Andy Smith
Nov 21, 2013
CMC Thursday walk 21 Nov 2013.
Eleven of us started from Monsal Head. The weather was quite
good, with some sunshine, but cold. It was good to have Sean,
a returning member from many years ago. We headed down to
the footbridge and crossed the Wye. Turning left along the
riverside path we reached the first of many muddy sections
encountered during the day. A lot of white water was coming
over the weir; ‘Derbyshire’s Niagara” someone commented.
We soon reached crossed the A6. A coffee and loo stop was
taken at the White Lodge car park. Then it was uphill,
up a path that looked more like a stream. A steep climb
into Shacklow Wood brought us to a path junction, where
we turned left to Ashford-in-the-Water and the path levelled
off. It soon began to descend to river level again. After
a short tarmac section we reached Ashford where we sat
on benches in the sun: very pleasant. Leaving the village,
the route led uphill again to the oddly named Pennyunk Lane.
We enjoyed excellent views to the east over the Derwent
Valley. Eventually the lane lead back to Monsal Head where
it was disappointing to find the cafe closed.
6.3 miles, 1060ft of ascent.

Andy

—
Andy Smith – Bradwell, Derbyshire, England; andy@…

Linda Mcleish
Nov 16, 2013
A record turn out for the walk this week, or was it because of the food after…. 17 of us had a nice sunny walk in an area south of Totley less travelled down to Milthorpe and round. Great views and new footpaths for many. We all piled into our little house and Rosy had made a first anniversary cake- with candle, and everyone brought food to share, so we all got stuck in. Thanks to all for making it such a success. Looking forward to all those offers of leading walks now you are reading this next to your diaries!!!! Jan onwards please. Linda.

Paul/Vanda
Nov 8, 2013
Another sunny Thursday [how does Linda arrange this each time?] for the 7 and 1/2 mile walk from Peak Forest. We started with 12 which soon became 13 and 2 dogs, and headed south towards Dam Dale. As people know, I rarely recce my walks, so I was pleased to safely negotiate the most navigationally challenging part of the walk less than 1/2 mile from the start [the confused confluence of 6 paths and several stiles to choose from]. The next hurdle was the highest stile ever seen [almost HVS if stiles were graded] although some opted out by opening the nearby gate. From then on it was easy walking over Loose Hill [safely avoiding electrocution from the ‘unfriendly’ electric fence strung in front of one stile], along a quiet road and down a track to Hay Dale, where a coffee/tea stop in sunshine was enjoyed. In Peter Dale things started to get somewhat wetter underfoot, but large puddles were skirted and extended sections of sloppy mud safely got through without anyone falling in. Then it was time for our lunch, again on a convenient, warm and sunny slope. Leaving the the dale, still following the Limestone Way but now on tarmac, we climbed steeply before soon turning off northwards on the Pennine Bridleway, passing through Wheston [somewhat smelly!] and along the ridge with stunning views in all directions. Turning down a cobblestone track towards Dam Dale, we then encountered head-on a surprisingly chilly wind, reminding us of the changing seasons, and it was a relief to reach the shelter of Dam Dale and head northwards back towards Peak Forest. On previous walks, and very helpful to this leader unsure of the way, Sue’s dog had been brilliant at following the human scent directly to each stile across huge fields where the stile wasn’t visible until very close by, but he failed me this time [perhaps the recent downpours had washed the scent off the grass] and I found myself having to shout at him and point at the stile myself, as he gave me a bemused look. But we all arrived safely back in Peak Forest after 4 hours, and then rounded off the day very pleasantly with tea/coffee in Tideswell at Lynda and John’s home [recently returned from their summer sailing in the Mediterranean]. The only other thing of note was the ‘nosebleed’, but I suppose if you have to walk along with blood-stained tissues sticking out of your nose, at least it was all colour coordinated with the red top and red rucksack, and the said person was very gracious about having their picture taken for a possible club interest competition later. Vanda

jmurton94
Oct 22 4:05 AM
just found how to join this group (we 70 year olds struggle you know) 11 people and 2 dogs did a very muddy walk arround the Wye and Bradford rivers, taking quite a long time over it, mainly due to the fact that most of us add3ed and extra couple of miles, because of the parking situation, I think most enjoyed itn despite this!!

Linda Mcleish
Oct 11 11:45 AM
10 of us and 3 dogs enjoyed the walk up to Stanton Moor. Cold but dry and great views helped. We managed to get 9 females ( if you count two of the dogs) to the Nine Ladies Stone Circle,Bronze Age, and after half an hour without Andy ( never go for a wee…) met up with him again. My fault as this was my first walk I hadnt reccied and went slightly off route, Andy went the correct way….on his own). The Kings Stone seemed like a very puny lone male- the carved words were debated and apparently say ‘billstumps’ from the 19th Century. Also eyed up hand holds on Earl Tower, and some of us topped out on Cat Stone and Cork Stone. At the end some went round the outlet at Rowsley, and David and I did a few more miles and got back to the car with only 5 mins of rain. Look forward to many more happy sunny walks!
Linda.

