Todays walk in detail

23 people including one potential member started from the scenic car park at Townend Common near Bolsterstone and followed a route mainly down hill to Ewden village then walked along the edge of Broomhead reservoir. We the climbed the hardest hill of the walk to Heads Lane the route then levelled off  to The Height, like the weather  the views were beautiful and we proceeded down hill to have lunch overlooking Langley Brook. The way back was overlooking Stocksbridge Edge to Hollin Busk where another water stop was taken. The next village was Bolsterstone on our way to Cote House where we turned left to Stocksbridge Golf course and a short walk to the car park. Thank you to all who took part in the walk and our new member who enjoyed it also. Refreshments were taken at the King and Miller at Deepcar.

A pleasant group of 17 of us set off from Rural Lane car park. We immediately walked through the shaded woodland area of Wadsley common heading towards Long lane. After walking alongside Hillsborough golf course we turned aside through open countryside to Castle Hills, where we had our elevenses. After passing through Upper Bradfield and the church, we headed down towards Damflask reservoir. A level, shaded area ended with a brisk climb to Dungworth. Lunch was taken overlooking Loxley valley. A walk down to Rowel Bridge took us alongside the River Loxley, before heading back uphill to Loxley and Wadsley common. Refreshments were taken at the Wadsley Jack.  Thanks to everyone for your company and especially to Annie and Andrew for backmarking. 

18 walkers set off from Rowsley with a long steady climb up to Chesterfield Lane then through the woods towards Tinkersley before dropping down to cross over the River Derwent, then past the Peak Railway and on to Churchtown, Darley Dale where coffee break was taken in the lovely church yard of St Helen's church where the bells were pealing. We then skirted the cricket ground before starting the next climb past the old quarry and old pumping station taking on the battle against ferns and nettles then over fields until we reached the Cork Stone and headed on to the Nine Ladies Stone Circle where lunch was taken in the first rain we've seen for weeks. After lunch we started the steady downhill and enjoyed the views towards Haddon Hall before descending back to Rowsley where refreshments were taken in the Grouse & Claret. Thanks to Andrew, Roy and Jenny for joining me on the recce, to Andrew for back marking on the day and to everyone who supported my first Sunday walk lead and made it so enjoyable. 

We had a great turnout for the walk [21] on a day when the temperature was much less oppressive. Setting out from Calver we walked alongside the river before reaching Bubnell. Then our journey involved crossing a number of fields, including one with a glorious display of cornflowers, and up the road to the village of Pilsley. The coffee break was taken at the "Pilsley Arms" now re-named presumably to avoid confusion for the postman having to distinguish between what were the  three "Devonshire Arms" in close proximity to each other. This is a beautiful pub and welcome refreshments were taken here. From here we walked through woods to Hassop, here having to carefully negotiate a dangerous right-angle bend. Having climbed the road from Hassop we eventually reached the small hamlet of Rowland, after a slight detour as the farmer seemed to have done his best to confuse us by obliterating the path when the field was harvested. Our lunch break was taken in a field just off the road that led towards Deep Rake Quarry. At the top of the hill we could just make out Chatsworth House in the distance. Our journey then took us down quite a steep incline and back into Calver. The "Calver Arms" provided us with our deserved refreshments after what had been a very enjoyable walk with great company. Sitting outside in the sunshine we admired the array of classic cars returning from the show at Chatsworth. Many thanks to all of you for coming on the walk, Tracey for leading, and to Roy for acting as backmarker.