 am »

We spent much of oour time just swanning around locally.

impman · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2021, 11:21:35 am »

New years day, as tier 4 only allows one and one other or family bubble Aaron and I have opted for surface based srt practice. Caving with just 2 isn't worth the risk when one is a kid. So we have found other ways to enjoy ourselves.
"That's a bit high isn't it, I'm not used to being able to see the bottom!" (Aaron)
So we started a bit lower and worked up to it. Still nervous on the first decent but then was fine.

Sent from my SM-A405FN using Tapatalk

TCut · « **Reply #4 on:** January 02, 2021, 05:18:53 pm »

When limited to only a household it gave me a chance to take my daughter for some adventures 😁

mrodoc · « **Reply #5 on:** January 02, 2021, 05:43:58 pm »

Managed to celebrate my 70th birthday by walking to some shallow caves (actually an old stone quarry) 10 minutes from the house with my daughter and grandchildren.

pwhole · « **Reply #6 on:** January 02, 2021, 10:49:38 pm »

I've been digging for coal in Sheffield. These surface workings have just been authenticated as 'unofficial digging' from the national strike in 1921, so it's their centenary. And untouched by building developers thankfully. Yet another article in preparation

Keris82 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2021, 08:14:00 am »

Living near London I haven't been able to go caving this year. So for the past few weeks I have been babysitting this goofy pup while his owners are abroad. His name is Pablo, he is a Boston Terrier, about 8 months old. He's brought some fun to our days and breaks up the monotony of being stuck at home for months on end

yrammy · « **Reply #8 on:** January 03, 2021, 09:47:54 am »

We at the British Caving Library managed a social distancing Christmas Party!

MAE · « **Reply #9 on:** January 03, 2021, 01:18:08 pm »

What a way to welcome in 2021! A swim in the Wharfe with my 5 year old... rock skimming with the kids and a flask of hot chocolate. Bring in 2021!

zzzzzzed · « **Reply #10 on:** January 03, 2021, 01:44:52 pm »

We managed to get underground at the Hoffman Lime Kilns near Settle in't Dales. There just happened to be a choir in there at the same time testing the acoustics.

Caver Keith · « **Reply #11 on:** January 03, 2021, 02:20:33 pm »

As I old and therefore vulnerable I've been socially responsible and mostly stayed at home. I've been caving twice and attended one cave rescue training event. This has meant that after three years procrastination I've been able to start work on my new garden railway.

ditzy · « **Reply #12 on:** January 03, 2021, 02:59:25 pm »

Managed to get out to a local nature reserve expecting to see some wild swimmers but there wasnt any, not even livid swimmers. water was only half way up the ducks...

Brains · « **Reply #13 on:** January 03, 2021, 03:05:35 pm »

During lockdown 2 we managed a careful trip to Giants, introducing a newbie to the delights as far as Garlands. Apart from forgetting a change of socks and footwear (cold feet by the time we got home) it all went well and another caver has been found

Brains · « **Reply #14 on:** January 03, 2021, 03:07:35 pm »

On the same trip this wonderful solitary coral fossil was found

Brains · « **Reply #15 on:** January 03, 2021, 03:10:35 pm »

Just to prove the 2m rule, we recreated this classic pose - guess that makes god female?

Mr Mike · « **Reply #16 on:** January 03, 2021, 03:34:28 pm »

Managed to get away to Nenthead before tier 4 for new years.

Nenthead village by full moon light, around 23:30, Dowgang Pond and Carrs Mine Shop.

maxb727 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 03, 2021, 03:46:47 pm »

Living in Cheddar means we have plenty of caves on our doorstep.

Olly aged 6 has been having a go at caving during the last few months of 2020 - we visited Goatchurch a number of times, mostly at his own request rather than our suggestion which is lovely. He’s learnt how to abseil in the tradesmans entrance, the names of various parts of the cave and taken a look at the drainpipe but left the exploration of that for another day.

Whilst out walking in Sandford Wood after Christmas, we ‘discovered’ an entrance that he suggested we explore. He led the way in, crouching down and passing the low entrance way before exclaiming that it opened up. He had his caving helmet and light on, but also brought his new torch from Santa. We soon made progress along Sandford Levy, passing the cones/tape identifying the pretty formations and making it all the way to end as well as looking down a couple of deep holes.

Upon reaching the end he informed us he wanted to go out, so he marched at pace back to the entrance. A little way to go on becoming a fully fledged cave explorer but enthusiastic at times nonetheless.

Hopefully 2021 will allow us to add the upper series of Swildons to his lists of places to explore.

Joe Duxbury · « **Reply #18 on:** January 03, 2021, 04:45:21 pm »

Quote from: Caver Keith on January 03, 2021, 02:20:33 pm

As I old and therefore vulnerable I've been socially responsible and mostly stayed at home. I've been caving twice and attended one cave rescue training event. This has meant that after three years procrastination I've been able to start work on my new garden railway.

Who has volunteered to take on the role of Fat Controller?

Joe Duxbury · « **Reply #19 on:** January 03, 2021, 04:46:34 pm »

Quote from: Brains on January 03, 2021, 03:10:35 pm

Just to prove the 2m rule, we recreated this classic pose - guess that makes god female?

