Rowarth

LITTLE MILL ROWARTH, KNARRS FARM, BURNT HILL, CARR MEADOW, PARK HALL, LANTERN PIKE INN AT LITTLE HAYFIELD, THORNSETT, HIGHER HARTHILL FARM, ROWARTH

Distance: 11.31 Kms or 7 miles, alternatively 15869 tc steps

Difficulty: Mostly easy but with one stiffish climb.

Weather:  Bit of a chill, around Zero degrees but pleasant since lots of sunshine, blue skies and no wind.

Walkers: Alastair Cairns, Tom Cunliffe, Allan Duckworth (Stinky New Boy), Chris Owen, Mark Gibby, Julian Ross

Apologies: George Dearsley, George Whaites (fog and mist in Worsley), Alan Hart (mincing in Barbados), Mike Barrett (swanning round South Africa), Hugh Hardiman (visiting mother), Peter Beal (wintering in Las Palmas), Steve Kemp et al

Secondments: Colin Davison, Laurie Fairman – seconded to the Knacard Amblers

Leader and Diarist: Tom Cunliffe.

Starting point: Little Mill at Rowarth.

Starting time: 10:00am. Finishing time: 2.30pm.

Sadly your diarist wasn’t able to bring Daisy along to join us as the Veterinary Practice in Glossop has issued a warning about a recent case of Alabama Dog Rot in the area, a deadly disease with no known cure. If you want to know more click on this link: https://www.countryfile.com/news/guide-to-alabama-rot-dog-disease-how-to-spot-the-signs-and-protect-your-dog/ 

Our departure time was originally set for 9:40, however, the challenging weather appears to have been more challenging to some than others as everyone arrived on time except Mr Gibby, who made his appearance 20 minutes late. Mr Gibby may be a miscreant but he’s our miscreant and so he was permitted to join us so long as he promised not to show us pictures of his recent colonic irrigation procedure (or what ever it was he had) or give us any horse racing tips. He acquiesced.

Today we welcome some new blood in the form of stinky new boy – one Allan Duckworth, a Macc Lad colleague of Chris who’d had the dubious pleasure of managing Chris during part of his footballing career.  Allan enjoyed his wander and our company so much he signed up for our forthcoming Polish trip organised by Tom’s Unrivalled Rambling Destinations. Our touring group now stands at 13 (unlucky or what?).

Weather wise it couldn’t be better, a cloudless sky with bright, gleaming sunshine, coolish temperatures and no wind made for a very pleasant wander.  There was snow all around us and in the words of a famous King “the snow lay round about deep and crisp and even” If you know the identity of this famous King, bravo and answers on a post card please.

 So we set off clad in multi layers of warm clothing trying to warm up after our extended wait. The route we took is the reverse (clockwise) of the walk we typically start from the Lantern Pike in an anti-clockwise direction. At 11:00 am Pie Time was declared at the footbridge, which crosses the Sett River at Carr Meadow. Continuing along the path up hill and before reaching the Shooting Cabin, we came across a track on the right which took us down to Park hall Woods.  

Reaching the Lantern pike at 12:01 our hearts sank as the front door was closed, as we stood around thinking about our next move, Chris (landlady), opened the front door and welcomed us. Phew!We were our served our drinks of choice and our group re-convened around the coal fire. Five minutes later Laurie and Colin joined us. Their amble had started in Hayfield, up over twenty trees then down to Little Hayfield and the Lantern Pike.

It was noted, with much dismay, as I looked around and observed that only three out the eight WW were drinking beer (and very good beer is was too). As your diarist sat there listening to a whole host of excuses/reasons why they were drinking lime and soda I couldn’t help but think about Bob Dylan “Oh the times they are a changing”!

Readying ourselves for the final leg to our starting point, we left the pub and headed down hill along Clough Lane, passing Clough Mill on our right we entered Primrose Lane and picked up the footpath at the end of the lane. 

We carried on ignoring the left fork to the giggle-gaggle emerging on to Stich Lane. Heading up hill and turning right down a metalled road which turned in to rough rack heading down hill to the Little Mill. 

After quaffing a variety of liquids served in glasses and ceramic we departed

Next week’s wander will start from the road opposite the Wincle Brewery in Danebridge at 9:30am

  

Happy wandering !

                                                                               Pictures by Colin

Pictures by Tom