twotwolife

Valley of the Wye

twotwolife — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:53:55 +0000

Bank Holiday Monday, weather not that brilliant, so decided to go for a walk in the Peaks after a tiring day climbing on Sunday. Where did we go? We decided to do the circular walk round the valley of the Wye which takes in some of the most beautiful sections through Monsal dale and Water-Cum-Jolly Dale.

Distance: 7 miles

Approximate time: 4 ish hours

Total height climbed: Just over 1,000ft

Parking: Monsal Head SK 185716

Start: Car park behind the Monsal Head Hotel on the B6465

Refreshments: Monsal Head, Cressbrook Mill Area

Toilets: Monsal Head and White Lodge car park

Map: OS Explorer Sheet 24, The White Peak

Arrive early if you want to find a parking spot. The view down to the two valleys is fab – looking north over Upper Dale towards Cressbrook and west across the famous Monsal Dale viaduct to the bold escarpment of Fin Cop, crowned by its Iron Age hill fort. Also in view is the viaduct built for the Midland Line, now a protected and listed structure. From the road, takes the left stile, follow the path (ignore the left fork) down into the valley to see the Monsal Dale Weir.

Walk along the path amongst the trees and continue downstream along the northern bank. Soon you will reach the A6, cross the road with care to the White Lodge car park. Ascend some steps next to the parking area, continue and bear right (watch out for the wooden post signposting for Taddington), this leads up through trees to Taddington Field Farm (watch out for the stile to the left!) and then eventually leads on to the edge of the Taddington at Town End. (this is the least interesting section in my opinion). From the village, take the lane which leads down to the A6, cross and take the walled track which leads up and then down into steep-sided High Dale.
Turn left up a dry valley and where the wall stops, turn sharp right and follow a path up a hollow. Turn left and then right through a stile, follow the path through the stile to reach the long drop down into the Wye Valley through the Priestcliffe Lees nature reserve. Drop down via some steps to get onto Monsal Trail, 50m ahead take a left (signposted) to Litton Mill (began life as a cotton mill, now in residential use) via a footbridge.

Head downstream and the imposing limestone walls become visible, this marks the entrance to Water-cum-jolly Dale, a well-known climbing and bouldering ground. The path is right next to the River Wye and therefore sometimes become impassable after heavy rain. Follow the meandering path and soon reach Cressbrook Mill, now conerted to residential use.

Last section of the walk follows the Monsal Trail and cross the infamous viaduct with great views up and down the valley. A path leads off to the left before reaching the Headstone Tunnel, this takes you back to Monsal Head Hotel.
This walk has been adapted from Roly Smith’s Rambler’s Guide to the Peak District, published by HarperCollins in 2000.

BAW’s Crawl

twotwolife — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 22:03:04 +0000

Did an entertaining route at Stanage Pop called ‘BAW’s Crawl’. Here’s the description from RockFax:

10m. HVS 5a 3 stars. From the boulder below the overhang, swing your feet in to the break (really) then shuffle round to the front face. A couple of moves of proper climbing are needed to reach the top.
FA. Joe Brown, Nat Allen, Wilf White 1953

Bizarre. One of those weird Joe Brown routes that gets you talking in the pub afterwards? The weather condition (constantly super windy and on and off showers throughout the day) added to the mix and certainly made it rather interesting at the top.

Stand on top of a boulder (I had to tip-toe to stick the gear in and reach the hold…) under the roof, do a heel hook, secure yourself in the ‘crevice’ and start the backwards crawl and pop out the other side. Careful ropework required (make sure the rope(s) dangle on your left hand side!). Just when you think it’s all over, the final move to reach the top requires a bit of thought and care (reachy and slopey…only the best of course to justify it as a HVS!). Loads of gear, very well protected, bring lots and lots of cams. Super fun. Thanks Garry Leopard for suggesting the route.

typography?

twotwolife — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:39:46 +0000

Click to view slideshow.

