BRIGFLATTS VISITED(JUST)
Weekending at Wrightington
we chose Saturday
for our pilgrimage.
Just a few motorway miles
saw the weather change
to an unending pour
Swerving to avoid a bollard
we skidded near Forton Services,
regained control, stopped for coffee.
In the narrow road at Brigflatts
we turned the car, parked briefly,
but fearing a drenching forsook exploration
Paying ten pence to park
we got soaked in Sedbergh
running to the Copper Kettle
Lunch over we set out for Dent
and met the river at Catholes
flowing towards us down the road
Several times the engine faltered
but we low-geared through,
the exhaust bouncing on boulders
We escaped over the tops to Barbon
following the brown, bubbling Barkin Beck
as it tumbled down carrying earth and stone
Arriving back at our quaggy field
abandoning our vehicle by the road
we crossed unwellied to the caravan
Soon we settled for coffee
and a book - mine
The Orkneyinaga Saga with tales of Eric Bloodaxe
On Sunday the sun shone unceasing
© GERALD ENGLAND
Composed: Wrightington, 19th September 1985
Publications
1986 BRIGGFLATTS VISITED (Ashton under Lyne, New Hope International)
1995 BRIGGFLATTS VISITED 2nd edn (Hyde, New Hope International)
Phew, what an adventure! Incidentally Gerald it was in Barbondale that I said hello to the indomitable AW (Wainwright the walker, that is). He was having tea by the burbling beck with a pair of mature ladies.
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