All posts in Meet Reports

Paul/Vanda
Jun 26, 2014
Another walk starting from Millthorpe, but a different route from the very wet one I led in January. This time we did a long loop south through Rumbling Street, Oxton Rakes and Pratthall towards Linacre reservoirs before heading back again through Barlow Grange, Moorhall and Unthank. As usual, there was no previous recce of the walk, so the unexpected delights were a surprise for all of us – some very beautiful and obviously extremely expensive houses [one complete with a strutting peacock on the front drive] a drinking trough for cattle, away from any houses, with goldfish swimming around in it, flower-filled meadows with orchids and iridescent-blue damson flies, and the sound of kestrels and a yellow hammer. There was only one slight ‘deviation/detour’ when we initially ‘ignored’ the correct stile [although there had been several unnecessary offers of help from complete strangers early on, when I’d just been checking the map. As one of our party of five was heard to comment: “We’re not lost – yet!”]
Duffy the dog kept us all nicely together, but occasionally caused us some anxiety when going through fields of overly-interested cows [and for me personally, there were also too many fields we had to cross containing very large and friendly horses]. The weather was good, and likewise the views, especially from the high point of Grange Hill near Barlow Grange. Thank you Sean, Caroline, Dave and Sue for your excellent company. Distance approx. 7 miles over 4 and 3/4 hours.
Vanda

davidcrowther45
Jun 20, 2014
Indeed we did, 6 at the start plus Sue A and Duffy who caught up while we detoured to look at Boot’s tower. Cloudy start but brightened up nicely for the second half. In Linda’s absence the group decided on just a 2 stop strategy, refuelling by Dale Dyke dam and on the Stake Path. Back to the cars by 3pm after a pleasant walk.

Andy Smith
Jun 12, 2014
A lovely sunny warm day with clear air and great views. Nine
of us met at the car park near Fairholmes. We took two cars
to transport us all up the Derwent Valley to King’s Tree
where the walk began. We walked to and crossed the old packhorse
bridge at Slippery Stones. Then it was up the bridle way of
Cut Gate, with a coffee break at the top of the steep
bit. On to the top of the pass where we left Cut Gate
at a large cairn and followed a thin and slightly boggy path
to the trig point at the top of Margery Hill, the highest
named point in South Yorkshire. One of the bogs swallowed
the tip of a walking pole, but it was soon retrieved by
dint of a bit of boggy scrabbling. Margery Hill: what a
delightful place to have our picnic lunch! At 546m (1791 ft),
the summit is reputed to be a Bronze Age burial mound, and
has been designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by English
Heritage. Brilliant views were to be seen all around.

After lunch we headed south past a small cairn marking the
highest unnamed point in South Yorkshire, marginally higher
than Margery Hill. From here we could see Howden Reservoir
and dam. The path headed down to Nether Hey, and an old
shooting road took us right down to the edge of Derwent
Reservoir. We enjoyed a tea break at a bench overlooking the
reservoir, in spite of being pestered by a greedy duck. The
final leg took us along the track to Derwent Dam and
Fairholmes. After agreeing that we had all had a jolly good
day out, some departed to sample the delights of the new cafe
at the Anglers Rest, Bamford, while others went to retrieve
the cars from Kings Tree.

7.5 miles 1360 ft of ascent.

gill Doyle
Jun 6, 2014
A party of 5 left Litton in dry but overcast conditions.
Cressbrook Dale was descended past the St Peter Stone followed by the ascent to Wardlow Hay Cop where we stopped for coffee and donned waterproofs given the appearances suggesting imminent heavy rain. The promised rain failed to materialise, however, and by the time we had completed the descent to Ravensdale Cottages things had warmed up and the waterproofs came off.
The high level traverse of Miller’s Dale followed with a descent to Litton Mill and climb up the other side of the valley to Cressbrook Village.
We then returned to Litton by a somewhat slippery traverse along the edge of the woods and an easy walk through the intervening fields.
The dry weather held and slowly improved giving us a pleasant round in this classic limestone area.
Mike

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@…

Mike Doyle
Apr 25, 2014
5 “usual suspects” and one non suspect ( Judith on Easter holiday) met by Gardoms Edge in welcoming sunshine -T shirts,sun glasses & sun hats were donned and,shock horror,a pair of shorts!
The weather remained fine and we ambled along traversing Gardoms Edge and so over to Chatsworth following the high ground and Edges to Stand Wood from where we descended through the park towards Baslow.
Lunch near the park limits was followed by a stiff climb above Baslow and across Gorse Bank Lane with great views of Stoney Middleton and Eyam.One last pull and we reached the Wellington Monument with the track back to the road and the cars with only a group of menacing looking Angus cattle barring the way.We passed unheaded,however, and were soon back at the cars.
A lovely spring day in contrast to the weather since.
Mike

Paul/Vanda
Mar 27, 2014
There were 9 of us on the walk today, some quite suntanned having very recently returned from foreign parts. We left Castleton along the lane below Peak Cavern, then contoured round to the bottom of Winnats Pass. This was climbed, with some members showing their fitness by maintaining an impressive pace whilst still talking all the time! Then we headed south over open countryside with well-marked paths towards Peak Forest. The weather was mainly fine but a brief flurry of hail stones cut short the coffee stop, and a later episode of light rain conveniently stopped just before lunch in the shelter of the beech trees of Oxlow Rake. Heading northeast back towards Castleton, we then joined the Limestone Way, where Andy and Rosie peeled off to their Bradwell home, and the rest of us descended Cave Dale before excellent coffee/tea and cakes in a Castleton cafe. Yet again for most of us, at least some of the views and paths were new – always satisfying for the meet leader. Approx. 7 miles over 3 and 1/2 hours.
Vanda

jmurton94
Mar 14, 2014
8 persons braved the unusually (for this year) warm weather, and enjoyed awalk round RInginglow and Stanage.Even the expected quagmire above Redmiles reservoirs was kind to us. I note Andy has already posted the GPS data, thanks Andy

John M

Mike Doyle
Feb 27, 2014
5 of us met by the side of Ladybower and crossed the dam for the steady ascent of Win Hill.After a brief hail shower we reached the the summit for a ” pre lunch” sheltered just below the trig point,out of the wind with clear views all around.
Marian then peeled off to return to the cars while the rest of us continued to Hope Cross where lunch proper was enjoyed.
A descent through the woods then led us to the Woodlands valley followed by the push up to the pass above Hagg Side.The ridge was then followed over Bridge End Pasture in glorious sunshine with beautiful all round views.The twin summits of Crook Hill lit up beautifully in the winter sunlight was particularly impressive ( why didn’t I bring my camera ?!).
A steady descent then led us down to the Ladybower viaduct and so to the cars.
A great day in the Peaks.
Mike

claire.corker.t21@btinternet.com
Feb 14, 2014
8 intrepids were very lucky to get a beautiful blue sky day albeit a bit windy on top. We had the opportunity to practise our backwards tree shuffle river crossing technique! (dix pointes) and some nice views over the peak district from a bronze age burial ground! a very enjoyable day and many thanks to all who came.
cheers Tom