Don’t forget your car keys

The last two Parish Walks have been quite close to base. In fact, one of them had a section within the parish boundaries. The routes in question covered two stretches of the Kirklees Way; Emley Woodhouse to Lower Cumberworth in the first walk and then on to Hepworth in the second.

We are fortunate in living on the southern edge of Kirklees as the countryside is splendid and gets better and better as you walk into the Holme Valley. These were the first walks which weren’t circular so we all left our cars and piled into my Zafira to get to the start point on both occasions.

The first walk was an early New Year freshener. There had been a lot of rain and it wasn’t long before we encountered our first muddy field. If we thought that was bad, it was nothing compared to the valley bottom near Denby Dale, where a new sewer had been laid underneath the path, or a field between Skelmanthorpe and Lower Cumberworth, which would have been easier to negotiate with a boat!

The next walk took place on Sunday 20th February. The weather had been bitterly cold so mud was no longer a problem. Being much closer to home we knew the territory. To be precise, Sean knew the territory and just beyond Shepley, because the sun was getting low he took over direction finding and brought us into Hepworth by a higher level route with superb views over the valley.

Once at our destination we were all ready for a well-earned drink at the Butcher’s Arms. It was at this point Sean discovered that he had lost his car keys when he wanted to put Dan, his dog, into the car. This meant we would have to spend more time in the pub (shame!).

Then he realised where he had put them (Pity, another pint would have been nice.)…

…They were in my car…

…which was parked in Lower Cumberworth (Phew! I could get that pint after all.).

Problem:
How to get from Hepworth to Lower Cumberworth without a car.
Solutions:
Walk to the Vicarage, pick up the spare keys, and walk back again. (Too slow)
Run to the Vicarage, pick up the spare keys, and walk back again. (Too tired)
Get Sally to bring the spare keys. (Sally not in)
Stay in the pub and wait for Holme Valley Mountain Rescue to find us when we are reported missing. (Not enough cash!)
Persuade someone in the Butcher’s Arms to drive to the Vicarage for the keys.

Eventually, Sean and keys were reunited and I was able to get back to my car. All I all, a good pair of walks although I have some doubt over the distances given by Kirklees. Some time we will do the next leg from Hepworth to Holme. Watch out for details of when this will be.

David Kaye

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