A schoolboy error, Chris reminded me that, in the last blog it was Mars not Venus that we could see during our planetary observations then. So apologies to all the astronomers, however, we still didn’t find the Lawrence Field stone circle, though there is some doubt now whether it exists. Our latest venture, with a 6pm start, was mingled with a night race from Fairholmes. There were three regular Slow Warts, Tom, Tim and Moz who started the race with Fast Warts Penny, Pete and Roy along with a number of Young People. Four Slow Warts went for a social outing in the same area.
For all, it was cold, -4⁰C, maybe colder, and there was snow deep enough to cover the ice, making for tricky and slippery conditions but, nevertheless it was a wonderful night. Having learnt to live with bucket loads of mud during the very rainy days of the first half of January when a month’s rain had fallen, we had the pleasure of firm frozen mud instead. First, we had to tackle the steep, leaf mulched wooded climb to open country through the wicket gate, there was talk of the need for ropes but, heroes that we are, we ploughed on without a rope, this time on the heathery trod created during the DP FRA relays a few years ago. Some more track running brought us to the little wood near Near Deep Clough when we sighted torches from the early race starters, Tom and Tim who were heading for a stream junction in Far Deep Clough.
We, instead, now heading for a contour around Lost Lad, diverted our talk to torches, following Moz’s torch failure last week and his plea for information and recommendations on them. We were sufficiently diverted to almost forget our traverse to the Sheepfold Clough track and then on to the drumlins in Abbey Brook. Here, our lack of speed caught us up. Having planned (Andy) to cross the Brook, to the Gravy Clough cabin, a majority decision (three out of four) was made to abandon the cold-water semi-immersion, and go to Cogman Clough cabin instead, down the main Brook track. On the way, occasional other torch lights were seen leaving Cogman’s and heading along the Keddie route. Our visit to the cabin was nearly missed but, fortunately, Bob led us to it.
At Cogman Clough
Having been passed by young Tim (Tett), we went close to Bamford House on the way back, our eyes now being accustomed to the black and white views of the terrain which was potentially dangerous as we approached a large rocky boulder which suddenly moved on its four legs. The resting, mainly belted Galloways were enjoying the starlight and peace of a cold January night only to be disturbed by a group of one-eyed creatures wandering across their sleeping quarters.
Back at the race finish, the usual analysis of routes taken and remarkably fast times of the young racers was compared with our two-hour trundle. The analysis was to be continued at the usual watering hole of the Yorkshire Bridge Inn but, horror, it was closed so we were able to continue to the now open Anglers’ Rest. There our equilibrium was restored and we declared the evening to be a glorious Warts’ (both Fast and Slow) outing. Thanks to all.
Graham
Thanks to Chris for the track