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After the horrors of storm Eowyn,Saturday 25th was a crisp clear day with little wind.
8 of us met at Litton and were soon on our way through Cressbrook Dale after the descent through Tansley Dale.
Leaving the Dale we headed to the summit of Wardlow Hay Cop blessed with extensive all round views.The permissive path then led down to the road crossing at the start of Hay Dale followed by a short climb past a disused quarry and on to the edge of Longstone Moor,where we stopped for a reviving tea break with more views to enjoy.From there we descended the bridle way to Dale Farm and Little Longstone to pick uo the Monsal Trail.
Following the trail we crossed the viaduct below Monsal Head and took the path towards to Cressbrook Mill,leaving this to gain the high level traverse above Water-cum-Jolly.
Lunch was enjoyed sheltered from the chil wind with views of Water-cum-Jolly ,Cressbrook Hall and the village above, not to mention the Ravens Dale cliffs.
Completing the traverse we descended to Litton Mill and climbed up to Cressbrook village and the sometimes tedious path through the woods above Cressbrook dale.After a bit of slipping and sliding we left the woods with the village of Litton ahead across the fields.
An absolute ace day enjoyed by us all.
Mike D

13 members gathered in unpromising weather near the bus stop by the Fox House at the very civilised time of 11am and were welcomed by this meet leader with a “Happy New Year, you silly buggers” and an outline of the proposed walk – probably not very far if conditions worsened or the Fox House was calling strongly. Then off we set on well known footpaths walking above the crags of Burbage South and then Burbage North, where we were joined by a familiar figure (my lovely husband!) wanting to do an even shorter walk.
At Upper Burbage Bridge 5 peeled off to head directly back down the Green Drive, while the remaining 9 headed upwards to brave the elements over Higger Tor (actually not too awful) before descending through waterlogged ground to the packhorse bridge to join the Green Drive ourselves, and then used the woodland paths to avoid walking on the main road, to arrive at the Fox house, where we managed to secure a corner seating area for a convivial gathering with various drinks (but sadly none of the hoped-for hot mulled wine).
A great start to another Castle year – thank you all for turning up and your usual excellent company.
Vanda B.

With the cycling abandoned, somewhere in the region of 24 new and old members, plus three dogs, arrived at my house for the walk, though I will never cease to be amazed by the capacity of one honorary member (who arrived late) to get lost within 50m of the starting point. The wind had actually dropped a bit since the previous day, but we headed down into the Rivelin Valley with occasional bits of sleet, crossed the river and climbed up the other side towards the Hallam Golf Club. We decided to forego the coffee break at a couple of benches with a view over the Rivelin Dams as the wind hadn’t dropped that much, and there was clearly more weather heading our way. The pub was already in sight, and we reached it just as our missing honorary member caught up, and the doors opened. The Sportsman’s staff were most helpful and efficient in distributing hot roast sandwiches and home-made soup to those who wanted them, and after about 50 minutes we were on our way again. A couple of members (and two of the dogs) dropped out at this point, and the rest of us descended a steep and muddy path below the Three Merry Lads, directly to the Rivelin Dam. There was a minor diversion as one member, doubtless recalling his enthusiastic climbing days of years past, headed up towards Rivelin Edge, rather than taking the gently ascending traverse path through the woods below it, which led eventually to Woodbank Road. The fields above this provided the worst mud and strongest winds of the day, but after crossing the Riggs Road, we were able to take shelter in the woods overlooking the Loxley Valley. A rising traverse, just below the ridge, brought us back to Stannington, and the traditional tea-party, where we were joined by a few additional non-walkers.
Many thanks to all who came, the staff at the Sportsman Inn, those who brought contributions of mince pies, scones etc., and the washers-up. It was great to chat both to old members I hadn’t seen for ages, and to newly-joined ones. Unfortunately since everyone went home I have gone down with a horrendous cold (main symptoms: sore throat, hoarse voice, and total lack of energy), so I hope I haven’t given it to anyone else (Covid test is negative). Merry Christmas to all! JB

