Copyright Togmedia 2002 |
Summer 2002 PL APL Walking Weekend - or not as the case may be. Missed Opportunity Firstly, let me begin at the beginning. The weekend of the 11/12thof may 2002 had been set side many years ago by Grand Master John Jay Dawson as a possible Scout walking weekend. Months ago I booked my ticket and the dates were cross referenced with my personal assistant, Pie agreed to cover my appearance fee that comes with such events and I was booked to help on the weekend. Imagine my HORROR, my SHOCK and my SURPRISE when word reached me that the trip had been cancelled for Scouts, as only two applied to go on it, which didn't count as enough for John Jay Dawson. So a new deal was brokered whereby me and my good friend Mr Dawson would spend the weekend walking in the lakes, just without any Scouts. We had booked tickets and time off work for such events so why bother staying at home. Anyway "Good Plan" said I and all was arranged. What then does this have to do with Scouting? Well firstly I would like to tell you all what weather you missed? and secondly, by coincedence, what the Fairfield Horseshoe looks like when your not in freezing Mist and Thirdly that this is the second time no scouts have appeared to come walking (last time a day hike on Kinder scout proved uneventful and again it was myself and the Dawsonmeister.(Pikey Scouts) Older Scouts will remember we did this walk with Mr Nightingale (NikNak's Dad) and notice there is no report on the site - which is exactly what I found out. However our sister journal Scandals from the Scout Hut did carry a small column on the eventful weekend - issue 6 if you're bothered. Anyhow, I think this was the year they had a camp fire near the Plateau and the year you all called me a "Puffy Venture" for being the only venture present (Oh yeah revenge will be sweet now you're all older).We walked round grasmere for the sunday walk, anyone beginning to remember?? And I pushed Rob Sandoe in? No? doesn't ring anybells?? well never mind. This then is an article which flicks between the two years trying to remember various things and maybe tell you how our weekend went - but not in so much detail. I begin: Once again we camped on the plateau at Rydal Hall as we usually do and rather unusually I forced a lie in till gone 9:20am - much better than the usual scout wake up call. However Pie deemed this too late and after I had made a pot of tea we set off on a Banana and a mini roll - mmm very Breakfasty - still ranks as level par with all day breakfast muck. The route, the Fairfield Horseshoe, left from Rydal hall and we walked into Ambleside. It was here that having done the route before, and the fact I couldn't be bothered navigating that I suggested we leave the maps in the bag until Johnboy calls a state of emergency. This wasn't seconded but who cared. It took a matter of minutes before we walked up the steep road from the roundabout, out of Ambleside, and took a wrong turning. Pie wanted to consult the maps. Those present in 1999? may remember half the group walking on ahead and then having to return back - which ruined my pace count if I remember correctly. Anyway up to a dead end through a gate and we were in the open and then strolling through forests before hitting Higher Sweden Bridge (if anybody remembers it?) Anyway Last time I am sure we went over the river and up to the ridge, this time apparently we were supposed to walk up the valley by High Pike. The sun was really shining and there were few clouds in the sky. Both of us had forgotten sun tan lotion and were in for a roasting. Conversation fluttered between trying to convince pie to get a Little Cute Lamb as a cobden Mascot, How great this website is, How pie regretted not bringing the two scouts, and bets on which oldish scouts will go on to get their queen scouts award in some years time. We reached the ridge eventually and began walking along a wide path with mountainous views left and right. I think it was on this path in 99 before lunch that I began hurrying up back marker scouts with physical threats. Anyway does anyone remember lunch back then - in a very misty, cold, hilltop - we sank down into a dip at the top of the valley about half way round the Horseshoe and had dinner. This time we just waltzed straight on and could see the route to come - not particularly nice, probably better in the mist as then you didn't know wat was to come. The rest was up and down and nothing of significance springs up in my memory and the paths couldn't bring it back. Sections of track looked familiar and apparently Mr Nik Nak cut his hand on the way down back to Rydal Hall on the steep rocky descent. I can remember only that the weather brightened up in the afternoon and that I listened to the football scores on the final descent to Rydal. As we got down we were more worried about sunburn than football scores, and we had zipped round the walk doing it in several hours less than scout time, thus rewarding ourslves with an afternoon nap. I am afraid to say we did not swim in the lagoon as pie kept reminding me how cold it would be and putting me off - even though I had specifically brought swimming shorts in my small bag - critics might like to note that pie turned up with no less than 2 bags - even without S.S.E. (Scout Saving Equipment). A trip to the infamous Ambleside ship-chop for tea and then finally back to the tents for pot noodles and sleep. Sunday was another glorious day and despite much cajoling pie still wasn't up for a swim. We completed a short route round Haystacks up Red Pike in a few hours, once Pie had driven us on the rollercoaster of a road called the Honister Pass. The walk was good and will probably be wheelled out for scouts at a later meeting of PL's and APpLe's. I won the battle of the Altimeters - mine being correctly Calibrated and getting the right heights every time and I also awarded myself the polka dotted King of the Mountains jersey for winning most of the climbs (although pie will say he wasn't trying) The weekend concluded and we both returned to base. The scouts would have enjoyed it, in such lovely weather and with such great Leaders, but you can take a horse to water but you can't make it drink. For me, I overcame my fear of sleeping in Vango Force Tens in the Lakes, which has overshadowed me for some time now. but that is another story. feel free to send any memories or reports you have of the camp and I'll try to fit them in. Reporter: Andy Togs Second in Command: JohnJay Dawson |
