Having read Simon’s climbing report I can only add that the conditions were more suited to walking too! However when I ,as meet leader, arrived at Lineacre Reservoir I found one other member only-so we set out “a deux”.
Initially there were odd spots of rain filtering through the trees,but after the preliminaries and we reached the main road the spots of rain became a deluge which continued for the next 2 hours as we ploughed through fields of wet long grass and climbed gingerly over slippery wooden stiles and negotiated slippery mud banks.
There no anglers at the fish ponds in Barlow and, in fact, we encountered no other walkers all day.
By lunch,however, the rain had stopped.We continued past Cartledge Hall and traversed below Holmesfield before reaching the Cordwell valley floor.Fighting our way through the vegetation we began the steady climb through Meekfield Wood and so onto Barlow Grange.By this point the clouds had lifted enough to allow us to enjoy distant views to Chesterfield in the south and to Owler Bar and beyond in the north.
Our waterproofs had long since been been discarded and our damp clothes were largely dry as we descended past Birley farm and then followed the valley back to Lineacre where a group of frisky bullocks gave chase.
Undaunted we continued into the woods and were back at the cars for 5.30p.m.
An enjoyable day in tranquil countryside and deep conversation.
Mike

After days of monitoring incoming weather systems and the emerging wet forecast, it was decided to move the meet to Stanage. The meet organiser arrived at 10:30 and speculatively meandered up and down Hooks Car Park wondering “if anybody would brave the weather?” Nobody did. This was a wise choice: the crag was already damp, it was drizzly and there was a heavy shower that passed through around midday. Skies were still looking ominous as i left the Peaks around 2pm.

The meet organiser went for a 6 mile run over Win Hill instead.

A day much more suited to running than climbing.

Simon

Immediate Past-President David Pendlebury has found a new job as a magazine centrefold model! Thankfully he was fully clothed – it was a freezing cold day as those members there at Porth Saint will recall. Dave Simmonite was also there and took the photographs illustrating the article. The Club meet for the Spring Public Holiday weekend 2016 was to the Rhoscolyn area of Anglesey and various crags were climbed on including Porth Saint. The weather was mixed but very cold with significant snow on the Snowdonia mountains so we climbed, walked and cycled with a BBQ one night and a meal in the excellent ‘White Eagle’ another.

The article ‘Porth Saint: Gogarth’s Stanage-by the-Sea’ appears in the July-August 2016 issue of ‘Climber.’ If you cannot wait to buy a copy follow this link:
http://www.climber.co.uk/magazines/current-issue.html

6 Club members plus dog were climbing on Agden Rocher. Fantastic views and lots of classic climbs for Agden done and enjoyed. The odd of green and friable rock just added to the general mix of fun. The climbers were encouraged on with a visit from another club member and child who was suitably impressed with the exploits on the crag. Thanks to all.
Mary

After rounding up the Castle members in the incredibly busy car park, a long walk in we were rewarded with a glorious day on Laddow. An old crag for some, first time for others and the first crag the meet leader visited with the Castle club several years ago. Lots of climbing completed. Great day so thanks to all.
Mary

11 members of the club plus Scout enjoyed a hot and sunny Bank Holiday weekend on Arran. Walking, cycling and climbing all engaged in as well as chilling and wild life spotting – Golden Eagle, otter, gannets, seals to name some highlights. Great weather, great island and great company. BBQ photos show a tradition in the making and one of the few others I took just to prove we did something. Mary
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18 Castle members enjoyed the sunshine and the climbing at Windgather on Sunday. Lots of short, but interesting routes were climbed, in what was a very sociable meet. Tina and Julian both completed first leads and Scout the dog kept a eye on everyone from the top of the crag. David’s rope, which was stuck fast, had to be rescued by Leon with plenty of encouragement and advice from below. A number of us hadn’t been to Windgather before but we all felt it is worth a return visit.

Judith Morris

A grand total of three arrived for the approximate 10 mile round of this stunning valley. A balmy spring day lay ahead affording spectacular views. We began along the shore of Fernilee Reservoir and then ascended steeply via Overton Hall. Just below Windgather Rocks we rewarded ourselves with a short coffee break. A play along the quarry traverse and a short scramble up onto the edge gave us an enjoyable distraction. Onward we trod to Pym’s Chair and Shining Tor, stopping for lunch and also photos at the trig point. Parapenters dipped up and down with the thermals along the way. After bagging the Cheshire county top we admired clear views of Jodrell Bank to the west, Kinder Downfall and Win Hill to the east and the Roaches to the west. A steep descent took us past the remains of Errwood Hall ( a visit for another time) and soon we were joining the edge of Errwood Reservoir and a short march back to the cars. We rounded off the day with a well deserved ice cream. A great day!

Ali

Thank you to all those who attended the session at Awesome Walls on Friday and Birchen Edge on Sunday. Temperatures have finally risen and the sun shone at the weekend. I was able to climb at both Awesome Walls and Birchen in a T shirt, something I have not been able to do inside or out this year.
There were, I think, 21 members plus a member’s dog, plus an ex-member at Birchen, a great turn out with a wide range of routes climbed. Those present included the usual suspects, new faces and some passage migrants. Even Chris Kell was in Sheffield long enough to climb several routes. By mid afternoon it was getting very hot and leaders were happy to sit on the top of the crag offering a rope to anyone who wanted one as they had a cooling breeze on their backs! Some even went off to the Robin Hood to avoid dehydration (as they claimed).
Hope fully we will get our share of similarly good days this summer – if the sun shines don’t miss the fun.
David

Well, who’d have thought it. After blizzards, hail and howling wind on Saturday we still managed a good day out at Harborough. Despite a chilly wind the sun shone and 8 of us made the most of it mainly snuggled in the sheltered Trident Buttress area. A nice friendly crag for the first time out for me this year, first time at Harborough for Nigel and the first time touching limestone for Janet since she’s been up t’North. Lovely to catch up with people again at the beginning of the season, it’s like coming out of climbing hibernation!
Three of us stayed till 5:00 bagging a decent 8 routes but I was so busy climbing I completely forgot to take photos. Sorry, will have to go back and do some more
Helen