Whaley Bridge

September 28, 2016.

WHALEY BRIDGE, CROMFORD AND HIGH PEAK RAILWAY LINE (DISUSED), GOYT VALLEY, ST JAMES’ CHURCH, TAXAL, TAXAL NICK, WINDGATHER ROCKS, PYM CHAIR, HOO MOOR, FERNILEE RESERVOIR, THE SHADY OAK AT FERNILEE, SHALL CROSS, THE COCK AT WHALEY BRIDGE

Distance: 8+ miles.

Difficulty: Strenuous start: easy finish.

Weather: Cool and cloudy becoming warm and sunny.

Walkers: Tom Cunliffe, Colin Davison, Lawrie Fairman, Mark Gibby, Alan Hart, Steve Kemp, Chris Owen, Jock Rooney with Tips, and George Whaites.

Apologies: Mickey Barrett (sailing off Turkey), Peter Beal (Greek island hols), George Dearsley (living in Turkey).

Leader: Fairman. Diarist: Hart.

S.O.B. Walkers: Tony Job, Terry Jowett, Ken Sparrow and Geoff Spurrell.

Starting point: Main road outside The Cock at Whaley Bridge.

Starting time: 9.35am. Finishing time: 2.01pm.

The weather gods which have been so kind to us throughout September smiled down upon us once more as we encountered ideal walking conditions. The morning began cool and cloudy so our relentless ascent for the first hour towards Windgather Rocks was accompanied by a cooling breeze. When we relaxed for our downward journey, the sun came out, the clouds disappeared and we enjoyed temperatures more characteristic of mid-summer than early autumn.

We followed a tried and trusted route although, typically, Colin found it necessary to make a lone diversion for a mile near Fernilee Reservoir. He justified this by arriving at The Shady Oak five minutes ahead of the main party – as if swilling beer in pubs is remotely important to The Wednesday Wanderers.

There was also a happy reunion with four members of the B team at our final watering hole, enabling us to virtually fill one room in The Cock.

From outside the pub we had headed left, passing The Cock on our left, and after 20 yards turned left up a path over a stream. This brought us to the former track of the Cromford and High Peak Railway Line where we turned right (1min).

This line from Cromford to Whaley Bridge was completed in 1831. Initially the trains were horse-drawn, but later the animals were replaced with small steam locomotives.Their main cargo was limestone, giving Derbyshire the reputation for exporting itself. The line was linked to The Peak Forest Canal at Whaley Bridge Basin, from where the minerals could be distributed.

The line was closed completely in 1967. Four years later the Peak Park Planning Board and Derbyshire County Council bought part of the track and turned it into The High Peak Trail.

We followed the line until shortly after passing Alpha Mews on our right we turned right at a wooden public footpaths sign. This path took us over a wooden footbridge (11mins) and emerged at a children’s playground where we headed right, picking up a road which led down to the main road (13mins)

After crossing the road we started to climb again up a path opposite, which brought us to a wooden footbridge on our right over the River Goyt (17mins). After crossing this we had a steep ascent to St James’ Church, Taxal, on our right (23mins)

Originally this was called St Leonard’s Church and it has a record of baptisms, marriages and burials dating back to 1610. To its right is a house which was once the village pub, The Chimes at Taxal.

We turned left and after 60 yards, opposite Glebe House on our left, we turned right over a stone step stile (24mins). A long climb through fields ensued before two ladder stiles brought us to a lane (33mins). This brought temporary respite as we turned left for 100 yards before heading right at a green public footpath sign for Windgather Rocks (34mins) and another climb uphill.

We finally reached the cleft in the ridge called Taxal Nick (41mins) and reached a drystone wall with a view over the valley. We turned left through a gate marked “No Bike Riding” and followed the ridge towards a wood. Just before we reached the trees, we headed briefly left and then went right over a wooden stile. This took us through a field to a gate, which we went through to pass the wood on our left (47mins)

There was now another climb to the cliffs called Windgather Rocks (55mins). Here we stopped to admire the views across Dunge Valley with Kettleshulme below on our right and above it on a ridge the distinctive white farmhouse surrounded by telecom aerials easily recognised as Bowstones.  Behind us to the left was The Kinder Range with Castle Naze on our right as we took in the panoramic view.

