Author Topic: October 1st: Ridgeway Ramble #2 (Read 22783 times)

Ed Wenn · « **on:** August 23, 2011, 12:01:28 PM »

Team, for a number of reasons we've decided to postpone the proposed FW Weekender which was to have taken place near Oxford on Oct 1st & 2nd. We'll get our heads together and come up with a Plan 'B', probably for sometime in 2012.

However, because we love getting together and talking about Filmwastery things, we've asked Peter Robinson if he wouldn't mind hosting a second Ridgeway Ramble on Saturday 1st October as an interim measure to give us an excuse to meet up even though the larger weekend event has been shelved for now.

I'm hoping Pete will chip in here with the details in a follow-up post outlining, but for now, please mark the date in your diaries and see if you can't come along and blow away the cobwebs.

Pete_R · « **Reply #1 on:** August 23, 2011, 01:58:05 PM »

As I've said to Ed, I'm happy to do another Ramble. If people can post here if they're inerested so I can gauge numbers and I'll sort out a location or two. Leon has already suggested Wayland's Smithy as a location, if anyone has any other suggestions then let's hear them.

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #2 on:** August 23, 2011, 02:01:11 PM »

The pub?

Seriously though, include me in the numbers for now, please Peter & many thanks for helping out with this. I'm looking forward to it already.

LT · « **Reply #3 on:** August 23, 2011, 05:04:29 PM »

yes - I really like that area around uffington, but am happy for the opportunity to meet up with the FWers so anywhere will do really. So, rather unlike Mr Bannatyne, I am most definitely in.

Pete_R · « **Reply #4 on:** August 23, 2011, 06:05:15 PM »

Quote from: ed.wenn on August 23, 2011, 02:01:11 PM

The pub?

There's lots. Depends on which part of the Ridgeway we go to as to which I'd recommend. But there'll definitely be a pub in the schedule at some point.

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2011, 06:34:49 PM »

I knew we were in safe hands

Late Developer · « **Reply #6 on:** August 23, 2011, 06:56:17 PM »

Please count Mrs LD and myself "in". Pub? Anywhere that doesn't serve frog would be ideal........

Paul Mitchell · « **Reply #7 on:** August 24, 2011, 09:02:08 AM »

I'll be there! hopefully I'll have the films developed from the last Ridgeway ramble by then!!

Paul

Miller · « **Reply #8 on:** August 24, 2011, 09:53:12 AM »

Provisionally in....

Pete_R · « **Reply #9 on:** August 24, 2011, 03:44:41 PM »

Just thought I'd mention I'm located in jolly Didcot which is on the main track of the iron horse heading West from Londinium. So if anyone wanted to risk getting mugged in Didcot, I could pick them up at the local halt known as Didcot Parkway.

Nigel · « **Reply #10 on:** August 24, 2011, 08:24:29 PM »

Yep, I'm hoping to be able to make it.

Miles · « **Reply #11 on:** August 25, 2011, 11:59:25 AM »

Am thinking that I could perhaps tie it in with a visit to the Father in law ...

Wayland's Smithy ? Did any of you in not see "The Moonstallion" in 1978 ? Scared the Bejesus out of me !

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0134256/

Pete_R · « **Reply #12 on:** August 26, 2011, 10:16:52 AM »

A quick question to everyone. Will you be driving yourself?

I'm thinking of the number of cars that have to be accommodated because one of the locations I was thinking of has limited (well non-existent really) parking. So far we could have maybe eight cars.

LT · « **Reply #13 on:** August 26, 2011, 10:24:52 AM »

yeah - I'll be driving, but happy to pick people up along the way. I could easily give Nigel and Miles a lift if they are only going for the meet up and traveling alone?

LT · « **Reply #14 on:** August 26, 2011, 10:29:10 AM »

Quote from: leon taylor on August 26, 2011, 10:24:52 AM

yeah - I'll be driving, but happy to pick people up along the way. I could easily give Nigel and Miles a lift if they are only going for the meet up and traveling alone?

that said, I'l likely be popping over to Avebury afterwards to catch up with the ancestors and perform a few druidics with a bit of didgereedooing from the top of Silbury Hill ... so they'll have to come along for that too.

