Todays walk in detail

I'm amazed how 15 keen walkers turned up for a walk that they knew would be muddy, but I don't think even they were prepared for how bad it was. The thing is, from my pre walk this was V3, the other two were worse. We travelled around part of the lake before ascending the coll du langold ( old pit tip ) where the views were pretty good on a very clear day, however, at the bottom of the descent I demonstrated my crash test dummy credentials by falling down and demonstrating how much mud could stick to a person. We then negotiated Wallingwells before heading to the mill at Carlton in Lindrick. A meal break was taken at the duck pond near the old part of Lindrick. John took the sensible option and took the short cut back to the cars at this point but it was great of him to come. After the break a vote was taken, it was very cold, very wet and I knew that more serious mud was to come so we all took a different route that cut out the mud and shortened the walk by about a mile. I now hold the accolade of the muddiest walk ( and leader ) of the year. We then took rehydration duties to The Legion at Langold, what a lovely warm welcome and courtesy of the staff and the football team we had free, yes free, sausages, chips and bread.

After welcoming Lindsay to the group, ten of us left Bolsterstone and headed for the trig point above Stocksbridge. Much to Natalie's delight, we then walked in the direction of the yellow object in the sky, something we hadn't seen for some time! We had our coffee stop round the campfire area by Underbank. At Midhope, we took the old railway line to Langsett where we had lunch. It was good to see that the Oystercatchers had returned to Langsett reservoir and, further along the route, we stopped to watch a large flock of Lapwings. After the climb up the moorland area we crossed some tricky stiles before heading up to the trig point once more then back to Bolsterstone. Refreshments were taken in the Castle pub. Thanks to Roy for back marking and to everyone who joined me on the walk.

14 intrepid explorers set off on a misty Sunday morning from Poolsbrook country park. Their expedition started along the trans Pennine trail for a short time, cutting off across a housing estate, then the beginning of the mud. This lasted through west wood and beyond until coffee break at Tapton park overlooking Chesterfield.  After the break it was down hill to the splitting of the chesterfield canal from the river rother. From then on it was a flat walk of about 5 miles watching for the kingfishers to Staveley town basin where this part of the canal finishes. Up and on to the new bridge over the construction of the new lock and canal extension. Back to the starting point with still 14 slight more muddy companions and no sign of the rain that was forecast. Replacement fluids were taken in at the Arkwright arms. Thank you all for coming along. Thank you Annie and Roy for being back markers and photographers.

16 ramblers departed from Timber Lane car park in persistent drizzle for a walk along and around  the Five Pits Trail area. After a short stretch along the trail, we headed over fields to Hardwick Ponds via Astwith, pausing for a coffee break beside Miller’s Pond despite the damp conditions. We continued towards Heath village via Stainsby, stopping for lunch outside Heath Church. From Heath, we headed across more fields before we rejoined the Five Pits Trail and made our way back to the car park via Wolfie Pond. Thanks to Roy for back-marking and to everyone for turning out on this muddy, damp day. Refreshments were taken at The Shoulder at Hardstoft.