BB1729 : Will Ye Go, BOOTboys Go?

Wednesday 16th August 2017

I came in for a bit of flak for my last report, BB1728 The Angel of the Mountain.

That's not what really happened.
I didn't understand a word of it.
What is he wittering on about?
I want some of what he's been smoking!

Those were just some of the reactions.  So today, I will just stick to the facts.

We met at the Pheasant at Casterton
We crossed the road heading in the Sedbergh direction then turned right at the church.
We went straight across at the first junct.......zzzzzz ..... zzzzzzz......

Sorry, I'm falling asleep already.  Back to normalicity, which will bear some relationship to reality omiticating the possibilityness of some Trump-like alternative facts.

Our objective, Middleton Fell, was chosen because rain was expected later in the day and this area had the likelihood of staying dry longer.

It was a gentle stroll across the fields from Casterton to Barbon.  

The Churchmouse Cheeseman drove by in his old Jaguar.  There was some debate as to whether to call in at the shop and café.  I offered to buy the boys ice cream but to my amazement no one was interested.  I should have had the grandkids with me.

More fields led to Eskholme where the climb started.

I was feeling somewhat lethargic and had no interest in trying to catch the couple up the hill from us.  But then I spotted a weakness in the man's stamina- he kept having to pause for breath.  At last my porridge kicked in.  They had to be reeled in and so they were.  Honour maintained, I could now stop and let the more sensible boys catch up.  

We lingered awhile enjoying the view then set off again, socially chatting away.  I noticed that the couple were quite some considerable distance ahead, well beyond reeling-in distance.  More chat.  Another look.  More chat.  And then the porridge kicked in again and off I went.  Stan realised what was happening and contemplated, he told me later, running up the hill but he had every confidence in me.  Sorry, but I regret to say I failed.  Or to be more precise, I left my challenge too late and was still twenty yards behind by the time they reached Castle Knott summit.  I know how Mo felt.

That was the end of my silliness.  Everyone else was being very sensible.  I waited for them and we walked sociably to the Calf summit, stopping for lunch a little further on out of the wind.

That was the hard work over.  

Thereafter, apart from the odd bog or five, it was a pleasant, gentle walk along the ridge path.....

.....then down all around the blooming heather.

Will ye go, BOOTboys, go?

We did.  We all went together.  Down to the Jordan Lane Roman Road where Martin had left his 6/7 seater to return us all to Casterton.

Back at the Pheasant, you will be surprised to learn, we did NOT go in for a pint, even though we had availed ourselves of their parking facilities.  The reason is simple.  They were on their summer holidays.  Yes, I found that strange, too.  I would have thought it a busy time for them but seemingly not so.

There were many beers on tap and I think we all tried a different one.  I was driving and wanted a low alcohol one, so when I saw it was called Stanley's I had to try it.

Stan wanted something quite different and I have to say I think he was right not to try his namesake.  Unlike Stan-the-man, I thought the Stan-the-beer was a bit sour, lacking in substance and flavour.  Everyone else seemed to enjoy their selection.

Will ye go back, BOOTboys, go back?  We agreed we would all go together; I'll just avoid Stanley next time.  The beer, not the man.

Don, Wednesday 16th August 2017

Night Swimming

You may recall that Bryan swimming in a tarn recent (see You Can Keep Your Hat On).  Well, he's been at it again.  He reports:

Swimming in a tarn on the hills above Borrowdale in July was a little outside the comfort zone of a poor swimmer like me who can't tread water. But I was delivering on a promise to join a friend on her quest to swim in 60 different tarns with 60 different friends to mark her 60th birthday.

So, having done my duty in July, how I came to be walking up from Grasmere yesterday evening for a moonlight swim in Alcock Tarn I still can't quite explain!

But at 10pm last night that's what I did. It was interesting to say the least. Alison had leant me a float for my assistance should I need it (one of those that open water swimmers drag along behind so the boats can see them), although I think it's main purpose was to indicate where I was drowning.

It was cold, although not as bad as I expected.

But floating in the middle of the tarn with the moon shining above and the lights of Grasmere and Windermere twinkling below was pretty special.

The photo, courtesy of James Kirkby, is a series of time lapse photos. We had taken glow sticks attached to goggles and caps which creates the lines of coloured lights as we swam.

A great night.

Map shown: Anquet Harveys 1:25k

BOOTboys routes are put online in gpx format which should work with most mapping software. You can follow our route in detail by downloading bb1729 .

To discover which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing - although it may not be that up to date - or for the totals of the mileages and heightages (ditto) see the Excel file: BB Log.

You can navigate to the required report via the Home Page

Photos have been gleaned from many sources
although mostly from me and other BOOTboys. Likewise written comment.

I apologise if I have failed to acknowledge properly the source or infringed
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BOOTboys 2017

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