Some stuffs I have designed during my spare time…

Ferrol’s logo – shaped into a dragon motif, this was originally for Ferrol’s climbing helmet
Ranmoor Badminton club logo – depicting the fun and social side of the club, can you spot the smiley face?
“I don’t want to talk about your baby” logo – shaped into a landy for a Land Rover fan

Please note, all the artwork and design etc are all copyright to TwoTwoLife (Ada T) 2011. Please do not copy, alter or reference for profit. If you would like to use my work for whatever reason, then please be sure to contact me first. Using this work without proper permission is not permitted (Intellectual Property Rights). Thank you.

The Flange – Stanage

twotwolife — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:00:02 +0000

The Flange – 16m. Powerful moves access the prominent niche at 4m (overhead gear). Continue up the flake of ‘the flange’ then the steep slab on rounded holds to a final short crack. HVS 5b, 2 stars.

Ahhh…Happy Climbing Day

Me and Nick Lion headed out to Stanage Popular end for the day on 14th August. Weather wasn’t looking very promising when we set off, but it turned out alright, especially towards the end of the day. We managed a good selection of two/ three star routes, including: Christmas Crack (0bviously not as good and atmospheric when it’s done on Christmas Day…still it’s a HS 4a, 3 stars), Central Trinity (VS 4c, 2 stars), and The Flange (HVS 5b, 2 stars). Fab routes, especially enjoyed the Flange, worth every star it’s been given. Next on the list… Great Portland Street at Millstone and Tower Face Direct at Stanage Plantation!

go-go gadget arms…

twotwolife — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:36:58 +0000

How much does height really affect the difficulty of a climb? Of course it would very much depend on the type of climb, being tall is good if you were on a slabby or reachy climb, short’s better for the steeper stuffs. I am sure you have heard it all before…”that climb is harder if you are short, but Lynn Hill is 5′ 2… get more dynamic or find another way of getting pass the problem… blah blah blah”. Rock wasn’t created to best suit taller climbers, but routes are set by the average height climbers. On a climb where there’s no viable hand or foot holds to get you to the next one, surely being taller gives you more of a choice compared to a shorter climber who has to find alternative ways of getting round, and that might not even be the crux of the climb!

A climb is a climb, we climb for fun, not to shout out loud that ‘I can climb 6c or 7a…’. It’s not so bad for bouldering as the average climbs are only 3-4m up from ground level. Now, certain gear placements or stances can be height dependent on trad routes, a shorter climber is likely to find it more strenuous or more likely to come off if they couldn’t get to the susposed placement or stance, so how much does a rating change if you can’t “easily” reach the holds as grade of a climb is susposed to reflect the difficulty, amount of protection and exposure? Grade is there for comparison, especially for people to gauge the difficulty of a climb, imagine you were stuck and there’s just no easy escape on a multi-pitch climb and the climb’s susposedly well within your capability? I am rambling and certainly don’t have an answer for it, would be entertaining to see what other people think though.

In memory of Diesel

twotwolife — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 22:01:14 +0000

This is dedicated to Diesel, John’s beloved Rottweiler, who has sadly passed on due to bone cancer, on 14 December 2010.

He was loved by many and will be missed, especially John and Mac.

The RIBA is…

twotwolife — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:05:11 +0000

… The Royal Institute of British Architects. It is “the UK body for architecture and the architectural profession. The RIBA provides support for their 40,500 members worldwide in the form of training, technical services, publications and events, and set standards for the education of architects, both in the UK and overseas.

They work with government to improve the design quality of public buildings, new homes and new communities.”

Nice description, but is the RIBA really looking after its members and has their best interest in mind? It makes me wonder sometimes… and what do we get out of the hefty annual subscription? If you have similar thoughts, then click on the link below and read this article on BD:

RIBA says press is to blame for low pay row

Some of Keith Tomlinson’s comments about the RIBA extracted from the article:

“Since I qualified in 1985 I have almost without a break been a member of the RIBA partly in the hope that it might benefit me in some way and partly out of a sense of loyalty to my profession. The many £1000′s invested over the intervening 25 years and have brought me astonishingly little in return and to me the RIBA has become increasingly irrelevant.”

