Hayfield

 

January 5, 2022.

HAYFIELD, MOUNT FAMINE, SOUTH HEAD, THE LAMB AT CHINLEY HEAD, PEEP O DAY, THE KINDER LODGE AT HAYFIELD

Distance: 7 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Blue skies and sunshine, but cold.

Walkers: Andy Blease, Alastair Cairns, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Hughie Hardiman with Rex, Chris Owen, Jock Rooney, Julian Ross, Dean Taylor with Tommy, Keith Welsh, Dave Willets, Cliff Worthington.

Apologies: George Dearsley (in Turkey), Alan Hart (caring duties)

Leader: Taylor. Diarist: Taylor.

Non-walking drinker: Peter Beal.

Starting point: Outside the Sportsman pub on Kinder Road, Hayfield.

Starting time: 9.40am Finishing time: 1.30pm.

Wanderers: 11 two legged, 3 four legged.  The two legged were Tom, Dave, Jules, Hughie, Cliff, Keith, Andy, Jock, Al, Chris and me and the four legged were Rex, Daisy and Tommy.

Weather: Perfect

Distance: about 7 miles

Off we set in glorious sunshine, I was a few minutes late for this one which I must apologise for, this wouldn't be the last apology from me this day!  We set off towards the picturesque village of Hayfield, down Kinder Road, where after a quarter of a mile we turned a sharp left down a path onto Valley Road.  We then turned right, soon arriving at a sign saying footpath, we then turned left up a flight of steep steps onto Highgate Road and continued to a large detached white house where we turned left down a farm road, crossed what would have been a very muddy field, but the gods had blessed us again and froze the mud, we are very lucky boys. 

Once we crossed the field, we came to a stone style which we went over and walked uphill through a beautiful wood.  After leaving the wood we carried on uphill to a dilapidated wooden style, thankfully we all crossed safely, continued uphill where we were treated to a magnificent birds-eye view of the valley below.

Here, once again I had to apologise, I wanted to show the wanderers a plaque we had placed there in memory of our good friend H, but embarrassingly I couldn't find it even though I was there the day before!  

At the base of Mount Famine, we turned right, through two gates onto a graveled path and then headed left to the base of South Head. Here we had lunch, although cold, we really couldn't have asked for better weather.

It's all downhill from here I informed the lads, who were all very pleased, especially Jock, the man informed me that he was only a couple of weeks off his 80^th birthday, that man is a bloody legend.

Through a few fields and passed a large flock of sheep, the four legged wanderers of us, where all on their best behaviour, well done you three.

We arrived at the Lamb Inn too early for a pint, so we crossed the road and continued down a lane eventually arriving at a farm where we turned right down a path which brought us to Maidstone Road.  We followed to road to Peep-o-Day house, where we went through a metal gate onto a path which headed down towards Hayfield.

We arrived at the Kinder Lodge a lot earlier than I told Tom, I apologise once again.  Tom had earlier sent a message to Alan of our whereabouts and what time we were arriving, unfortunately Alan didn't show but to our delight Peter did, it was great to see him, we all enjoyed the Yarbird ale that was served by the very good looking barman Steve according to Chris!

Next weeks wander will commence at 9.40 in Old Glossop, a small free car park just in front of the Wheatsheaf is our starting point, can't wait to see you all there, my final apology of the day is for this rubbish diary.