The King’s Tree outing last week and the Cap’n’s absence then, must have distorted our collective Slow Warts’ minds (easily done) into deciding to start this week’s later outing from Callow Bank on the basis it was close to the Norfolk Arms where the DPFR AGM was to be held later. Despite some misgivings at being in almost alien country, ten brave Slow Warts appeared, all prepared to face a route on paths, trails and even on road, with few tussocks (I counted about 17).
We had been presented with choices, northwards over the boggy ground of Hallam Moors, southwards over Burbage Moor or north westwards over Stanage. This outbreak of democracy was a bit disturbing since normally we’re told where we’re going and then we get on with it. However, despite Andy’s presence tonight, we managed to make the choice to go along Stanage, dodging rocks and bogs, after all there was a possibility we may survive the outing with dry feet. As an antidote to hard rock, we started our descent from Stanage via Buck Stone on a soft grassy path and this may have encouraged the rock deprived amongst us to attempt to summit the Stone; the rest of us watched on. Fortunately, whilst the triffid like bracken is just beginning growing, we were able to cross Sheepwash Bank in last year’s old rotten bracken without much trouble only to be faced with the 17 (?) tussocks to reach the path to Green’s House.
There is a danger that the Slow Warts group may be turning into a historical group, e.g. our searches for the three-sheeper sheepfold, the Stanage grouse drinking bowls, the boundary stones etc, and today’s feature was the paper mill (?) pond which was duly visited but not swum in. Instead, we headed for the Hathersage suburban historical delights of Camp Green, the remains of a timber and earth fortress also known for its array of snowdrops in early spring. But, horror, we braced ourselves for our first road (yes!) climb towards the Carr Head vineyard before branching off to Toothill Farm and then our second road climb to Mitchell Field Farm where Jim decided to add a further top, Higgar Tor, to enhance his training schedule. The rest of us had now to face the inevitable, we’d had a generally easy time descending from Stanage so, what goes down has to go up. Our up was Callow Bank, a fine or horrible climb depending how the legs feel. It was notable for being one of the few significant uphill finishes for the Slow Warts.
We were rewarded back at the cars with pork pie and quiche, excess fare from a funeral Andy had been to. Then, but not because of the food, we split into a group going to the YBI and the remaining four going to the AGM at the Norfolk Arms where we were reacquainted with young (and fast !) DPFR members. I was quizzed by a young member, “Who was I “ he asked. I was defeated, he revealed he was Pete and Maggie Lewis’s son, memorable for being taken to the summit of Lose Hill on marshalling duties for every year of his life, except this year (bicycle accident). Much was covered in the meeting including, thankfully, subjects like safeguarding, diversity, which had never been even considered in the early days of the club. It was all very democratic.
Thanks to all for a different Slow Warts’ outing. Next week we’ll be back to the rough pathless, tussocks, heather and bogs and another AGM, this time in the quarry near Jaggers Clough.
Order will be returned!
Graham
