Words by Pete, photos by various
Crew : Capt Chandler, Pete, El Pres, Dr S, PTD, Butty , Troll, 3Sheds, Doog, TJ , Bern
Pub : Ruth, Adrian & Biscuit
Route : Top of Bull Hill – Cat & Fiddle – A54 – Cumberland Clough – Standing Stone – Nessit – lower section of downhill course – The Leathers
Conditions : Moonlit, no rain , cool at altitude & wet under wheel
Notes :
An excellent Funky Dunky production
The call to arms was put out first thing on Thursday .
Attendance assessment was digitally enabled on the TNR WhatsApp chat group .
A biggish turn out – eight at the muster point , Bern joins us after Walker Barn after suffering a little “geographic amnesia” .
Butty & PTD are with us by the time we get to the Cat . Eleven in the crew is impressive !
The moonlit cloudscape is ace all the way through tonights ride. There is something particularly desolate about being up high on a dark moonlit night . It always feels like a proper ride.
Chumby is rough as hell now – especially between the A54 and the waterfall – you really have pick your line and watch the deep ditch-like bits.
At Nessit benches we gather to share in a dram : the payload of Bunnabhain (pronounced Bun-a-haavan I believe) I have brought . A little toast to an anniversary. I have been a gentleman of leisure now for five years.
A special thanks to Dr S – as the malt was a gift from him (and his good lady) for my 60th.
We get our normal warm welcome in the Leathers . Beers of choice are Guinness (Inc 3sheds ! Even though it ain’t lager) & Neck Oil .
Salmon salad seems to be the choice of the majority , except for El Pres and my bad self . Much as I like salad , deep fried Haddock and some hefty chips just seems to be the right answer after a decent circuit on the hill .
Other observations: John the landlord suggests I have a look of The Viking about me. I feel this may be a fair cop, as I am a little bearded and hirsute . And I originate from a place with loads of Norse heritage ( all the villages have names which end in -by, a Viking naming convention for a settlement).
The inevitable axis of evil comes to pass. I give John carte blanche on whisky choice … and he comes back with a bottle of .. Bunnabhain.
It is true – lightning can strike twice in the same spot .
By the time Ruth arrives to take charge of the Troll , he is trying to some up enthusiasm for a different Xmas do TNR do .
On the canal towpath return journey for me and TJ, he gets to the AZ bridge first and encounters a large Badger ? scurrying off in the opposite direction .
A fine end to a fine evening.