Trip to Stainforth, November 1995

Well, the first trip of term started surprisingly smoothly...well, the Old Peculiar in The Fountain tasted smooth anyway, but thats another story.

Lets start (this sounds like Jackanory ) with the walking! Saturday (or Friday evening) showed far too much keenness with 8 people volunteering to do the Three peaks. As a result, we never saw them for the rest of the weekend as they were either rushing around Yorkshire or being knackered. We never saw Tim either and haven't dared to ask exactly what he got up to. The more sensible people (or thats what they thought) opted for shorter walks in Wharfedale or to Malham. It was a fine day (Jackanory strikes again), if somewhat cold, Michael Fish having responded to our prayers. It was only after 18km that I casually informed the group that the walk was in fact nearer 30km, than the 20-24km I had told them the night before. They also needed training in recognising the delights (of which there are many) of night navigation, although the main danger was from Toby's werewolf impressions.

The Three peakers (a bit like the Famous Five, but perhaps the Energetic Eight would be better) had a successful day, obviously being powered on by Rich B's nuclear powered fluorescent pink hat (and you thought mine was bad!). Close encounters of the boggy kind were had by several, although on Fountains Fell they were too frozen for much entertainment.

The evening was spent in the local pub, where the Energetic Eight showed continued energy in exercising their right arms with the treasurer leading the way.

Sunday showed a distinct lack of enthusiasm for anything other than rambling type walks and there seemed to be a lot of wussing...Not on all accounts, as I took a small group up Pen y Ghent and another group did Ingleborough. Entertainment was provided on our walk by a damp river crossing - rivers in Yorkshire aren't always wet, not according to Yorkshire Water anyway. Most groups did the traditional Sunday ritual of short walk followed by tea-shop fester.


Quote of the weekend must go to Katherine...

"Well, I always keep 2 breakfast bowls, just in case"

And another from Rich to Nikki and Sarah on passing the Regent Hotel...

"Why don't the three of us book a room for the night?" !


Sarah Hammond

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Last modified: Wednesday, 25 April 2007, at 19:39 (BST)