There had been excuses from three Slow Warts so we were left with six of us, although only five (Famous?) set off together from the actual Yorkshire Bridge (not the pub), Jim O was doing his own recce/winter series race from Moscar. In planning the outing, it was felt that Parkin Clough had to be done at least once a year but the prospect of it did bring other less severe suggestions. However, these were ignored and we started gently up the well-used muddy path, and maintained that pace. The path has a geriatric feel to it with surprisingly regular hand grips in the form of exposed tree roots, which were useful climbing and balancing aids. Near the summit of Win Hill however, young Simon injected a livelier pace to try to snap us out of our comfort zone but with only a marginal effect. At least Tim had the excuse of jet lag, having just returned from sunny climes in Barbados.
It was not Barbadian weather on Win Hill, slightly sleety in the easterly wind giving us a feels like temperature of -4⁰C, a shock for Tim! In a nod to keeping up our dose of Harmerian terrain, Andy took us off the tricky summit rocks, along the main track but then down a steep heathery pathless descent to one of the gradually rising tracks towards Hope Cross. This didn’t provide us much relief from Harmerianess as we tottered along the rocky remains of a wall to reach further along the main track (yes, back on the track) from Win Hill. Diverting from this track, we headed for the three peaks of Wooler Knoll. Whether they are the remains of quarrying or of an ancient monument or naturally occurring, no one was certain. They remain a mystery in their own clearing surrounded and protected by trees which we had to navigate out of, otherwise we may still searching for an exit. Maybe we’ll return in daylight?
We returned to the main track between Hope Cross and Win Hill for our third visit to it that evening. However, we returned to Harmerian ways by diverting along a deeply grooved overgrown path, the latter being a dubious description, as we again needed to adopt our previous staggering mode. The finale of further rough terrain in the forest, was over what seemed to be rotten steps and through deep dirty wet mud, noticeably not as clean as peat.
The YBI was now within walking distance from the cars but we chose to drive there after our two-hour outing, shame on us? In the meantime, Jim had joined us from his solo efforts. Whilst the YBI did have Farmers’ Blonde, the Moonshine had not returned. Patience, patience! Despite this setback, we were satisfied with the trip to the three Wooler Knoll peaks so we declared it to be a good outing. Thanks to all.
Graham