No, you've printed it as a mirror image!

Brains · « **Reply #20 on:** January 03, 2021, 05:40:41 pm »

Quote from: Joe Duxbury on January 03, 2021, 04:46:34 pm

Quote from: Brains on January 03, 2021, 03:10:35 pm
Just to prove the 2m rule, we recreated this classic pose - guess that makes god female?

No, you've printed it as a mirror image!

Details...details... If you are that worried call it the "Creation of Eve"

Keris82 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 03, 2021, 05:48:29 pm »

We did manage to get to Wales back in August and took the mountain bikes to Afan forest

Pegasus · « **Reply #22 on:** January 04, 2021, 10:58:44 am »

Excellent entries so far

Graeme_F · « **Reply #23 on:** January 04, 2021, 11:28:45 am »

We managed to take a look into Jacobs well between Xmas and New year, its the only real but easily accessible cave near us and it was my kids first ever experience of a non tourist cave and my daughter bravely went further than I, partly due to her size and the hole allowing her to crawl through with ease. Before this, they thought I was mad for going into caves and mines, but now they understand why I do it and it's done wonders for thier confidence and they havent stopped talking about the experience since. We spent over an hour underground and managed to capture a little footage of the highlights and had a go at trying to make a 15 minute video of the trip for the memory bank, something else new too to us all -

Caver Keith · « **Reply #24 on:** January 04, 2021, 02:45:48 pm »

Can't go caving, too wet to work on the garden railway, don't want to do the decorating so decided to play with Meccano.

Chloecaver · « **Reply #25 on:** January 04, 2021, 04:22:42 pm »

Unable to get underground I have found a new use for my cave suit. Whenever Bridezilla has been asking what I'm wearing to her wedding as head bridesmaid (apparently I have questionable taste) I have been sending fabulous photos of myself in my yellow cave suit. The more she asks the more extravagant I make it my favorite being a cave suit with heals and accessories. This has been my most enjoyable past time this lockdown although I may be temporarily fired as bridesmaid

pwhole · « **Reply #26 on:** January 04, 2021, 06:41:34 pm »

Most science fiction films in the 1960s predicted that everyone would dress like this by now, so in many ways Bridezilla is very much behind the times, and you can consider yourself a trendsetter. Whether you can tell her that to her face remains to be seen

tobyk · « **Reply #27 on:** January 04, 2021, 09:09:42 pm »

We take social distancing in the Dales very seriously...

Fulk · « **Reply #28 on:** January 04, 2021, 10:44:33 pm »

Nice shot, tobyk; where is it?

Fjell · « **Reply #29 on:** January 05, 2021, 09:06:06 am »

Socially-distanced passing out.

tobyk · « **Reply #30 on:** January 05, 2021, 10:12:06 am »

Quote from: Fulk on January 04, 2021, 10:44:33 pm

Nice shot, tobyk; where is it?

Thanks! Long Kin East big pitch on Sunday. Amazingly took it on my mobile phone!

Duck ditch · « **Reply #31 on:** January 05, 2021, 11:01:16 am »

Superb picture. I imagined it a lot wider. Mobile phone really! Excellent

Pegasus · « **Reply #32 on:** January 06, 2021, 10:55:10 am »

A New Year's Eve walk up Ingleborough...

Sunny weather, expecting great views from the top...

A tad icy...

Can't beat a sprinkling of snow on limestone pavement

Did the shadow thing again

Lethal underfoot, and no views from the top!

This person had a quick way down!

Back home and of course the clouds had lifted!!

AR · « **Reply #33 on:** January 06, 2021, 10:01:12 pm »

Since my wife is extremely vulnerable, going underground with other people is a risk I can't afford to take until she at least has had both jabs. However, if the person I go underground with is already dead, that does rather mitigate the risk!

Let me explain... Having been put in charge of the ashes of the late Steve Thompson and transferred him to a suitable container (the carton of a good Islay single malt) I spent the summer and autumn taking him round places in the Peak that had been special to him, or where we'd got up to what he habitually described as "mischief". One place we'd looked at in the past was Wardlow Sough, but by the time it was finally re-opened he'd given up going underground. Chris Heathcote had asked me about the miner's initials in the sough, so it seemed right to take Steve underground one last time. Jeez, it's got really claggy underfoot since 2019 - now I understand what Dave Williams said about it being gloopy in there!
We followed up with a quick pint in the Red Lion, as was fitting...

Vulcan · « **Reply #34 on:** January 09, 2021, 09:02:14 pm »

Unfortunately northamptonshire is somewhat lacking on the cave front so we got back into kayaking last summer. It was slightly misty today.

chunky · « **Reply #35 on:** January 10, 2021, 08:26:16 am »

The year started off spectacularly with an expedition to Mulu. Upon our return I wound up in hospital with leptospirosis. It seemed odd at the time that I was sent for chest x-rays and had oxygen saturation tests, but of course it became clear a few weeks later what they had been checking for.

After the first lockdown my first socially distanced foray underground was a gentle trip in KMC

And my last trip underground would be a potter around GB cave.

