Dark Peak Stones

Dark Peak Stones on Wed 10th Aug 2016

We don't see enough of Ken Jones around the club these days, so when he volunteered a new variation on the back end of the Dark Peak Stones as a race in the 40@40, it was a very easy call to accept.What the calendar hadn't reckoned with however was the extent to which Ken's absence had fed the crueller side of his sense of humour, with what he'd described as 'a rough bit at the beginning' proving to be an atrocious line across Friars Ridge - worthy of the staunchest wart.

Unfortunately for Neil and Ralph, the 'obvious finger post' at White Stones, carefully festooned in red and white tape, turned out less than obvious to them.This resulted in much agonising at the finish for the RO who tried somewhat to pass responsibility for the decision, but was – I can exclusively confirm – the ultimate judge, jury and executioner in determining their disqualification.For most of the rest of the field, chalking up a victory over Neil and Ralph would usually have been cause for great celebration.On this occasion, however, our delight was wholly eclipsed by young Mr Keith's stinker of a result, former Mr Chair Westgate taking especial delight in ribbing Keith on his return to Upper Burbage Bridge, second last.

To Keith's credit, and much of the field's surprise, he joined us all in Tha' Sportsman for prize-giving thereafter (although I can't say whether alcohol passed his lips); possibly, it transpires, because Ken had lured him there with the promise of one of a number of handsome trophies, lovingly hand crafted in araldite by the RO himself.The array of trophies on offer were indeed 'illustrious' (as trailed by their maker), and certainly demand a repeat running of the race next year, even if the field was somewhat more divided on whether the route itself deserves a re-run.I suppose it'll give us the opportunity to ponder again which one of the four stones was included, in the RO's words, 'for its aesthetic value'.

For the record, the checkpoints were: Start/Finish Upper Burbage Bridge car park 261830; CP1 White Stones finger post 261845 (n.b. Neil and Ralph; if Josh and Dave can find it …); CP2 Head Stone 255874; via Oaking Clough Plantation 245861 to CP3 Buck Stone 231847 (that's the line that resulted in most changes in position); and finally, CP4 Cowper Stone 254832 and back to the car park.

Our thanks to Ken and Mrs (I think) Ken (very nice to meet you, even if I didn't catch your name) for organising and for recording results respectively, and particularly for the trophies (albeit they may be a tad too lovingly hand-crafted to outshine some other classics in the DP trophy cabinet).

Oh, and upon your return from holiday, Mr RO sir, feel free to have this drivel replaced with something altogether more suitable.