Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
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!As noted on a separate post this morning, the proposed cycling alternative to the walk has been abandoned, as the forecast wind might have made it a bit too wobbly. However, the walking stagger will go ahead – the route is largely in woodland and should thus be relatively sheltered – forecasts differ on the amount of rain, but agree that there will be showers and sunny intervals. All welcome, whether for the walk, the pub stop, the tea party, or all three.
To confirm: the Seasonal Stagger will depart from 46 Uppergate Road, Stannington S6 6BX at 10.0am on Sunday 22 Dec (on street parking or 81 bus arrives 9.31). There are also plans for a “Winter Wobble” for the cyclists, which will try to integrate with the staggerers – Mary Reape will post information separately.
We’ll probably have a coffee break at a magnificent viewpoint above the Rivelin Valley, and there will be a pub stop at the Sportsman at Lodge Moor, where we expect to arrive about 12.0. The pub has said that they could do soup and roll at £5.50 and/or hot roast sandwiches (turkey, pork or beef) at £7.50 for those who want them. Advance ordering is not necessary, but they’d like an idea of numbers, so if you think you might like either please let me know (text/WhatsApp to 07985 465330). The pub are also happy for people to eat their own butties on the outside seating.
We’ll leave the pub between 12.30 and 1.0pm, which should put us back at my house for 2.45 to 3.0pm. Total walking distance about 7 miles, with short sections of wetness and mudness. Tea will be provided (and I’ve probably got enough mugs), but contributions of cakes, mince pies etc are welcome.
Non-walkers/cyclists, including new members and others who may be going to the climbing wall for a Christmas Clamber, are also welcome at either the tea party or the pub (or both).Seven of us met at Malin Bridge, and though only two had arrived by public transport. there had been some car-sharing. The weather stayed dry for us, but autumnal sunshine was definitely lacking as we headed up the Rivelin valley, spotting a couple of herons and the remains of various mill wheels (many with notices about their history and QR code links to the Rivelin Valley Conservation Group’s website at https://rivelinvalley.org.uk/rivelin-trails-2/) on the way. The meet leader found a chair that was high enough for his legs. We took coffee on a fallen tree before reaching the car park at the old Rivelin Post Office, where some camper vans and a tent seemed to have taken up residence. After a very short section on the A57 we headed up a farm track and across fields to cross the Riggs High Road above Stannington and start our descent into the Loxley valley. The graveyard of the historic Underbank Chapel provided a couple of benches for a slightly belated lunch stop, though one of the benches (probably no longer retaining its youthful strength) untimately proved unequal to the task of supporting the weight of three CMC members. From here we headed down to follow the Load Brook past Stoneface Creative (a sort of mini Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and well worth another visit some time) to Rowell Bridge, where it joins the Loxley. The track down the Loxley valley is not as attractive as that up the Rivelin, and the main feature of interest is the archimedes screw generator which harnesses the river’s flow to provide electricity to a house on the southern bank. As the environment grew more built up we passed round the back of the Loxley Park Care Home to rejoin the traffic and the recently-released pupils of Forge Valley School near the watersmeet of the Rivelin and Loxley rivers. Many thanks to all who came, and to Bron for her photos now on the CMC Walking WhatsApp group. JB
Bron’s pics
Grid ref for start point: SK 325894 (not actually on my Dark Peak Outdoor Leisure 1:25k map, but on Landranger sheet 110). Postcode for the Lidl is S6 5FL
Sue – so far as I know there is still plenty of space. If there’s a problem, I can stay in the main hut and take up to 6 guests (there are only a handful of people booked in there at present).
Richard (and anyone else wanting to car share) – I am planning to drive up leaving Sheffield probably around lunchtime tomorrow (Thursday). I may decide to return on Sunday evening, or possibly stay Sunday night and return on Monday evening. For various reasons I can’t be very specific about my travel plans, but if someone is flexible I’d be happy to offer a lift (I’m in Stannington). Easiest way to contact me is via the WhatsApp grpip for this meet (part of the CMC WhatsApp Community) or direct message via WhatsApp.
