Fifteen hardy walkers set off this morning for what turned out to be a very good day's walk. There was a new lady with us today. Starting from Fox House we walked along White Edge to Curbar gap where we had elevenses. The walk continued along Curbar, then Froggatt edges. One of the group had to leave us here and make their own way back to the start. We went down towards Grindleford station where we had lunch. The return to the start was via Padley gorge. Refreshments were taken at the Fox. The weather and company could not have been bettered. Thanks to all.
Todays walk in detail
28/07/2024
Fox House, White Edge, Curbar Edge, River Derwent, Padley Gorge
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25/07/2024
Burgoyne Park.
19 hardy souls set off down the slope towards Ulley reservoir from Burgoyne Park in the parish of Aston cum Aughton. Through the fields we went with a full selection of nettles, brambles and thistles on offer for those in shorts. Ducks were viewed, swans admired and cows aahhed at as we sped along our path. Even the wind turbines seemed to wish us godspeed with their flailing arms whooshing and ushering us all along. When we found our route blocked a diversion was called for and advice sought from and provided by Lisa who knew the path less trodden and found a way round. Big shout out for Lisa! So too for John for back-markering the group. Refreshments and comestibles were then gratefully partaken at the Robin Hood in Aughton.
ton.
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21/07/2024
Digley Reservoir Circular Harden Clough, Meltham, Upperthong
14 members set off from Digley Quarry Car Park on a fine sunny morning, with great views over the Holme Valley towards Holme Moss and Black Hill. Shortly after crossing the Holmfirth Road we encountered the 'bracken jungle' along the Harden Clough footpath, which we conquered and reached Meltham Park for a well earned break. Onward, skirting Meltham village, we headed for the woods at Meltham Mills Res - there were Bears about! Then, Honley Woods and onto Seventy Acre Farm and Oldfield. We lunched in a grassy field with great views overlooking Netherthong and beyond. Following lunch we continued and reached the outskirts of Upperthong - home of the World Welly Wanging Championship. No wanging going on today but there's a village(?) pond teeming with beautiful Koi Carp and Goldfish, a sealed box of fish food by the pond - so we couldn't resist! Back across the Holmfirth Road and after a short ascent, across the fields to Digley Reservoir. I had been concerned at the number of stiles on the walk - but nobody mentioned them..... Replenishment fluid was taken at The Bowshaw Trout in Hade Edge. Thanks to Bob Littledyke for the route - it really was a lovely walk.
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18/07/2024
Hellaby Circular
28 walkers set off from Hellaby community centre on a perfect summers day. We walked through Hellaby, Carr and over Thurcroft pit wood then Wickersley and back to Hellaby. Well deserved refreshments were had at Sir Jack's and we didn't lose anybody so a great result all round.
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14/07/2024
Edale, Grindslow Knoll, Kinder Downfall, Kinder Low, Jacob’s Ladder, Upper Booth
Thirteen of us gathered in a dank and miserable Edale car park to partake in one of the most gruelling Peak District walks. The walk took us up Grindslow Booth which gets steeper and steeper as you reach the summit of the knoll. One of the party was ready to turn back on a number of occasions but was pushed, cajoled, even bullied to complete the one and a quarter hour ascent. Her look of achievement at the knoll was something to behold. We continued along the ridge and before we reached Crowden Tower we set off across Edale Moor and Kinder Scout. As there is no route we zigzagged our path avoiding fissures and deep screes of open peat and dangerously deep hidden pools. The clouds rolled in and made us all miserably damp. We reached Kinder Downfall, had no views, then took up part of The Pennine Way to make our way towards the trig point at Kinder Low. (633 metres). It was all downhill after that, including a tricky very steep descent down Jacob's Ladder. The last 3 miles was a gentle downhill stroll through the fields back to Edale. Thanks to Sandra for backmarking. Thanks to Philip Bullen, Phil Bates and Keith Booth for the constant argument about the best way forward over the moors, two of them using modern GPS; one depending on a compass. Thanks again to Philip Bullen for accompanying me on a reconnaissance walk. Thanks to Brian Thompson for accompanying me on a second reconnaissance walk. We retired to The Ramblers Inn for welcome recuperation.