Andy Smith
Oct 3 9:56 AM
CMC Thursday Walk 3 Oct 2013.
Nine of us gathered at Shatton. The views on the walk would
have been delightful had there not been thick low mist and
cloud. But at least it was warm and dry. Two cars took
everyone up the steep lane above the village to the end of
the tarmac, in order to avoid a one-mile slog uphill. From
here we first made a detour to the little-known Queen’s Seat,
a grand bench chipped out of the side of a large boulder,
and not visible from the path. A group photo was taken.
Regaining the public footpath we dropped gradually to
Offerton Hall. The lane contouring round above the Derwent
Valley (not visible today) brought us to the reputedly
haunted Highlow Hall, where we paused for a coffee break.

After a brief walk along the road towards Abney, we headed
up past Oaks Farm onto Abney Moor. Near the highest point on
the path we stopped for our picnic. Alas still no views,
except for a few horses in the next field. After a short
stroll we arrived at the junction of Shatton Lane and
Brough Lane. We turned left towards Brough, round the head
of Overdale then downhill past the back side of Bradwell
Edge and Rebellion Knoll. We took a path through Elmore Hill
farmyard and down to the top of Townfield Lane. A path
beside the lane eventually led back to Shatton; we arrived
just as the rain began to fall. After retrieving the cars
from the top of the hill, we gathered in the Scarlet Rose
Cafe in the garden centre for a cups of tea (various types)
etc. 6.8 miles, 680ft of ascent. Andy.
—
Andy Smith – Bradwell, Derbyshire, England; andy@…

Linda Mcleish
Sep 26, 2013
thanks for the company today. 11 of us and a dog, had a great walk in sunshine, round Calver Hassop, Pilsley and then Froggatt Bridge and back. This is the schedule for the next couple of Months- I am ahead of myself for a change thanks to all the volunteering of leading walks. Note anniversary party on 14th Nov at our house is for anyone who has been on a Thurs walk or who is likely to come on one this season.
3rd oct Andy and Rosy from Shatton
10th Oct Linda
17th Oct John M
24th Oct Mike D
31st Oct Chris Kell
7th Nov Vanda
14th Nov Linda- and Party to celebrate 1st anniversary of the Thurs walks after at David and Lindas.
21st Nov Andy and Rosy
28th Nov Dave C
5th Dec Sue Allenby

ps we will be at Stanage from lunch time onwards weather permitting. Linda and David.

marianbirkett
Sep 21, 2013

Seven of us set off from Grindleford station in the rain up the hill, through woods and over some boggy ground through Longshaw before taking advantage of the stone shelter for an early lunch. Then in improving (well slightly) weather, walked over Mother (not Mow) Cap, Mitchell field, Whim wood, under Lawrencefield back to the station where most of us finished with tea at the cafe. Pleasingly, I think everyone went on a path new to them at some point. Thanks to all who came.

Marian

Thanks Andy for mileage and ht gain info – more than I thought!

Andy Smith
Sep 12, 2013
CMC walk 12 Sep 2013
Six of us did this walk from Bradwell, a tour of some of the
local industrial sites, in quite nice weather. After
skirting Outlands Quarry on a somewhat nettle choked path,
we soon arrived at the bottom of Moss Rake, one of the old
lead mining areas, more recently used for the extraction of
fluospar. Several of these parallel rakes stretch across the
moor. We headed up Green Dale, emerging onto Batham Gate,
the line of the old Roman road through Bradwell. It is
thought that the Romans mined lead in the area. At the top
of Moss Rake, old quarry buildings have been demolished and
the area landscaped recently. Our route led us up across
Bradwell Moor and we paused for a coffee break at the top
of a deep mine shaft. It was clear that cavers had recently
been down it. On to the top of the moor and along by the
wall to a 5-way junction with the Limestone Way. We turned
right passing the sites of Hollandtwine Mine and Dirtlow
Rake Pit, which have also been landscaped. A rough
track continued down by the side of Dirtlow Rake to arrive
at the top of Pindale where we stopped for lunch. A descent
into Pindale followed and we passed the Pindale “scrins”
(side lead veins), nationally unique and protected as an
SSSI. The track descended past the disused Pindale Quarry to
arrive at Black Rabbit cottages. Finally we took the public
bridleway and footpath through the cement works back to
Bradwell. Tea and cakes were eagerly consumed, while the
states of the various dodgy knees were examined. 7.1 miles
1180 feet of ascent.
Andy

—
Andy Smith – Bradwell, Derbyshire, England; andy@…

Paul/Vanda
Sep 6, 2013
The first Thursday walk after a break during the month of August. A select group of 3 met at the stile where Bamford Edge climbers now park, and set off in an anti-clockwise loop towards Stanage. The ‘jungle-high’ bracken on my recce of a week ago had now flopped over the path, making it disappear, so the going was even harder for a while, but we soon emerged onto open moorland and successfully found the small stone circle [picture just posted on Facebook] before heading up to the path below Stanage Edge, then contouring round below High Neb and Crow Chin to the A57/Manchester Road, which we followed briefly before a squelchy stream-fording and lunch on the way to Cutthroat Bridge. A good track and then path skirted Bamford Moor, with great views over Ladybower Reservoir, then along the top of Bamford Edge and back to our cars – approx 7 miles in 4 hours. One never quite knows who may turn up on Castle walks, but Hugh was unexpectedly free that day, and Dubbo over in the UK from Germany for a few weeks was a complete surprise – thank you both for your good company and a chance to really catch up with both of you. Vanda