The weather started out to be really quite pleasant, but all good things come to an end!
Some rather better prepared
You can tell the chap in the middle is a local professional singer celebrity who does not want to be recognised.
Looking north, they seemed to be under some pretty dark cloud over there. Land of windmills up there as it is exposed. Well where isn't it exposed around here!
Autumn colours
But the gloom is creeping this way now. The tall mast is Emley Moor TV mast which is not standing on that hillside but as far away again, and maybe further, than where the windmills are.
And gathering in pace comes the gloom but where we are, the clouds still keep breaking up now and then
Hounds have a bit of fun
Drawn to the top of the hill, well wrapped up, From here 360 degree views.
Looking east it looks lovely as usual.
But looking north west it is not quite so promising and it is going to come our way for that black mantle going east is also sliding down to the south towards us.
Someone else is beginning to think it is time to be prepared.
It is precipitating vigorously even if it does not show on here
Another tough cookie smiles in the face of it. Our young farmer is out there somewhere roaming the dripping moors and the temperature has now dropped to 2C
Actually it was not as bright as this appears
It wasn't rain really and it wasn't quite snow nor was it hard hail. I wore my No2 Superlite boots suitably drenched in Waxoil and WD40. One stayed dry, the other leaked and they didn't get a full day out there either, although the ground was a bit squelchy in places.
The long shower over I was just saying to these two that if it started again I was giving up
Totally weatherproof
And it did, so I did, as it had gathered momentum and looked set-in.
But all was not over
In the evening there was a joint event between the 'Beagles' and the Slaithwaite Brass Band. Slaithwaite is pronounced 'Slathwate' if you want to be a bit refined and 'Slowit' if you are local. The 'ow' bit is like 'OW!' not 'owe'.
It was a very inexpensive great night out with the superb brass band playing sessions and a range of singers from the local hunting and farming community singing their songs in between. And of course it was a big congenial social occasion.
I would give a mention to whoever supplied the pork pies if I knew whose they were, but they were absolutely delicious. I am not a pie and peas fan normally, but I was still hungry from the day out on the moors and took advantage of the offer of paying £1 for a second helping. The only problem was I omitted to take my camping set of folding knife fork and spoon which live in a little bag that can be carried on a belt. A pity as the plastic tea spoons provided were totally unequal to the task, becoming soft and pliable with the warmth of the pie to the point of collapse. Cutting into the pie crust and filling was a real challenge. Mint sauce was provided but I supplemented that with a jar from home, which was soon emptied with the help of our friends. Oh, and a dash of chilli powder as well from a small camping pepper and salt pot I had with me 'just in case'. One has to be prepared. The right cutlery will be on the list for next time.
Of course we had a big raffle to raise some money towards the hounds' upkeep and an auction of two wonderful fell sticks made by our local experts and also a haunch of venison contributed by a generous sporting member which attracted some stiff bidding. And there was also a large bottle of whisky donated to auction, which found its natural home.
But the real event of the evening, which took everyone totally by surprise was our Whipper-in, medical practitioner cum bagpipe player, singer and entertainer extraordinaire, who, hauled his delightful attractive beloved out in front of the large assembled crowd, fell on his knees to her and proposed in the traditionally approved manner. Tempting her with a large diamond engagement ring was not necessarily a significant factor but she readily accepted his proposition. So they plighted their troth and embraced. It was quite an emotional and romantic moment that brought the house down in appreciation.
