Chinley

CHINLEY WAR MEMORIAL, WHITEHOUGH, PEAK FOREST TRAMWAY, CHAPEL MILTON, SHIRE OAKS FARM, SOUTH HEAD, THE LAMB INN AT CHINLEY, MONKS MEADOW

Distance: 7-8 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Sunny with blue skies and some cloud.

Walkers: Andy Blease, Tom Cunliffe, John Jones, Julian Ross, Dean Taylor and Keith Welsh.

Alternative walkers: Colin Davison and Laurie Fairman.

Apologies: Peter Beal, Alastair Cairns, George Dearsley, Mark Gibby, Hughie Hardiman, Alan Hart, Chris Owen, Jock Rooney and George Whaites.

Leader and Diarist: Jones.

Starting point: The War Memorial at Chinley, Derbyshire.

Starting time: 9.30am.

There were six of us again this week.. Tom,Andy, Julian, Keith,Dean and myself. This is a walk I have been trying to do as a regular wanderer's walk, so nearly there in essence, Our walk started at Chinley war memorial. walking south and after 1/2 mile we met the tram way taking a left,East tarmaced road to the permitted end,, The rest of it due East was used by Ferodo's to test car braking on..N.east to Bridgeholme Green a few yards only and taking aright turn past mill into fields easterly,under superb Double viaducts coming out onto busy road at Chapel Milton. straight across with care and up first alleyway back oh houses to rear of defunct X keys pub,, yet another bit the dust,, N.East and North through field past Ferodo toxic waste dump on right to breckhead . a little jink left and a right and over the M/cr Sheffield railway line providing the third side of the railway triangle,, North on tarmaced road after 300 yards taking aright at hamlet N.easterly then east over a kilometre to shire oaks Farm Where the busy farmer asked us to take a short detour as sheep had escaped.. When I asked why his sheep were Yorkshire incomers and not locals. (Derbyshire Gritstone ) he replied sadly that you couldn't sell 'em!.. They are now a rare breed ,pity.. Anyway into open again and due north over 400 yards to the unnamed lane which runs 6 miles between A625 (Rushop edge ) and Highgate road,, Left there and feeling the heat we moved upto our much-looked froward to summit of theday. South Head,, Tom was looking forward to this as he had commented about it on the way so I am glad he managed to drag himself up it, We took "Pie time " at the top enjoying stunning views (Towering cumulus )and well worth the effort,, After the break I borrowed Dean's magnifying glass and found this so useful I promptly tried to get us lost.. Soon realised and we retraced steps back to summit and West along lane 300 yards and over first stile of the day (take note George).. SSwest taking a right at FYM heap (farm Yard Manure . see how I educate you people?),, and into serene stream valley skirting hillside roughly  West past small quarry an down to lamb inn,at 12.10 pm.After having no alcohol, And where was Alan and Chris when we needed them! we drily crossed main road with care,, Down opposite land to Monk's meadow 200 yards, an old lady tried to chat us up but we valiantly resisted her entreaties, Tom now deciding that South was best and for a quiet life I agreed and we crossed meadows and cunningly took a post lunch stop by a barn attended by cows, calves and a bull.Soon after  which we took a SWest down to stream .up other side and left along Maynestone Road(where all posh people live , soon back to cars,, This route is only 7'5 miles so in future will Start at The old Hall and alterations may be made to second leg.. Please find attached Tom's bit;-

Next week we’ll meet in Bradwell outside the Valley Lodge pub (post code S33 9HJ or OS SK174812).

The route: Bradwell, Abney Moor, Great Hucklow, Tideswell, Bradwell

1/towering cumulus.2/ way down,,3/hard work..

                                                                     Picture by Tom

Pie Time

Pictures by John Jones

Towering Cumulus

Hard work

                                                                    Descent

Creeping buttercup..

Ascent of South Head