After the confusion of last week, came the apparent coordination of this Wednesday’s outings. The eight Serious (Slow) Warts managed to meet at the same place, Strines, through location planning via John, who was cycling in Mallorca, and despite the continuing absence of Andy (dodgy ankle). A plan had been hatched to go to Low Tor, Howshaw Tor, Cakes of Bread and anywhere we fancied on the route, “seems like a plan” was the conclusion.
We were grateful for Tom’s forethought in avoiding the notorious patch of brambles close to the gamekeeper’s cottage. By this time, we had decided to visit the “grotto” or more familiarly, the block house which remains in a state of constant erosion. However, an adjacent lump of uneroded stone the shape of a trig pillar seemed as if it would fit into an opening in the wall. Would it fit? Undaunted, our weightlifting member, Tom, was able to move it only slightly so any possibility of fitting into the opening was quickly and sensibly abandoned.
A long stretch of moorland awaited us to Low Tor with the possible questionable relief of the slabs on the path which, like us are showing their age as they sink in to the peat. Many of them are leaning at crazy angles which, I suppose is only what we’re doing when crossing the lumpy moor. Leaving the path, we followed the fence and headed to Low Tor where we’re impressed by the, dare I say, the spectacular view towards Margery Hill and beyond. We turned almost sentimental by our opportunity of being out in the heart of the Dark Peak.
But press on we must, to Howshaw Tor over some more lumpy terrain where apparently sightings of mountain hare(s) were made, magic! Whilst the sun was shining (good), the wind on the open ground was cold and strong (not so good) so we sheltered behind some of the few rocks on Howshaw Tor whilst planning the next places not to go.
So, we wouldn’t go to either Lost Lad or Back Tor but to the col between them and then on to a path which we didn’t find, apparently now over grown with heather. Either that or, more likely, we couldn’t find it! We did reach the main slabby path before crossing the moor to the Cakes of Bread.
The lure of the pub became strong and it became a case of everyman for himself as we (now including Jim who had joined us at the Cakes) dispersed widely in the general direction of Foulstone Moor and Strines Dike. The mixture of burnt and semi-burnt ground provided an opportunity for fast, or not so slow, running to the pub.
Having had last week’s wide spread diaspora, our return to the pub was like the gathering of the clans. There were the DP cold water swimmers, a brief appearance of Tim Rae (training for the Jura), and a group of normal younger DP Warts and we older (if not oldest) Warts including an appearance of Andy. A distinguished lot, we thought!
So, an amazing get-together celebrating the wonderful spring evening in the Dark Peak.
Thanks to all.
Graham
