Linda Mcleish
Nov 23, 2012
Thanks for such a good turn out yesterday- 13 started out on the first loop which was not well known to many even though we were so close to Sheffield. No deer this time, but good views and a feeling of remoteness next to such a big city. The pub was too much of a lure to some, and the weather was threatening, so only 5 did the second loop, and stayed dry and just got blown about a bit. Thanks to David for historical inputs.Thanks to Andy and Rosie for offering to lead next week’s walk, but they have dipped out as Andy has a cancellation slot for his knee operation on Monday, so we will be thinking of you. Volunteers to coordinate walks after Xmas needed, please let me know, and we will get things going on the next Castle meets list- committee meeting mid Jan. One walk each would see us through a good couple of months.
So next Thursday, at 11am as usual, we will meet in Baslow, GR 258723, outside the toilets by the triangular green, and the expensive carpark. This is on the left as you go into Baslow on the Sheffield A621 and then the main Baslow road A619. There is free parking on the side road opposite on the right just after the green, but you may have to go up a way to get a spot, so allow time for this if you are not parking in the car park. Sharing lifts may be a good idea. Let me know if you can offer or want a lift.
The walk is an easy 6 miles around the Chatsworth estate, bring food and drink. We will head up to the folly and the plateau above Chatsworth House with the pretty ponds/lakes, then down to Beeley lodge, and back along the river. It is quite sheltered and gentle underfoot. cheers, Linda

Linda Mcleish
Nov 15, 2012
After another enjoyable walk today with 10 of us, here are details of next weeks Thurs walk starting as usual at 11am.
This will be a figure of 8 walk starting in the middle and at a pub. Both loops are about 4 miles each and very contrasting- the wild moors and hopefully deer spotting, followed after lunch by a second historical halls and woodland loop.
Meet on the side road- Totley Hall Lane – outside the Fleurs de Lys pub. If you are going out of Sheffield on the A621 Abbeydale/Totley/Owler Bar road, it is at the top end of Totley, the Cross Sythes pub is on the right and it is the next (immediately) road on the left. GR 307798.
The first loop will take us up onto Totley moor and Blackamoor with excellent views. We aim to be back at the pub by 1pm, and then lunch in pub (or own food outside..) If anyone wants to come for the second loop then please be at the pub for 1.30pm incase we’ve been there for ages!!! The second circuit takes us to Storth Hall, Fanshawe Gate hall, Holmesfield, Woodthorpe Hall and the lovely woodland round there- David will tell you all about it on this historical leg.
If anyone wants to offer or share a lift please let me know, see you next week, Linda.

Linda Mcleish
Nov 8, 2012
thanks to all for a good walk today, there were 10 of us, a great start. Next weeks walk will be 7 miles, but not as hilly as the last one. We will start at the first parking ( Hurst Clough parking) about a mile in towards Fairhomes alongside Ladybower, just off the A57, snake pass road. gr 187876. We will initially head south along the reservoir, then briefly steeply up hill to Crookhill farm and turn left and follow the gently undulating trail with spectacular views first across to Derwent, stanage and bamford edge and then the whole of the Edale Skyline, bring a camera and hope for a clear day. We will head down to the Derwent reservoir and later via fairhomes tea shop, but this will be in the last section and you might be too hungry by then!! Let me know if you want to offer or need a lift. See you there. cheers, Linda 2219460

And so the final curtain, or at least the final Sunday climbing meet of 2019 has ended. As promised the rain had gone, replaced by a glorious sunny day, coupled with quite a cool strong breeze. Nevertheless a good number of members attended, at least 10 climbers I saw, one or two on the injured/sick list came for a walk and chat, one walked up without her gear as her partner promised to carry it up for her but fell asleep in the car recovering from attempts last night to become a pirate. No prizes for guessing who but its a long way from Barnsley to come for a sleep🤣🤣 he did appear later, but only to take pictures.
The early coolness drove a few away after a couple of routes but later the breeze reduced eventually it felt rather warm. Castle Chimney was ticked by several parties, many other routes in the Black Hawk area were enjoyed, or at least completed.
The meet leader ended his 34th year of climbing with the CMC on a couple of V Diffs, previously soloed but now a bit of an effort, with various body parts protesting and plenty of gear placed😱😱
Nevermind, hopefully we’ll be back climbing in 2020, jut don’t expect me on a climbing wall anytime soon! Scrambling next Sunday with Jaycee-May.
Thanks to all who came
Paul and Vanda

