Robin's BGR

16^th July 2011

Robins BG

8 O’clock Saturday night and I am driving through Keswick, cosy and warm with the heater blowing and ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ keeping me mellow. Intermittent showers have been the order of the day but now the cloud is lifting and the views are very fine indeed. I feel good. This was not the case at 8 O’clock this morning.

I awoke to the sound of heavy rain and a quick peek through the curtains revealed low cloud, by low I mean down to the roof tops. Checking the phone a text from DW lets me know Robin had left Dunmail at 7.36am well up on schedule and going strong. Decision time. I have little enthusiasm. A call to DW and he tells me the weather in Keswick is much better so I throw some gear together. Then I remember that it is the anniversary of my BG. Only 11 years ago. So at 10am I am on my way to Honister. After all what else would I be doing today? Drinking tea, eating biscuits and watching the golf! And I like golf.

Stuck behind 4 coaches and idiots doing 20mph down Borrowdale I arrive OK. I need to be at Wasdale for 1pm. The run over via Beck Head is enjoyable and I chat aloud to myself. Something I only do when I am on my own by the way. Descending Gavel Neese I emerge from the cloud to a fantastic view. The flanks of Lingmell were bright emerald green and the streams swollen by the rain are bubbling pure white threads dancing between the bracken.

I arrive in good time and am offered tea and cakes as we await Robin. He is later than expected but finally we spot him and his pacers descending. They are slow and even stop for a while, something clearly wrong. Knee trouble. After treatment, food and a change of shoes he decides to carry on. At 2.33pm we are off up Yewbarrow.

The pace is strong. 42 minutes. I can barley keep up. But leaving the summit the problems return. Descent to Dore Head is slow to start but then as we contour more the pace picks up. I am once again dropped as DW and Robin climb into the mist on Red Pike. Nothing to do but push on as best I can. Thinking I might have to miss Steeple and meet them in the way to Pillar I am surprised to catch up just after the summit. Descending now a real problem but the overall pace is still good.

However coming off Scoat Fell things get much worse. Several stops and attempts to support the knee joint using a Buff don’t work and now the climbing is slow going. After Pillar and clearly in pain Robin decides it is best to call it a day and make our way by the easiest route to Honister. I run on ahead to let everyone know. The fells begin to clear and the view first down Ennerdale and then to Buttermere are excellent; I arrive just after 7pm.  A party of five head up to meat Robin and DW to give moral support. I am cold and wet so need to change clothes and get warm. No need for me to hang around so I set off home.

A day I was not looking forward to, and in the end not a successful one, but I enjoyed it all the same and felt happy with myself. It is strange that sometimes days of bad weather and problems can end up feeling like the best days when things improve and you are back down warm and fed.

Russell