Carry on camping

The Schaf is on the prowl at present, filming a new television series: A long trip up to the north of the UK awaits. Off to explore the great outdoors and do some filming for a new telly show coming soon. Will keep you posted via Twitter.

It appears his travels have taken him to Cumbria; thinking along meteorlogical lines, Cumbria is England's wettest place {iii}, so that perhaps explains Tomasz's interest in the place. Could also explain why he is putting up a tent {i}...



That looks like the North Pennines to me: The Cumbrian side of the Pennines is infamous for Britain's only named wind, the Helm Wind. It's a north-easterly wind which blows down the south-west slope of the Cross Fell {ii} escarpment. The Helm Wind is the only named wind in the British Isles: It reputedly takes its name from the cap of cloud which forms above Cross Fell, known as the Helm Bar.

The Helm Wind is a local example of the strong foehn winds that can blow down-slope in the lee of mountain barriers (notably in The Alps) Research into the wind was carried out by a glider-pilot called Gordon Manley in the 1930s. He interpreted the phenomenon in hydrodynamic terms as a "standing wave" and "rotor"-- a model confirmed in 1939 by glider flights. The Helm amplifies winds from the north-east, and can be extremely destructive in the nearby Vale of Eden. Will Tomasz experience this phenomenon?

So if you are dropping by the Hartside Top Cafe in the next day or two, you may see The Schaf in there supping on cuppa and chomping on a cream horn.



{i} Not a euphemism
{ii} Cross Fell is the highest peak of the Pennines, near Penrith.
{iii} Officially Borrowdale. Well according to John Craven, it is.