BB1404 : Ten Years After

Wednesday 22nd January 2014

On 22nd January 2004, five old friends stopped waffling on about going to do it and actually put things into motion.  John PL, Pete, Philip, Stan and I drove to Haweswater and set off on the inaugural BOOTboys walk ( BB0401, not that the name had been coined at that stage, nor the blog started nor any photos taken).  The weather was terrible and the intended assault on Harter Fell was abandoned at the Nan Bield Shelter.

On 22nd January 2014, eighteen old and new BOOTboys plus Jed, the BOOTtoddler, set out to commemorate the inaugural expedition.  All of the "originals" were present although, sadly due to the state of his knees, John PL could only take part as chauffeur, albeit a crucial role!

To save the trouble of driving all the way round to Haweswater, the intention this time was to start from Kentmere Church.  This change of start and end point had the added advantage of using the Staveley Mill Yard as a meeting place and the extra bonus of using the Hawkshead Brewery as a post-walk place to regroup and refresh.

Sorting out the various travel arrangements in logical groupings taking into account people's different domestic locations, abilities and preferred routes, started to make multi-dimensional chess seem a doddle in comparison so, for light relief, I turned, at long last, to completing my tax returns.

Once that fearsome task was over, things became simpler, thanks in no small part to the weather forecast being not dissimilar to 2004.  Two basic options.  The first, to be undertaken by all, a gentle saunter to Kentmere reservoir.  Those who wanted could then return down the valley.  Those for whom the Nan Bield Shelter was the ultimate celebratory objective would press on, irrespective of conditions.

All seemed to be going well at the rendezvous until a vehicle (driver to remain anonymous to spare his embarrassment) arrived without one of the would-be participants. Fortunately, at very short notice, Ann was able to bring Philip to join us but it did mean we were now behind a tight schedule.

As the convoy progressed up the lane to Kentmere, John had to take emergency action to avoid a kamikaze driver hurtling along the road in his tiny 1940s machine.  It was an unusual vehicle which looked like a small, maroon Morris pickup truck. It all happened so fast that I was unable to photograph it. However, I thought I had seen that vehicle before and, thanks to Uncle Google, I found this photo from BB0618, a rather better day on which we were tackling the Kentmere Horseshoe.

John had the pleasure of having to take similar avoiding action from the same vehicle on his return down the valley.

Once all were safely gathered at Kentmere Church, we took the team picture and set off up the west side of the valley.  It was raining gently and the hills were shrouded.  It was expected to clear by noon.

In fact, progress to the reservoir was faster than I expected, despite the disparate nature of the group.  

Tony and Pete hoped they could enjoy lunch at their desired time of noon. Pete may well have done but by that time we had split into two groups- those returning down the valley and those heading up the pass.  Tony was in the latter.

The climb took rather longer than I had anticipated and poor old Tony was made to suffer. He just about held out to the summit shelter. It is a good job there is a shelter there as the weather was quite unpleasant.  Cold, wet and very windy.  I suppose that is why there is a shelter there.

For the record, the Nan Bielders this time were, left to right, Don, Martin C, John Hn, Roger B, Ian, Martin S, Stan, James & Tony.

Looking across from the east side of the valley

We returned along the east side of the valley to the Church where John was patiently waiting for us.  I should add that he wasn't ferrying all the group but was ferrying those who couldn't fit into the walker / driver cars. Excess quantity of people, not size!  The delayed start and slower than expected progress meant that we were too late for food at the Staveley Beer Hall.  Of course the reservoir group had reached it much earlier, had dined but hadn't saved us anything.  Still the Brewery does sell the crispiest and spiciest crisps I have ever tasted.

All of a sudden a row broke out between Pete and John PL.

Once dried out and wetted in, the group dispersed, some of us seeking further amusement in Kendal.  The Castle Inn was chosen where Stan, Tony and Pete introduced John Hn to the delights of 5s and 3s (a dominos game).

Thus it was that the Ten Years After episode drew to a close,  It had been really good sharing it with so many friends and in weather that was absolutely perfect for the event.

I wonder how many of us will be able to manage the Ten Years After the Ten Years After outing?

Don, 22nd January 2014

Ten Years After- bonus track

BOOTboys routes are put online in gpx format which should work with most mapping software. You can follow our route in detail by downloading bb1404 .

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!
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