Continuing, we walked along the cliffs with the drop on our right until it levelled off by a road. This brought us to a plaque informing us that the rock formation ahead was called Pym Chair (85mins)

Two alternative legends claim that Pym was either a highwayman or a non-conformist preacher.

We turned left along a lane and at a sheltered spot on the left by a wooden public footpath sign we paused for pietime (89mins). When we resumed there was a long descent until we reached a sign on our left marked Hoo Moor and Fernilee (111mins).

Following the sign we walked along a gravel track until it swung right for Fernilee (136mins) and parted company with Colin. This brought us to the dam with Fernilee Reservoir on our right (142mins).

Fernilee and Errwood Reservoirs were built in the Goyt Valley by Stockport Water Corporation at a cost of £480,000 and completed in 1938. They are currently owned and operated by United Utilities and hold a capacity of 4,940 million litres of water which supply Stockport and surrounding areas.

We reached the far side of the dam road (144mins) and turned left to head uphill to the main road (152mins). Here we turned left and reached The Shady Oak on our right (159mins). As we arrived, Colin emerged with a pint in his hand and a smug smile on his face. (How sad to see the demon drink take a grip on one so young)

By now the sun was shining so we sat on the benches by the tables outside drinking pints of Marstons’ cask bitter at £3-40. We had stripped down to tee-shirts, apart from Lawrie who was wearing four layers of clothing and complaining it was a tad cold.

Suitably refreshed we turned right out of the pub door and immediately right up a lane by the side of the premises. This brought us to Elnor Lane where we turned left, passing Far End Cottage on both sides of the road (165mins). We stopped at the Ancient Monument on our right called Shall Cross (171mins) and had lunch.

Resuming we turned left into Shallcross Road (174mins) and then right to descend Shallcross Incline Greenway (175mins). This brought us back to the disused railway line with Cromford Court retirement flats on our right (183mins). We passed a memorial stone to Gordon Hill (1930-96), described as “a unique man” (but aren’t we all ?). 

Just before The Cock the path ended and brought us over the stream back to the main road and our cars (193mins). After de-booting we joined our comrades for pints of Robbies’ Unicorn at £3.

Next week’s walk will start at 9.30am from The Lantern Pike at Little Hayfield. Tom will lead the team to The Little Mill Inn at Rowarth, aiming to arrive around 12.10pm and returning to The Lantern Pike Inn about 2.25pm.

Happy wandering !

 Pictures by Steve Kemp

 Pictures by Tom

Longnor

September 21, 2016.

LONGNOR, GLUTTON BRIDGE, UNDERHILL FARM, HIGH WHEELDON, HURDLOW HALL FARM, THE BULL I’ TH’ THORN AT HURDLOW, HURDLOW MANOR FARM, HIGH NEEDHAM AND THE PACK HORSE INN AT CROWDECOTE

Distance: 8 miles.

Difficulty: Easy.

Weather: Warm but cloudy with brief spell of drizzle.

Walkers: Peter Beal, Tom Cunliffe, Colin Davison, Lawrie Fairman, Mark Gibby, Alan, Hart, Chris Owen, and Jock Rooney with Tips.

Apologies: Mickey Barrett (yachting in Turkey), George Dearsley (living in Turkey), Julian Ross (w*^king), George Whaites (leg injury).

Leader: Fairman. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Cobbled main square outside The Grapes at Longnor, Staffs.

Starting time: 9.58am. Finishing time: 2.52pm.

Some 20 years ago, the late Roy de Courcey had a bad pint in the historic Bull i’ th’ Thorn pub at Hurdlow. It became a standing joke that despite frequent changes of landlord, we never ventured inside the premises again.

That boycott finally ended during this walk. But history has a habit of repeating itself and, dear reader, I have to report that your diarist is now suffering from Montezuma’s Revenge, otherwise known as the squitters, runs or trots. If any other walker has experienced similar symptoms, perhaps they could let me know so I can contact those eminent lawyers, Cheetham and Scarper, to institute a joint claim for damages. Happily this will not include a laundry bill.

It would be a pity if we had to wait a further 20 years to visit the pub again, because it is not only steeped in nearly 600 years of history, but boasts the replica skeleton of a hanged highwayman in the corridor leading to the lavatories. (Let me assure you this extraordinary attraction did not induce my condition).

