Saturday 22nd September 2018 - Burnhope Seat G/NP-003

Gig: Joe Longthorne

Venue: Grimsby Auditorium

Pretty much up until the morning of Saturday 22nd September, I was thinking along the lines of activating Hoove G/NP-024 on my journey down to Humberside. Right at the last minute, I switched my focus to Burnhope Seat.  I didn’t recognise the parking spot and managed to drive right past it!  Eventually I found the parking area on the Cumbria - County Durham border.  At the same time, several works vehicles were parking up either side of me. 

I set off beside the fence which I was to follow up a very gentle gradient all the way to the summit.  Well, I say “the summit” - I actually stopped at the trig point and set up there, rather than continue the short distance to the true summit.  Firstly, I tried 2m FM from the handheld, but there was no response whatsoever.  It was going to be necessary to use HF, and I set up the trusty 20m GP.  The activation was unremarkable as I made six QSOs, all on 20m CW.  Qualification was sufficient on this activation, and I packed up rather than thinking about other bands/modes etc. 

As I retraced my steps back to the car, taking care on the extensive areas of treacherous bog, I noticed a helicopter performing shuttle runs between the parking area, and somewhere else on the moor.  I didn’t seek to investigate what was going on, but it looked like transportation of stone in readiness for constructing a new footpath. 

It was a big drive still ahead to Grimsby, but I made it in time while following the Saturday sport on BBC Radio 5 Live on DAB in the car.  After soundcheck, we walked to the local shops in search of food options.  We settled on a Chinese takeaway, but later agreed that it really wasn’t very good!  There was only a small crowd in the large venue of Grimsby Auditorium, but it was still a pleasant enough show.  Afterwards, I drove over to Brigg, where I had a room waiting, booked via the Theatre Digs Booker website. This service is limited to Musicians’ Union and Equity members, and looks to be a good way to secure very cheap yet pleasant and comfortable accommodation while on the road. I had a nice stay at The Willows in Brigg.