Canoe Polo!
Another day would be Gorge Walking/Scrambling. I seem to recall that Langdale and Tilberthwaite near Coniston were favourite venues.
When snow was sufficiently deep then the School Kitchens would be raided for trays and we set up toboggan runs. Rock Climbing was another favourite, albeit at a very carefully planned venue.
Me (back right) on top of Scafell Pike. The other helper here is a Community Policeman
Outdoor Pursuits
When helping out friend, Jim Pickering, with school activities, I wasn't always helpful!
Extracts from Chapter 19 of 'Our Lives' Book: 1976-1980. Updated 2025
Jim Pickering (Rohan Man) has been a great friend for many years, We often refer to him as Mr Rohan as he has always been an avid fan of that particular clothing band who excel and specialise in outdoor gear.
Whatever the occasion Jim would be smartly turned out in Rohan. Whilst teaching at school, celebrating a wedding, attending a funeral, or just socialising, you could guarantee Rohan.
Jim Pickering
Jim, and his wife, Mil, became good friends through their son Mathew becoming a friend with our youngest, David.
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As a teacher at St Georges School, Blackpool, Jim had managed to double up as Outdoor Pursuits Instructor whereby one day a week he would take a select few pupils, usually up to about 12 or so, on an outdoor excursion, using the schools minibus.
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I started taking time off from work (I was self employed) to go with them.
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Activities included Canoeing. This was usually on the Lancaster Canal near the Hand & Dagger at Salwick, or on the Ribble at Garstang.
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We would change places in the canoe, change canoes, raft up, race, etc just messing about to increase confidence etc.​
​Most weeks we would probably be doing an interesting hike to somewhere like Mallam Cove.
Occasionally, as a treat, we would go to the Indoor Ski Centre at Rossendale. Here we would take 'newcomers to the art', on a mini slope, to hold their skis etc as they nervously slid down the slope.
Within half an hour many were venturing onto the more serious, big, ski run.
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I didn’t ski myself, so the bravery of the kids encouraged me to have a go on the big slope myself.
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Going up, just to the half way stage, I gently eased myself forward, quickly accelerating to an alarming speed.
I was a bit concerned as I did not know how to stop. At the foot of the run, the slope turned upwards to assist you to slow down/stop.
Beyond this upturn was a queue of people all waiting for the chair lift, and immediately beyond them was a drop of about 6ft to a Car Park.
Needless to say, I had not managed to slow down quickly enough, and so I ploughed through the queue, and, luckily for me, but not for them, I grabbed a couple of legs as I went through.
We all three ended up in the Car Park. They were not amused, and my apology did little to improve the position.
Needless to say, all the pupils thought it hilarious, but what their parents made of it I hesitate to think.
Jim is a big FaceBook Fan, and still is, some 30 years or so on (2025).
Whenever he puts up photos of these old school exploits, he usually gets a chorus of “I was there” from other FaceThingy followers.
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Over the years Jim joined us on a goodly number of Scottish Munro Exploits. Here his Rohan Kit came into its own. (I've published my Munro Diaries on a different website if you want to read more on that later!!).
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He was also a big Lakes fan, having been brought up in that area. Gt Gable, at Wasdale Head was one of his favourites.
One day we walked the three passes circuit. Well worth you giving it a try.
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It takes in Black Sail Pass, Honister Pass and Sty Head Pass. If you want to break it up then there is accommodation at Wasdale Head (Pub and Farm), Black Sail YHA, and Honister Village/YHA.
Snows Heights, near Grange, Lake District. Me (centre back) and son David (front right floor) and friend Mathew on his picture left (two hands in pocket).