BB1401 : Calling All BOOTboys - Over

For some strange reason, typing the above brought to mind an incident many years ago.

An article had been produced for an in-house staff newspaper in which I had been asked to list my hobbies.  On reading it, a member of staff asked her colleague: "Why is he telling us that he fell walking?  Was he drunk?"  

It must have been when I was in Liverpool where they don't have hills but horizontal drinkers are not unknown.

Well, if I had fell walking today, then I would have had the means to contact someone to let them know.  If I were conscious of course.  And the Gizmo switched on.  And similarly that of someone else on the same channel.

As it happens, I didn't fall today but Stan and I were equipped with a Gizmo each in order to give them a field trial.  Before we set off, we double checked that we were both switched on and on the same wavelength.  Then we did the same with the walkie-talkies.

Time constraints meant that only a short but fast walk would be appropriate which generally is a euphemism for a trip round the Scars.  Accordingly, we parked by the radio mast on the Kendal to Crosthwaite road and tore off to Cunswick Scar.

Scout Scar from Cunswick Scar

Object one achieved, we hared back past the car to the Mushroom to stop for a team picture, communication from one side of the Mushroom to the other by Gizmo, of course!

Next, further along the scar, along by the wall out of the wind.  Here we saw fields of what looked like large, grassed-over mole-hills but I am informed that they are actually centuries old ant hills.  

Lots more antheaps!

You can see the odd one has been disturbed, apparently by badgers digging for food.

The Kent Estuary and Whitbarrow Scar

<< BOOTboy Don to Stan,  Where are you?  Over. >>

Immediately came the reply:

<< BOOTboy Stan to Don, at the gate at the bottom. >>

And there I soon found him.  Now it was time for revenge.  On a good day, I am a little faster than Stan on moderate ascents so off I charged up the road, soon becoming out of sight.  Then the Gizmo buzzed.

<< BOOTboy Stan to Don, where are you? Over. >>

<< BOOTboy Don to Stan, Back at the car.  Over and out. >>

So, thanks again, Secret Santa; the Gizmos really do work.

<< BOOTboys Don and Stan calling all BOOTboys:
<< Let's make this a record year. Over! >>

Don, Thursday 2nd January 2014

BOOTboys routes are put online in gpx format which should work with most mapping software. You can follow our route in detail by downloading bb1401 .

To discover which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing - although it may not be that up to date - see: Which Wainwright When?

For the latest totals of the mileages and heights (ditto) see: BB Log.

 Photos have been gleaned from many sources although mostly from me!
Likewise written comment.  
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