A Wet Coope's Dozen

Hopefully we'll get some reports from others who took part in this year's Coope's Dozen.
Arriving at the Top Barn car park quite early for me, only there was only YJ waiting. We wondered if it would be a low turnout but gradually more and more turned up. This included TLOB who I surmised didn't look appropriately dressed for the the day's activities. Alas, he had not taken the correct dietary preparation, and so didn't want to risk. However, it meant that we had someone (either TLOB or her ladyship) to take the group photo (hopefully uploaded soon).
Then the heavens opened so we were somewhat delayed before it sufficiently eased. Naturally we departed in suitably socially distanced groups with a quicker group stringing out and the slower group of YJ, Ed and myself distancing at the back before I seemed to move away and be in a group of one.
As I had done very little running over the past 18 months, my plan was to get round in about 8 hours max, a mix of walking and jogging with expected pace of 2.5mph. I also thought it wise to omit Old Adam and Round Loaf.
I noticed the quick group continued heading towards ammunition corner whilst I took our usual diagonal route up to Georges Lane. I thought I may have seen them in the vicinity of Noon Hill but none were to be seen. I don't enjoy the direct rout to Rivington Pike so I returned to Georges Lane, exchanging pleasantries with YJ and Ed who were about to start the climb to Noon Hill.
Heading for the Pike I realised I could revise my target pace from 2.5mph to 3mph, 20 minutes per mile.
Rivington Pike and Two Lads passed without seeing anyone and I headed towards Whimberry Hill via Holden's Farm and the Trespass Stone. One thing that has puzzled me for a few years is that we have the opportunity to add Adam Hill and White Brow to the dozen.
Reaching Egg Hillock, it was a case of retracing steps to Whimberry rather than the direct route or via Shaly Dingle, both of which I am sure would have been quite challenging with the recent weather. To my surprise, as I mounted Whimberry Hill for the second time, a group of runners came heading towards me : it was Ian, Mary, Hilary and the others from the quicker group. Four of them caught me up over Counting Hill and they were still in sight approaching Winter Hill.

Looking north from Egg Hillock (apologies for not wiping the lens first)

Looking south from Egg Hillock

Five of the quicker group on the left side of Winter Hill trig point

After that it was a slow descent off Winter Hill to Hordern Stoops. I was surprised that the rest of the quicker group did not catch me up. After taking a break to eat some fruit loaf and a banana, I then headed directly for Spittlers' Edge and Great Hill. By now the weather was improving but it the path was as waterlogged as I have ever seen. Taking the quarry route to White Coppice I stopped for a couple of photos.

Dean Black Brook - the weather much improved

Towards White Coppice with Dean Black Brook on the left

I chose the route past the White Coppice cricket ground (café now open) and up the road past Morris Farm. It is a few years since I have been on this route and I was unsure if the footpath signpost was the correct one so I had to refer to OSMaps on my phone. It was but was not a great choice - it must be rarely used as it was so overgrown. Eventually I reached the vantage point on Healey Nab so it was now just a matter of the usual route back to the top barn, arriving just inside 6 hours. What I did notice was how horrendous was the traffic on Sheephouse Lane. I arrived to find no sign of anyone still out. Isaline, Martin and Suzanne must have been well ahead of me all the time as I didn't see them at Whimberry and the rest may have completed shortened circuits. I recorded on my Garmin but yesterday evening found that Garmin's servers have been inaccessible since Thursday.

A colourful display on the roadside on Charnock Back Lane, opposite Waring's Farm

Strava link for my route -