Coope's Dozen 10th May 2014

Recognising that this outing had been proposed only a week ago, we were not expecting a big turnout. However the numbers were sufficient to ensure that due respect was paid to the round. To ensure that anyone reporting at the UTUP (Lower Barn 8:30) was not neglected we assembled there and then moved up to the Top Barn for the 9:00 a.m start.

'We' consisted of Christa, KLM and yours truly, all planning to do the full round, TF putting in one of her cameo appearances, albeit significantly longer than some, and an unsuspecting CW, on the comeback trail.

At the Top Barn we were pleased to see Ritzy J reporting for duty, with the appearence of Albs shortly after to complete the fast group.

Photo by CW, on Albs' phone and stolen from Albs' Facebook post.

We started just a minute or two late and lost sight of the fast group almost straightway. CW was going well and was first on Noon Hill, The Pike and Two lads - then he went home! KLM took over navigating with the occasional consultation with his troops regarding route choice. Seeking to avoid the wetness of the usual route to the Shooting Hut, we went via Holden's Farm onto Coalpit Lane then cut up the side of the deep valley to emerge just up from the Hut. TF left us at the res, leaving just KLM, Christa and self to continue.

Then Wimberry Hill, Egg Hillock and down to Shaly Dingle to use the 'favoured' route up to Counting Hill, which surprisingly was still marked by the residue of an earlier cairn. KLM said that he didn't favour this route.

RJ, probably approaching Counting Hill, again, half inched from Albs.

Then it was the trig point and down to Hordern Stoops where we unstashed our stash of provisions from behind the wall.

KLM picked good lines to Old Adam, Spitlers Edge and Great Hill, thence to Round Loaf , White Coppice and Healey Nab. Finally, the run in on tired legs (six, see also the title of Christa's blog) to complete the round in 5 hours 47 minutes. Slow, but faster than previous times by the slow group in recent years.

KLM and I welcomed Christa to the CD Completers Club, which means that she has to buy the beer at the next quarterly 'do'.

An excellent morning (and half an afternoon) out, with the weather poor, but not as severe as the meteorologists had led us to expect. Thank you to all concerned.