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BB2021
: Put Your Boots On!
Wednesday
24th June 2020
As
you will be well aware, the Corvid Regulations
prohibit groups of more than six people
participating together in an outing such
as a BOOTboys
walk. Consequently we have to devise cunning
plans to cater for a larger number of participants
whilst respecting the lock-down requirements.
Today,
the decision was complicated by the weather.
It was going to be hot. Very
hot. Some thought it best to stay
in the cool of the woods. Others felt
it better to go high where the air would
be cooler and there was the likelihood of
some wind.
I
was swithering but was persuaded to join
the Red team in the hills rather than the
Blues on Whitbarrow.
We
parked at Huck's Bridge with the aim of
traipsing the Whinfell range as far as the
radio masts then return via Borrowdale (the
Westmorland one of course). Stan reminded
me that this was the
infamous lay-by where John PL, in a fit of testosterone, ripped the rear doorhandle off
my Freelander. That was a long time ago. The First Year. BB0406.
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It
was as we were walking up the road to start
the ascent of Ashstead Fell that the phone
rang. It was Tony. He
told me he couldn't join in as he had had
a fall and damaged himself. Had he
skidded on his bike? Tumbled down
some rocks? No, slipped on his stairs,
thanks to his socks!
Tony
hadn't realised that the Reds were in a
different area to the Blues. When I heard
his predicament, I suggested he rang Martin
ASAP. Martin takes up the story.
The
BOOTboys Blue team decided to take to Whitbarrow again to avoid the forecast
searing temperatures likely to be encountered on the higher fells. The
meeting point was at Mike B’s house so I decided to walk over to join the
group during the early part of their ascent. This involved a further 1.8
miles each way.
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Just as I was preparing to leave home there was a panic
phone call from Tony tendering his apologies but he had incurred a muscle
injury that morning and his leg was feeling more than tender – it was bl---y
sore and when it went ‘twang’ he knew it was serious.
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So
five expected became four actual when the group was united at the point where the path joins the
open ground on Township Allotment. As usual the conversation was wide ranging
as we strode out in the rather pleasant breeze towards Lord’s Seat. No
lingering at the summit as we had, even at that early stage in the day, an
early lunch stop planned which Tony would have been proud of – plus the fact
that Stuart was on something of a deadline for return to participate in a
business teleconference and he didn’t fancy a solo return to Mike’s through
unknown territory in the woodland where he might not have emerged for days.
Lunch
was taken, before noon, by the cairn atop the southern mass of the hill,
overlooking Witherslack Hall.....
..... with views including Morecambe Bay to the south.....
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and a panorama of the Lakeland Fells to the north.
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We thought we caught a
glimpse of a reflection on Whinfell. This was obviously the Red Team signalling
that, even by Tony standards, this was too early for lunch!
We crossed
the plateau to join the track which drops down to Rawsons Farm and re-entered
the woodland where we anticipated a cool return in the shade along the path
which follows the contour all the way back to The Howe.
We
were wrong – it was just the wrong time in the day and the sun was directly
overhead and, furthermore, once we had left the higher ground the cooling
breeze dropped to nothing. This prompted Mike to offer chilled beers in the
garden, safely distanced of course, if we dropped down to his house. Who could
refuse? So more convivial chat and refreshment before Stuart left for his
teleconference and I realised that I had to start walking again, back up
the hill for the two mile trek back home.
Back
to Don:
It
must have taken a long time for our signal
to travel the 12 miles to Whitbarrow as
it had been sent considerably earlier!
The
ascent of Ashstead Fell is unkindly steep
for first thing in the morning.
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There
was an uexpected scar on the hill opposite,
the purpose of which escaped us. Once
the climb was out of the way, it was comfortable
strolling along the tops, through the Mabbin
Crag plantation (which no longer presents
any obstructive challenges).....
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.....
over the steep moundlet of Castle Fell and
on to Whinfell Beacon and the radio repeater
stations.
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Was
that the Blues that we could see on Whitbarrow?
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Or
Emma in her Kendal back garden?
We
thought it would be a long trudge back up
the valley.
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The
day would only get hotter so we dropped
down into a lightly wooded area in Borrowdale
to take our break in the only shade for
miles. Like the Blues, it was just
about Tony Time.
I
was right, it was a long trudge back up
the valley. Not unattractive, especially
through the fields of wild flowers.
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The
last mile or so I found hard going in the
heat. Fortunately I recovered in time to
catch up with the Blues and Reds in the
ZOOMbar
where Tony regaled us with story of his
injuries. That will teach you to go
down stairs in your socks. Next time,
put your boots on!
Don,
Wednesday 24th June 2020
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