When I rocked up at the barn yesterday I was neither surprised nor disappointed to find that there were just two familiar faces, bright eyed and bushy tailed, (can a face be bushy tailed?) waiting in readiness for the day ahead. But eventually, in ones and twos, most of the usual suspects reported for duty:-
The only 'newby' was Ian, hairy guy, far right of picture. The ninth member of our squad for the day was wielding the camera.
After the photo-shoot we set off, just about 10 minutes later than scheduled, and immediately split into two groups, Paul with his three training partners plus Ian, at the front and the rest (me and the three folk who felt most sorry for me) bringing up the rear. Note that my first born had opted for the front group.
No details reported from the front group regarding route choices, so just a few from the slow group:-
1. Eschewing the usual diagonal up to George's Lane, TF and YJ tried the broken road up to the Pigeon Tower, but the avoidance of the overgrown 'path' did not compensate for the added distance, so the diagonal seems to remain the better choice.
2. As previously, from the lop of Two Lads YJ led us on a low route past Holden's Farm and then on tarmac until we had passed Green Nook when we turned north to pick up the usual route to Whimberry Hill and thence to Egg Hillock.
3. The various escape routes from Egg Hillock have often been compared, but no-one seems to have come up with an agreed best solution - cue YJ's recommendation:- This involves backtracking up to Whimberry Hill and continuing back up the ridge to pick up the wall leading eventually to the Trig Point, passing, at some vague point, the top of Counting Hill. It's a bit further than any of the more direct lines, but has the great benefit of avoiding the awful bracken fields, plus a reduction in lost (and therefore needing to be regained) height. Get's my vote.
TF had baled out at Two Lads to continue with her day and by the time we three reached the Trig Point the rain was getting heavier and legs were wearying. YJ decided to head back to the Barn to (as they say in the boxing world) avoid further punishment and Christa agreed to act as his carer and companion.
I staggered down to Hordern Stoops with the aim of continuing along the route as far as my allotted time (6 and a half hours) would allow, but the prospect of the wet tussocks on the way to Old Adam's put me off and I continued along Spitlers, with just a casual nod to its ill-defined top, turning for home after Redmond's Edge, to arrive back at the Barn a few minutes short of 6 hours to find...
...Ian!
Perched on the back of his boot, taking a little 'light' refreshment. He'd completed the route, solo after the Trig Point, having never covered it before, but having done not a little research before the day. Again, well done that man!
Suggestions for the future:-
1. Consider whether there would be any interest in an outing targeting just the northernmost five tops.
2. YJ and I are planning a 'do or die' attempt on the full round, later in the year but before the weather gets seriously worse.
3. The main event remains the mob-handed assault on the full round on the last Saturday in July - just like yesterday's but with more completers; just 365 days (2020 is a leap year) to go - best not hold your breath!
