Six of us joined this meet. Perfect weather for this venue, high on the north side of Bleaklow.
The starred routes are some of the best on grit. Especially Via Principia, severe. Worth going just for that. As with most crags with a 45-minute walk in – less popular routes can be gritty or need a bit of veg removing. So we focused on the ones we could do! Geoff.

A dry, unusually warm and at times sunny day, saw seven of us head for Emlin trig point past impressively kept grouse butts and only one wobbly stile. Then a tramp over trackless heather moorland to the sound of curlews, led to what is normally a gentle stream, but today was a foaming torrent, which was eventually crossed by team effort. More heather, a coffee stop, the major track of Dukes road got us to the busy (saw 2 other people) Cartledge Stones where we had lunch. On the next section via New Cross (pronounced underwhelming) and more top end grouse butts to shooting lodges, we saw 7 hares. Marvellous. Finally another river crossing over Emlin Dike, much less exciting due to the bridge, led back to our starting point. So the walk was a tad under 8 miles, rough going at times, mostly on new ground to all, with only 3 people getting very wet feet. Thanks for your company.
Marian

A sunny morning greeted us for our 9am departure from Eyam. Two groups set off for a varied walk, packed with variety and elements of mystery..
The first point of interest was Cucklet Church (a natural cavern where villagers purpotedly gathered for services during the Plague isolation). After photos and mini explorations of the different entrances and exits. we meandered down the delightful Delft nature reserve, enjoying the full aroma of wild garlic.
After crossing the Stoney road, we climbed to the vast expanses of the Darlton Quarries. High above, we spied a railway track and crane, teetering on the edge of the cliff.s. This was the surprise – the film set for the latest Mission Impossible 7 movie starring Tom Cruise. No autographs as no Tom but, undeterred, we marched to the ridge, skirting meadows to take in all the views.
Down a track we stopped for a quick break before continuing to Black Harry’s Gate . We then followed an organic route, with fine views over to Froggat, down to Calver. At the earliest opportunity and following food demands from some, we sat down for lunch, in a small wooded area, amongst a colourful display of bluebells, forget-me-nots, red campion, ground ivy and celandine .
Calver village led to the banks of the River Derwent, the campsite, and then New Bridge. After half a mile we climbed steeply upward to Knoutchley Farm. A few complaints of too many hills were then heard but ignored!
A descent down a rutted lbrougth us to the outskirts of Stoney Middleton. Here we briefly stopped at the springs and the Victorian/Romanesque style bath building, admired the octagonal church (unfortunately not open) and learnt that the village was the first centre for the manufacturing of steel toe-cap boots, The last ascent of the day back , via the Boundary Stone and Plague Cottages, completed the walk.
A 10.5 mile round, quite demanding, but well worth the effort for a rich historical and cultural tour.
Ali.

Nine people in two groups left Bakewell on a chilly morning. We climbed steeply, via the golf course and woodland to the upper, wide open pastures of Calton Lees. We enjoyed a leisurely refreshment stop at 3 convenient benches, with far reaching views.
Next we descended to Edensor, pausing to explore St Peter’s churchyard and visit the grave of Kathleen Kennedy (sister to JFK, married to a Devonshire and killed in a light aircraft crash at the age of 28).
The river Derwent led us away from the crowds to the far end of the estate. After an encounter with some hooded donkeys (protection from flies) we stopped for lunch, in a field above the garden centre.
A slow ascent back to the ridge took us through more pockets of woodland, where, unfortunately, only a few bluebells graced us with their presence. But a blanket of blue looked promising!
By mid afternoon the temperatures had risen considerably, so much so, that sleeping lambs could be tickled awake by Jo!
The return to cars was made by 3pm – early finish due to earlier start!
Successful day with good company and conversation.
Ali

Four members attended and successfully parked at Birchen Clough-although only just!
We then took the new forestry track out of the Snake Plantation and headed up Ashop Clough,which was easy going until we were forced to join the “normal” path near the top of the valley where some “mudness” was encountered.
After joining the Penine Way we climbed the steep ascent to the western shoulder of Kinder,where we stopped to recover,have a tea break and admire the view-the tower blocks of central Manchester clearly visible in the distance.
We then followed the northern edge of Kinder with views down the impressive Ashopton glaciated valley and beyond.Passing the rock feature known as “the Boxing Gloves” Geoff felt the urge to climb it,but the rest of us resisted the temptation.
Continuing our eastwards progress we headed for the northernmost tip of Fairbrook Naze, a surprisingly windy spot,for lunch.We rapidly put our jackets back on and sheltered in the lea of the crags.A nearby raptor gave us an aerial display,but we weren’t able to positively identify it.
Continuing our traverse eastwards we soon reached Seal Stones where the steep descent took us onto the the easier path above Gate Side Clough to the sheepfold at the bottom of Fair Brook.Once over the ford we continued to the bridge over the river Ashop and into the former area of pines,sadly now all felled.We followed the path through the contorted untidy remains in a scene reminiscent of a war painting by Paul Nash.
Emerging from this depressing area we escaped from the edge of the A 57 into the Snake Plantation and followed the path through the woods back to the cars. Mike.