“My experience is not unique by any means. Why is it that architects with their very wide range of skills are so undervalued compared with doctors, dentists, solicitors and other professionals? What has the RIBA been doing all these years to protect the interests of its members?”

“My perception for many years has been that the RIBA cares more about “architecture” than “architects”. “

“The profession is full of many talented, hard working, dedicated people who deserve to be rewarded better and I believe deserve a professional institute which does more to stand up for its members’ interests. Of course if you had the good sense NOT to qualify, you save yourself all that hassle. Just call yourself “architectural consultant” or “designer” and you can do EVERYTHING an architect does but without the ARB breathing down you neck and free of student debt which will take you half your life to repay.”

“Maybe the fact that the RIBA is a chartered body to advance “architecture” rather than promote “architects” is precisely why we are in such a mess as a profession.”

Read the full content of Keith Tomlinson’s exchange of letters with RIBA below.

The resignation exchange: five letters

FIRST LETTER

From: Keith Tomlinson

To: RIBA Membership Services

Sent: 30 March

Recently I read in Building Design about the controversy over some practices offering work at or below the minimum wage and the President Ruth Reed’s refusal to comment or take any action over the matter.

The current downturn has brought me into considerable financial hardship and professionally close to total despair. To read about my professional institute’s weak and totally ineffective stance on this issue is for me the final straw and has brought me with a VERY heavy heart to conclude that the RIBA is not an organisation I wish to support anymore.

Since I qualified in 1985 I have almost without a break been a member of the RIBA partly in the hope that it might benefit me in some way and partly out of a sense of loyalty to my profession. The many £1000′s invested over the intervening 25 years and have brought me astonishingly little in return and to me the RIBA has become increasingly irrelevant.

Accordingly I wish to resign my membership as soon as possible.

Yours Sincerely

Keith Tomlinson

SECOND LETTER

From: Janine Chasmer, RIBA Head of Membership Services

To: Keith Tomlinson

Date: April 19

Thank you for your email below in which I am sorry to learn of your situation and dissatisfaction.

Having referred to my Press colleagues I can confirm that the interview with Ruth Reed was misrepresented by BD. The RIBA considers that BD’s tabloid approach skewed the facts and created headlines that do not in fact exist. A comparison can be made with an alternative article by Building, released on the same day; I enclose a link to this article as follows:

http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=667&storycode=3160240

The RIBA ensures through both the code of conduct and Chartered Practice scheme that members are paying fair rates, above the minimum wage. RIBA/ARCHAOS have also agreed recommended minimum pay guidance for Part 1 students, currently £10.27 per hour in London and £8.56 per hour outside London. Ruth Reed has experience as both an Educator and an Academic and has personal concerns about students not being paid what they are worth. Ruth has urged architects to ensure their clients pay them fairly and pay their own employees fairly and believes this is a simple formula which is fundamental to a successful and sustainable profession.

If you would like to discuss this matter further I enclose my direct dial below. As a valued Member your feedback is extremely important to us and we would like to do everything possible to enable you to retain your RIBA Membership.

I look forward to your reply.

Kind regards

Janine

Janine Chasmer

Head of Membership Services

THIRD LETTER

From: Keith Tomlinson

To: Janine Chasmer, RIBA

Date: April 19

Thank you for your reply.

The architectural profession is I feel in a crisis which goes a LOT further back than just this recession. I note your comments below about the minimum wages recommended by the RIBA and frankly I am still fairly horrified that the rate has been set so low. We are talking about students who have studied for three years at least (many of whom have student debt above £15k). But the issue goes a great deal further than student pay.

I qualified as an architect in 1985 (the same period as Ruth Reed). I qualified straight into a recession and the current one is now my fourth and by far the worst. Recently I did a two-week stint working in an office in England where at £22.00 per hour I was the nearly the highest paid person in the office (apart from the partners). After 28 years with experience of designing and running many multi-million-pound projects. And having assisted developers in making millions.

