EAST OF EDEN - MARK 2 - 15.11.09


A SUNNY PERIOD ABOVE STAFFIELD

Leader Derek writes -

Hey ho the dark November mornings are with us once again. As with the previous Eden walk earlier this year we started off at 8.30 in gloomy drizzle. We expected the ground to be waterlogged because it had rained so much the day before and so it turned out but at least the day stayed almost dry. There were 6 of us (almost 7); Frank, Barrie, Rosemary, Jim, Louise, and myself. We had not been walking for more than 20 minutes and were just about to make our acquaintance with Long Meg and her Daughters when a little silver car suddenly appeared in this narrow lane and out jumped a peroxide blonde and headed meaningfully towards us. It took a few moments to recognize that it was Joan, who apologised profusely for having missed the start.
We arranged to meet at Kirkoswald where she would join our party. With her new hairstyle we could hardly miss her - but we did - by 5 minutes. She waited in Kirkoswald till 10.00 but we didn't get there till 5 past!

The walk continued over the fields to Staffield Hall and past the Nunnery, through Broad Wood and past the ford at Dale. This tiny hamlet must take the prize for being the muddiest hole in all of Cumbria. However the sun came out and Jim found a dry spot where we could have a coffee break. Then we headed east following the banks of the Croglin Water through pleasant rolling countryside.
We dined in a pleasant cosy spot in Davygill Woods. After dinner we skirted the foot of the Pennines but resisted the temptation to climb them - another walk perhaps. We reached Renwick and a bit of welcome lane walking after waterlogged fields then we followed Raven Beck for 2 miles to reach Kirkoswald once again. It rained briefly but had stopped by the time we reached the Eden. Then 2 miles following the Eden upstream till we reached Lacy's Caves where we stopped for afternoon tea and posed for photographs by our official photographer Barrie. As it was getting dusk by now we pushed on and eventually reached Little Salkeld in the dark at 4.45pm. Despite the heavy going it had been an enjoyable 21 mile walk.

FRANK AT LUNCHTIME LACY'S CAVES MAISON DEREK MORE LUNCHTIME GLOOM THREE INMATES OF LACY'S CAVES TOTHE WOODS