Todays walk in detail

Much had been made in recent club walk reports regarding the muddy conditions, inevitable at this time of year, so we aborted our planned route and set about finding a mud-free walk! Hmmm? 20 of us set off through Elsecar Park, past the Band Stand and Cafe onto the Barnsley Boundary Walk and  open countryside. It was fine but the weather forecast was not good. We walked through Skier's Spring Wood (the site used in the filming of Kes), then had an early break at ??? a newly created Nature Reserve which was specially created to take the water run-off from the nearby giant EVRI warehouse. We then went past the Hall ruin and house (also featured in Kes) and across Tankersely Golf Course. The rain had arrived, but fortunately was light and lasted less than an hour. We traversed Parkin Wood and into Chapeltown Park where an early lunch was taken, by the Band Stand and in the dry!  Ever onward but unfortunately the rain returned as we walked along the TPT, then across the M1 footbridge into the sprawling metropolis that is Thorpe Hesley. After the uphill stretch to the Coach Road we skirted Wentworth village, passing the old saw mill and dropping down through King's Wood back to the car park in Elsecar. Replenishment fluid was taken at the Market Hotel accompanied by a tray of bread and dripping.

On a snowy morning, five brave walkers set off from Bolsterstone to conquer some of the ups and downs of Stocksbridge. The route took us down to Fox Valley, along the Steel Valley Way then into Tin Mill Woods. We then tackled a steep ascent up towards Green Moor and had our coffee stop in The Delft playing field. Afterwards, we crossed the cricket field and started our descent back down towards Fox Valley, stopping on the way to admire and pat a donkey who nibbled on Sandra's jacket! After swapping ghost stories on the bridge over the by-pass we headed towards Underbank along the cycle trail. We rested our legs and ate our lunch at the Activity Centre then, after a short stretch of road walking, headed along the footpath to Windhill Farm before tackling the (steady) ascent to the Trig point. It was then all downhill back to Bolsterstone. Refreshments and more jovial conversation took place in the Castle pub.

On a dull, cool but dry day, 4 hardy souls and myself set out from Aberford to try and conquer a section of the Ancient Kingdom of Elmet, one of the last independent Kingdoms of England. After saying hello to a 'lady', dressed today in a Mary Quant 60s style way, we made our way down a wooded path to view the 2018 England Tree of the Year. After crossing Long Lane, we headed across Garforth Golf course. We then took elevenses. Afterwards we walked over fields and down tracks to skirt around Scholes and headed to Barwick in Elmet, where, after admiring the tallest May pole in England, we had our lunch stop. We then walked up a 2000 year old Iron Age fort, which the Normans used as one of their 600+ Motte and Bailey castles. From Barwick we headed to Potterton Hall and the remains (maybe) of a medieval village, before turning towards Becca Hall and Banks and the lane back to Aberford, where we had a much appreciated tipple in the uniquely named Arabian Horse hostelry. Thanks to those of you who ventured that far north. A good day! 

On a bright sunny and very clear cold day 23 members enjoyed a beautiful walk from Winscar reservoir. We started off up towards the Hamlet of Harden and then crossed the abandoned quarry where we had glorious views from height across the reservoir. The walk continued along part of the Holme valley circular walk to Raynard Clough where we found a warm sunny bank to enjoy our coffee break. We the joined part of the Kirklees Way past Elysium farm to Crow Edge. Continuing along a track called Ramsden Road we had a short section of road walking before continuing across the moorland track to Greenhouse Hay wood where we had a scenic meal break, although the very cold wind caused us all to hide behind the stone walls. The walk then continued on a very scenic route along Ruddle Clough, Snailsden Pike End and another ancient quarry at Wetshaw Edge. We then walked around Winscar reservoir back to the car park, about 9.5 miles in total. Rehydration duties were performed after the walk at Wortley Club.