A nomnal check that all ten of us were pagans was made (by Andy) under the rocks at Great Tor, as we started our second round of carol singing. There was a sort of vague non committed response and then we went into full voice. I’m not sure whether our dirge was recorded but the play back will no doubt confirm our status as deranged pagans. The Slow Warts’ answer to the rival DPFR Headstone carol singing, was to start from Cutthroat Bridge, a suitable pagan-like name, and wander over the wild Moscar Moor giving voice to half a dozen carols on the way.
There were recollections of last year’s outing where we attempted but failed to gain shelter from the westerly rain storm, in the Great Tor rocks. Tonight’s outing was more benign with no rain and a strong breeze which provided welcome support on the return. There were still challenges, after all it was Andy’ route choice, though not until we had left from our first choir stalls in the mighty pagan cathedral, with limited headroom, of the Jarvis Clough hut. Three carols, from the Harmer song sheet, were sung here with the remaining three being saved for the later rendering of our second oratorio.
Thanks to Chris for all the photos at Jarvis Cabin
Half of the third running of this carol singing tradition now completed, a direct line across Moscar and Bamford Moors was required. We were now in moderate to serious Slow Warts’ territory, heather, reeds, bracken and, of course, bog, with the odd rock to maintain our alertness. The young tigers in the group, Tom and Tim, strode ahead (as they did to the cabin) to a wall where they kindly waited for the elders to stagger along. On the way, we were all surprised to see a hill or maybe a rise, it’s strange how torch light distorts the view. We also saw a lone (?) low pillar with a series of holes drilled in it, was it an ancient pagan sighting post or more likely and more prosaically, a simple fence post; our night time ramblings were becoming more extreme.
Despite all these imaginings, we made it to Bamford Edge and to Big Tor where we scrambled down for the second recital of carols. We all believed we were in good voice so we left in good spirits, note, whiskey was also served, for another moor crossing using a generous number of promised pathways, remember it’s Christmas. The exit from Jarvis Clough gave us an opportunity for hill training, always welcome, for a muddy track trip to the pinnacle pagan site of the Hordron Edge stone circle. It was enough to just nod an acknowledgement to it to confirm our pagan qualification.
To celebrate this, a libation of a couple of pints was taken at the Yorkshire Bridge Inn where the next two outings were planned, devil worshipping next perhaps, it might include road running?
A grand outing, thanks to all for such jolly time.
Happy Christmas all!
Graham