BB1220:  A Route for Roués?

Wednesday 6th June 2012

A long time ago, I taught myself to touch-type using all ten fingers.  The trouble is that there was a mismatch in speed between my brain and my digits so, quick I might be, accurate I was not.  The likelihood of GIGO (i.e. Garbage In, Garbage Out) was much reduced by the advent of spellcheckers but you have to be careful when using them or else boon becomes bollox, to use the first of French words that will infiltrate this report.

For example, if you have mistyped but the mistake produced a genuine word, then the error stands. Or, if you accept the suggested word out of carelessness, then GIGO remains the outcome.

The reason for mentioning this is that, in the planning of today's outing, I sent an e-mail in which I mistyped "route".  I don't know what I wrote but I accepted the corrections and hit the send button without reading the content properly.  Consequently, I found that I had asked for suggested "Roués".  Another French word.  It is interesting th Bryan and John Hn responded positively to the call.

The weather precluded a morning venture into the Lakes so we fell back on an old favourite (as I am told is often the case with Roués) and elected for Whitbarrow Scar and an early afternoon start.

Whitbarrow Scar, north end

The path to the edge of the scar was uneventful despite a couple of fields having mean looking bulls therein.

The harem

Fortunately they were surrounded by a harem of pretty young heifers; much more attractive than us.

What are these for?  The cairns, not the BOOTboys!

At the wall, we stopped for a break then, just before the descent, found a strange looking opening.  Was it a cave or a mineshaft or what?  We couldn't tell.

Our descent was via Bell Rake, a route I have never previously taken. The slope down was steepish and extremely greasy; not easy to keep upright, as I proved, albeit with a recovery that scored at least dix points.  

As the path levelled out, the way marker told us to go to the right, which was counter intuitive.  After a brief flirtation and then re-examination we discovered that some naughty person had removed the pointer and turned it round through 90° .  We corrected the trangression and contintued on our way.  Ironically, had we followed the incorrect path we might have found the Fairies Cave that is marked on the map.

The route over to Cartmel Fell school and church was an uneventful, pleasant stroll through fields and across the River Winster.

 Looking back there was again a good view of the northern end of the scar.

The northern end of the scar.

We passed a good display of washing for Margaret and a barn with a lovely small window.

Outside the school, which I think is now actually a village hall, there is an interesting mosaic celebrating the 500th anniversary of St Anthony's Church, 2004.

The church certainly looks old and retains several interesting features, including box pews and a triple decker pulpit.

St Anthony's Church

Detail from a wall prayer tablet

From here, we opted for the road route back past a set of flags which might have been Jubilee celebrations or could be naval signals for something quite different.

Jubilee celebrations or naval signals?

Soon we reached the Hare & Hounds for a celebratory pint.  After I explained the purpose, this barmaid was happy to have her photo taken.

I asked her if she knew where the renowned Winster clockmaker Jonas Barber had lived?

I had read only yesterday that he lived at Bowland Bridge and I was interested to discover the location of his home, Bryan Houses Cottage. She claimed not to know.  Maybe she thought it the sort of chat up line that an old Roué would use.

Not guilty.  I really did want to know.  I am sure her response was genuine.

I can't comment on whether my companions are, or are not, Roués.  I suspect not and am certain that they are not French. I can confirm that their respective spouses have nothing to fear from today's activites as the Comitibus avoided all forms of rouéish.diversion and stuck strictly to the route.

À bientôt!

Don, 6th June 2012

Bryan in Glencoe

Bryan's recent absence from BOOTboys outings was, we are led to believe, nothing to do with the possibility of him being a Roué but due to him being on his annual Scottish Expedition, this year to the Glencoe area.  Here is a selection of his stunning photos.

As ever, click on the picture for an enlargment.

To see more, visit: Glencoe.

STATISTICS:

BOOTboys routes are put online in gpx format which should work with most mapping software. You can follow our route in detail by downloading bb1220.

To see which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing see
Which Wainwright When?

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

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