Well, seven Slow Warts tonight, more than twice the number at the last two outings, and no Jim, who was apparently recovering from his weekend. For Tom, it was a revisit to the area where Boz’s race was held the previous weekend, Blackden. It’s a formidable start with not only rather negative warning signs on the gate, no drones, no this and no that but also a short steep rocky and muddy descent. We’re thrown into full fell action immediately, this time in clear daylight, not surprisingly, it’s early March.
Andy’s plan was to go round the base of Dean Hill to a holly tree (the first) and then on to a ruined sheep fold, the only one we were to visit on our outing. It strikes me that there is something mathematical about climbing up to the edge of Kinder plateau, the more we climb the steeper the climb becomes. However, thinking such matters doesn’t make the climb any easier, although, it does distract, slightly, from the effort being made.
It was a glorious night to be out, cold, clear and still just about light, splendid, and being where we were, we had our now traditional discussions on where and how many Madwoman’s Stones there were.
There could be three sets but it was agreed that the middle ones were the ones. We ticked them off on the way to Blackden trig via a multitude of paths or rather, lines of exposed peat of increasing in depth and gloopiness. After all, we are Dark Peat Fell Runners.
Continuing to make a habit of visiting named (by us) features but without the eponymous Slow Wart being with us, e.g. Tom’s tree last week, our next target was Bob’s Rock (he was climbing in France). On the way, the Slow Warts split into two groups, the Fast, Slow Warts and the Slow, Slow Warts the latter reaching Bob’s Rock first. The other group claimed they had been to the other Bob’s Rock, so, how many are there? At least two, at last night’s count.
We could just see our next check point in the half-light, the holly tree on the opposite bank of Blackden Brook and part way up its hill side. The descent into the Brook was not easy with varying vegetation and the occasional hidden rock to keep us alert. For such a significant valley, it has a disappointingly small stream which was easily crossed and with no wet feet. During the finishing descent we passed more holly trees some, in a plantation, which begged our themed question, how many? Such thoughts evaporated in the desire to run all the way up the path to the car park, a grand flourish to end a special outing.
It was topped off with a visit to the YBI which did have Moonshine which stimulated our conversations or chunterings covering, amongst many topics, Trump and our legendary Mike Hayes with his interesting handicap system originating from horse racing methods. Based on weight, lightweight runners had to carry more and heavyweights less. Those were the days!
What a memorable outing. Thanks to all.
Graham