12th January 2006 - Bouth

"A wet day and the excuses were pouring in: Joel was just leaving Manchester, Chris was still in Carlisle and Jim had gone all the way to Norfolk (via the Boat Show) to get his note from his Mum. George sent the email saying to meet at Bouth. Jamie looked at the list on his Kitchen wall and went to Oxen Park. So that left George, Grant, Simon, Ian and a TG. We met Jamie on the first road section, who by that point had re-arranged his evening.
Through Oxen Park, up the road to Bandrake Head and Abbot Park, then out onto the fell. George tries to take an alternative route but we gather at the top of the hill ready for the down hill to Ickenthwaite. Unlike previous weeks Simon was in my sights the whole way down which he explained was because he had replaced his brake blocks and slowing down was once more an option.
Ian suggested a different route from the normal summer ride and we headed south west on the track back towards Oxen Park. Simon’s front wheel found a big hole in the track, stopping it dead and catapulted him down the track, fortunately without injury. We branched right off the main track along the bridleway that goes past Lord Ling. At this point Ians lights had given up and got out the back up “blue glowing” head torch. We decided that this route was best taken when the bracken is down and on a dry evening – it follows a stream.
Down the road to Colton and up the bridleway past the church. We had meant to find the track that went down the Old Hall farm to the west of Bouth, but instead we ended up going through Moss Wood. Ian all the while relying on the lights of those around. Back to the pub all without a drop of rain."
Cheers Charlie, traveling correspondent & tg.
Next week Elterwater, meet Britannia Inn.