It’s that time of year again, wild windy weather, when seeking any possible shelter from it becomes a high priority for us, to be able to sing carols. After all, we don’t want our efforts to be lost to the howling gale or, maybe we should let our efforts be tactfully carried away on the wind to oblivion. Whatever, we nine Slow Warts had to reach our first point of shelter in Jarvis Clough, from Cutthroat Bridge.
Initially, although we’d enjoyed some lumpy terrain, the track proved inviting but it was not dry. The choice of Neoprene socks proved to be wise assuming that we’d already made the decision to step into this alternative wild universe. We could have stayed away, of course, when warm wet feet would not have appeared quite so attractive. The Cap’n did warn us that risk was involved at the Jarvis Cabin because of the flimsy twiggy supports for its roof. The risk was exaggerated further by the makeshift bridge (a plank) across the stream. Firstly, it was slippy so there was the chance of testing our Neoprenes again and, secondly, the plank appeared to have been part of the structure of the cabin. For the sake of self-preservation, Tim and Tom chose the most robust looking place to sit under the roof supports, the rest of us took our chances under the rattling tin roof. However, we had shelter; it’s a good place for an open-fronted cabin and for our carolling so we sang with gusto, if not tunefully and we completed all the verses of the three carols chosen. In the interests of recording this momentous event, a photo was taken and the result was prophetic, a spectre at the cabin!
Now our spirits had been lifted with the singing, we climbed out of the shelter and on to the moor following a bearing of about 220⁰ towards Bamford Edge for our next audience-less musical performance. Of course, the reward of our next sheltered “a Capella” experience has to be worked for in the form of more strong and challenging wind and rain with added zest of bogs, rushes, tussocks, etc. But, there were rumblings of spectral discontent. The beau of the Slow Warts, Chris, who was wearing his signature bloomers, was also wearing a waterproof safety gilet overloaded with reflective material which dazzled gloriously if following him with torches on. I suppose it was a useful training device for any one following because it encourages overtaking Chris to avoid his dazzle. Such grumbling thoughts aside, the windy blasts marked our arrival at the Edge for our descent into a bit of shelter in the rock clefts.
We continued our success rate by completing the remaining three carols (all verses) sung into the wind for the benefit of the folk of Bamford. We emerged from our semi-shelter to gusty wind for a quicker (with the wind mainly behind us) return trip to Jarvis Clough via quite a civilised path with the hint that we were going to the Hordren Edge stone circle, which indeed we did. This time there was definitely no shelter and we were pleased to leave there to the sound of “we won’t go until we’ve got some” (figgy pudding) ringing in our ears.
We completed our outing with a track and rock descent to the car park for a short dash (by car!) to the Yorkshire Bridge Inn where the Slow Warts Philosophical Club discussed everything usually about nothing of consequence apart from the next two Warts’ Wednesday outings.
Another memorable outing. Thanks to all. The weather will now get better (!) as we turn towards summer after the longest night.
Graham
