The TallyHo Visit Foreign Country
The “’Ere be Dragons” Trail

For the first time in living memory the club left the safety of its native area and ventured into the uncivilised and barbaric wilderness of Yorkshire. Bravely Butler visited on more than one occasion to plan a trail from the Beehive at Ripponden. Assisted by Wells on the day, he laid a trail that led down into the dark and forbidding valley, back up over the wild and nameless moors and finally down again to the pub.
The weather forecast had promised some sunshine later in the day, but it didn’t happen. Overcast, but with good visibility, the few that braved the trip to the wilderness were rewarded by an excellent trail and a warm welcome by the natives.
The arrangements with the publican had not started smoothly. He was under the impression that he had to open at 13:00 to allow us to change, then he could close again and reopen when we returned. In the meantime he had planned a day out with his son. He was frantically phoning to change these arrangements as the early starters were changing. Early Taylor headed off first, but closely followed by Shippers and Whitworth. Then Lesser Ruddock and Colin, and surprisingly Shotgun and Whitehead. The latter pairing were off so early to allow Shotgun to get to the City match later, and miss his meal. The earlier pairing were headed to the Warrington Wolves home game and also went hungry, but all were rewarded by victories by their respective teams.
DingDong Bell had been delayed by a nasty accident on the M60, fortunately not involving himself, and had to set off alone, chasing his usual companions. Merciless Winterbone was also a lone runner, happily jogging along in search of trail looking for company. Skint Wilson was accompanied by Murray and Jenkinson, whilst the nominal fast pack included Fast Taylor, Norman, Blackshaw, Biker Eastwood and McHarry, joined by Butler who had decided that once round was just not enough.
From the pub, the trail avoided tarmac as much as possibly, so zigged and zagged somewhat on the way down into the valley. It passed Castle Quarries and crossed the Rochdale Road before going through Swift Place. Then it veered right along a Permissive Path beside Ryburn Reservoir. Peace and quiet through the woods, and alongside the River Ryburn, stained orange by the rust from the reservoir outlet, which was sprayer water in all directions as we passed, and probably after as well. Past Beeston Hall Rocks before starting the climb out of the valley underneath the mass of Baitings Dam, climbing alongside the hill climb course with the car tyres protecting trees, through the car park at the top and then along side Baitings Reservoir, still following the Permissive Path.
A short zig and zag across the main road and then it’s a long climb following Greenwood Clough before the steep ascent of Manshead End, a somewhat ominous title for a pleasant little hill with views all around. Stoodley Pike was prominent across the valley as the trail rose slightly to reach the summit on Great Manshead Hill. From here it was all downhill, almost. Dropping down to the vicinity of Sykes Farm, it joined the Calderdale Way, turning right to head back to the pub. After Greave Road, it left the way to head cross country, and down road, past Water Green and Great Merry Bent to Syke Hill, then down green lanes to the pub.
The route was a little short and very runnable, with the faster boys completing it in 76 minutes. So quick that Bloodless Whitehead set off backwards round the trail to pick up and escort the last runner in, a tiring Butler. The gaps in departures of the various groups had been such that the vast majority ended up running in the last short green lane in a group, line astern. No one reported a sighting of a Dragon. They must have all been asleep.
The toilet was spacious with plenty of room around the bath although some trouble was had with the water temperature. Once bathed and changed, we assembled in the pub. It too was spacious, with the TV tuned to the football results channel. The beer was good, Black Sheep and Landlord, the latter causing some deterioration of speech as the afternoon progressed. There was more time than usual to socialise before the meal, which was a meat pie with wedges, fine beans in mint sauce, carrots with lemon dressing and a piece of Broccoli. Very pleasant, and a good helping. Followed by Apple Crumble or Jam Roll and Custard it provided adequate sustenance for all but Blackshaw, who availed himself of some puddings whose owners could not manage.
The locals had assembled by the bar, looking somewhat bemused but they proved to be friendly, this time at least. Shippers reminded everyone that next week is Longnor, moved from the week after. Back to the safety and civilisation of Staffordshire.