Whaley Bridge

March 25th 2026

Whaley Bridge,Elnor Lane Shallcross Hall and Farm, Fernilee Reservoir, Errwood Reservoir, Pyms Chair, Windgather Rocks, Cock Inn .

Distance: 8.99 miles.

Difficulty: Challenging

Weather: Sleet and Snow Showers, very occasionally clear.

Walkers Andy Blease, Mike Cassini, Mark Enright, Hughie Hardiman, Keith Welsh.

Alternative Walkers: Jock Rooney and Millie.

Leader: Hughie Hardiman. Diarist:  Mike Cassini

Starting point: Cock Inn Whaley Bridge

Starting time: 9.45am. Finishing time: 1.10.

If last week we were Hardy and Intrepid climbing Mam Tor in warm, beautiful sunshine, this week to climb to Windgather in sleet and snow we were more likely Laurel and Hardy. Winter came back to bite us with vicious sleet flurries, cutting directly into our faces on occasion, or blowing us sideways as we clambered up the many slopes.

We began peacefully enough on the path behind the Cock until we had gone about 50 yards when the first sleet came down. Fortunately, at this stage we were reasonably protected by the trees which gave some form of shelter. However, unfortunately the cover was not available on the edge of Windgather or climbing to Pym’s Chair.

We walked along Elnor Lane out of Whaley Bridge following a route Birthday Boy and leader Hughie said was his first Wednesday Wanderers walk. This led us towards Fernilee reservoir and more sleet, walking on the northern edge of the reservoir towards Errwood reservoir. Here, we began an ascent towards Pyms Chair – again in sleet and snow flurries. At the top we took shelter among the rocks of Windgather before beginning our descent through fields  and the Midshires Way back to the Cock where Hughie treated us to drinks and chips to celebrate his 63rd birthday. 

Next week’s walk will start at 9.45amfrom the rough car park in front of the Wheatsheaf in Well Gate, Old Glossop, SK137RS. Hopefully back at the Queen’s in Old Glossop for 1pm to 1:30pm

 

Castleton

March 18th 2026

Peak Cavern, Speedwell Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern, Blue John Cavern, Mam Tor, Hollins Cross, Spring House Farm, Castleton.

Distance: 6.3 miles.

Difficulty: Stiff starting climb.

Weather: Warm clear skies occasional wet underfoot .

Walkers Peter Beale, Andy Blease, Mike Cassini, Russell Spencer, Simon Williams, Cliff Worthington.

Alternative Walkers: Jock and Kieran Rooney and Millie.

Leader: Peter Beale. Diarist:  Mike Cassini

Starting point: Parking outside Peak cavern

Starting time: 9.45am. Finishing time: 1.30.pm

Only six hardy, intrepid walkers took advantage of the unseasonally warm weather, not shaken or stirred by the one and a half hour climb from Castleton to the top of Mam Tor, in sub tropical conditions. All were down to sweaty t-shirts by the time the trig point was reached, top layers removed to lower rising body temperatures.

Meeting on the road outside the Devil’s Arse cavern we turned right taking the footpath past and up Goosehill Hall towards and past Speedwell cavern, across to Treak Cliff Cavern and ever upwards towards Blue John Cavern. Eventually we reached the top of Mam Tor, where as usual a number of disparate walkers were taking photos and selfies. We walked on to Hollins Cross where lunch/Pie time was taken and we could take in the view, noting the paragliders who were getting ready, when we were at the trig point. By the end of the day there were more than 20 gliders, top layers mainly replaced due to the March wind.

As we were not making good time instead of Hope, our intended destination, we cut back along the path down towards Castleton, where we met the busy high street 100 yards or so from the Cheshire Cheese. Here Jock, Kieran and Millie joined us (Farmers Blonde was £5.10 a pint).

Next week we will climb Windgather, meeting in Whaley Bridge at 9:40 finishing for drinks at the Cock Pub – where it is possible to park on the main road though traditionally we meet in the car park at Tom Brad’s Croft SK23 7LX.

Higher Poynton

 

March 11th 2026

BOARS HEAD HIGHER POYNTON LYME PARK LOOP VIA POTT SHRIGLEY.

Distance: 7.5 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Dry cold wind particularly on high ground

Walkers Peter Beale Andy Blease, Steve Brierley, Mike Cassini, Hugh Hardiman, Stuart Kitchen, Greg Owens, Russell Spencer, Keith Welsh, Simon Williams, Cliff Worthington.

Alternative Walkers: Jock Rooney and Millie,-

Leader: Cliff Worthington. Diarist:  Mike Cassini

Starting point: Boars Head

Starting time: 9.50am. Finishing time: 1.05.pm

Slight confusion arose over the later starting time but it was amicably resolved and we set off, meeting Peter a few yards from the pub. There was further confusion when Cliff asked me to diarise the walk as he couldn’t be arsed, probably as he had to learn the chords to Smoke on the Water for his Thursday ukulele session. 

I hadn’t been paying attention or taking note of anything of interest, preferring to engage in conversation (mainly sport related but also regarding the need to watch the Channel 4 documentary on the water industry - Dirty Business). Also as we were far too jolly, no photos or details were recorded, so this will be a very unremarkable record of events. (Pictures are from Google).

It was noted that the quality of the blog has  declined since professional journalist Alan, with his wry humour, quality writing and observational skills was no longer in service. It would be foolhardy to try to replicate his ability, so, as with the walk last week, the route is well known. I have therefore found another extract from the master listed at the end of the blog.

The route is the same one Cliff led when 10(9) walkers were in the Moselle valley last year. Leaving the Boars Head, heading south to Pott Shrigley, we passed the café and then turned upwards through Lyme Park and Knightslow Wood, where lunch was taken. 

Knightslow Wood

The majority excepting Peter and Andy, who headed directly back to the pub, climbed to Lyme cage in an attempt to delay drinking time as too many cups of tea can play havoc with the digestive system. Some of us attempted to try the Cornish Pale Ale but as with Landlord ale, this was unavailable and we had to make do with Wainwrights at £5.30 a pint.

A brief extract from a walk round Disley in November 2022 follows.

Forecasts of dire weather conditions may well have led to a poor turnout for this walk, although the various imaginative excuses given were on a par with the standard schoolboy excuse of “the dog ate my homework.”

Those hardy souls who scorned the gloomy predictions were rewarded with a largely dry day and the added bonus of blue skies and sunshine. 

On the fauna front we spotted a plastic heron at the side of the Peak Forest Canal and a real cormorant on the banks of the River Goyt.

In short gentlemen abed in Bramhall, Birch Vale, Heald Green, Macclesfield, Silverdale and Bowdon shall think themselves accursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks that walked with us.

Next week, we will meet at 9:40am at the side of the road by the Devils Arse cavern (also known as the Peak Cavern) in Castleton for a walk up Mam Torr, finishing in the Cheshire Cheese in Castleton

Happy Wandering!