(actually, I'll be trying to emulate a bit of Caponigro 5x4 action on the cove stones)

Pete_R · « **Reply #15 on:** August 26, 2011, 10:55:07 AM »

Here's a link to the place I suggest we meet.

maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=51.557316,-1.606965&spn=0.001814,0.004254&t=h&z=18&vpsrc=6

It's about 3/4 mile SW of Wayland's Smithy. If we walk up to the Smithy we can then walk back a different route that will make it more interesting.

Leon. Are you thinking of doing Avebury the same day? On the last ramble we did a walk in the morning, then another after lunch. I was thinking along the same lines again but that might make it late to do Avebury as well.

Actually, might be a good idea if people can give me an idea of what time they could get to the meeting point and what time they'd want to be heading home (or elsewhere). That'll give me a better idea of of how long we have and what would be possible.

LT · « **Reply #16 on:** August 26, 2011, 11:41:38 AM »

Peter - I go to Avebury quite a lot, so I'm not necessarily going to 'do' Avebury as such, but I have a few photos in mind, and some late afternoon/ early evening light is what I am after really. I was thinking I'd be getting there about teatime anyway, so don't worry about adapting the ridgeway walk plans with that in mind

I can get down there about mid morning if that suits?

Miles · « **Reply #17 on:** August 26, 2011, 12:07:16 PM »

Thanks Leon. I might travel up to Collingbourne Ducis the night before with my wife and then join from there. However I'm more than happy to jump in with you if plans change, cheers !

Paul Mitchell · « **Reply #18 on:** August 26, 2011, 01:01:40 PM »

There's a spot I had earmarked from the last time we met which I thought might be quite nice at dawn... so will probably be nearabouts about from about 5.30am if anyone one wants a lift???!

Paul

Late Developer · « **Reply #19 on:** August 26, 2011, 01:22:32 PM »

I'm more than happy to set off at silly o'clock and get to the appointed place at sun-up (not sure when that would be at the end of September but 5:30 to 6am isn't a problem for me. Just let me know when and where and I'll be there.....

Pete_R · « **Reply #20 on:** August 26, 2011, 03:09:54 PM »

Apparently, sunrise on 1st October is 7:00 am. I don't think I'll be seeing it though.

I was thinking of meeting at 10:00 am as we did before. Any comments?

LT · « **Reply #21 on:** August 26, 2011, 03:17:21 PM »

10 is perfect peter.

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #22 on:** August 27, 2011, 09:27:03 AM »

I can try for 10AM as well.

Phil Bebbington · « **Reply #23 on:** August 27, 2011, 11:54:19 AM »

Oh, I might be able to make this!

Late Developer · « **Reply #24 on:** August 27, 2011, 12:02:12 PM »

10:00 Hrs works fine for me - though we might be in the vicinity a while earlier.....

Paul Mitchell · « **Reply #25 on:** August 27, 2011, 12:38:37 PM »

Quote from: Peter R on August 26, 2011, 10:55:07 AM

Here's a link to the place I suggest we meet.

maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=51.557316,-1.606965&spn=0.001814,0.004254&t=h&z=18&vpsrc=6

If you zoom out a bit you can see a jelly fish crop circle in the top right... cool!

Paul

LT · « **Reply #26 on:** August 27, 2011, 12:44:41 PM »

Quote from: Phil Bebbington on August 27, 2011, 11:54:19 AM

Oh, I might be able to make this!

yes Phil - great! we can continue our LF discussions. Ed will have a few things to say on that front too (probably something about how "oversized" my Shen Hao is compared to his minuscule Tachihara).

Phil Bebbington · « **Reply #27 on:** August 27, 2011, 03:36:00 PM »

Quote

yes Phil - great! we can continue our LF discussions. Ed will have a few things to say on that front too (probably something about how "oversized" my Shen Hao is compared to his minuscule Tachihara).

Is Ed saying that size doesn't matter?

