BB2401: Slow Horses?

Maybe it was the surfeit of Christmas pudding and other seasonal fare that we have been eating up, adding pounds whilst I haven’t done much exercise for weeks.

Or perhaps it was the fault of the weather forecasters inaccurately predicting vicious Arctic wind, freezing temperatures with ice under foot, causing me to carry a rucksack that felt full of lead.  Goggles, crampons, pole, etc.  Enough spare clothing to stock the Oxfam shop.  The only thing missing was the ice axe.  The others weren’t so negatively burdened although Terry was sporting his electric gloves.

Or maybe it’s simply that I’m another year older.

Whichever, unlike our previous umpteen visits over the past years, I found today hard going.  No such problem for Mike, who is regularly out on his bike or Terry who visits the gym several times a week or Robin who takes Holly out on the hills every day.  I was the slow horse.

New Year Resolution (if it’s not too late):  Get Fit.

Which reminds me (if it’s not too late):  “Happy New Year” to all our followers.

The plan was simple.  Park at the Dubbs Road, walk up Borrans Lane.....

..... to High Borrans, then along the bridle path that leads to Kentmere, enjoying the dramatic view to the south.

At Whiteside End, head up the tufty slope that leads to Long Crag with its Grouse Butts and onwards to the summit, which seemed a peculiarly long way off.

Things became easier after that.  We circled the head of the boggy valley .....

..... round to our second objective before dropping down with Windermere ahead of us.....

..... and Troutbeck to our right.....

..... the Coniston and Langdale fells in the distance.....

..... until we reached the Dubbs Road and reservoir.....

.....and the long trek back to the car.

For reasons that will become clearer in a couple of weeks’ time, rather than pay the extortionate new fees to park at the Brewery in Staveley, we carried on to meet Stephen at the Eagle and Child- a welcoming pub that might well become a favourite.

As for saying "Slow Horses" or "Slough House"?  As if!

What I actually said was that we were going to "Sallows and Sour Howes".

Don, Thursday 11th January 2024

BB2023 Year-end Report

Sadly the stats for the year 2023 confirm that we are getting older. 

Our number of qualifying outings in 2023 (34) was not quite the lowest, nor was the total miles covered (265) but the feet climbed (50,525) certainly was. 

More positive stats are that the total number of participants (19) was bang on average as was the average number of participants per walk (4.4).

The really good news is that we are still getting out.  We’re not chasing targets as in the glory days but we still venture forth and enjoy ourselves.  Long may it continue.

For a quick recap of the year, click on 2023 Index.

Bonus Pictures from Mike....

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STATISTICS

BB2401 : Slow Horses?

Date:

Thursday 11th January 2024

Features:

Sallows, Sour Howes

Distance in miles:

7.7

Height climbed in feet:

1,299

GPX track:

BB2401.GPX

Comitibus:

Don, Mike B, Robin, Terry

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