11 people (including 4 from Derwent MC) did a quite good walk from Holloway. From Holloway we made our way down to the Cromford canal via the Dukes Quarry, once leased by Leon’s employer Wildgoose Construction.. Then up again for more views and back down to canal before a final pull up to Riber Castle which was built by John Smedley, mill owner. Smedley’s is still going and on Sunday we learnt that they are the manufacturers of the Queen’s knickers. Back to Holloway via the gorgeous hamlet of Dethick, home of the Babingtons, one of whom was beheaded by Queen Elizabeth I for plotting to put Mary Queen of Scots on the throne
A fitting International WOmen’s day walk as it passed the birthplaces of Florence Nightingale (nurse and statistician) and Alison Uttley author of a number of children’s books. She won a scholarship to Manchester University to read physics and in 1906 she became the second woman honours graduate of the university.
Apologies for those who came for the blip in map reading before lunch. Elen.

7 members and a dog met outside “the Horns” in High Bradfield on a beautiful sunny morning,but with a bracing wind gusting at 50mph.
After an enforced uphill road walk ,due to footpath closures,we descended by the track along the edge of Rocher Wood and then traversed below Agden Rocher.A steep climb then led up above Rocher Head but with the strong south westerly wind actually helping propel us upwards!
Enjoying the views westward we crossed the edge of White Lee Moor and then descended through woods to Broomhead Reservoir,stopping briefly for tea in a sunny clearing.
Broomhead Reservoir led on to Morehead reservoir where lunch was taken by a convenient table and bench-much to the disappointment of another walker who announced that he had set out early to secure the table for his group.
After lunch a steady climb led to Brightholmlee,with some of us stopping to photograph a lone clump of daffodils.The imminent closing date for entries for the photographic competition obviously influencing some!
The curious Glen Howe country park was then crossed with a group photo on the attractive pack horse bridge.
Passing Foldrings and the hill beyond,we then descended into the Coumes Vale Plantation.At this point the meet leader’s suggestion of a deviation from the planned route to reduce the walk’s overall length and avoid an imminent lengthy
muddy section was agreed to by the whole party without exception.
So,the decision taken,we left the Plantation and fought our way to gain the high ground beyond against the full force of the wind.All that was left then- was the descent to High Bradfield.Unfortunately the final section was an absolute quagmire-so having avoided one set of “mudness” we found another probably worse!
A great day with plenty of wind and sun,but ( a rear thing these days) no rain.!
Thanks to all who came for your company.
Mike D

After a flurry of emails regarding food and late withdrawals, 10 of us eventually braved the dire threats of Storm Dennis and arrived at the George Starkey hut on Friday afternoon. The evening was split, some opting to self cater, others to try the charms of the White Lion.
Saturday started fairly gently (if a little early for some). Despite the weather forecast Paul E and dog had an extended walk to the summit of St Sunday crag, Geoff found himself at the foot of Striding Edge where he became involved helping a couple who’d convinced themselves that camping by Red Tarn was a good idea!
The meet leader had an ulterior motive, lunchtime football watching in the White Lion to follow a walk around Aira Force reached by car. The rest had a plan for a 3 hour circular walk via the Brotherswater Hotel. However, first one, then two found that the waterfall walk was favourable (it was raining by now). Eventually all 8 were loaded into 2 cars, transported to the car park and began. The falls were spectacular (pics on Facebook) but by the time the circuit was complete the rain was torrential and wind rising. Retreat to footy for me, Jo had cunningly forgotten her waterproof trousers and Chris, ever the gentleman offered to drive her back to the hut. The remaining 5 walked the hour and a half back passing Ullswatwer looking more like a choppy sea scape.
Although the communal main meal had been abandoned, starters were cooked and served by Jo and Chris and a range of puddings arrived.
A fairly early night ensued, good job as early starts were the order of Sunday. Geoff waited in vain for a friend due to arrive at 8am, dog and Paul went out for early trek, Paul and Vanda waited for family to arrive for lunch the rest went out for a walk on a gradually improving day with blue skies emerging.
Storm Dennis never really arrived, yes it was wet enough to fill the field behind the hut, yes it was a bit windy but nothing exceptional, no it didn’t stop us going out or getting home without problems. Too many of these dodgy warnings and people will stop believing them.
Thanks to those who made it, especially the cooks, sorry for those struck down by bugs. Better luck next time.
Cheers
Paul and Vanda

A few “storm dodgers” met a day early for the scramble up to Bleaklow via Torside Clough. We were a select but very multinational bunch with representation from Turkey, Japan, Yorkshire and “God’s Own Country” (Lancashire). Luckily the Pay and Display machine was out of order so we all saved the price of a pint. The scramble up Torside Clough was not quite what some members had expected involving lots of boulder hopping and multiple stream crossings. However we did discover several deep pools which would have been brilliant swimming spots in warmer weather – luckily no-one opted for an involuntary dip yesterday! Sunshine and a chilly wind greeted us when we emerged onto the Bleaklow plateau and after a short stop on the summit we looped round to the Wain Stones. A mountain hare was spotted – his brilliant white coat no longer seeming like effective camouflage in our era of global warming. Descent was by the Pennine Way path and the Longdendale Trail. Back at the carpark we completed the day with an inspection of campervans and discussion of the merits of different internal designs. Paul.