I have been fortunate to be able to so some fantastic caving and diving in between and thus far in 2021 am already missing my routine weekends away.

Stay safe all

Sent from my SM-M315F using Tapatalk

Caver Keith · « **Reply #36 on:** January 10, 2021, 04:34:32 pm »

With there being zero possibility of filming a new caving video, I been forced to look back through the archives.

The clips that make up this video were filmed between 2010 and 2013.

Fulk · « **Reply #37 on:** January 10, 2021, 06:42:50 pm »

Not a serious entry for the competition, but I thought this might be of some interest – the M6 at the height of lockdown (taken on a bike ride):

KristianBrook · « **Reply #38 on:** January 11, 2021, 11:36:17 am »

The Brook Bubble on the Christmas day outing

adrian paniwnyk · « **Reply #39 on:** January 11, 2021, 09:06:58 pm »

Stuck my camera past the barb wire and brambles and took this photo on Christmas Day of Godstone vineyards, Surrey.

Pegasus · « **Reply #40 on:** January 14, 2021, 11:45:40 am »

Only a few days left to go folks

Some other fab prizes in the pipeline for comps in the coming weeks - all support much appreciated

JoshW · « **Reply #41 on:** January 14, 2021, 07:02:18 pm »

In absence of caving and finding myself back in the UK, I've been cycling as much as possible. Here is my noble steed in the new forest, where I'm fortunate enough to be moving to in March.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CInMGpjlTEb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

PeteHall · « **Reply #42 on:** January 14, 2021, 08:06:51 pm »

During the summer months, I managed a few evening swims at a local 'lake'. It's less than two miles from home, so I even managed to cycle there. Other than the odd duck or swan, I didn't see a soul

cavemanmike · « **Reply #43 on:** January 14, 2021, 08:36:13 pm »

What about a walk up Moel fammua north Wales.

tim.rose2 · « **Reply #44 on:** January 14, 2021, 08:38:47 pm »

Lockdown for me has been about making the most of what you can do, rather than getting hung up on what you can't and fortunately having lots of hobbies it's been bearable. The most antisocial activities being saved for the most antisocial weeks / months. Secondly we've been very fortunate in Dorset having not suffered the worst of the restrictions and I've been in work throughout.

So here's a pile of photo's showing some of what I've been up to...

1. First lockdown was all about 'garage time'. Amongst other things a bench was built for the garden and a set of handbells refurbished.

2. Kayaking. The day the first lockdown eased the kayaks came out. Living only 1/2 mile from one of the best launch sites into Poole Harbour it was the obvious choice. Despite the media hype about how the harbour was going to be overwhelmed with masses of boats / kayak etc. it turned out to be like a Scottish Loch. We counted 5 other harbour users! Typically on a nice day there's boats everywhere. I suspect I'll never be privileged enough to experience Poole harbour so quiet again. This is a day I'll never forget. We paddle in the harbour a lot so don't tend to take photo's, however over the summer we did a lot of paddling including up the Beaulieu river and a few days camping in Devon making use of the Tamar and Looe Estuary's.

Later in the summer we found this seal in Poole Harbour which didn't seem to understand social distancing.

3. A bit of caving. Made Showerbath a bit longer and Persil a bit prettier.

4. A week's holiday walking in Wales in early September

5. A day trip to Dartmoor

6. Then there's the local walks through Dorset. I know the county very well, but this last year I've gone looking for quiet corners of the county people don't visit. Found quite a few treats but I'm not telling you where they are!

7. And the very local walks done from my door.

Even found this very promising dig just up the road. Unfortunately due the the nature of the location it must be kept secret until a gate, 15 locks and leader system is introduced.

8. I guess I should also mention the piano.

9. And finally when you get really bored you can always post on UKCaving!!!!

pwhole · « **Reply #45 on:** January 15, 2021, 10:45:26 am »

Quote from: Caver Keith on January 03, 2021, 02:20:33 pm

As I old and therefore vulnerable I've been socially responsible and mostly stayed at home. I've been caving twice and attended one cave rescue training event. This has meant that after three years procrastination I've been able to start work on my new garden railway.

This one's for you - improved considerably by the gigantic cat:

https://imgur.com/OsxLuk0

Vulcan · « **Reply #46 on:** January 15, 2021, 08:34:22 pm »

I have also been trying some macro photography for the first time (with an macro adapter)

Pegasus · « **Reply #47 on:** January 17, 2021, 10:03:29 am »

Thanks so much to everyone who entered this competition and also to our anonymous donor for the £50 donation

My don't we cavers get up to a variety of things?? From marble bouncing mecano, passing out parades, taking fab photos of Long Kin East on a mobile, spreading a friend's ashes, handbell refurbishment to kayaking with a not very socially distanced seal. Also lovely to see so many youngsters venturing underground. I've really enjoyed reading everyone's entries and hope they have provided some entertainment during blummin lockdown.

So who won?

First prize was an easy choice for me - Chloecaver who I hope doesn't get fired as bridesmaid

Second prize goes to Tobyk for his excellent shot of Long Kin East - taken on a mobile!

Congratulations to you both. Please PM me to arrange getting your Starless River or Inglesport voucher to you.