I was all tucked up in bed last night, and instead of counting sheep I was going over my plan for the morrow (Sunday). The target was to climb Hoove (NZ 003 071), and if possible one of two other remaining Marilyns in Area 35 nearby: Rogan’s Seat (NY 919 030), and Kisdon, (SD 899 998).
Picturing the parking spot for Hoove that I had identified on the map, gradual familiarity took shape in my mind and I felt compelled to arise, go downstairs and research, which culminated in realisation that I had climbed Hoove with Pete about four years ago.
It was an awful day: heavy rain and visibility down to fifty yards. The going was horrid-pathless-peatbog, following a dreary boundary wall or fence, but I was obsessed about visiting all the trig points on that OS sheet (I was not addicted to Marilyns at that time). Looking back on it now I am ashamed that I dragged Pete along on such a joyless exercise, and even more so because on returning to the car I insisted on bagging another trig on the other side of the road further away than Hoove and over even worse terrain.
It is ironic that such a shameful incident has now given me another tick on the Marilyn list.
So, that meant today could focus on the other two. I parked in Keld and marched off down to the river aiming for Rogan’s Seat and found myself on tracks common to the Pennine Way and the Coast to Coast both of which I walked over over thirty years ago, and I had no recollection of the scenery which to say the least is spectacular, especially with the weather contrasting totally with the Hoove episode.
Rogan’s Seat turned out to be a fairly strenuous eight mile round trip so there was no time left for Kisdon even though it is a quickie from Keld, but it can be made into a very attractive longer walk which I hope to do soon and am looking forward to.
Another great day snatched in between dismal forecasts.
CLICK FIRST PICTURE TO ENLARGE
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| The track down to the River Swale from Keld - my summit was behind the centre horizon |
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| Note the frost on the field - there were patches of ice everywhere |
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| East Gill meets the Swale |
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| Back to Keld |
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| Remains of tractor strangely embedded in the track |
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| The river Swale downstream from Keld |
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| Old mine buildings - pity they were still just in shadow. My route followed a path along the top of that shadow |
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| The unprepossessing summit of Rogan's Seat, but great views |
I wonder if Alan R can identify the tractor!
ReplyDeleteJJ
Surely no one could complain about the remains of the tractor. Rot and rust have converted it into a work of art that has just as much right to be there as the paths, contours and colours you were experiencing. No longer an artefact, now rather a what? A naturo-fact?
ReplyDeletethe light on Sunday, after the mist and drizzle had, miraculously, 'evaporated', trailing evanescent skeins across the hills, was quite extraordinary: on such a day, the camera was redundant - the plangent, fluid scene far better fixed in the memory than an infinite number of pixels could capture: but you have managed to remind me of the light - it is not that light, but is a witness to that light - quite seasonal, really.
ReplyDeleteThanks - and cheers - we toasted you at the Newfield after the annual vigil at Birks Bridge.
Saturday, not Sunday - must have been intoxicated - by the light
ReplyDeleteJohn J - It was probably made before he was born, but I don't think that would be a problem. Any mention of a tractor usually acts like peanuts to a monkey to Alan R so I await expectantly.
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RR - I agree. It nestles into its environment like the best of Yorkshire Dales farmhouse architecture and it seems to have had the ability to camouflage itself in the way that some animal species do.
All the Dales have been extensively worked by sheep farmers and miners, and I find similar attraction in the ruins of mine buildings, and the hushes now taken over by nature.
What is inexcusable is the mess of discarded domestic appliances, building rubble, and all kinds of offensive detritus left about by many farmers.
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gimmer - Yes, the light can be special at this time of year, a sort of warm glow despite the low ambient temperatures, but it is a bit concerting when it starts rapidly disappearing round about three thirty when you have still a way to go on the hill. As far as intoxication goes I think I'll stick to red.
I already have. It was spotted in September 2014 at this link.
ReplyDeletehttp://phreerunner.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/a-taste-of-c2c-path-shap-to-richmond_5.html
Rot and Rust!!! Fergy’s don’t rot and rust.
Peanuts to a monkey!! (Are they salted?)
Alan R - Ah, you have exceeded my expectations. That looks like it was an exceptionally good walk.
ReplyDeletePeanuts, salted, yes, I wouldn't want them any other way myself.
Kisdon is another of those hills (in a list which grows the more I look at the Marilyn list!) where I've been so close, yet didn't visit the top. The first time I passed it was on the Pennine Way, to the east of the summit; subsequently (third time?), for a bit of variation, I passed it to the west. Next time I'll definitely be heading for the top!
ReplyDeleteNice one Conrad. I remember Sue resting on that tractor on our C2C taster. Alan R wasn't actually there, but he did identify the tractor as being a Ferguson TE20 from (as JJ suggests) before he was born.
ReplyDeleteHave a great 2015.
Gayle - That intended commitment to your new pursuit is encouraging. I can see us meeting accidentally on Kisdon's summit.
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Phreerunner - Hi Martin. It's odd how unlikely items in a post bring forth multi comments. By the way it was me that suggested the date being before he was born.
Phew. I’m glad thats all cleared up then.
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