Of course I do not hold the RIBA responsible for the current recession (nor the previous ones). But I do believe that the RIBA has presided over a long period since the abolition of scale fees which has been effectively “a race to the bottom” and as far as I can tell has done precious little to assist the 76% (or so) of architects who are struggling within small practices. And how much lobbying has our institute been doing on our behalf over that time?

In my entire 28-year career I have never earned more than (and mostly not even approaching) what a good freelance plumber or electrician could expect to earn. I have had to work countless hours of unpaid overtime over many years. How can that be? How has this situation arisen? My German wife thinks I am completely mad and in a way maybe “architecture” should be categorised as some kind of mental disorder.

My experience is not unique by any means. Why is it that architects with their very wide range of skills are so undervalued compared with doctors, dentists, solicitors and other professionals? What has the RIBA been doing all these years to protect the interests of its members? How have we ended up with (seemingly) such an oversupply of architects?

My perception for many years has been that the RIBA cares more about “architecture” than “architects”. A few days ago I decided to look at the BMA and the Law Society websites. BMA – “Standing up for Doctors” – and within one or two clicks you can see strong evidence of how seriously the BMA regards the welfare of its members. Law Society – “Supporting Solicitors”….a similar story.

Then the RIBA site… apart from the words “Find an Architect” no mention of architects as individuals, as people, but a lovely picture of a bridge!!

OK I accept that is perhaps a bit of a cheap shot but it seems to demonstrate (if only subconsciously) that the welfare of architects is not the highest priority of the RIBA.

So maybe the ARB is standing up for us:-

• Prescribing – or ‘recognising’ the qualifications needed to become an architect

• Keeping the UK Register of Architects

• Ensuring that architects meet our standards for conduct and practice

• Investigating complaints about an architect’s conduct or competence

• Making sure that only people on our register offer their services as an architect.

Ouch. Sounds to me like the ARB are more interested in protecting society FROM Architects than the other way around. The profession is full of many talented, hard working, dedicated people who deserve to be rewarded better and I believe deserve a professional institute which does more to stand up for its members’ interests. Of course if you had the good sense NOT to qualify, you save yourself all that hassle. Just call yourself “architectural consultant” or “designer” and you can do EVERYTHING an architect does but without the ARB breathing down you neck and free of student debt which will take you half your life to repay.

So WHO IS standing up for architects?

The truth seems to be: No one really. After many years I have come with a VERY heavy heart to the conclusion that entering this profession has been a tragic mistake for which I have paid a very high price in my health, happiness, and well-being. Right now, judging from the response on the Facebook page I set up (893 members in about 9-10 days) there are many other young people who feel betrayed, angry, and exploited.

If you think that is ALL down to a bit of spin by BD then you are sadly mistaken.

Before it is too late I am now actively seeking an escape route (something I should have done YEARS ago. From the comments I am reading it seems that many others are thinking the same.

I genuinely wish the RIBA well in the future but it will be without me. I cannot think of any good reasons to continue spending £370 per year supporting it and in any case I cannot afford it. I don’t suppose me going away will mean very much to you anyway.

But very many of the future generation seem to think the same judging from their comments on “Architects Against Low Pay” so perhaps the RIBA should get their thinking caps on or it may slowly die.

And that would be very sad.

Yours sincerely

Keith Tomlinson

FOURTH LETTER

From: Richard Brindley

To: Keith Tomlinson

Date: April 20

Dear Mr Tomlinson,

Thank you for your email of 19 April. You raise several important issues which I would like to re-assure you the RIBA is actively working on to support the architects’ profession and our membership. I am sure you will appreciate that as the RIBA is a Chartered Body and charity, its core purpose is for the public benefit, unlike a trade association or trade union. The RIBA Chartered from 1837 so elegantly described the mission of the Institute is primarily to “advance architecture”, and it does this not least by supporting and promoting its members to maintain excellent professional standards and to produce great architecture for the benefit of society as well as their clients.

