Unless you're called Joss Naylor who rounds up every sheep in Cumbria, every day












Before breakfast

There is a flock of feral goats also grazing in the Cheviots near Uswayford farm. A fella staying here earlier in the year told me that ussi or something like it is swiss for goat.

Slowcoach,
Not any more he doesnt, he retired a few years ago and moved from the farm in Wasdales Bowderdale to his retirement cottage, not too far away in Greendale, near the bridge.
Myself and a pal attempted his Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge shortly before he moved and whilst he was renovating it. 48 miles over 28 mountain summits with 19,000ft of ascent, to be completed within 12 hours. We failed miserably but got to 33 miles within 8 hours and 16 summits, before the tendons started screaming, and received a really nice letter off him, urging us to try again another day. (Decision pending!)
Dave.

A couple of weeks ago I stayed for two nights at Wasdale Youth Hostel. On the second day I parked in the parking area to east of Greendale. I then walked up Seatallan, across to Haycock and on to Caw Fell. Whilst on Caw Fell I met a ranger who suggested that I could return by a different route .... down Blengdale (which I admit I had never heard of until then). I dropped down by Hanging Stone and picked up the blind bridleway. Just before the sheepfold I met the local shepherd driving his sheep in the opposite direction. During our conversation he mentioned that Joss still frequently helps him out ... his speciality evidently is searching for lost sheep. He tells Joss where he thinks they might be .... and off he goes! People like that never actually fully retire!!!!

Yeah, you are right, its in thier blood. When he did his 60 at 60 (Lakeland Summits) to celebrate his 60th birthday. He came down to the finish after something like 120 miles and 45,000ft of ascent and descent. He was interviewed for the video being made and asked a question, it went like this.
"Joss, when you had descended Red Screes, you were in real trouble with that pain in your hips and you were leaning to one side. Everyone would have understood if you had stopped then, did it cross your mind?"
The look on Joss's face said it all, "You dont stop on these things, not when its in the heart" was his soft but simple reply.
A true Fell Running legend.
Dave.

Did I read somewhere that he had had problems with one or both of his knees which required a fairly serious operation? If true, he is all the more remarkable!

I dont know about that, but during the week before his 60 @ 60, whilst fixing a big heavy gate it toppled and fell on top of him. Hence the hip trouble. He knew he should have posponed his attempt, but felt he couldnt let down all the pacers and helpers that committed to that weekend for him.
Dave.

So funny that Red Devil! Something that puzzled me too. Also why do they all charge down the path in front to avoid you getting larger in numbers by the minute when all they have to do is turn left or right and not head in the direction you are walking?
I witnessed a farmer rounding up his sheep in the Cheviots on his quad bike, his dogs worked hundreds of yards from where he was covering a vast area. Within 15 minutes they had covered this huge area and all the sheep were under control. He needed a quad bike to keep up with how efficient the dogs were. Great to watch for an urban lad like myself.

Talking about quad bikes, I saw a FOX HUNT between Bellingham and Byrness last month. One guy was tooting his bugle, dressed in red on horseback, while his compatriates were on quad bikes, with at least 30 hounds pursuing the fox!
Pick up trucks were on the surrounding roads, probably look-outs for the old Bill. I thought it was all illegal, but I saw an elderly couple, who informed me it was Sir Michael and it was his land & he could do whatever he wanted to do on it

think i have got it sorted
Nave ,A.S.nafu,Dutch ,naaf.g.nabs.iceland, nof.
the central block of wheel in which the axle and spokes are inserted, the hub.