With a deluge of rain as we were setting off, causing a nastily flooded road at Upper Burbage Bridge, we sort of hoped nobody would turn up. However, a phone call from the President and 1st Lady soon stopped that idea. In addition the resident dog nanny and Scout arrived to join us.
As we set off the rain had stopped and we were soon walking steadily uphill towards misty views of Kinder. As the day grew brighter we made our way to the top of Lantern Pike, rarely visited on CMC meets. After leaving the summit we were hit by a brief shower before stopping for coffee etc, a longer gap than Thursday walks, so definitely welcomed.
Walking North we eventually reached the bottom of Cown Edge where lunch was taken, sheltered, almost, from a rising breeze. Up to the edge, walking South now with excellent views West to Manchester and beyond and East over the Kinder plateau. Before descending we were treated to a light show with dazzling sunlight piercing holes in the cloud and moving rapidly west to east, like a giant spotlight.
Almost before we were expecting it, the cars were spotted below and a decision was made to visit the pub complete with water wheel and railway carriage, where the Meet Leader treated his fellow walkers to celebratory drinks, having successfully avoiding a soaking.
7.75 miles, 1478 feet of ascent.
Thanks to all who came
Paul and Vanda.

The third club walk of the first week of the New Year saw no drop in enthusiasm from club members as fourteen of us (and two dogs) met in Wildboarclough. Apologies were given from five of the party who were slightly late having enjoyed cordon bleu level cookery courtesy of Bill and Elen’s the night before.
Once off the walk took us to the former royal hunting ground of Macclesfield Forest on the western edge of the Peak District. The first major break in the trees gave views over towards Jodrell Bank and on to the distant Clwyd Hills that border Wales.
The walk dropped down to the side of Ridgegate reservoir and the party took the liberty of taking lunch on grass designated for Macclesfield Anglers (none were present). After this the climb up Shutlingsloe (aka the Cheshire Matterhorn) began. The party stopped by and on benches approximately half way up the ascent to admire the views and then pressed on. I’m delighted to report that all the party managed to summit with only one complaining about lack of oxygen. The steep initial part of the descent was taken with care before gaining the delightful easy angled track which took us with little effort back to the start.
Thanks to all who came and supported a walk in an area the club doesn’t get to very often.
Andrew

First of all Happy New Year to all. For the last CMC walk before Christmas, 13 members and 2 guests met near Fairholmes. After greetings from several excited dogs we set off, ascending the woods onto the edge. We continued along Rowlee Pasture to the formations of Alport Castles and strode to the end to admire the views. Cutting underneath the crag we escaped a blustery wind and enjoyed lunch and drinks on a grassy slope in the warm winter sunshine. After a descent into Alport Dale we followed a broad track to the River Ashop. Then a muddy walk along the picturesque valley ensued before ascending over a shoulder and back down through the woods to Derwent. Some went onto the cafe at Bamford and then made an interesting river crossing and an ascent of Win Hill for the winter solstice. Total round of posted walk about 8 1/2 miles or 13.5km with 1950 feet (595m) ascent. Thanks for great company and an escape from all the festive preparations!
Ali

Eleven walking stalwarts gathered at the very civilised time of 11am in the centre of Millthorpe for this New Year’s Day walk. Another walking group seemed happy to shuffle their own cars closer, so that all the Castle cars could also be fitted into this conveniently situated layby. Then off we set, heading uphill towards Holmesfield before taking a traversing path southwest to Unthank . As usual the walk had not been recced [?spelling] so the map was checked fairly regularly by the meet leader when she didn’t recognise the field/path/stile/stream, having not led a walk here since last March. A coffee stop was taken in Meekfield Wood, and later on, having passed through Moorhall we had lunch, sheltering out of the cold wind behind a thick band of trees. Two decided to have a shorter walk and peel off at Barlow Grange. The rest of us continued up to the highest point of the walk near Grange Hill, with disappointingly minimal views today, before heading down out of the wind now, through Oxton Rakes. There was no sign of the two peacocks that lived here, but several friendly dogs seemed to want to join us on our walk. An unfamiliar path was safely navigated, and another stretch of road taken, before we were back on very familiar territory, passing through Rumbling Street northwards back towards Millthorpe. Noteworthy aspects of the day were repeated appearances of a police car [? the same one], numerous horses, some with winter coats and stylishly plaited tails [!] and much MUD in all its different forms. Slightly disappointing on the entertainment front was that no-one fell over in it, but there was a general agreement that the bar has now been set particularly high for the rest of the year for measuring the ‘mud-ness factor’ on future walks. The meet lead’s suggestion of being awarded bonus points for providing TWO fords for boot washing just before the walk ended, disappointingly didn’t go down as well as she’d hoped for.
But as usual thank you all for your company, especially the workers amongst you that we don’t see so often [Leon, Josie and Rosa] and also Alice from the Brecon Beacons in Wales, staying in Sheffield, whilst waiting to become a grandmother for the first time, who’d heard about the Castle through Dave Crowther.
According to Andy’s GPS we walked 7 and 1/2 miles.
Vanda Boyd

Many thanks to the 4 who joined me for this rather impromptu addition to the meets list. A lovely day for a walk, we set off from Glebe Road and headed over Crookes and down to the Rivelin valley. Many dog walkers were out, as were runners. We stopped short of the Rails Road car park for a coffee before continuing on to the path up just past the waterworks. Unfortunately one or more of the stepping stones now seem to be missing here….
Anyhow, all crossed without problem and we ascended to the valley-edge track. The chosen lunch stop was rather windy, so we headed to the bank before the stream crossing and ate lunch in a sheltered and sunny spot. Onwards behind the golf course to Manchester Road, then a short bit of tarmac before skirting behind Crookes cemetery and back to the road. Gill D joined us at my house, and daughter Jenny’s Christmas cake was consumed, along with mugs of tea. I was treated to a spirited rendition of Happy Birthday – thank you! Dave.

Vanda’s photos:

and the non-stepping-stone