Thursday walk 2 Apr 2015 – report

13 members met at Fox House, some having recently been in
foreign places as far flung as Spain, Japan and Antarctica.
The weather was beautifully sunny and mild, with virtually no
wind – a delightful change from some we have been having.
Passing Longshaw Lodge and pond we crossed the road and the
footbridge over Burbage Brook before heading up the sunken
track to join the Hathersage road near the Surprise. A thin
track uphill through the heather passed Mother Cap and
reached the gritstone tor, Upper Owler Tor, where we paused
for a coffee break and to enjoy the views. Dropping west
down the moor we reached the track below Millstone Edge.
This continued across the road, past the piles of old
millstones to Lawrencefield. We walked through the silver
birch woods and descended to join the Padley Gorge track
which was followed down to Padley Mill. The path on the east
bank of the brook soon brought us to our lunch spot, at
almost exactly 1pm. After our picnic overlooking the stream
we climbed steps to reach the road and Yarncliffe Quarry.
There followed a delightful path through woods, with nice
views over Upper Padley. Eventually we reached open country
and after a short ascent we joined the main track through
Longshaw. From the road we followed an ancient trackway
across the edge of White Edge Moor to cross the road again,
pass below the Wooden Pole and reach the track which led
back to Fox House. We rounded off the walk by enjoying a
drink in the beergarden. 6.7 miles 1210 ft of ascent.