Can Coffee Taste Better Than Beer?

Yes it can, when it is offered unexpectedly, 3 hours into a cold wet 6 hour outing; let me explain:-

Recognising KLM's disappointment at finding no-one suitable to replace that injury prone YC to partner him in the OCT, I suggested a CD outing (12 tops instead of just 3). This seemed to suit him, and all was subsequently arranged in a brief exchange of emails.

The agreed time, 8:00 a.m on Saturday morning saw YJ, JR and yours truly duly assembled at the Top Barn, raring to go; but no KLM! Only a few minutes late, the main man appeared, muttering about some trauma or other (we didn't ask, we were there as support runners, not agony aunts) and we were soon away.

Noon hill was successfully found in about 21 minutes but not so the Pike.  The wise YJ used the trusted route, dropping back down to George's and thence up the steps to the Pike. KLM had recently told how good the direct high level route was, as the ground cover had not yet sprung into life. However, this would greatly depend on moving in the right direction. A bearing of about 210^o would seem to have been about right, but with neither map nor compass, we set off into the clag as best we saw fit.  After a waterlogged tour of Douglas Springs (various routes) we trickled up to the Pike (can you trickle uphill?), KLM and JR first, then finally me, to find YJ wondering whether to carry on, come looking for us or call out the mountain rescue.

Undaunted (but slightly embarrassed) we continued on to Two Lads where JtE was waiting, having got there early in case we made good time!

On the way to Whimberry Hill we met EYJ who stayed with us until the res, before turning for home. At that point KLM started to pull away leaving four of us to form a slow group. Then it was Whimberry, Egg Hillock and Counting Hill. As we hit the mast road, YJ decided it was time for home. Very soon after JtE got a call saying he was needed at home and he too went on his way - I checked with him later and he assured me that it had not been a life threatening situation and all was now well.

That just left JR and me to visit the trig point then trundle down to Hordern Stoops, where a small figure was waiting, with camera in hand. But - to return to the headline - more significantly, with coffee and cakes in the boot! NLN you are a darling! And yes, given the choice of a pint of Tim Taylor's best, or that cup of coffee, I would still have gone for the coffee.

NLN joined us as we continued on to Spitlers, where I failed dismally to locate Old Adam's Hill. Then back to Spitlers with no attempt to find the single rock which masquerades as a cairn, and on to Great Hill, where NLN's and my own provisions were generously supplemented by JR (he can come again). We pretended not to remember that we should visit Round Loaf and it was next stop White Coppice. It was obvious there that fell runners are made of sterner stuff than cricketers, as they sheltered in the pavilion, waiting for the rain to stop before they came out to play.  NLN then turned to back up to Spitlers for her car whilst JR and I took in Healey Nab and thence returned to the Barn.

Total time was about 6:18. On my car was a note from KLM to the effect that he had visited all 12 tops and returned to base in 5:34 - well done that man!

To NLN - was expecting your photo of us arriving at Hordern Stoops to be captioned:- 'Fellas in the Mist' - thanks again for the coffee.

To JR - we often get lost, but not usually twice in one morning, see you soon?