Stubbys Backyard (Episode 1)

Members:  Virginia Castick, Laura Collier, Roger Dyke, Mark Garrod, Jim Gregson, Sandy Gregson, Kate Harvey, Michelle Harvie, Iain McCallum, Peter Walker(detached), Dave Wylie.

 

KMC Year 70 has kicked off wet and gloomy - and 19 January started so "dreich" that some of these perspicacious members actually donned their overtrousers and waterproof jackets before they had even left home!

Undaunted and in true Stubbsian spirit the party strode off at a fair lick from Pym Chair to hasten over Cat's Tor towards Shining Tor.  For the sake of the more venerable members the Meet Leader reined back the front chargers to a more sustainable pace.  Reward came as the rain stopped, cloud lifted and "Thar she blows!" - Shutlingsloe loomed in the distance, obviating the need for any of that map reading malarkey.

As we drew abreast of the first cafe, Roger and Virginia struck off to starboard to pull first into the tearoom warmth then took a variant via Lamaload.  Meanwhile somewhere astern, Peter Walker was forging a lone furrow after his initial decision to take a raincheck at breakfast-time was set aside as the day brightened and he  rushed out to join our homage to Stubby - a good case of "Len and the Art of Mountain Maintenance".  However, such was the time gap to the main party that Peter only made contact with the Meet Leader via an early evening phone call, and in so doing won his tick.

Undeterred by wet ground and cheered by watery sunshine, the other KMC stalwarts pushed on via Macclesfield Forest to pull stiffly up the awkward steps on to Shutlingsloe before dropping into the eastern lee for a lunch stop unbattered by wind (external!).

The whole of the Peak now revealed itself.  Down then into Wildboarclough, then briskly up through Cumberland Brook and Danebower Hollow to reach the Cat and Fiddle.  Here the puritan ethic was temporarily suspended while the party repaired to the log-burning public bar for tea, coffee or beer to personal preference.  Soon enough though, loins were regirded and we strode out in the direction of Stakeside before dropping into the Stygian depths of Shooters Clough to bypass Errwood Hall ruins.

That left the final uphill draw alongside Foxlow Edge passing the Spanish Shrine to reach The Street climbing out of the Goyt.  Here we met Roger capturing a few final photographs before departing for home.

The day had redeemed itself from a very unpromising start and Mr Stubbs was probably smiling sublimely down on us, reflecting on how the KMC continues to wend its way from its distant nativity back in 1944.  A good effort.  The Meet Leader was gratified to have splendid company for the outing.

 

Jim Gregson