Thursday 25 June 2009

Askrigg - Saturday, June 13, 2009 - Old Geezers go silly and Old Peculiar in Muker

Saturday dawned with the sun shining brightly, slightly later the team assembled for breakfast. A walk from Muker was on the agenda for the day, but Fred's knee was playing up so he was only able to act as driver. We duly arrived at Muker in Swaledale and set off up to join the Pennine Way ... along Kisdon Side up towards Keld. (I was a bit disappointed that we couldn't visit the little village of Angram which of course was one letter short of an anagram - there has to be a joke there somewhere if you see a postman!)
The initial path out of Muker was fairly steep but soon joined the Pennine Way running along above the dale until we crossed across the dale to the waterfall where we had our butties - interrupted only by a flying armada of midges.
We set off back down the dale and shortly came to a possible detour - described as an interesting scramble, where the path went uphill past Crackpot Hall to the top of Swinner Gill. Curls and John M. were tempted, the rest of us were more attracted by the lower levels. We paused, at the bottom of Swinner Gill watching some students busily taking water samples and wondering whether they would be affected by some of our party adding to the water flow slightly upstream!

Eventually, we re-united to tackle the final walk into Muker and miraculously as we arrived at the only pub - the Farmers' Arms we managed to find a couple of tables outside in the sunshine.


The next couple of hours showed up a slight weakness in our planning, in that :-

a) The sun was shining and we had all found a seat

b) It was only early afternoon - and we'd walked far enough to develop a thirst

c) - and most critically - they served Old Peculier

Old Peculiars at the
Farmer's Arms Muker


There was some debate as to whether the southerners amongst us should be allowed to sample it, but nonetheless, a number of pints were supped.
As we sat there - and I swear this was nothing to do with the beer - a bus turned up, proudly marked as the Little Red Bus - but painted white!! Eventually, we realised that, for the benefit of the drivers we should return to the White Rose.

Ensconced back in their beer garden - Curls spent some time developing a new concept. Basically, it seemed to revolve around the fact that if you drank 5 pints the next one would count as your first and you could truthfully report you'd only had one. He seemed very satisfied with this!

After an enjoyable day, it was time again for dinner. The general concensus was that it had been a good day not least because the whole group had completed the walk together. Chris was congratulated on an excellent choice of area and accommodation and John K. was duly 'elected' to become the chairman for the following year.
Following our meal again the survivors joined Martin for some songs, and as our party gradually retired to bed, the singing was bolstered by the locals.

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