A Clockwork Dozen ~ We Counted Them Out

(Sorry about the poor picture quality, something to do with Bazza's late appearance?)

It wasn't looking so bad, to start with, until at about 9:05 when we realised that Bazza wasn't there, and as the co-conspirator, we shouldn't start without him. A couple of minutes later there he was, but looking like he was dressed for the pub, rather than the fells. His rather poor explanation was that he was waiting to see what everyone else was wearing!

Several minutes after that, we were assembled ~ JtE, YJ, Mary White, Nic'O, TF, Bazza (now in rather gaudy fell kit), Peter Kevan recently off his sick bed, ("out for a short run", but Shanghaied by Bazza), Tony Alexander and yours truly.

A passing stranger took the photo.

Then we were off; about 20 minutes later than scheduled. Forty minutes later and we were on Healey Nab. Soon after, TF dropped off to David Lloyd's, where she had left her car (and whence she had run prior to the start), to drive home to pack her bikini for Tenerife (then there were eight) ~ we pondered on whether she was just picking up the cakes to meet us on-route, but we were going too fast fast and she never caught us up. Mary did sterling work and took us off the top so fast that we were nearly at Botany Bay before I called everyone back and we regained the proper route; everyone, that is except YJ and Tony, who had not gone the pretty way and whom we eventually caught up as they waited at the stream crossing most ways towards Round Loaf.

Round Loaf was gained in 1:32, then Great Hill in 1:50 and Spittlers in 2:09. At this point YJ, scheduled to represent his club at a cross country in Leyland in the afternoon, headed for home (then there were seven).

Old Adam in 2:20, and Hordern Stoops in 2:46. All this time it was a shame to see Tony, so fit and so full of go, but having to wait on each top for the motley crew to catch up. Then Winter Hill in 3:05. At the top of the tarmac road JtE, in preparation for a family gathering in the evening, left for home (then there were six).

On to Counting Hill (3:19) at which point Tony, not having realised that we would run that slowly, ran out of time and turned for home. Pete, barely recovered from 'flu, also felt he was ready for his lunch and did likewise(then there were four).

Off towards Egg Hillock (or so we thought) only to find that we had missed it and were on Wimberry Hill (3:38) (I blame Mary, isn't she a fell monster?). Brief pause whilst we waited for someone to say, "What's the best way home?", but no, it was Egg Hillock (3:41) then the awful trek back up to Counting Hill. Bazza was particularly disappointed, as, apparently, he has a penchant for Smithills Res.

Back up to the tarmac, then Two Lads in 4:24, Pike 4:39, Noon Hill 4:56 and back to the barn in 5:12. If (if) we hadn't gone wrong, would we have beaten YJ and EtU's 2008 Easter Saturday time of 4:59?

Bazza's electronic gubbins clocked 19 and a bit miles, as opposed to the 18 and a bit we usually reckon, so our navigating gaff seems to have added an extra mile or so,

To summarise, a fine morning (and half an afternoon) out. Thanks folks, loved it.

And we counted them in. Photo taken by another passing stranger.