Well, I went up to Glenridding to have a stroll with some other Duke of Edinburgh Award adult volunteers, driving up on Friday afternoon. John Pratt and I arrived in the dark with no Grid Reference or postcode for Almond Lodge where we were staying. We went a mile up a mountain track to get the the complex of building we thought was the right place. It took us a few minutes to find the correct building. Having arrived safely we set about putting our gear in the lodge. We had discovered a youth hostel on the way and they did food. John and I decided to have our evening meal there. Cumberland sausage, yummy, especially when washed down with a Malbec. We also booked in for a fat boy's breakfast the following morning. It as bitter cold and snowed during the night. Our "course director" Ed Chard decided that the conditions were too treacherous for us to go walking and cancelled the weekend. Some folk went with Ed for a walk towards Helvellyn and some went down the hill a bit.
From Almond Lodge, Glenridding, looking West (a bit towards Hellvellyn)
I decided to stay in the warm. I went outside, took a few piccies. I also took a bit of "cine film" on our new Kodak ZX1 mini HD camera that I have uploaded to Youtube HERE. After about half an hour I went back indoors to catch a few Z's as I would be driving over 200 miles again. The troops got back between 12:00 and 12:30ish and there was chat about what they had done. It turned out that Ed had taken several dives in the icy conditions while he was breaking trail. Lunch was at 13:30 and started of with an excellent home made vegetable soup that Jacky and Elaine had prepared. That was followed by a main course. They had also done a really good chilli with a non mushroom option for John. There was also a non chilli version and this was known as mince. Being as how I had a long journey in front of me, I had seconds of the chilli with some bread and I washed it down with orange juice.
Looking down the valley toward Glenridding. Youth Hostel at bottom left.
John and I left the lodge at about 14:30 and I gingerly drove down the snow covered and treacherous mountain track. When we were about half way down we met a vehicle coming up. I skidded to a halt and pulled over on to a passing space because those going down always give way to those coming up. The driver of the other vehicle came slowly past and then slid into the back offside corner of my car. I swore. He looked across and told me that there was no damage.I got out and saw that there was just a black mark that would polish out. He had difficulty getting started up the hill and reversed to get a run up. As soon as he was out of sight it turned in to rush hour and five vehicles came down the slope. I decided I might as well follow on. When we reached the other car, it looked as though the occupants were deciding if it was going to be worthwhile trying to get up the track. I would say not. The rest of the journey home was uneventful but when we stopped at Scotch Corner for a rest break and cup of coffee it was really bitter cold.
Several of us will be going to the Peak District for a one day outing with Ed on Sunday January second. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us and we'll have a good day out on the hill.
