Bilberry Pie Outing

In the knowledge of the scheduled time for group meeting at Richmond being 9.30 am, and my not finishing work until somewhat after 10 am, I quickly gathered a few caving items together and rapidly left Reeth behind - persevering in haste for How Stean. Imagining that I could be too late, so that the rest of the party might already have advanced into the underworld, I was surprised to find that in fact I was the first there.

Now it has to be said that the advert for this trip described it as "easy caving with blueberry pie" and it was that which had caught my eye. Not many people know this but blueberry pie does not appear on the café menu at How Stean whereas bilberry pie most certainly does. Armed with my superior knowledge in this respect, I felt confident of being able to sue for "false advertising" if the caving in any way proved disappointing.

While waiting around, a quick survey of the holes in the field revealed what appeared to be adequately sized entrances for foxes or badgers. Knowing I am not the smallest nor youngest, my enthusiasm could have run down a little at that time. However, just then Alison, Paul, Andrew and Alyson appeared and we straightway went to the café for tea. (I didn't like to ask but no one was ordering any of the promised pie, why?).

So after tea we returned to the cars to don the gear, (I had been persuaded that it may be possible for me to get through the entrance) when alas I find no overalls, and no one has any my size. Oh well, I shall be a little slimmer without them - perhaps an advantage. Feeling slightly smug about that loss of handicap, I discover that my specially sized caving belt has also been omitted in the rush off from Reeth. As soon as I announce this shortage, Alison and Paul "helpfully" and simultaneously suggested lending me two belts joined together!! Thus we proceeded to one of the holes which I thought couldn't be the entrance. (Anyway, it had a fence around it - possibly to stop foxes because any sane person would be well deterred without the fence!)

After a short time, I notice a couple of bodies have disappeared, and now it is my turn and so tying emulate the examples of those who have gone before, I put on my confidence cap and proceed feet first. "Down a bit more", "twist to your right" I keep hearing but I am not to be hurried. I would like to know how I am going to get back out even if I could get further in. Things seem tight so I can't move forwards or backwards and I think it is in the area of the two belts where the trouble lies! But I don't like to say so as I think they made enough fun out of my belt shortage before! A couple more suggestions about trying to turn to the right and downwards and sure enough a few more inches and a slight improvement and then assisted by gravity and luck I emerge in the underworld…

Refer to Eglins Hole report.

...A few hours later, I manage to just extricate myself into the daylight. Keeping my mind's eye being focussed on café was a great help!

So, after a quick change of clothes, we hit the café again - this time for what I had gone for - bilberry pie!

I had a great day out, thank you. (And the caving was very good too, really.)

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	Swaledale Outdoor Club

Bilberry Pie Outing

John Crofton