The low fees and average pay for architects (when compared with other professions such as Law and Medicine) is a complex and linked issue, exacerbated by the commercial pressures of an economic recession. The RIBA is working on several fronts to turn this from a viscous to a virtuous circle to improve the fee and pay levels of architects. This includes campaigning and persuading clients of architects, procurers of architecture and Governments/regulators of the value of good design and architects. It also includes equipping the profession with the knowledge and skills to enable them to increase their “value offer” to their clients and employers. The RIBA carries out research on fees and salaries in the profession and also provides all forms of business tools, such as business benchmarking to help improve the business effectiveness of the profession. But it is also up to the profession itself to help improve its lot, which is why the RIBA has been active in supporting realistic fee and pay levels and trying to discourage the profession from unsustainably low fee bids. It was unfortunate that BD chose to erroneously report on this issue and misquote our President – but making sensational stories and headlines is what sells magazines and pays journalists!

You may be interested to read the attached articles on fee scales and fee levels, which I wrote in my personal capacity in Building Design (Nov’09 and Mar’10), but reflect RIBA policy.

best wishes,

Richard Brindley

Executive Director

FIFTH LETTER

From: Keith Tomlinson

To: Richard Brindley

Sent: April 20

Dear Mr Brindley

Like your colleague who emailed me yesterday you seem to be suggesting that I feel what I feel as the result of (alleged) misreporting of the Low Pay issue. That is a rather patronising view if you’ll forgive me saying so, and nothing could be further from the truth.

I am not alone in thinking that the RIBA could and should have taken the opportunity to make a clear unequivocal statement when this story first broke. The recently reported comments by Owen Luder and Marco Goldschmied provide a mirror image of my own which prompted my resignation.

The fact that the Facebook group (Architects Against Low Pay) set up by me has a membership of nearly 1000 after less than two weeks suggests to me that this issue has touched a very raw nerve indeed and has provided a forum for people to express their own genuine views.

Personally I do not believe that so many people can be “spun” into action but ultimately you must draw your own conclusion. The group is completely unmoderated or controlled in anyway and has no hidden agenda either by me or BD. What you will see (if you look) is what many architects think straight from the soul. Pure democracy in action if you will.

Architects are mostly very hard working, talented, idealistic, and dedicated people who mostly come into the profession because they have a passion for what they do rather than any high expectations of fabulous riches. But they also have families and mortgages and deserve to be fairly rewarded for their skills. And this has not been the case for most architects for a very long time (not just during this recession).

So if the RIBA is as active in this area (as you suggest) then your efforts seem to have had remarkably little effect. I am quite sure that if we had a effective organisation like the BMA in charge of our profession we would almost certainly be better off but as you point out the RIBA has as its core purpose to “advance architecture” not “architects”. Of course we all also have a responsibility to do what we can to help ourselves but I always thought the whole point of being part of a professional body is that we pay our subscriptions (more than 1% of gross salary) in return for an organisation that promotes our best interests.

Maybe the fact that the RIBA is a chartered body to advance “architecture” rather than promote “architects” is precisely why we are in such a mess as a profession. If things do not change you will see a steady exodus of talent from the profession and a growing body of young (and older) architects who are asking themselves, “What is the point of the RIBA?”. (Of course if the Tories get in and abolish the ARB we might all be forced to join.)

Maybe what we really need is a trade organisation to represent our interests rather than a professional institute representing “architecture”.

Frankly after so many years I have concluded that things will not change and I am now actively looking for opportunities completely outside the profession where effort, skill, talent and hard work are fairly rewarded. I could hardly do worse than I am doing right now.

It is not me you need to persuade but the next generation. I’ve had enough.

Yours sincerely

Keith Tomlinson

Triple Whammy

twotwolife — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:44:38 +0000

Cystic Fibrosis is one of the UK’s most common life-threatening inherited diseases, affecting some 8,000 children, teenagers and young adults. There is currently no cure for it. A dedicated team looking after Cystic Fibrosis patients started working in Sheffield 11 years ago and has grown over the years from originally treating eight patients to the 130 who use it today.
It has strong links with the Children’s Hospital in the city who send patients through to the unit from the ages of 16, 17 and 18 to continue their care there.
The £1 million appeal is being run by the Sheffield Hospitals Charitable Trust, with the support and backing of The Star.

