I’m on the road gigging again. Bridlington Spa last night - that had the obvious pairing of Bishop Wilton Wold G/TW-004. Tomorrow I’m in Warwickshire and have an eye on Walton Hill G/CE-002.
Tonight’s gig is in Yeadon near Leeds. I’d overnighted at Skipton Travelodge with an optimistic eye on the trio of Cracoe Fell G/NP-032, Sharp Haw G/NP-029 and Rombalds Moor G/NP-028.
I started with Sharp Haw as it was very close to my accommodation. Conditions were unpleasant with strong wind, sleet and underfoot was very boggy - even worse than usual.
It was more bearable towards the summit with the sleet now morphing into proper snow. I dropped a few feet down the steep slope on the south of the summit to escape the wind. It would have been impossible to safely erect the 5 element beam in the force of the northerly wind.
Just four QSOs, 3 on 2m SSB and 1 on 2m FM to qualify.
I decided that Cracoe Fell would take too much time out of the day and could be a slog in the wintry conditions. I needed to be at soundcheck for 3pm, so thought that the “trivial” Rombalds Moor would be the sensible option.
Except that it wasn’t.
Once onto Ilkley Road, there was plenty of snow down. Vehicle tracks were well established through the snowy road. They were right down to the tarmac and no issues with grip - at that point. I told myself to remain vigilant though!
Just 200 yards short of the parking spot, my car struggled, and ultimately failed to get up a slight ramp on a bend in the road. The snow was now coming down heavily, and I realised that even if I could get to the parking spot, there would be a risk of getting stranded there - and I had work to get to!
Reversing the car and turning it round was far from straightforward. It just kept going in unwanted directions or not moving at all. I tried to remain calm and logical, and ultimately I solved the problem. It required several short manoeuvres each interspersed with getting out and removing accumulations of snow from behind the tyres!
I then noticed there was another car in between mine, and the parking area, that was in similar difficulties. Another car was now coming up the road behind me. I signalled to them to turn round, which they did.
I drove back down Ilkley Road safely and enjoyed the lunch I had just picked up from the village below - samosa chat and pakora.
I’ve got another gig in tonight’s venue in April, so Rombalds can wait until then. Although depending the weather and where I stay tonight, it might even be on the cards for tomorrow morning.
Not often I abandon - but better to be sensible. To be honest, I was probably closer to getting caught out than I would prefer!