We also enjoyed some entertaining episodes with curious cattle as Tips once again showed her mettle by putting a dozen bullocks to flight.

From the cobbled square we walked up Chapel Street, at the end of which, after one minute, Lawrie mistakenly turned right passed the parish church and then retraced his footsteps. This did not augur well, but it proved to be the only error of the day.

We passed the end of Chapel Street and turned right up Lane Head (4mins). We followed the path over a wooden stile into a field (7mins) and then squeezed through a tiny gap stile (15mins) to reach a track. (Some found the gap more difficult to deal with than others. We will not name or shame them here)

This track brought us toward a cattle-grid, but we turned right before it (18mins) and followed an alternative path to a road where we turned right (27mins). This road took us across the River Manifold at Glutton Bridge (36mins).

The only clue to the bridge’s unusual name is that many centuries ago they made cheese here which was later stored at The Cheshire Cheese pub in Longnor.

We turned right along a lane (38mins) and went through a five-barred wooden gate to enter a field (46mins). After continuing through a metal gate we went through the yard of Underhill Farm (52mins). On the far side of the farm we went right over a stone step stile leading to a National Trust reserve at High Wheeldon (62mins).

After turning left through a wooden gate (70mins) we paused for pies, port and damson gin. Resuming, we walked uphill through a gate and turned right before immediately forking left (72mins). We passed Hurdlow Hall Farm on our left (92mins) and headed left at a wooden public footpath sign (95mins).

Our group walked through a tunnel underneath a disused railway line (98mins) and through a wooden gate (100mins). Three more wooden gates and a stone step stile brought us to a road where we turned right (104mins).

Due to the pace we had set, or a miscalculation by our leader, we arrived at The Bull I’ Th’ Thorn at Hurdlow (106mins) two minutes before opening time at noon.  It was in fact five minutes before the sound of the bolts being withdrawn – surely one of the nicest sounds in the world – was heard.

The building has a sign above its door with 1472 on it, but inside the traditional country pub its framed history claims it was first registered as a farmstead in 1428. Nearby was a crossroads called Hurdlow Thorn. A list of landlords goes all the way back from present day to 1761.

Originally it was called Hurdlow House and belonged to the Cavendish family of Chatsworth. At one stage servants at the house had a child called Joseph Millner who became a notorious highwayman. He was convicted of highway robbery and executed in 1751, aged 24.

The main bar area contains two suits of armour, a collection of swords, a posthorn and a roasting jack. In the corridor leading to the toilets is a skeleton which purports to be a replica of the remains of Joseph Millner following exhumation.

The pub was known as The Bull’s Head until 1894 when it was renamed The Bull I’ Th’ Thorn. It was bought by Robinsons’ Brewery of Stockport in 1945 for £12,850.

The Robbies’ cask bitter at £3-25 seemed to be OK and I was left to wonder whether RDC had been similarly afflicted a few hours afterwards. 

When we left we crossed the road and followed a wooden public footpath sign and headed diagonally right through a field. We went through a wooden gate and crossed a stone step stile (113mins). We went back through a tunnel under the railway line (116mins) and passed Hurdlow Manor Farm on our left (120mins) before turning left at a wooden public footpath sign (123mins). We crossed a stone step stile to enter a field.

After going through a metal gate we watched as Tom, who was 50 yards ahead of the main group, was pursued by a herd of cattle. When we shouted a warning, he spun round in the nick of time to avoid being trampled in a stampede. He used an old cowboy’s trick of whirling his pole around like a cheerleaderand shouting obscenities.

We went uphill and crossed another stone step stile before stopping for lunch (134mins). As we did so a herd of 12 young bullocks came over to inspect us. When they got within a few feet of us, Tips lost patience with them. A few darts at their ankles, accompanied by loud barks, put the animals to flight.

Continuing, we crossed three stiles, the last of which had a wooden handrail to help hikers (147mins). We turned right along the road which went into the hamlet of High Needham (150mins). This took us past High Needham Farm (152mins) and into Crowdecote (167mins).

Here we came to The Pack Horse Inn for further refreshment  (171mins). While three remained to sample the beer, the rest of the group left the pub and turned left to cross the River Dove, thereby exiting Derbyshire and returning to Staffordshire (172mins). We returned to our cars to deboot outside The Grapes in Longnor (189mins), which is about to reopen after being closed for many years: an encouraging reversal of the general trend.

