There were excuses, justified or not, Moz was in Prague, Roger was injured, Pete was on woodcock spotting duties, Chris was making music in Wales and Tom was cycling. To make up for these absences, we had the return of John W, Simon and Andy from holiday, a total of five Serious (Slow) Warts, including, of course, Tim.
Having negotiated the pothole and puddle ridden lay-by near Hagg Hostel and discussed the route, the reverse way around a standard outing via Telegraph Hill, Fisherman’s carpark, Hope Cross, the National Trust shelter at Edale End, Back Side Wood, Jagger’s Clough, Hope Cross (again), and back to the lay-bys.
Once the tarmac road to Hagg Hostel was done, Tim introduced us to a new and less rocky continuation one through the wood, passing what appeared to be a two-cottaged terrace, interesting but it would be good to know its original purpose. This speculation provided us with another opportunity to rest before reaching the ridge and then Telegraph Hill. The descent from here confirmed the adage that ”When you’re going up, it’s worse going up and when you’re going down it’s worse going down”.
However, we survived, only to be faced with a thicket of aggressive hawthorn saplings all keen to taste our blood shed on the way through them. We ended up fortunately on the right side of an impressive (tall) deer fence to then cross the river for the ascent to Hope Cross. Things look different or less recognisable going the opposite way round to the usual well-trod way. That’s why I don’t mind there-and-back runs, there are different things to see! However, we did a little bit of faltering before reaching the NT shelter which we barely entered, our attention being drawn to an unusual (possibly unique) bicycle leaning against the wall. The family in the adjacent house were on-hand to explain. The father had made the bike as part of a university project to use a chain-free power (legs) system; there were cogs on the inner of the rear wheel with some sort of link to the equivalent of the main chain (less) drive. (you need to see it!). The family also sold snacks for hungry passing walkers, etc., the children were keen to sell us some!
Wonderful as this encounter was, we had to move on, after all, we were meant to be a fell running (?) club. Our attempt at continuing was not exactly very clever having been advised by the family that “it isn’t through that gate!”. Instead, we back-tracked a little where we had just descended but then split off on a lower path by the stream and across a number of pallet-like walkways avoiding having to plough through various bogs, how very civilised! However, Backside Wood provided some muddy sections of the path before we were able to wash off the mud when crossing Jagger’s Clough.
The YBI is a wonderful pub, always welcoming and all the beers normally available except when mine was being poured. The barrel needed changing, tantalisingly just when my pint was halfway through filling. Nevertheless, the Serious (Slow) Warts were able to discuss the intricacies of different types of Yoga, Pilates and their benefits, upcoming Warts’ birthdays and, of course, where to, next Wednesday, Cutthroat bridge at 5pm.
We all agreed we’d had an interesting outing though perhaps not so energetically athletic as perhaps we aimed or wished for. To next time! Thanks to all.
Graham