The organisation is an independent, registered charity which raises, manages and distributes funds to support better healthcare for the people of Sheffield and beyond.
Each year the charity raises and dishes out £2 million to enhance the work of the NHS, providing funding for projects where Government funds are not available. Their latest appeal is the Triple Whammy event at Magna Science and Technology Park in Rotherham and is searching for people brave enough to participate.

Entry is free as long as people raise a minimum of £150 for the £1 million campaign to make a new ‘world class’ dedicated in-patient unit for cystic fibrosis patients at the Northern General Hospital.

The action-packed day will include a 250ft zip slide followed by an abseil down a 150ft drop, before finishing with the Powerfan, which involves a freefall jump from 150ft. It all takes place in the atmospheric surroundings of Magna, in semi-darkness complete with music, dry-ice and disco effect lighting.

The event takes place on Sunday June 6, but applications need to be in by the beginning of May.

Contact Carol Denton by email to carol.denton@shct.nhs.uk or call her on 0114 226 3517 to sign up or visit www.shctonline.org.uk/cysticfibrosis

In memory of Catherine

twotwolife — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 23:11:15 +0000

In Memory of Catherine Ruth Walker

This is dedicated to Catherine, our beloved friend, who has sadly passed on unexpectedly, on 21 March 2010.

She was loved by many and will be missed.

Gearing up for the rain and the cold

twotwolife — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:46:23 +0000

Let’s be honest with ourselves.

This is the UK, what we British talk about most is the weather. Why? That’s because we have more cold, windy and rainy days than sunny ones. Ok, it can be unpleasant but it doesn’t mean that we have to put our paddles and canoes away until the warm weather arrives. Some of the best paddling of the year can be had in windy and/ or cold weather, when the fair-weather crowds are gone and familiar paddling areas take on a completely different feel for exploration.

As with most things, preparation is key. Quoting my friend, Dave Joy – Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. The whole point of doing these trips is to have fun, so the last thing we want is getting cold, wet and miserable, so here are a few suggestions to add to your cold weather comfort:

Get your gear in top shape! Enhance the cold and rainy weather performance of your paddling clothing and other fabric items by using the appropriate cleaning agents, waterproof restorer, and seam-sealer.
Invest in a good quality dry or wet suit. If you have the spare cash, go for the dry suit, it will keep you nice and dry even if your boat got swarmed or capsized. The cheaper option obviously is the wet suit, preferably a sleeveless longjohn. Which ever option you go for, it is essential to choose your layering carefully to optimise between being not warm enough or worse, too warm.
Make sure your buoyancy aid and waterproof jacket will fit over the bulkier protective clothing.
If your feet get cold when wearing wellies, try additional merino wool/ walking sock lining and/ or neoprene socks for insulation. Change into walking boots or shoes when you arrive at the campsite for the night.
Invest in a tarp or a quality tent with large porch space for storing your gear out of the rain and snow.
For a quick morale and energy pickup, nothing beats a hot drink on a chilly day, some snacks (home-made jerky or chocolate) wouldn’t go amiss either. Invest in a quality stainless steel vacuum bottle. It will keep your hot chocolate, hot water, coffee or soup piping hot for many hours and give you that much needed boost.
Check the weather forecast!
With shorter daylight hours, make sure your headtorch has fresh batteries on each trip, alternatively bring some spare ones with you and keep them in a dry bag.
Be less ambitious with your distance and route planning at a time of year when there is less margin for error.
Call a friend to paddle with-there is safety in numbers.
Taking a few moments to get your boating gear tuned up for fall can increase your level of comfort and margin of safety.
Before setting off, always do some light, warm-up exercises/ stretches.
Last but not least, get your safety gear in order. Throwlines, spare paddles, compass, dry bag of spare clothes, and waterproof cases for electronics should be gathered up and checked over.

Happy paddling!