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12 of us met at Calton Lees CP (free until March 24th according to signs, but watch out for half term when they charge, any half term). Conditions were surprisingly pleasant, some mud and the occasional cool breeze but good overall. Skirting round the back of Edensor to see the snowdrops we found a rebuilt HaHa with strange metal protuberances, if anyone knows what they are please tell. The walk continued as planned with a slight problem in Stand Wood where one of our group spotted a dog owner leaving his bag of dog poo beneath a bush and had strong words. After lunch in the Dell we completed the full walk (7.3 miles) by descending through Hell Bank plantation into Beeley. We were surprised to find no smoking signs on the footpath back to Calton Lees. A strong smell of gas and bubbles rising through a puddle soon explained the mystery. Several of us then retired to the garden centre cafe to check whether or not the cheese scones really are good. Having tested them, and some of the fruit ones, we agreed that they can be recommended to all.
Vanda’s pics
Despite the weather warning 12 of us met up and donned waterproofs. 2 team members were recuperating and set out with the intention of turning back after coffee. Walk and company were both enjoyable and went as planned, the weather did us proud with a touch of hail at one point and sunshine towards the end. A meeting with the owner of an out of control dog marred the day as she refused to listen to either polite advice or rude comments. A rather more direct descent from Carl Wark cut the distance to 5.6 miles. Thanks to all participants.
4 of us met at Beeley Top, inadvertently abandoning another member due to dodgy phone reception. Early mist cleared as we dropped down into Beeley along a path unknown to all but the leader. A coffee break on a handy tree trunk resulted in the discovery of our mishap but too late to remedy the situation. A gentle walk up from Calton Lees passed a fine herd of deer and descended behind Edensor to see the snowdrops. Our route through Stand Wood avoided the half term crowds. 7.5 miles was pretty much as anticipated and made very pleasant by the great company.
Eight of us met at Calton Lees to the shocking news that since there is a half term in the month free parking had been suspended. Once I felt I had grovelled enough I led off towards Beeley. After being told off by a farmer for straying off the footpath, I started to feel that this was not my day. However the weather and the company were both good and things began to get better even though an attempt to avoid a known bog resulted in an abrupt U turn at a totally flooded point. Stand Wood wasn’t too busy. despite the school holiday, and we stuck to the lesser used paths to avoid crowds. On leaving one section we were taken aback to find a farm cart full of kids with water pistols heading our way, they were meant to be shooting at sheep targets in the trees but ‘hey’. After admiring various clumps of snowdrops in Edensor we passed 2 large herds of deer one Roe, one Red on our way back to the car park. Having shunned the Chatsworth cafes on the grounds that they had enough of our money for one day 4 of us retired to the garden centre cafe for coffee and delicious freshly baked cheese scones.
Thanks to those who turned out and paid up, it was worth a fiver to walk with you.IMPORTANT: Having paid £5 at Calton Lees yesterday I now find that the free parking until March 16th does not apply when there is a half term anywhere, not just Derbyshire.
I therefore intend to start this walk from Beeley Top (287681) where there is good roadside parking and it really is free. The road up through Beeley is still closed so access is from the East. Unfortunately this messes up my carefully planned shortcuts, the full circuit is likely to be 7-8 miles. Apologies, Lin.THE RESULT
73% of the membership voted of whom 56% wished to retain the club room, 19% voted against (full report attached). We shall therefore retain the club room for the time being. This requires that club members work together to maintain and use the club room, Mike Doyle is retiring as ‘warden’ and will need to be replaced, possibly by a small group who will organise maintenance and plan usage. This is to be discussed and volunteers requested at the AGM .SOUP CHEF NEEDED – I should be making the soup for the Christmas meet but Dick now has a late November date for his knee operation and it is unlikely that we will be able to attend. Can anyone on the list take over the soup making? I can provide recipes for the soups I offered if required. Please email me direct if you can do one or both soups, Lin
I’m afraid that after shooting off to the Dales for another meet I can’t remember the head count, about 12? Phil returned for his second walk so hopefully a new member there. After a slightly slow start due to the proximity of the Edensor tea rooms, we loitered around the surprisingly busy sculpture exhibition for a couple of hours, just about catching the 1pm session when Pegasus moved. (You had to be there). We then moved into walk mode and set off for Calton Lees at a fine pace. A slightly slower ascent to Calton cottages followed by the drop back into Edensor brought to a close a very convivial day out. Thank you all for your company.
Pete’s photos:
Many thanks to Gemma and the Castle MC team for an excellent new members meet. There were a lot of routes done, pizzas eaten and smiling faces. Great to meet those of you who have been members for a short while already and to see such a lot of old friends. We also had a number of fresh enquiries so watch out for more of Mary’s emails. I hope those of you out on Sunday will also have a great time. Lin.
15 of us met at Fox House in a distinctly cold wind with the promise of snow to come. A couple of members had already excused themselves in anticipation of difficulties returning home and others announced their intention to cut the walk short should the weather deteriorate. A brisk walk over mainly frozen paths took us to the top of Burbage where we met the first flurries of snow and a strategic retreat was beaten by 4 members. Having agreed to just one stop we arrived at Upper Burbage bridge and one of our less choice lunch spots, cowering behind the newly rebuilt wall, at this point another 3 members left to walk back along the bottom of Burbage. The rest of us pressed on in deteriorating visibility on a slightly modified route round rather than over Higger Tor, skidding over icy patches hidden by snow. Turning just before Carl Wark for the packhorse bridge we found that not all the ground was frozen and wallowed our way to the path below Burbage. As we walked through Longshaw the weather improved and the now settling snow evoked memories of winters past. At the gatehouse a kind man offered to top up flasks with hot water should we have the need. The Longshaw car park featured an abandoned BMW so we waited to ensure the safe departure of our friend and proceeded back the to our off road parking pushing the odd vehicle along the way. Thanks to all for their company on what turned out to be a ‘proper winter walk’.
Walk report – Ten of us met to set out along the top of Chatsworth in fair weather with good views. The recent rain had left lots of puddles which were enjoyed more by Poppy than the rest of us. A brief stop was made at Hob Hurst’s House. The bog somewhat surprisingly appeared dryer than when I walked it on Saturday, possibly due to some recent excavations. Lunch was supervised by a herd of inquisitive bullocks which crept slowly closer as we sat. The serpentine walk through Stand Wood to the aqueduct was brilliantly navigated by the ever modest Warriss, with not a step wrong, this partially compensated for the failure to locate either the stone circle or the Dobb Edge cup and ring marked stone. We walked back to our starting point along wide trails with only a brief rain shower to mar an excellent walk. 8 miles , smack on. I obviously meandered a bit on the recce.
Lin.Update – I have now walked my proposed route, as I feared it is more than 8 miles. Depending on diversions to points of interest I reckon about 9 miles with 1000 foot of ascent. There is one notable bog in the middle of an area of narrow path but half of the walking is on tracks. Apologies to those who like a shorter walk. Tea and cakes will be available in Chesterfield to help with recovery.
