Andy Smith
May 22, 2014
In spite of a poor weather forecast, eight of us (seven
members and one probable future member) assembled in Great
Hucklow. As it turned out, there was no rain at all for the
whole of the walk. After crossing fields and walls with
stiles to Grindlow, we walked by Silly Dale to Wardlow
Mires. We crossed the main road into upper Cressbrook Dale.
Here there were lots of purple orchids, slightly past their
best but magnificent nevertheless.
We headed up to Peter’s Stone and all scrambled to the top
where we enjoyed a coffee break in an unusual situation.
After descending from the Stone, a wild flower book was
consulted and the orchids tentatively identified (early
purple orchids).
The route continued down the dale before climbing out of it
to Wardlow. Continuing east, we crossed a road and paused
for lunch. After dropping down to Housley we took the road
into Foolow and then towards Bretton. The large sinkhole,
which suddenly opened up last Christmas above old mine
workings, had been spotted earlier in the walk but was now
much nearer.
A footpath branched off the road taking us closer to the
sinkhole and we were able to get a good look at it. It is
supposed to be 160ft wide and 130ft deep but we could not
see the bottom.
It just remained to walk the short distance back to Great
Hucklow. Post-walk refreshments in Bradwell were tea and
homemade cakes produced by Rosy (fruit cake, flapjacks, and
raspberry chocolate brownies).
7.5 miles 900 ft of ascent.
—
Andy Smith – Bradwell, Derbyshire, England; andy@…
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