Two groups set off from Lodge Moor on a bright but cold morning. We entered a small plantation, once the location for a WWII prisoner of war camp and where the remnants of huts are still clearly visible. Soon we were ascending steep fields to Rud Hill, which afforded far reaching views towards Kinder and Derwent Edges, noting a blanket of snow that had fallen overnight. Following a new path for many, we headed for White Stones, where some large rocks provided an excellent hot drink stop. Onward we continued, descending to the shores of Redmires Reservoir and then across Access Land to the picturesque Oaking Clough Reservoir, Here we basked in the sunshine and explored the attractive but deteriorating water works building. This was cut short by a burst of hail so we packed up and escaped along the Redmires conduit before crossing Ash Cabin Flats towards Wyming Brook. Taking the top path, we stopped for a short investigation of an extensive cave, where purportedly, two escaped prisoners of war hid out. Crossing Wyming Brook via the stepping stones we then headed along the the high path of Fox Hagg back towards the cars. One group (mine) overshot the last turn off at the back of the Three Merry Lads pub, so completed a total of 9 miles, whilst Andrew’s group completed 8.5 miles. Overall, a very successful walk, with everyone commenting on how they enjoyed seeing lots of CMC members for a good old catch-up!
Ali

The roads leading to Bolsterstone had been completely clear that morning, but sitting in my car waiting for the others to arrive, it started snowing quite heavily, causing some anxiety – would we end up getting stuck here? But as the group set off from Bolsterstone, heading north across fields towards the outskirts of Stocksbridge, the weather gradually improved, with the low mist clearing [and by lunchtime at Underbank reservoir patches of blue sky were appearing]. The way through the housing estate was successfully navigated [often a challenge with an un-recce’d walk] leading to easy walking along straight-forward paths and quiet lanes to the reservoir [with the biggest outflow we all agreed we’d ever seen]. At the currently closed Outdoor Activity Centre, with its climbing wall and high aerial wire and trapeze, we left the reservoir and headed south, gradually climbing to Wind Hill Knoll with views out to wild moorland. Gemma’s dog Lance was allowed to indulge his favourite activity – energetically digging mole hills [no moles were hurt in this exercise!] Another brief bit of road-walking, with the unexpected hazard of a whizzing grit-spreader, but the reward of dramatic and clear views over the Ewden valley, and a signpost reassuringly informing us of our way back towards Bolsterstone. After a brief stop for drinks in a particularly beautiful wood, we joined the track leading to Heads Lane, with a minor diversion to a somewhat anatomically inaccurate snow-woman [!] and then a trig point, as a cold sleety wind started blowing, so a good time to complete this 7 mile walk.
Thank you all for your excellent company, and I’m sure this less well-known area will be visited again soon [it was less than 1/2 hour drive from my house in Sheffield],
Vanda Boyd

A very civilised way to start a walk for the leader – from their own house. So joined by Chris, Mike, Geoff and Hugh, we set off through the nearby allotments, and then houses of Bents Green, to quickly access the nearby fields on the outskirts of Sheffield. The weather was mild if damp, so there were lots of people out already, including two Santas on bicycles and later, a group of four cyclists dressed as Santa, a snowman and elves. Unusually for me, I’d actually recce’d part of the walk the day before, so I felt rather too confident about not going wrong. There was also the challenge of finding paths that neither of the two Sheffielders, Mike and Geoff, had walked before. So on through the wet woods above the Limb valley towards Long Line and Mike said ‘This is a path I haven’t been on before’. Then some road walking, and deep in conversation with Mike, I completely missed and over-shot the stile I’d wanted, which required a bit of back-tracking. The path after the stile was not very obvious, so I think we followed animal tracks [which I presume were new to Geoff] with great views behind us to the east, to reach Houndkirk road. Skirting north of Canning’s Plantation, we stopped for lunch in the shelter of the trees, before crossing Ringinglow road onto Hallam Moors and then looped back towards the top of Porter Clough. Mulled wine had been mentioned as a possibility on this walk, so the choice was made to detour to the Norfolk Arms, but unfortunately the queue for drinks was rather too long, so the offer of mulled wine was ‘cancelled’ and instead we headed down the ski slope and returned via some very muddy paths back to High Storrs Road.
Thank you everyone for your excellent company, and Happy Christmas to everyone else. We look forward to meeting up with you all next year, hopefully after not too long a time.
Vanda .

4 of us met in the rain at Low Bradfield.
As we set off the rain had become quite light.Half way up the hillside it had stopped.So the traverse along the ridge top from Cliffe House Farm to High Bradfield was completed with commanding views.Passing through the churchyard we stopped at the flood grave of the Tricksett family.
We then passed the ancient Bailey Hill and traversed below the Agden Rocher crags before descending Agden Side to the edge of Agden Reservoir.From here we climbed to Wilkin Hill where we found a dead mole!Arriving at the path below Mortimer Road the decision was taken to stay high and cross Bradfield Moors to Thornseats Plantation and the Wentworth Fitzwilliam Forest.
By now the rain was steady and heavy with a strengthening wind-but shelter was at hand once in the woods with less mud too.
Emerging from the woods by the path down to Brogging we found a dead hare lying by the parked cars which Geoff deftly threw into the adjacent field.
Once past Brogging we crossed the Strines overflow and stopped for lunch by the trees above.
From here it was an easy walk along fields above Dale Dike,through the adjacent wood and back to Low Bradfield.
Not the best of days,but with variable rather than constant rain and misty views it was nevertheless worth the effort.
Thanks to those who came and your company.
Mike D