Next week’s walk will start at 9.30am from the road outside The Cock at Whaley Bridge. We plan to call at The Shady Oak at Fernilee around 12.20pm and finish at The Cock at about 2.20pm.

Happy wandering ! 

Carr Brow

14 September 2016.

Carr Brow, Bollinhurst brook, Lyme Park, Black Hill, New Mills, Brook Bottom, Strines, Clear Spring Mill

Distance: 9 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Brilliant sunshine with clear visibility.

Walkers:  Colin Davison, Mark Gibby, Cris Owen, Jock Rooney with Tip and George Whaites

S.O.B.s: Ken Sparrow and  Tony Job

Apologies: Peter Beal (holiday), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Alan Hart (bicycling in Poland), Laurie Fairman (visiting outlaws or fishing in Norn Ireland) and Tom Unreliability Cunliffe (subsequent engagement / a better offer / who knows?).

Leader: Davison. Diarist: Davison.

Starting point: Carr Brow, High Lane

Starting time: 9.30am. Finishing time: 2.40pm.

Brilliant Indian Summer weather in the middle twenties centigrade. Much hilarity and witty banter per usual.

Route:

Across Buxton Road and right into Park Road; right onto Woodlands Road and take the footpath through to Coppice lane. Turn right along track over stream and left through gate. This path leads along Bollinhurst brook and through Lyme Park to Red Lane.

Passing through the Park gates turn right at the footpath sign. Turn left up the track when the old water treatment works comes in to view on the right. Follow the footpath over fields to Cockhead farm. The path on the opposite side of the road leads past Bollinhurst reservoir, woodland and fields to the East Gate Lane.

Turn left along the track to Mudhurst Lane. Left and then right up the track to Rocks farm. Left following the footpath sign just beyond the farm , over a stile then diagonally across the field to an isolated signpost. Bear right here to the nearby stile, through woodland and a field to stables. Diagonally left here brings you to a stile and Buxton Old Road.

The path continues on the opposite side of the road diagonally right to the corner of the field. Straight ahead brings you to Redmoor Farm. Turn left here and follow the footpath signs down Redmoor Lane, an old green lane which eventually brings you to New Mills.

Cross the Continue down Redmoor Lane over the cast iron railway footbridge to the canal. Turn left onto Hibert Street, right onto Albion Road, over the canal and left down Wirksmoor Road. Passing a playground on your left you come to an old Mill by the river Goyt. Cross the footbridge and turn left downstream.

Follow the track along the river to Station Road. Continue to the end by terrace houses. A footpath through woodland starts on the left at the end of the terrace. Take this path keeping right and uphill at two forks until you cross the Sheffield to Manchester railway line and reach Hague Bar Road.

Turn left for two hundred yards to a footpath sign on the right. A steep climb across a field brings you to Noon Sun farm. Further up, turn left along Brook Bottom Road to The Fox.

Here the Young Wanderers met the S.O.B.'s and being under little pressure timewise, drank copious amounts of Robinson's bitter. It is not your diarist's duty to note individual consumption. However, suffice to say regular Wanderers would be unsurprised.

Continuing:

Follow the green lane downhill through woodland to Strines station. Along Station Road over the Goyt to a park on the left. Here a picnic table makes a handy lunch venue.

At the end of Station Road cross Strines Road and follow the track uphill passing under the Macclesfield canal to a small hamlet (and the house of the angry man). Turn left to Clear Spring Mill past the chimney and the mill lodge to a stile and an old green lane through woodland to Disley Golf course.

Turn right at the track and follow this to Jackson's Edge Road. Turn right again. This becomes Carr Brow and your starting point.

Next week's walk will start at the square in Longnor at 9.50am. A magical mystery tour will ensue depending largely on the leadership pecking order. Laughter and acting daft are the only certainties. Until then, happy wandering.

Ridgegate

September 7, 2016.

RIDGEGATE RESERVOIR, MACCLESFIELD FOREST, SHUTLINGSLOE, CRAG INN AT WILDBOARCLOUGH, PIGGFORD NATURE RESERVE, THE HANGING GATE INN AT HIGHER SUTTON, THE GRITSTONE TRAIL AND THE LEATHERS’ SMITHY AT LANGLEY

Distance: Seven miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Dry and warm with occasional sunshine.

