At least four Slow Warts out of the thirteen starters were either recovering from or nursing recent injuries so this note of caution or excuse, perhaps, was announced to all before setting off from Yorkshire Bridge. There were one or two hints at climbing Parkin Clough to Win Hill but there was little enthusiasm, in fact, there was some downright aversion to such a suggestion. So, Andy had devised a Slow Warts kindly ascent to Win Hill involving the gentlest muddy slope towards the civilisation of Aston and Thornhill. To save us from getting too close and therefore spoiling our well-established uncivilised image, we did a sharp turn in the opposite direction and wandered gradually up to the wild, wetand windy Win Hill. At least, these conditions did provide some consolation for the Slow Warts’ hard men.
In a truly uncharacteristic manner, we were lead on the main track towards, eventually, Hope Cross but, well before there, a sudden swerve was taken to the left to restore our Wartingterrain quota, down the steep heathery Hope Brinks. By this time, two of our “We’ll see how it goes” group had seen how it went and set off back to the pub, a wise move as it turned out. Our gentle upward meandering continued to the rather mysterious clearing of Wooler Knoll hidden in the woods above Ladybower reservoir. Were the mounds there ancient burial grounds or were they the remains of some limited quarrying? Whatever, we duly paid our respects to this peak by going most of the way around it, though really, it mighthave been a means of finding our way off it.
We did find a way off, into the main forest, passing some rather spectacular mushrooms which Chris reliably informed us were poisonous though, apparently, the aristocracy got their servants to consume them for their urine which was to be drunk by the aristos to get their hallucinogenic experience without having the inconvenience of being poisoned. There is no record of how many servants died of kidney or liver failure, though I guess it was all part of their job description.
Russ admiring the mushrooms, thanks to Jim O for the photo
We now embarked on our own long and almost hallucinogenic contour around Win Hill through Wiseman Hey Clough Plantation. In the dark now, the torches were out and giving ghostly shadows from the overhanging fir trees which also provided the extra sensation of a wet and prickly stroking to encourage us along the particularly wet and muddy tracks. Surprisingly peat bog seems to be much less dirty; clearly, I’ve spent far too much time staring at types of mud. It’s a long way round Win Hill on this contour especially when the lure of the pub encouraged the group to speed up and split up.There was only the slightest glimpse of any views, though Crook Hill could be briefly seen.
We did make it to the pub and, as always, had a jolly time with almost the full complement of today’s Slow Warts. A wonderful evening!
Graham
Next week the Labrador Tea plant, perhap