Walden Head, Yorkshire Dales
A few reminders of our weekend
THE USUAL SUSPECTS...
- Barrie "I'll teach Steven to look after his credit card" Astbury
- Charlie "Who put that dyke there?" Grant
- Pete "Di letting me go to Dublin? There's more chance of Steven buying a house" Smith
- Simon "I WILL get across this river safely" Piercy
- Dave "Steven's new Financial Advisor?" Noble
- Tim "I can't see the path on the map... but then I can't see anything on it without my glasses" Spate
- Steve "You want to me to have a shower AND put clean clothes on?!" Barker
Friday
The Place
The Accommodation
Stevie B unpacks his stuff and feels obliged to prove his eligibility - so he claims he has over £200 in cash (in two wallets) and also gets out a credit card! If only he had remembered to put it back! (see later) Some other interesting items are unpacked ...
On the bedside table, just next to one of his wallets, is the emergency cheese sandwich
Also on the bedside table is the supply of Strelley water
And what on earth is this garment, Grandad?
Snack Shrine
Mealtime at the Fox and Hounds (order whatever you like lads - Steven is paying!)
Steven "If I had my card here, I would pay" Barker is amazed and gutted that his credit card IS actually here and therefore, with 7 witnesses (us 6 and a waitress) to his bold statement, he has to pay! This is him reading the total bill ...
... and here you can clearly see Steven holding his card - a rare sight indeed (rare because Barrie had been holding it most of the night!) ...
... and finally, entry of the sacred PIN (and alarm bells ring at Capital One - "My god! Mr. Barker has just spent over 2% of his credit limit!! Quick, we had better esculate this - get me his Mother on the phone.") ...
Back in the bar, Dave examines (in bewilderment) Steve's HUGE watch that tells you just about everything ...
Rumour has it that the latest model even tells you the time ...
Saturday
As a salute to an absentee, we raise our glasses (of orange juice, of course!) ...
We embark on a walk that takes us up the valley towards West Burton (which just happens to be where the pub is!)
Tight squeeze
We embark on a flock of sheep, who soon run away as we advance - except one pauses, looks at Pete and then says ...
Barker's bridge
Strict instructions on how to navigate the ancient Hay Meadow (no cutting corners!)
... SO FEEL FREE TO ROB THE SITE - HE WON'T CATCH YOU
West Burton Village Green (the 6th biggest village green in England!)
At last! We reach the pub
Look at the head on that!
... the Piercy Pot Noodle pic! (The real deal - BEWARE of imitaters!)
We trudged back, the whole way, along the road. The photographer stopped 3 times - first time, to take a panoramic view ...
... second time, to seek out some forrest mushrooms ...
... and thirdly, to fall in a big, muddy dyke - no photograph available (shame!)
When we get home, Barrie cooks a great meal - and here's the lovely tradational AGA stove he used
While we wait for dinner, we play Pete's weird game - "Sick-Bo" ... hours of fun (well, it took hours anyway...)
... and shortly afterwards they were gone ...
The Usual Suspects - out for a Sunday walk - soon afterwards we stopped for our customery 2 minutes silence
Well, it just wouldn't be the same without one of these ...
Simon gets a bit stuck trying to cross the river ...
He tries to find a safe place to cross - take a look ...
Babbling brook
We reach the foot of the main ascent to Buckden Pike - but what's this? Not everyone is keen and yes, a couple wimp out ...
... whilst the real men continue up ...
... enjoying lovely views ...
... until the summit is reached (well, almost!)
On the way down, Pete "Pot Noodle Pretender" Smith tries to muscle in on the Piercy Pot Noodle dynasty ... but makes the regretful mistake of jumping straight in at the "Bombay Bad Boy" level
...and then we headed home