A walkers: Peter Beal, Mike Brockbank, Colin Davison, Lawrie Fairman, Mark Gibby, Alan Hart, Jock Rooney with Tips, Julian Ross and George Whaites.

S.O.B. walkers: George Fraser, Tony Job, Terry Jowett, Ken Sparrow and Geoff Spurrell.

Apologies: Mickey Barrett (yachting in Turkey), Tom Cunliffe (pub duties), George Dearsley (living in Turkey), and Chris Owen (domestic duties) 

Starting point: Roadside next to Ridgegate Reservoir, Langley, Macclesfield.

Starting time: 9.36am.Finishing time: 1.40pm.

What this walk lacked in miles, it made up for in quality. There were glorious views from start to finish as we climbed Cheshire’s Matterhorn and made our way across streams through forests and over hillsides. It left many of our group asking: why don’t we use this route more often ?

During our journey we passed the former homes of ex-Chancellor George Osborne and England rugby captain Fran Cotton.

It was also a rare occasion when we met the S.O.B. team in both pubs and shared our experiences. We also welcomed Julian back after a prolonged absence caused by holidays and business duties.

Walking with Ridgegate Reservoir on our right, we headed uphill and turned right at the sign for Wincle (4mins). After 40 yards we turned left along a stony track and turned left to follow the footpath. This brought us to a T-junction (11mins) where we turned right. We turned right again at a sign for Shutlingsloe (14mins).

This is a distinctive hill which can be seen peeping above the skyline for miles in every direction. Its shape gives it the ironic title Cheshire’s Matterhorn. At 1,660 feet it is Cheshire’s third highest peak behind Shining Tor and Whetstone Ridge.

We turned right again at another sign (26mins), went through a kissing gate (28mins) and ascended a set of stone flags. This brought us to a metal kissing gate (38mins) and two alternative routes. The younger members headed right for the summit and the magnificent views it afforded. 

The rest followed their leader as he walked over the left shoulder of Shutlingsloe, going through a wooden gate (46mins) and a wooden stile (52mins). We went over another wooden stile followed by a footbridge (56mins) to reach a lane and turn right (58mins). After crossing a cattle-grid (62mins) we reached a road and turned right (68mins).

This brought us to The Crag Inn on our right where we stopped for Pietime (70mins). Tips was overjoyed when the rest of her flock, who had been to the top of Shutlingsloe, were reunited with their chums for snacks and port.

After leaving the bench in the pub car park we turned right and immediately headed right through a wooden gate marked with a yellow arrow (71mins). There followed a series of wooden gates, all well signed with red dinner plate-sized markers, through a series of fields. Eventually we came via a stone step stile to a lane (93mins) where we turned left.

We walked down the lane with Piggford Nature Reserve on our right. When we reached a road we turned right  (101mins) and turned right again at a kissing gate marked with a yellow arrow (104mins). We went through a metal gate and over a footbridge (109mins) into a field full of exclusively black sheep.  On our right was the former home of David Cameron’s right-hand man, George Osborne, whose Tatton constituency lies nearby (115mins)

We went left over a wooden stile (116mins) and left through a wooden gate to head uphill (121mins). Another wooden stile (126mins brought us to the path leading down to The Hanging Gate Inn. Although your diarist reached the pub (132mins) at 12.02pm, he had already been beaten to the recently-opened bar by the five-strong  S.O.B. team.

The pub is nearly 400 years old and has stunning views at the back from its modern decking area, where we enjoyed pints of Hydes’ Original for £3. A former landlady was Luda from Estonia and the current licensees are Ernst Van Zyl and his partner Sarah Richmond. They also run The Lord Clyde at Kerridge.

After slaking our thirsts we left the back garden by a gate and followed the well-worn path through a field to exit by a metal gate (134mins). This brought us to a lane where we turned left and then headed right over a stone step stile at a wooden public footpath sign (138mins). We stopped for lunch just before a gate near a wooden farm building (146mins).

Resuming we went through two metal gates (147mins), a wooden kissing gate and a farmyard, following a wooden footpath sign marked with a yellow arrow and the footprint symbol of The Gritstone Trail (150mins)

We went through two kissing gates to cross a road (152mins), crossed a field and went through a kissing gate to reach a track where we turned left. This brought us to a gate where we turned right and passed the former home of Sale and England rugby legend Fran Cotton on our right with a duck-pond on our left.

