Spring is Sprung

Yesterday the first day of Spring was greeted by the moorland birds returning to their breeding grounds. A singing Skylark near Great Hill, wheeling Lapwings (Peewits or Plovers) between Spittlers Edge and Old Adam Hill and a glimps of a Curlew near Counting Hill.

The party that set out on the Zod Sepooc were NLN, Nico, TF, YJ, EtU and me. As usual, NLN and Nico were soon well in the lead taking the wrong turning at avery available oppertunity. I must get that shepherd's whistle to keep them under control. Approaching Healey Nab EtU took NLN and Nico on an alternative route to the summit. I stayed with the proper navigators, TF and YJ. As we approached the summit the pace noticably quickened. It was obviously 'game on' to reach the top before EtU's team, and this we did. Then it was White Coppice and the climb to Round Loaf during which we entered the clag, never to get out of it until the area of the Pike.

At Round Loaf TF, who wanted to be at her car by 10.30. navigated herself away from us into the mist, but only after setting us on the correct path for Great Hill! After some deviation Great Hill appeared and at the summit it was picnic time. Various routes were then taken to Spittlers Edge summit, me following Nico over the flags at a barely managable pace. At Spittlers EtU left us to take a direct route over Winter Hill and back home. (He had run from home).

The rest of us took in Old Adam Hill and Winter Hill. At Winter Hill the other three decided not to go to Whimberry Hill and Egg Hillock and this encouraged me to stay with them. So, out and back to Counting Hill we went, returning against an unexpected head wind. YJ navigated us round the back of the mast after which Two Lads was the objective. That achieved we reached the base of the Pike and it was decided that enough was enough and we turned down the Pike race route to the back of the school and along that long straight interminable lane leading to the barn area. YJ and I just about hung on to the girls until, about quarter of a mile from the finish where their conversation turned to their flasks of coffee awaiting them. This caused them to leave us for dead. We followed them into the barn car park shortly afterwards.

16.39 miles. a great morning out.

Thanks NLN for the map. I say again, I must have one of those Garmin things.