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Bainbridge

Although it is not my first walk that I have led (having led for the LDWA in the past and this April coming, in addition to my business) it was my first for SOC. Although I have been a member since 1991 my activities within the club only started about a year ago. Accordingly a thought crossed my mind as the 6th approached would I have any attenders. An unknown person, how fast would he walk? How hard are his walks? Would I have zero attendance! As the weeks passed one voice said to me, I’ll see you on the 6th, thats one, and then another. At least I’ll have two I thought. On the day as we approached in the car the hill tops around were in the cloud, and the wipers were on but 14 hardy souls turned up to support my walk for the SOC despite the weather looking very grim. (I lost one before we even started! A lady rang to say she was definately coming but although the group patiently waited until 10.15 no sightings were seen).

The days route was explained to the group with a proviso that if the cloud did not lift a modification ie plan B would be adopted as our destination that day was Wether Fell, and a height of 594m above sea level. We set off without 'cags' on. A good sign. Around the walk little anecdotes were offered, like the course of the roman road and the view from Wether Fell top. Yes the cloud did lift for us and plan A was to be accomplished by the end of the day. The penalty, well we still had the grim grey day, but now a ‘little bit’ of wind was blowing straight at us from the West but still no rain. Sheltered spots were to hand for our 11’s and lunch, but not so sheltered for our 3’s. For 3’s were we at the shores of Semer Water, but the increasingly looking black sky to the West of Fleet Moss and the choppy, higher than usual waters of Semer Water added to the ‘beauty’ of the Dales that lay before us that day.

The group seemed interested in the story of the Carlow Stone and the Mermaid Stones although some were a bit perplexed about the face on the Carlow Stone. They couldn’t quite make out the markings, but others did. At least the whole group stayed with me even though a little earlier I gave a brief 400 year ecclesiastical history on the ruins of Stalling Busk church when one group member said they thought they knew something about it but couldn’t remember. Anecdotes three and four.

On our return to Bainbridge I came to the conclusion that the group were happy with my expedition for the day. Firstly, I still had all 14, no mutineers, nobody lost. Secondly, all came to thank me which I found very gratifying, and thirdly, around half the group retired to the Rose & Crown at Bainbridge for a warm room with a log fire roaring for general chit chat and comments on the day.

Thanks to all who attended, watch the programme I may return again.

Jeremy Hutchinson

Last Modified: 7 May, 2003