Old Glossop

Old Glossop 14 June 2017

OLD GLOSSOP, GLOSSOP LOW, LONGDENDALE TRAIL, HADFIELD, PADFIELD

Distance: 10 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Weather: Warm and sunny

Walkers: Colin Davison, Alastair Cairns with Daisy, Tom Cunliffe, Mark Gibby, Hughie ?, Steve Kemp, Chris Owen

Apologies: Alan Hart (overslept), Peter Beal (cruising),

B Walkers: please see blog

Leader: Davison, Diarist: Davison

Starting Point: The Wheatsheaf, Old Glossop

Starting Time: 9.45am. Finishing Time: 2.30pm

I have found a new diarist to plagiarise. One worthy of my low cunning. Will he spot his own inimitable hand?

We welcomed a new member to our midst. Mark brought along his friend Hughie. Youth and a military fitness programme ensured he did not experience the difficulties our tyro members have faced on this particular walk. 

Another professional note taker, I see him as a potential diarist. Can you tell how much I hate this job when it falls to me?

The BBC’s weather forecast was spot on: sun, sun, sun, rather different from our last visit.

However, the Wanderers who braved these torrid conditions enjoyed a challenging walk, good company and fine ale.

The clement weather made note-taking easy. I hope you will forgive your diarist if this account is shorter than usual because he didn’t take any.

We went up Blackshaw Road and through some flats on the right to pick up a trail that led past some farm buildings.

There has been more work here since our last visit 3 years ago.The collection of fowl just beyond the mill lodge now includes a couple of emus.

We continued as far as possible along the road, up a slope and then climbed a stile on the left. Swineshaw reservoir was below us to the left.

Through Blackshaw Farm we began a long ascent towards Glossop Low, with an area called Peaknaze Moor in the distance to our left. We paused at the second gate to regroup.

2014 Wet, wet, wet

The climb to the top was quite taxing, especially in the heat and windless conditions.

Pie Time was declared at 10.50am and taken in a rather decrepit stone built erection, which at one time was – we guessed – a shelter for grouse shooters or Shooting Box. The plastic chairs are no longer there, but the stone window ledges made fine seats. Chris handed out Toblerone and Sloe gin.

The party relaxed in the sunshine and bonhommie. Even though Tom was with us we didn’t finish Pie Time early, such was the conviviality of the moment. Immediately below is a picture taken the time before last that we visited this refuge….and immediately below that the scenario from our last visit.

                                        

                                                                 Pie Time 2013

It ain’t half cold, mum. 2014

In January 2013 the valleys were full of cloud and mist and we were unable to see anything. This time we could appreciate the wonderful vista, albeit with the wind blowing rain and sleet into our eyes.

Our descent took in part of the Pennine Way, a National Trail running 431 km (268 miles) from Edale, in the Derbyshire Peak District, through the Yorkshire Dales and the Northumberland National Park, ending at Kirk Yetholm, just inside the Scottish border.

The path runs along the Pennine hills, sometimes described as the "backbone of England".

The track itself was easy enough though Tom complained that it hurt his​ knees.

But finally we reached the bottom and crossed a main road to join the Trans Pennine Trail turning left at a sign which read “Hadfield 3 miles”.

Walkers

Daisy the Dog

Longdendale Valley

"Bet he's got a bird brain," said the emu.

Emu....but no Rod Hull.

This, is also part of the Longdendale Trail. The trek into Hadfield is flat and without a great deal to observe. But we were just glad of the shade and  reach the Anchor pub by 12.41pm.

Tetley’s bitter was £2.95 per pint.

At 1.25pm we left the pub, turned right and proceeded down Railway Street to the railway station. We passed the station, crossed the road and took a ginnel on the left which brought us to Temple Street.

This took us past the Peels Arms pub. Climbing the hill, we turned left at the top where the main road turned to the right.

We took ​the second path on the right over fields. We negotiated a series of stiles, passed the graveyard where we have spent many happy hours playing Laurie Bingo (finding the grave of someone who died older than Laurie is now). It’s getting so difficult these days that it’s losing it’s popularity. Archive photo below from 2014.

                                          

The path then passed through the garden of a cottage with a big woodworking shop behind. We crossed the Woodhead road and through fields. We were soon walking along the opposite side of Swineshaw Reservoir to our outwards path, crossing fields that are normally muddy and wet but today were dry and fragrant with manure. This brought us to a descent through woodland and the road we had originally taken out of Old Glossop.

Next week’s walk will start from the main car park Eyam at 9.50am. The Bull at Foolow is our half way stop and we will visit the familiar Miners’ Arms at the end of our walk.

Happy Wandering.

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