A few yards further we left The Gritstone Trail to turn right down a path leading to a wooden gate(162mins) and crossed a wooden footbridge (163mins). This brought us to a track where we turned left in the direction of Langley (166mins). This took us to The Leathers’ Smithy (168mins) where we enjoyed pints of Deuchars cask bitter in the beer garden behind the pub. The beer was excellent but the price of £3-65 was rather hard to swallow.

Next week’s walk will start at 9.30am from the home of Colin at 11, Carr Brow, High Lane. There will be a livener or two in The Fox at Brook Bottom at about 12.15pm but, controversially, no pre-arranged pub to finish. Perhaps one will be chosen on the day.

Happy wandering !

Hayfield

August 31, 2016.

HAYFIELD, SHOOTING LODGE ON MIDDLE MOOR, THE KNOT, MILL HILL, PLANE WRECK SITE, BURNT HILL, MATLEY MOOR, THE LANTERN PIKE AT LITTLE HAYFIELD, CARNIVAL FIELD, AND THE GEORGE AT HAYFIELD

Distance: Nine miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Light drizzle at start, one brief shower and bright sunshine to finish.

Walkers: Peter Beal, Mike Brockbank, Ron Buck, Lawrie Fairman, Mark Gibby, Alan Hart and the late Steve Kemp.

Apologies: Micky Barrett (yachting in Turkey), Tom Cunliffe (pub duties), Colin Davison (motor-biking), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Chris Owen (domestic duties), Julian Ross (dental appointment) and George Whaites (held up in traffic en route).

Leader: Beal. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Car park of The George at Hayfield, Derbsyhire.

Starting time: 9.38am. Finishing time: 2.31pm.

Another week and another birthday. This time it was one of our youngsters, Ron Buck, celebrating the68th anniversary of his birth with a round of drinks. The publicity prior to Lawrie’s 81st birthday celebrations led to a bumper turnout. Ron played his cards close to his chest by announcing the event as we arrived. Consequently there were no carpetbaggers cashing in on his generosity.

At the end of our walk in The George he was promised 68 kisses by the barmaid. One can only wonder what might be on offer next year.

Before we move on from our walk on the 24th, I should say that Lawrie tells me four different people claimed that the absent Mark had told them they could have his birthday pint. This is disgraceful behaviour and I hope the other three walkers are also ashamed of themselves.

I am indebted to Tom for reminding me to include a few words about the gallant local soldier whose name was given to the Wetherspoons pub in Hazel Grove where Lawrie entertained us.

Private Wilfred Wood, aged 21, was in the 10th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers when they fought in The Battle of Vittorio Veneto in Italy in October, 1918, just two weeks before the Armistice brought an end to World War I. His unit was being held up by hostile machine guns and snipers.

Private Wood worked forward with his Lewis gun, enfiladed the enemy machine gun nest and caused 140 soldiers to surrender. The advance then continued until a hidden enemy machine gun opened fire. Private Wood charged the machine gun Rambo-style, firing his Lewis gun from the hip as he ran forward. He killed the machine gun crew and enfiladed a ditch from which a further three officers and 160 men surrendered.

He was awarded the VC “for most conspicuous bravery and initiative”. After the war Private Wood, who lived in Hazel Grove, returned to his job as a railway fireman and later became an engine driver. In 1922 he had a LNWR locomotive named after him. He died in 1982 aged 84.

Contrast his heroism with the behaviour of two deserters on this walk. It pains me to name one of them as Lawrie, the previous week’s birthday boy, who abandoned his colleagues and his grandson – still wearing short trousers – to catch a bus and reach the pub before us. He was aided and abetted in this treachery by this week’s birthday boy, who flagged down the Buxton-bound bus.

Rest assured they have both been warned that this is the sort of behaviour we expect from the S.O.B. team and not from the alpha males. It was pitiful to see Lawrie’s grandson Mike sobbing as the bus pulled away, saying “What am I going to tell grandma ?”

Our start was delayed by heavy traffic, which caused George to abandon his efforts to give Mark and your diarist lifts from Poynton. Roadworks had also held up Steve, but we did not realise he was on his way.

