Ted

Mr Ted's perspective on rushing and the "Media".

Ted the Terrier: Question, do Big People rush about more now than in the past? Are their lives more hectic? Is this something that I do?

Sniffing out good news and advice in a time of Media bombardment

Woof woof and good morning humans, Ted here. Nice and warm at “Hotel Macclesfield” with Pete’s Mum. Fed, walked, pampered whilst he’s up in Scotland with The Boss.

I hope he is relaxing in Hamilton. Big people; they always seem to rush about, read up and be concerned with what’s happening in the Big People’s world, and worry. But he does seem to take life easy, read books, and I enjoy walks as he is not always on his iPhone unless he’s got us lost again in the hills…

I think Big People seem so concerned with events in the world and sadly they are bombarded with and by the Media, and with technology access all this information which causes consternation, anger, worry, concern, and occasionally happiness. It seems to be more negative than good and I notice this in the way they seem so self absorbed. Also news does not have to be official; it can be local news, what he or she said, what they saw on a Facebook Group or in a Twitter thread and so it goes on.

So to my question? Do these humans rush about compared to old days?

People seem to have this idea that life has speeded up, that history has moved rapidly, and they live crowded and faster lives than those of their ancestors. I think this though is a result or product of media and artificial. Life is the same as those who came before but if humans engage with Media they lose control of our lives and yes they speed up, accelerate out of their own control. By Media I think it is commercial and non-commercial, especially Social Media. Media tells them about other people’s experiences, and they know more sooner, about more people, and so the seeds are sown for them moving from “themselves” to “ourselves” which can be an unnoticed and insidious shift, as life speeds up with their concern as to others and what they do and have.

They now know when royal babies are born, when distant wars are fought, when disasters happen. These “things” have always occurred, have always happened, and have swallowed and engrossed those who are immediately concerned.

Humans are also subject to the views, thoughts, behaviour of “outsiders” and so can be distracted by this and rush headlong into what they think they need or aspire for.

Hence the sensation of falling at speed into a way of life with no control, routine without purpose, a sense of stasis.

Me? Well I am dog, and I don’t have an iPhone, laptop, or read the news, or see what people are up to on Social Media. And you know what, that is a good place to be. I live for simplicity, do my own thing, don’t keep up with other dogs, and happily keep it simple. News? Well it is what happens to me in real time and thus I am grounded and happy. I say hello to my mates when I see them, but let them get on with their lives and don’t religiously follow them, to become subsumed in what they do, did, or could do. So for me life is calm, not rushed, in control, and contemplative. A nice place to be… Maybe the big people ought to try. Live their own lives, which does not mean being unconnected.

A thought for the day:

Obscurity can be a good thing. In not being known or engaging with other’s lives I won’t twist my values of life, and enter the rush we see. I move back to the past, connect with my ancestors and their own lives. I live my life as part of the world, not other’s lives.




Furloughed, but grateful for what we have. (Especially myself.)

It has been a tough old time for people, all walks of life since March. And I have not posted since our half term trip to the Cleveland Hills in February - so that’s roughly three months.

3rd Year Wedding Anniversary

So, where are we - the Cobley’s?

To be honest, happy and grateful, and that is the nature of this post. We are lucky to have our health, a roof over our heads, and loved ones. Claire has been teaching remotely, working hard to keep her youngsters motivated, and also the God awful task of predicting grades; affecting people’s lives. Me? Well, the advertising business, like a lot, has ground to a halt as Covid 19 bites hard into industry with the global lockdown and uncertainty. So I decided to furlough myself at the start of April.

We count ourselves lucky. Many people are not. And to compound some people’s lives is the sad loss of loved ones. I’ve certainly learnt about humility.

I hope all the people who we know personally, in teaching, and via Found Us are all good in the circumstances. Please do let us KNOW! We are thinking of you.

“Chairman Ted” also says hello and wishes YOU all the best!

Looking down the Chew Valley


Strolling on the moors... Thursday's cheerful post.

Yesterday early evening my two buddies (wife and dug) and I meandered across part of the Cake Race route in the hills above Marsden and Diggle. What a wonderful evening in a blaze of colour showing the Saddleworth Moors at their best.

Looking toward Pule Hill and Redbrook Reservoir.

Claire, Ted, and I wandered up to Brun Clough on the Pennine Way and made our way toward Black Moss reservoir above Diggle. A favourite of ours for walking Ted.

Pano shot looking at Black Moss and away - all in one photo.





A rather busy weekend, BUT no fell running!

The weekend just gone was action packed in that we were out in the great outdoors in the snow. But no fell running… Due to a fall on ice.

Stanage Edge

Friday was a retreat to bed tired after a hard week and aching on my right side. Wednesday night I’d been walking Ted and went over very hard on black ice on a local path. My feet went under me and I landed on my back, luckily I was wearing my Rab thick down coat and it cushioned a lot of the impact and prevented my head cracking the Tarmac; it could have been very bad. Since then my ribs on my right side have prevented me running with moving, especially sleeping, painful indeed.

Saturday saw us gather but not run (me with bashed ribs, Claire with plantar fasciitis) the annual Gerry’s Castleshaw Canter from Delph, renamed in honour of Gerry who sadly passed away recently, a much loved elder statesman of the club. Ted, Claire, and I watched the start, then parked above Delph to watch the runners come in across Ox Hey Top/Broad Lane. We missed out on the running, but what a day for a walk, and for the runners.

Leading the pack was V60 (yes, V60) Mr Chris Davies, with first lady back being Gaynor Keane. Impressive in the terrain, and tricky underfoot snow.

The run was followed by tea and home baked cake at the Torr’s in Delph in their beautiful house, with donations to the club charity. I stuffed my face, not sure about the wife, but Ted is always partial to lemon drizzle cake.

Flickr: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmxSm6S4

And we must not forget Super Ted had a belting time in the snow; running about like a young pup, bearing in mind he’s 12 years old.

Later on that evening was the annual Saddleworth Runners presentation bash at the lovely Saddleworth Golf Club. The event sees club prizes awarded (we picked up second male and Claire second female - boom), nice food, drink, and company both old and new. And of course the Wooden Spoon award for the best failure of the last year, won by my wife for missing my by two hours at the Snake Pass summit when supporting me on the 24 mile Marsden to Edale Trigger fell race, and also forgetting my bag of fresh clothes to change into! Matters were made worse by the fact I’d won the spoon the year before and Claire wanted to see the back of it.

Flickr: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmv4e8fh

With my side still hurting like heck and playing up on the Saturday night as I laughed I was glad for a nice walk with “The Pigs” on Sunday from Hathersage across Stanage Edge. Whilst bitterly cold at times, it was well worth the effort just to lap up the views.

Flickr: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmxVsVkF

Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/2122430117


It was good to be out with Claire, Ted, Gavin, Steve, and especially Andy who I’d not seen for a while.