Despite a rather discouraging forecast it was a glorious day and 16 walkers turned out to enjoy it.
Firstly, across fields to Congreave,with the River Wye racing along on our right, but then bearing up left to a viewpoint locally known as “The Stand” where we paused for an early coffee break to admire the panorama. Then up again through Sheepwalk Wood to Stanton Moor where various paths through heather lead us eventually to the trig point (323 metres).
Onwards to the Cork Stone, which received two ascents, and then on to our lunch stop at a gritstone slab near the edge of the moor.
The easy path northwards brought us to the Reform Tower (Earl Grey Tower) which commemorates the passing by Parliament of the Reform Act in 1832. A handful of members were sufficiently energetic to climb a stile and make a circumnavigation of the base of the tower. They soon caught up with the main party which was heading for the Nine Maidens Bronze Age Stone Circle. This concluded our tour of the highlights of Stanton Moor, so we descended through the disused quarries and made our way back via Stanton Woodhouse to the cars.
Many thanks to all, hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!
Frank & Jennifer