From the car park of The George we turned right uphill and left into Valley Road (1min). Then we turned left downhill to cross the Kinder River and pass a children’s playground on the left (6mins). At the end of a row of cottages we turned right up stone steps (7mins) and turned right along a lane (8mins).

We then turned left at a green public footpath sign towards The Snake Inn (9mins). As we started the climb towards Twenty Trees and Middle Moor, we were joined by a panting Steve. He had been able to follow us by catching glimpses of us in the distance.

We passed the 19 trees known bizarrely as Twenty Trees on our left (21mins). The light drizzle had now ceased so Lawrie enlisted Mike’s help in removing his waterproof trousers. We headed for the distinctive white shooting lodge on Middle Moor, tuning left along a path just before it (44mins) marked for Glossop and Carr Meadow.

Our group turned right up a parallel path made by tyre tracks (57mins). This led over rough moorland along the right shoulder of The Knot, where Peter led us past a series of grouse butts. They brought us ultimately to the cairn marking the summit of Mill Hill (104mins) where we paused for pies and port.

Resuming along the flagged path on our left we soon found the wreckage of an USAAF Liberator visible to the right of the path (109mins)

This was a brand new plane which was on its delivery flight from Burtonwood to Hardwick when it crashed in thick fog in October, 1944. Sgt Jerome Navjar told a subsequent hearing that he advised the pilot, a Polish second lieutenant named Creighton Haopt, that they were dangerously close to the ground. The pilot nodded as if he understood but didn’t alter his position and they ploughed into the hillside. Miraculously neither man was seriously hurt.

The flagged path took us down Mill Hill and up Burnt Hill. We exited the National Trust reserve (134mins) without seeing any of the golden plover, curlew or short-eared owls which frequent the moors earlier in the year. We did spot skylarks and three young grouse.

A wooden stile brought us to the A628 Glossop-Chapel Road which we crossed to head towards Charlesworth (146mins). It was at this point that Ron and Lawrie decided to catch a bus to drop them at The Lantern Pike. As we discussed this extraordinary development and comforted the abandoned grandson, Peter informed us that the road we were on was once known as The Monks Road.

This was because monks from the Cistercian Order, who had established Basingwerk Abbey at Holywell during the 12th Century, had been granted a manor near Glossop by Henry II. They were later given a market charter for the town and in the 14th Century a similar charter for Charlesworth. They used the road between to collect taxes from the local famers until the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII in 1536.

We turned left off the road at a wooden public footpath sign and headed up a track (152mins). We later took a left fork (158mins) and crossed a stile made out of a combination of stone and wood (160mins). We then crossed a wooden stile (165mins) and turned right at a T-junction (167mins).

This took us past Matley Moor Farm on our right (169mins) just before the lane swung left and we followed a wooden public footpath sign to go straight ahead for Hayfield via Little Hayfield at a junction called Five Lane Ends (177mins). We crossed three wooden stiles before reaching a farmhouse called Hallet Hey on our left (191mins).

Here we turned left over a wooden stile and made our way downhill to the Clough Mill apartments which we reached by crossing a stone footbridge (194mins). We then climbed the hill up Clough Lane to reach The Lantern PIke pub on our left (199mins).

Lawrie and Ron had arrived there some 40 minutes ahead of us. Ron made up for his desertion and for leading astray an octogenarian by buying a round of excellent Timothy Taylor’s Landlord cask bitter. Tom completed the party atmosphere by laying on two plates of bread and butter and two bowls of chips.

From the pub we turned right along the main road and right again into Slack Lane (201mins). We went through a wooden kissing gate (207mins) and followed a path leading to a road where we turned left (211mins). We then turned right into the Hayfield Carnival Field (217mins) and exited it by a walkway alongside the River Sett (219mins).

With the river on our right we emerged opposite The Pack Horse pub and turned right (221mins) to cross the Sett and reach The George on our right (222mins).

Pictures by Steve Kemp

Next week’s walk will start at 9.40am from the lay-by opposite Ridgegate Reservoir some 500  yards past The Leathers Smithy pub at Langley, Macclesfield. We plan to have a livener at The Hanging Gate, Lower Sutton, around 12.15pm, finishing back at The Leathers Smithy about 2.30pm.

Happy wandering !