|
BB2403: Twenty
Years After
Wednesday
23rd January 2024
You
might think that I am referring to the novel
published in A novel 1845 by Alexandre Dumas, a
belated follow-up to the adventures of d'Artagnan
and the Three Musketeers, but I'm not.
Nor
am I talking about Jim Torre's film of the same
name but a very different topic- the events
taking place twenty years after a nuclear
war. No children had been born so
people wanted to gain control of the first
pregnant woman. But that's not my
tale.
Mine
concerns the
twentieth anniversary
of the BOOTboys,
described elsewhere in these pages as "a loose group of friends
of
mature years who enjoy defying the aging process by getting out into the
hills as often as possible!"
You
have Stan and John to thank (or curse) for its
existence. To quote from the first
report:
From time to time Stan and I would
bump into each other and he would always say how we
really ought to get ourselves organised and get out
on the hills. However it took some years and the additional
influence of others, particularly John PL, for it to come
to fruition.
The first outing comprised Stan,
John, Pete, Philip and me. It was
memorable for two things. The target,
which we achieved, was Harter Fell from
Haweswater in atrocious conditions. The
consequence was that, the next day, Philip's
wife, Ann, complained to Stan's wife, Joan,
that Stan had tried to kill Philip!
|
It's a wonder that we ever went
out again but just three weeks
later, this time in glorious
winter sunshine, we climbed
High Street, starting from the
same place.
That day was particularly memorable
for John bringing birthday
cake and lying about his age
plus the appearance of the Haweswater
Fairy.
Can you see it stood on the top
of the Aztec warrior? You
can get a better view at:
BOOTboys : I Believe in Faries- the
Proof
|
|
Since then there have been some
750 adventures, involving 60 BOOTboys and at least 7 BOOTbabes. We have covered over 7,000
miles and 1.5m feet of climbing or collectively
more than 30,000 miles and about 7 million
feet. Not bad for a group of (mostly)
old men.
For
our 20th anniversary walk, we originally
intended to repeat the ascent of Harter
Fell. However, the thought of the weather
gods repeating the torture they inflicted
that day led us to choose a more modest
outing that had the big advantage of a handy
pub for subsequent celebrations.
But
the weather gods anticipated that wimping
and decided to wreak further havoc. Not
on the day itself but in the 24 hours previously.
In consequence, the Met Office warned that
we could expect very strong winds and, more
worryingly, flood alerts. River levels
were rising and the areas most at risk included
the River Kent and land around Staveley.
"Avoid using low lying footpaths
and any bridges near local watercourses
and do not attempt to walk or drive through
flood water."
Where
was it we were planning to go? Yes,
around Staveley, using low lying foopaths
alongside the River Kent. Even if
we survived them, the ground on the fells
would be water-logged and the becks coming
down from our targets, Potter Tarn and Gurnal
Dubs, would be in spate.
Time
for an outbreak of common sense. Two
parts of the original plan remained intact.
Parking in Richard's field and ending
at the Eagle and Child for lunch. A
direct march to the pub was an option.
.jpg)
However
we were brave enough to pass by, carrying
on as far as the Mill Yard and Wilf's cafe.
After
a convivial coffee we decided to poke our
noses out and found that the wind had eased
considerably. There was still time
for a short walk before heading back for
lunch. We strode through village as
far as the weir.
.jpg)
It
was a bit of a disappointment. Yes,
there had been heavy rain but the Kent rises
and falls very quickly and no way could
you describe the river as being in spate.
Further
up the valley, at the next bridge, a decision
had to be made. Those in smart shoes
or desperate for a beer decided to head
straight for the pub.....
.jpg)
.....
whilst we who were suitably dressed took
the somewhat waterlogged bridle path that
led through Scroggs Farm before returning
to the north side of the river.
.jpg)
.jpg)
After
crossing the Millennium footbridge we soon
joined the others.
The
more I see of the Eagle and Child the more
I like it.
.jpg)
It's
the first time I have eaten there and I
have to compliment them on their steak pie.
It was excellent pub grub.
We
had a jolly time, reminiscing about our
various escapades over the past twenty years
and contemplating what our next challenges
might be.
Somehow
I don't think the next twenty will be quite
as energetic but I suspect the Eagle and
Child might be seeing rather more of us!
Don,
Wednesday 23rd January 2024
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