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11/07/2024
Pilsley Circular.
Fourteen of us kicked off our ramble from the Timber Lane car park on the Five Pits Trail near Pilsley, despite the damp, drizzly morning. Luckily, the drizzle took a break as we made our way south along the trail towards Pilsley. We had a little pause at the Tom Hulatt mile marker, which honours the local hero who came fourth in Roger Bannister’s famous four-minute mile race. From there, we took a scenic detour through the fields around Cocktop Farm and climbed up to Tibshelf. On our way back down the Five Pits Trail towards Pilsley, we took a coffee break in the drizzle and enjoyed what we could see of the view towards Crich. After pausing at the source of the River Rother, we headed down Dark Lane, wound through more fields and had a lovely woodland walk along the brook, eventually making it back to the cars.
To wrap up our walk, we enjoyed some well-deserved refreshments at the Hardwick Inn, where the friendly staff opened up the Stables Bar area just for us.
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07/07/2024
Derwent Edge, Strines Circular
Sunday's walk was from Cutthroat Bridge, led by our birthday girl, who survived a surprise birthday party the day before. She led 13 of us in heavy rain which lasted until after the coffee break. The route was straight forward with no mishaps. Thank you Keith for backmarking, some of us retired to the pub for refreshments and then homeward bound/
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04/07/2024
Mosborough to Ford Circular.
26 of us set off for the 5.5 miles, along South Street where we cut off to the fields and headed towards Ridgeway. A brief horse petting session was had by a few and we all admired the new foals. Quick tea break at the ponds at Ford bottom before setting back off through Eckington woods. We had a few minutes at Seldom Seen Engine House (the last remaining building from the Plumbley Collieries) before making our way back through the horse field and over a very prickly stile. Refreshments had by most at the very accommodating Alma who opened up early for us and are looking forward to welcoming us back in the future (mention of cake next time!)., Thank you all for joining me on my first walk and a big warm welcome to our newest member Sue Smith.
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30/06/2024
Dungworth and Ice Cream!
Twelve of us set off from Dungworth on a 9.3 mile Heritage walk. The route took us along Cow Gap Farm, the home of cutlers from the early 19th century. We continued to Loadbrook where a pot clay mine existed in the 1950’s. We stopped for a coffee break near Hall Broom farm which has a cruck framed barn built in 1620. Kerry took the Brownie points for the first person to spot that we were, once again, walking down Cow Gap Lane. We continued down Bents Lane and on to Riggs High Road and Hill Farm, both on the OS map of 1855. We enjoyed the lovely views from our lunch stop and the weather stayed dry, despite the weather forecast. The route eventually took us past the 1743 Chapel on Stannington Road and the 1854 Schoolroom, both established by Richard Spoone, a local landowner, who bequeathed the land for the chapel and school ‘for the education of poor children’. Towards the end of the walk we were rewarded by a visit to Our Cow Molly Ice Cream Parlour where we indulged (guilt-free) in huge, delicious ice creams. At the end of the walk some of us took refreshments at the Plough, a Bradfield Brewery pub, where the Brown Cow hand-pumped ale was, as usual, excellent.
Overall, a pleasant walk with the addition of ice cream and real ale – the recipe for a perfect day!
Many thanks to Val for volunteering to back mark.
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27/06/2024
Swinton Pottery Kiln.
19 of us set off from the car park adjacent to Swinton Pottery Kiln for a walk which included Wath Golf course, Hoober and Upper Haugh, enjoying a walk in pleasant conditions, the heat from the previous days having abated. The walk was comparatively easy apart from the fact that we had to negotiate one footpath which was overgrown and clearly little used. Our coffee break was taken on a footpath close to Hoober and refreshments taken at the "Marquis."
Many thanks for your company on the walk and a special thanks to John for acting as backmarker.
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