21 Society members enjoyed a sociable evening meal at The Fountain Hotel in Hawes on the Friday evening at the start of this enjoyable weekend excellently organised by David and Marjorie Cashmore.

One of the main topics of conversation was inevitably the weather, which as is often the case for Society events, was unseasonably inclement. The last person who arrived for the evening meal had a tale of his car thermometer dropping to one degree on the Buttertubs Pass and showed photographs of the snow covered ground.

On the Saturday there was a choice of walks; one for the slightly less energetic of about seven miles and a longer one estimated at approximately 12 miles.

The 12 miler set off from Muker, where members had a quick search for a clog making cobbler in a house with fifteen stone steps outside. A suitable building was identified but there was some discussion on the number of actual steps. As no agreement could be reached the walk began and the party headed along Swaledale and steeply uphill onto The Fells towards Crackpot. Unfortunately, very early on it became evident that the very wet weather would effect the planned activities. No sooner than everyone had breathed a sigh of relief at the end of the first very steep climb, it became obvious that their way was blocked by a raging torrent which normally should have been a perfectly crossable stream. So scrambling back down the way they had just come an alternative route up to Crackpot was chosen. On arrival, the ruins were explored, photos taken and the group then headed towards Buzzard Scar and The Kirk. Again unfortunately too much water in Swinner Gill prevented access to the cave, so soggy sandwiches were eaten in a torrential downpour near to the ruins of the miners' cottages, which sadly didn't provide any shelter from the driving rain and cold wind. After lunch as 5 of the party set off back downhill, a breakaway group of half a dozen did try again to reach The Kirk by climbing the opposite bank of the Gill but again were defeated by the sodden conditions. Eventually the group became one again in the tea shop (standing room only) at Keld and having warmed up headed back up hill and down dale to Muker.

Meanwhile, the less energetic party set off from Keld, and in drizzly rain followed the Pennine Way footpath round the side of Kisdon Hill, eventually dropping down into Muker in time for lunch at the Farmer's Arms. After lunch, the weather improved somewhat and the intrepid explorers set out across the flower meadows, across the Swale by a footbridge and followed the river upstream to visit Bildi Hill Smelt mill where Swinnergill Beck reaches the Swale. From there, a steep pull up the track took us to Crackpot where someone had carved the initials M S into a stone slab! Was this the work of vandals in the other party? Finally the Coast to Coast footpath was followed back into Keld where we feasted on tea and cakes.

Another enjoyable evening was spent at The Fountain Hotel and members swopped tales of their two walks. There was even a slide show of some of the photographs taken that day on the shorter walk.

On a drier Sunday morning a slightly reduced number of members met in Hawes to enjoy another walk -- this time an eight mile circular route. This initially took them up Burtersett High Pasture south of Hawes and crossed the Roman Road, to take in the views of Semer Water, Yorkshire's only natural lake. The much improved weather, although it was still jolly chilly, made it a much more pleasant day's walking compared with the day before, however the hills seemed much steeper for some.

The gold stars for the day go to the two J's; one of whom seemed to lead the way for most of the day even though she had a fractured arm in plaster; and the other lady who kept going even after deciding to take an unexpected dive in a slippery, pebbly stream breaking her spectacles in the process and becoming very wet and consequently cold in the chilly conditions.

Silver stars should go to everyone who helped rebuild the walls after they had to be partly dismantled to help the party climb over them to try and get back on track. Enough said!

Bronze stars for everyone who kept going and finally, a combination of all three to the walk leaders, Marjorie and David Cashmore, who provided a fabulous weekend.

 

A report from our special correspondent

The Buzzard Scar in Hawes weekend was my second time out and about with the Malcolm Saville Society and I enjoyed it a lot.

On the Friday me, dad and June met with the group in the local pub and had a late tea then went to our hotel. The following day the group split with some going on the short walk (7 miles) and the rest going on the longer walk (12 miles). I went on the short walk but our group sadly did not have Ian in it. It was a cold but nice day out and I managed to take many photos (being appointed the photographer).

Again we ended our day in the pub where I showed the full group a slideshow that I had made, with pictures of the group and surroundings. The final day of the weekend the whole group united to go on a walk with big hills, lovely views and spectacular fields of flowers. I hope to see everyone again at the Hertfordshire weekend.Josh Bannister 13

 

Photo's of the event

Fifteen Steps?

An Uncrossable Torrent

Crackpots at Crackpot

Lunch Time at Muker

Flower Meadows near Muker

Our Special Correspondent