19/12/21
The Christmas meet was, in keeping with the odd times in which we live, somewhat disrupted by Covid. Various members rang – more or less sheepishly – to say that wives, partners and multigenerational Christmases meant they felt they could not attend as they might put Christmas at risk. This led to an enormous level of over catering – but, on the bright side, it meant unlimited Beef and Wine for those who came.
And so it was that a smaller band of brothers met for the occasion. The walkers were blessed with excellent weather – cold and bright with some mist in the valley. We walked up through Eyam to Sir William Hill and thence to Wet Withers. Wet Withers being a Bronze Age stone circle – where we sang Drinking With Rosie (with thanks and a nod to Tony Grayson – who could actually play this one) accompanied very poorly by Bob on Ukulele.
From there we descended – following the “Levada” – or very narrow canal – (we think designed to provide drinking water to Leam Hall) to Leam and thence across the bridge below the plough to the Millstone. A couple of pints were drunk in what is quite a welcoming pub.
From there we walked along the old packhorse route to Froggatt and from there back to the Hut.
Dinner was traditional – Home Made Tomato and Pepper Soup; Roast Beef with all the trimmings; Apple Pie then Cheese. Cookers very adequate. Don’t know what all the fuss is about.
Given the reduced numbers each person’s chances of winning the Travis Trophy were greatly heightened – and dreams were dreamed (dreamt perhaps?) by those who had never won. Mike P achieved a very notable Zero Points with three darts. I can’t for the life of me recall who won. I must have drunk my share of the excessive wine. Could it possibly have been Pierce? For he was there and has been known to win before. If he did, let us not formally acknowledge that fact. We could declare a Covid related mistrial – for he would be unbearable as the Club’s only 4 time winner.
Next Year – even though it may make the competition tougher, we hope a full complement will compete for the Trophy. Perhaps Tennis Australia takes a similar view…
Bob G
The cavers had a leisurely trip making the normal tourist round of Peak Cavern, including a visit to all the sumps. They afterwards had an extended visit to the Three Stags Head, where Ben naively succumbed to the infamous Lurcher ale.
Derbyshire Pennine Club 