I have a whole load of Wainwrights to be ticked, though opnly a few are in Great Langdale.
JBGood news! Just a reminder to everyone that his 91st birthday is on 20th April if anyone wants to send him a card. Address is Croft House Residential Care Home, 27 Main Road, Eastburn, Keighley BD20 7SJ. The attached photo (on website), which I was recently sent, was I think taken on the Scottish Coast-to-Coast Great Outdoors Challenge in 1996.
JBAttachments:
Eight people gathered at Cutthroat Bridge on Sunday evening for a rather hastily-arranged moonlight walk, including 5 survivors of the previous night’s ceilidh and 2 former members (who might even re-join). Apologies were received from a few others, with excuses including prior engagements and failure to recover from stripping the willow. We headed up to Whinstone Lee, the newly-risen full moon behind us, but views of the sunset were disappointing, as the disc had already disappeared behind Kinder Scout, and there was no colour to the clouds above. We traversed round above Ladybower reservoir before climbing back up to Derwent Edge, where we saw the full glory of the moon to the east. In the fading twilight we continued up to the Wheelstones, where we paused for warming refreshments, including tea, coffee, and Talisker (thanks, Max!). Despite the promises of Linda’s App there was no sign of any Northern Lights, and so we headed back down, the track illuminated all the way by the moon. Torches were only needed to avoid the mud on the final climb back up through the trees above Cutthroat Bridge to reach the cars. Thanks to all who came. JB
Congratulations to Mike; his award seems to be for his charitable work with the Abbeydale Rotary Club. There is a short piece about him in the Spring 2024 issue of the Dore Newsletter (p.3) [https://dorevillage.co.uk/documents/download/a2673dcf-1806-4855-b614-227fd6cfa6fb]
Attachments:
Hear, hear! How about instituting an annual award for the best meet report? (Does beg the question of what happens to meet reports if the communication proposals at the AGM tomorrow are agreed… I’m afraid I won’t be there!)
I also note the unreliability of the 257 bus that’s supposed to go over the Snake on Sundays! I was talking to someone yesterday (who *would*qualify for the 20-30 walking group) who was spitting tacks about similar problems with the 272 that’s supposed to go out along Ecclesall Road to Castleton.
JBI’ve just been past the “Derwent Overlook” laybys (the big ones just before you get to the Fairholmes visitor centre below the dam) and it appears that, if they were planning to introduce parking charges there, they’ve changed their mind. I can’t remember if they’d actually got round to installing pay-and-display machines, but there are none there now, and the new sign now seems to have the line about pay and display more effectively obliterated than it was. The PDNP website (https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/planning-your-visit/parking/parking-locations) also now clearly says that parking there is free. The same web page also now shows the Hooks Carr and Dennis Knoll laybys below Stanage as free, though the Hollin Bank (Plantation) carpark remains Pay and Display.
The road beyond Fairholmes up to Kings Tree at the top of the Derwent Valley is also now open again Mon-Fri (they seem to have finished the work they were doing on the inlet just above the Derwent dam over the past couple of months, and have re-landscaped the area where the crane was). Unsurprisingly after the recent rain, water is now cascading over the tops of both dams.Should we be bringing contributions of cheese, biscuits etc. and/or wine (or buying the wine at the pub bar). Does the cheese need to be French?
Definitely not planning too early! We once had Muir Cottage (the Cairngorm club hut above Braemar) booked for an early Easter weekend about 5 years in advance! It got included at the bottom of every meets list (produced three times a year on paper in those days) so that we wouldn’t forget about it!
Is there a way of checking what details you have submitted on the Membership Renewal Form? Or do you have to start again if any change is needed (I think I may need to make a minor adjustment to the emergency contact details)