First apologies for the delay in posting but well what can I say , a truly great location for a meet, we were though blessed with the weather for starters, just a shame so few people attending, the Saturday we all climbed at Bowden Doors, a bit of a shock to the system as all seemed fairly steep to me but great routes and with the heat, we were totally wrecked by about 4pm just having the the entertainment of the only one still standing climbing Paul thanks!
Sunday we sought a bit of shade at Kyloe which again had great routes and we were able to flatter ourselves on some more slab like routes. we returned to our base for a quick refreshment before a cycle to Bamburgh and for some a cool off in the sea.
Monday we went south and high up with fantastic panoramic views all around at Simonside again good routes but a bit less used and licheney, we were beaten back by the midges about 4pm , was scared to try the 3* classic vs layback crack, even if i had had 8in friends probably would not have had time to put them in.
On a note for future visits the site we stayed at was not really for tents, we were the only ones, it was very friendly though with all manner of wildfoul, ducks, ducklings, turkeys, guinea foul and rabbits, near to the chippy and COOP, maybe a better site would be the camp site at Wooler.
Hopefully people will have seen photos on facebook
Bill

Eight people plus two dogs set off from Cutthroat Bridge along Derwent Edge in drizzle which quickly developed into “dancing white rain” and a cold wind.
Morning highlights- coffee at Wheel Stones, Chris impersonating a gorilla for a photo? Ziggy stealing a lunch pack from young ones sheltering under a rock, rock formations, descent just before Back Tor, hot chocolate and Bovril at Fairholmes. Andy’s eternal optimism that the weather was improving and learning that optimists live longer than pessimists!
Morning lowlights – cold wet weather, numb hands, realisation that very few of us had packed gloves,
Afternoon highlights – ascent via Lockerbrook, blue sky, delayering, warm sunshine, interesting route up to summit to bag all tops of Crook Hill, – for some of us the first time, deciding where the relics of the ancient stone circle were, final descent to Ladybower Bridge and realisation that cars not too far away.
Afternoon lowlights – aching legs, more ascent after ladybower Inn..
Overall – a 13 mile route with all four seasons, fantastic views from both sides of the valley, and great company.
Thank you for an enjoyable day out,
Ali

Despite the Meet Leaders optimism, it appears that some people were put off by something called ”rain”? However, he and fiancée [!!] duly arrived at 10am to find prospective member Risa waiting for us. We set out for the crag in dry weather, heading for some modest climbs as Risa had never climbed before. As Vanda set out on the first route, Hugh arrived. Despite very slippery trainers our new recruit soon ascended the starred slab. Time for introduction to gritstone jamming which we all subsequently polished [!!!] off, thanks to Hugh’s lead and Vanda’s intro to belaying lecture.
So far, we’d stayed dry, so our oldest female leader was pointed at a lovely off-width polished crack. Despite overcoming the crux and placing all the gear, she then nobly handed over to Hugh to grab the glory.
At this juncture, the heavens opened but after a slight wobble, the top was achieved, leaving the meet leader to second in a deluge to retrieve the gear. Risa was obviously enjoying herself so much she borrowed Vanda’s rock boots and followed.
After 3 routes, the Meet Leader was discovered not to have led anything, so despite the gentle drizzle we made our way to a chimney, green in parts, wet all over but plenty of gear where all had fun transferring green to clothing, the winner being our new recruit.
To avoid any pre-marital stress, it was now decided, at 2pm, that route 5 was to be ‘Pub Direct’ where 2 soups, 1 beer, 1 hot chocolate and 2 chip butties were enjoyed.
Thanks to those who came and had their characters built even further, it was fun to be out in less than perfect weather for a change.
Pictures on Facebook as soon as my phone’s dried out enough to work [hopefully].
Cheers
Paul and Vanda