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #28 on:** August 27, 2011, 05:16:02 PM »

Phil: Yes! Do try and make it. It would be great to meet up finally.

The proportions of my compact Tachihara are clearly significantly more pleasing than Leon's oversized Shen Hao (Huge), but unfortunately I have to keep quiet about it because the results Leon's managed to get from his Very Large Format camera do tend to put mine to shame. It's almost as if he knows what he's doing and is a better photographer than I am....I know, hard to believe, but I'm coming round to that conclusion.

Either way, there's no doubting that LF in general is a LOAD of fun. I'll bring my Tachihara along for the ride if you're going to be there. You can see just how sexy it is.

Paul Mitchell: I saw that awesome crop circle too. It's fantastic isn't it!

Phil Bebbington · « **Reply #29 on:** August 27, 2011, 07:18:21 PM »

Ed, I do hope I can make it. If only to witness Leon and yourself comparing the size of your equipment!

Damn, that crop circle is a killer. I'm sure it resembles something I ate in Crete last week!

Nigel · « **Reply #30 on:** August 28, 2011, 06:08:25 PM »

Quote

yeah - I'll be driving, but happy to pick people up along the way. I could easily give Nigel and Miles a lift if they are only going for the meet up and traveling alone?

Leon - that would be great, I might take you up on that.

Late Developer · « **Reply #31 on:** August 29, 2011, 12:10:39 AM »

Great idea. If anyone is travelling from Essex / Herts I would be more than happy to give them a lift to / from the walk. I have 3 people in the car at present but should be able to cope with one more......

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #32 on:** August 30, 2011, 10:39:22 AM »

Distance and timewise this sounds very doable, even for 10.00am.

I'll be leaving the LF at home though, I think.

vicky slater · « **Reply #33 on:** August 30, 2011, 11:04:10 AM »

I might try and meet you at Avebury if that's late afternoon, depending on family commitments, (mum's down for the week so I need to fit in with her first), but it would be such a shame if I couldn't.

LT · « **Reply #34 on:** August 30, 2011, 01:58:09 PM »

Vicky - i think I'm the only person going to Avebury (and Nigel if he's having a lift with me). It would be great to catch up. Others are welcome to join me in my Avebury visit though .... but you'd have to wear something along these lines:

Nigel · « **Reply #35 on:** August 30, 2011, 02:42:41 PM »

My cloak was a bit grubby (from Mid-summer celebrations), so I've just dropped it off at the dry cleaners.

Pete_R · « **Reply #36 on:** August 30, 2011, 03:23:29 PM »

...and you need to wear something like this when walking on the Ridgeway.

Pete_R · « **Reply #37 on:** September 05, 2011, 03:19:37 PM »

Hi Guys,

I need to think about booking somewhere for lunch. Last time, even with only a few of us I couldn't get us in to where I had thought of so, this time, I'm going to book earlier. Also, I'm going to be away from the 11th (Sunday) to the 23rd on vacation so I need to make any arrangements this week.

So, so far, we have...

Ed
Leon
Ld + 2
Paul M
Phil
Nigel
Sandeha
Miller
Miles
Peter R (and maybe Mrs R)
Kevin (friend of mine who couldn't make it last time)

If anyone knows they won't be able to make it or if anyone else wants to come, could you let me know by Friday. I'll then book somewhere for whatever number I have at that time. It's not binding and I can adjust the numbers nearer the time but I think I need to book something.

Cheers.

(Edited list - 14 now)

Pete_R · « **Reply #38 on:** September 05, 2011, 03:48:13 PM »

So here's the plan...

Meet at 10:00 at location already mentioned (here's the link again: maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=51.557316,-1.606965&spn=0.001814,0.004254&t=h&z=18&vpsrc=6). If anyone is having problems locating this spot let me know.

From there, walk up to Wayland's Smithy and back via Odstone and Kingston Coombes. This will probably take about 2 1/2 hours (I did it yesterday in 1 3/4 but I didn't hang around at the Smithy). Distance about 3 miles.

Lunch about 13:00 at the Plough Inn, High Street, Wanborough, Swindon SN4 0AW (to be confirmed).

