There ought to be not much for me to write about because I was mostly on my own on the outing from King’s Tree. The weather may also be partially to blame, it was a clear and cooler than recent times, so what to wear? Tee shirt and lightweight Buffalo because there was a possibility of showers, so, accordingly off I went. By the time we six (plus Moz who was nursing a broken finger and was walking in the valley) had reached the small descent to the bridge at Slippery Stones, I realised the choice was wrong so it was time to remove a layer, Tee shirt off and in rucsack, Buffalo on, with maximum ventilation. However, all this faffing allowed the group to get well ahead and at the bridge, there was no sign of them. Three choices faced me, the Cut Gate path, straight ahead eventually to Bull Stones or along the valley.
Maybe the bracken was too high, maybe I wasn’t sure about the valley route, so straight ahead was chosen. In hindsight, this was not the most logical (!) because rocky Cut Gate was not going to be used and Andy had clearly said NOT Bull Stones to start with, so the valley route had been taken by the remaining five. (Andy has put the details on his email and the Slow Warts Whatsapp) Nevertheless, I continued, up Little Moor and then weaving through the bracken and heather towards not Bull Stones but the path between them and Crow Stones (I think). After a long slog through this Harmerian terrain, a faint path was reached and followed. I had the pleasure of seeing five runners there but very much in the distance.
I soon decided that I’d not reach them and turned back along the path to Bull Stones. There, a phone call from Tim interrupted my musings on life and navigation in the hills. There were background voices on the phone which were vaguely heart-warmingly consoling and sympathetic, I think? We reunited near Bull Stones and returned via my route over Little Moor. By this time four fast lads were well ahead but decided to walk back on the track to avoid the expected midges at King’s tree whilst waiting for Andy and I (we had the car keys!).
It had been a grand outing clear and mainly sunny conditions and a good route for those who went on it! All rounded off with a visit to the, as always, YBI. Thanks to all.
Graham
