And with it there was a welcome return, from injury, of Bob and Clive, both were in fine form and ready for what the night might challenge them with.
In the valleys of Sheffield, there was a bit of a breeze but go to the heights of Derwent Edge and it becomes a series of unbalancing blasts which saw a group of nine Serious (Slow) Warts wobbling along the flagstones from Back Tor. Before this battering, we’d enjoyed the relative calm in the shelter of Foulstone Moor and Brogging Moss. Both provided a contrast to the meadow like underfoot conditions we’d enjoyed last week from Snake Bridge, Now, we had the pleasure of rotting brown bracken, deep heather, deep holes, bilberry and patches of relatively bare ground, for a bit of relief. To complete this variety, there was some deep swampy ground which indicated we were close to the blockhouse/grotto marked on the Harvey and OS maps as a very small square or dot.
In the group quest for a bit of variety from the usual moor crossing to Howshaw Tor, we called in to see the rocks below Back Tor, this line seemed to be slightly more direct, though with a bit more climbing. We were now becoming closer to the battering wind and closer still as we turned to the main path from Back Tor. Yes, it was windy but there were the thrills and excitement of fighting our way against it (like young children?) to the Cakes of Bread.
The shelter from the wind behind the Cakes was a relief and the possible help the wind would give us on the way to Black Hole, our next check point, was much anticipated. Whilst it was helpful, the occasional gust pushed us into a form of uncontrolled acrobatics, no elegant movements here. However, to complete his full Serious Warting experience, Clive decided to go for semi-immersion in a hidden stream near Running (we weren’t) Moss. His immersion was duly noted so he has requalified as a Serious (Slow) Wart. Congratulations!
However, there was one more serious challenge for us all, to climb out of Strines Dike up to Strines Moor. The combination of a steep hillside and very deep heather, bracken and bilberry was enough to remind us of the peril of Mosley Bank in the Upper Derwent. Nevertheless, the challenge was accepted and completed so we could have a relaxed return to the Strines pub.
The warm firelit pub was the perfect place to warm up with a couple of DP night swimmers. We had enjoyed ourselves and thanks to all and to Andy for yet again planning the surprisingly hard route. Well done all.
Graham