Afternoon activities (optional): walk up to Liddington Castle (an ancient hill fort) and back. Distance about 2 miles - probably take a couple of hours. We may need to dump some cars in Foxhill on the way as there is only roadside parking near Liddington Castle. Depends how many cars we have.

Alternative afternoon activity: stay in the pub.

If anyone has comments/suggestions, don't hesitate.

As I said in previous post, I'll be away for a couple of weeks from end of this week and won't be picking up messages during that time..

Nigel · « **Reply #39 on:** September 05, 2011, 04:08:31 PM »

Peter - that all sounds excellent. I'm looking forward to it.

(slightly off-topic question: is anyone going to be bringing an Leica M6 or a Hassleblad?)

Pete_R · « **Reply #40 on:** September 05, 2011, 04:15:22 PM »

Quote from: Nigel on September 05, 2011, 04:08:31 PM

(slightly off-topic question: is anyone going to be bringing an Leica M6 or a Hassleblad?)

You need to ask Mr LD that as he had both at the last meet up.

Phil Bebbington · « **Reply #41 on:** September 05, 2011, 05:45:43 PM »

Quote

(slightly off-topic question: is anyone going to be bringing an Leica M6 or a Hassleblad?)

I'll probably bring one of my Hasselblads. It might be the SWC as it's much lighter.

Nigel · « **Reply #42 on:** September 05, 2011, 07:54:16 PM »

Thanks Phil, don't worry I'm not planning to mug you!

Phil Bebbington · « **Reply #43 on:** September 05, 2011, 09:53:07 PM »

Nigel, that is the least of my worries. I have to get there! If you want me to bring the 501 I can?

Nigel · « **Reply #44 on:** September 06, 2011, 08:04:18 AM »

Quote

Nigel, that is the least of my worries. I have to get there! If you want me to bring the 501 I can?

Thanks Phil, but I'm happy to talk to you about your experience of them.

Phil Bebbington · « **Reply #45 on:** September 06, 2011, 10:40:37 AM »

I look forward to it, Nigel.

Late Developer · « **Reply #46 on:** September 06, 2011, 07:05:07 PM »

Quote from: Peter R on September 05, 2011, 04:15:22 PM

Quote from: Nigel on September 05, 2011, 04:08:31 PM
(slightly off-topic question: is anyone going to be bringing an Leica M6 or a Hassleblad?)

You need to ask Mr LD that as he had both at the last meet up.

Yeah - bloody heavy, cumbersome, etc. but I really enjoyed it and was pleased with the end result. This time I'm travelling a lot lighter and just bringing the M6 + lenses and, maybe, my Voigtlander Perkeo 6x6 folder. Ideally, I want to get some moody mono shots.

Thanks for putting our names down for the pub, Peter. I'll check with my mate Howard (and confirm one way or t'other) as he tends to work weekends but did say that he wants to get out and about with us.

All the best. Paul.

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #47 on:** September 07, 2011, 07:28:10 AM »

I'm hoping to give my 'new' Fuji GS645S a try out on this one. It's having its eyes cleaned at present after sitting in a shop storeroom for the past ten years or so. After the past two months in darkest Wales I'm hoping for some sunlight.

Pete_R · « **Reply #48 on:** September 07, 2011, 06:09:29 PM »

LUNCH...

Just thought I'd start checking the pubs and the pub I had in mind can't take us so I've gone back to the one we were going to visit on the last ramble (but left it too late) and they can so I've booked provisionally for 12 people at 13:00. I'll need to confirm numbers closer to the time so please keep me informed of any changes. Ta.

Here's the pub's Web site http://www.royaloakbishopstone.co.uk/.

(I see no frogs on the menu).

Late Developer · « **Reply #49 on:** September 07, 2011, 09:46:00 PM »

Nice one Peter.

"No frogs on the menu" is always a good start whenever my amphibian-loving wife is about to eat. Why the hell anyone in their right mind would want to eat frogs defeats me whichever way you look at it. Anyway, I'm looking forward to sampling the bill of fare at the Royal Oak as it came highly recommended last time.