It was Tim who suggested it.
The Summer Series has been taken over from Nicky by Willy K (thanks to both) and new routes have now been suggested and adopted whilst keeping some of the old ones. Jim O has devised a new one from Doctor’s Gate which, following the temporary closure of the Snake Road preventing previous access, tempted us to head out towards Bleaklow and recce Jim’s suggestion.
However, the resolve of the Serious (Slow) Warts was to be tested. It was semi-final day of the World Cup, England were playing Argentina at 8pm (UK time), so how many would turn up? There were excuses and reasons why some Warts were absent. Chris and Moz were in Portugal on holiday, Roger was possibly injured (he’d missed a few outings already) and Pete reported he’d got a summer cold, all acceptable…..perhaps?
We remaining five had happily gone out to Doctor’s Gate to face the heat of the sun, tempered by a pleasant cooling breeze. Even after a prolonged heat wave, it was still possible to dampen the feet, the rapidly diminishing (overgrown) paved section of the link path to the Pennine Way, provided am opportunity to dye the feet in some orange ooze. Whether this will be a permanent adornment, is yet to be discovered.
In stark contrast, the PW was almost road running but, fortunately, we abandoned it for the soft undergrowth towards Crooked Clough. It is a surprisingly deep clough which it pays to follow it to higher up to reduce the climb out of it. The teasing hillside shelves make for a seemingly prolonged ascent to the majestic view from Shelf Stones (first check point).
Bleaklow is perhaps an orienteers paradise or nightmare, crossed as it is with many groughs and mini-hillocks or undistinguished lumps. Our aim was to reach the Bleaklow Stones check point, however, Andy was nursing an injury and so cut off the route to go directly back to the finish, missing out Bleaklow Stones. I foolishly decided to continue, on in my vain attempt to catch up Tom, Tim and Michael who were well ahead by now, appearing and disappearing over the hillocks and the hollows of the “flat” (very few map contours) ground.
In my now lonely and late situation, I questioned whether it was worth going to Bleaklow Stones so instead, I went (I think) to the nearby Bleaklow Hill area. I turned due west with the aim of reaching the PW and, possibly, Bleaklow Head. There were no distinct features apart from a slight rise ahead. Here I spotted the cairn and post of Bleaklow Head and, from, now on, my progress was quicker (for me), along some rocky going in Hern Clough and on parts of the PW. It is a long way to the Doctor’s Gate crossing of the PW, cars in the distance looked particularly small so, head down and dash (?) on. It was a great relief to reach near DG to cross the moor for the final descent to the car park.
Not surprisingly, everybody was there, part-changed and almost ready to dash off to the YBI. This wasn’t as straight forward as expected. We were within the closed top section of the traffic light controlled collapsing road section. One of our cars went for the “go and be damned” approach whilst blowing the horn and flashing lights at the blind corner, it worked. Our approach was to watch for the queuing cars to start moving and jump in just before them. This also worked. We live dangerously! At the pub, the back steps from the lower car park were closed so the fire escape was our route into the bar. Some elite Warts were already there, Sarah B, Jim P and Tim R and our discussions covered the fashion for electric scooters converted from petrol to electric by Rob, the use of a 12mph Ferguson tractor for long distance travel and ploughing competitions in Ireland. We must congratulate Tim R on his seventh position there! Oh, and I think we mentioned the World Cup, though only very briefly.
A fine outing with an enjoyable recce and a very sociable visit to the pub. Thanks to all.
Next Wednesday Midhopestones 5pm
Graham
