Just a couple of days ago I'd won a Rab Microlight Alpine down jacket in a competition run by Go Outdoors. It was a draw really. But I won anyway. And the jacket is due to be delivered today, twixt 1 and 2pm. Timely.
David and Moss arrive in time for lunch, much to the excitement of Pebbles and Islay. There's much hurtling around the house before we settle to eat. The lovely jacket arrives just as we finish shoving food into our faces...and it fits! Then we're away up towards Kinder...in glorious autumnal sunnyshine.
We climb Willam Clough in heat!
Once atop the col we set out into pathless terrain...ish, towards the site of the wreck of two Sabre jets which collided in mid air up here in 1954, during a training exercise.
Having paid our respects to the poor guys who lost their lives here, we leave to find a patch of ground to accommodate our tents. It's not too hard, the ground being considerably drier than when last I was here. We're soon engrossed in occupying dogs, erecting tents, filtering water and such.
We're in shade already and it feels cold. I'm delighted to throw on my new jacket, which hits the spot perfectly as I faff with camp prep.
We retreat inside our respective shelters, feed dogs and make brews. Darkness is falling...fast. But, once fed, Pebbles are Islay are into full sleep mode, tucked into their cosy, camp beds. As an aside, if you'd like one for your pooch, contact Chrissie who'll happily make one for you.
I'm no photographer but, with my phone, captured a couple of nightytime shots. In the view up onto Kinder's northern edge, close to the horizon at around 4 o'clock from the Moon, you can just see the red dot of Mars.
The dogs felt it necessary to wake up again whilst I was outside.
We passed a restful night. It was around freezing in the early hours, with some ice on the tent. But by morning, cloud had warmed up the air and it was 7 degrees at 7am.
My nice, new jacket was perfect over a baselayer during the chilly evening and cool morning. It has a water repellent outer and hydrophobic down so is well suited to damp, British conditions.
We enjoyed a pleasant, sunnyish walk back to our village home, with smiles on our faces.
A delightful short jaunt. Any excuse for a wild camp. And it's always good to spend time with David. He exudes affability, despite my merciless piss-taking.
We love you David...and Moss.
Superb photos and a great trip. Kinder looks so different now that the grass has started to recover and spread
ReplyDeleteThanks Andy. Yes there's much better ground cover in lots of places now.
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