Eleven members plus 2 dogs turned up at various points under the Roaches at 9,30am. The drive over seemed promising with blue skies and sunshine. However, the western Peak seemed to be shrouded in low cloud! An atmospheric romp up Hen Cloud revealed sculpted rocks and numerous mini scrambling areas. Some even spotted climbs completed eons ago. A contour of the hill led us back to the ridge where we continued through the murk, passing a fenced off Doxey’s Pool. Soon after, we sheltered behind a huge boulder for drinks and a snack before the trig point (tick) and second Ethel of the day.
A descent and woodland path led to Lud’s Church, a deep rocky chasm that you can walk through, now dripping with lush green ferns. It boasts some history of early Christian worship and a legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Lunch and a brief bit of drizzle gave us the impetus to continue the circumnavigation of the ridge crossing fields and following tracks and a minor road back to cars.Nine miles completed and we enjoyed some clearer westerly views in the afternoon. We were back at the cars by 2.30pm. A few then went on to Whitehouse Cafe chez Bill and Elen – many thanks for your hospitality. And, thank you to everyone who came out. An enjoyable day.
Ali

Meet report. A great walk from Alport Bridge on the A57 Snake Pass up Bleaklow’s “finest and wildest glen.” Passing the historic Alport hamlet and Britain’s largest landslip we made steady progress beside the River Alport until the vague track petered out. Striking steeply up hill we located the small path that took us above the now steeply sided valley to Grains in the Water. This is the point where several small tributaries (grains) convege on open moorland. While we were lunching here low cloud rolled in so we abandoned plans to walk to Alport Head and Bleaklow Hill, instead heading south east for Over Wood Moss. Sometimes following faint sheep tracks, sometimes on rough moor we traversed Alport Moor and into the top of Oyster Clough with dramatic views of the waterfalls in Alport Dale on the way. Oyster Clough Cabin provided a welcome break and much laughter. The route was now much easier – down the Clough to pick up the line of the Roman road which took us back to our starting point. A great exploring day away from sizable or any paths. We saw no one from Alport hamlet back to the Snake. Some said that we had a whale of a day! David

8 members and 3 prospective members + 2 dogs completed 10.5 miles. The walk started at Fairholmes Car Park, where surprisingly there was ample parking. Crunching beech leaves along the upper Derwent path , we climbed via Abbey tip plantation, Howden moor to Lost Lad, where we had visibility and views despite the overarching cloud. We continued along Derwent Edge and enjoyed all the sculpted gritstone Tors en route , before descending towards grindle Clough and eventually back on the track running along the reservoir. Although the leaves were falling from the trees , the autumn colours were still vibrant in parts, so a lovely finish to the walk. Thanks to everyone for their company. Fiona

Charlotte’s pic

The meet was based in the Fell and Rock club cottage in Langdale. This is a 17th century farmhouse with lots of character, open fire, ceilings too low for John Barnard, and one cooker. Of the 12 people on the meet, 4 attended the Fell and Rock AGM on the Saturday afternoon, some after visiting Kendal wall in the morning. Booking the Thursday night meant groups could walk on the Friday as well as over the weekend. This all worked well. Beautiful autumn colours. Misty hills. The cottage is cheap to book and we only had to pay for the places we used. It would be very good for a summer meet because of all the climbing in Langdale. Geoff.

From the village hall at Onecote in Staffs, eight people plus 3 dogs set off to complete a round to bag three trig points. A romp along a quiet lane led to the first trig of Bradnop at the side of the road – just reachable over a dry stone wall and barbed wire. An ominous white van drew up – me thinking it was the local farmer trig police, but no, it was Elen! After a brief hello and chat we crossed the first of many boggy and muddy farm fields that opened up to ever expanding views across the Manifold Valley.
The sky was clear and a beautiful sunny day set the scene for a host of animal sightings – some farm animals, others wild. These included: geese, ducks, alpacas, pheasants, buzzards. kestrels, a hare, rabbits, grouse, cows, sheep, cats ……… and others that the grey matter won’t recall.
After a coffee break, and a descent through mud into Ford, where more than one body ended up horizontally in the mud, we ate lunch on a log.
Some path re- routing around a farm led to mixed fortunes. We missed the second trig point of Moor Top but met a local alpaca smallholder who educated us in how they make a lucrative business – selling their poo and dressing them up for weddings! We also learned of a nearby aircrash site memorial for an RAF plane that was sent out to drop supplies to villages cut off in the snow in 1947.
We made the detour and descended to the very pretty village of Butterton for the planned trig number three – Butterton church tower.! Opposite stood the Black Lion . A unanimous vote to stop for a drink in the garden gave the leader time to replan the ongoing route. After a further hour across fields, moorland and lanes we reached our cars .
An approximate ten mile round on slippery ground, in sunny weather, with ever lively company gave a great day out, in this less visited part of the Peak District.
Needless to say, we visited the missed Moor Top trig point on the car journey home!
Ali