Curbar

 February 23, 2022

CURBAR, BASLOW, CALVER, CURBAR WOOD, BEE WOOD, THE GROUSE AT NETHER PADLEY, FROGGATT EDGE, FROGGATT PINNACLE AND CURBAR

Distance: 9 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Dry sunny start becoming cloudy and windy.

Walkers: Peter Beal, Andy Blease, Alastair Cairns, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Mark Enright, Alan Hart, Chris Owen, Jock Rooney, Kieran Rooney, Dean Taylor, Dave Willetts, Simon Williams, Cliff Worthington.

Apologies: George Dearsley (in Turkey), Martin Evans (w*^king).

Leader: Cunliffe. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Lay-by at the top of Curbar Lane, Curbar, Derbyshire.

Starting time: 9.52am. Finishing time: 2.30pm

This was a reprise of a walk we enjoyed in hot and sunny weather last June. Considering the time of year and recent storms which had been ravaging the country we counted ourselves lucky to begin in unexpected sunshine. Although the sun was later replaced by clouds and a chill wind was making itself felt by the finish, our bakers' dozen stayed dry throughout.

Once again our leader had difficulties keeping up with his “followers” as Chris, Dean, Dave and Alastair strode ahead while priceless antiques like Jock and myself struggled to match their pace.

But we all managed to find the pub, where we received a warm welcome from the ladies behind the bar. We also shortened the journey when Tom, given a choice between mud and tarmac, chose the latter. So a loop through the inevitably slimy conditions in Froggatt Wood and Hay Wood was avoided on this occasion at the expense of an upward trudge along a busy main road.

From the lay-by where we had assembled we crossed the road to reach a wooden signpost opposite pointing downhill. We followed the rocky path as it meandered diagonally left with splendid views across the valley to the hills beyond.

To our right we looked back on the village of Curbar through which we had passed to reach our starting point.

The well-trodden path took us through a wooden gate and on our right a sign marked “Bull In Field.” As we passed this ominous warning it was impossible to see either a bull or a field. At a fork in the path ahead we followed the sign for Baslow (18mins)

The track led us between two drystone walls then we parted from it to climb a ladder stile on our left (24mins)

After squeezing through a gap stile we reached a lane and turned right downhill (32mins). Turning right into Gorse Bank Lane we reached the outskirts of Baslow (37mins) and headed through a farmyard (48mins). From here we could see the lay-by where our cars were parked on our right. They were 500 yards away as the crow flies but separated by impassable moorland.

Carrying straight on at a wooden public footpath sign (57mins) we turned left 20 yards later through a gate marked with a yellow arrow and headed downhill through two wooden gates. We then went right uphill (63mins) and turned right at a fork (68mins) ignoring a left turn with a stone footbridge over a stream. (Our trailblazing leaders had, we learned later, turned left here but found their way back to the route)

Our path took us to a lane where we turned left (71mins) and reached a road.

Crossing this we passed homes called Crifters and Candlelight Cottage on our right. Opposite Well House on our left we turned right (76mins) and right again after 20 yards to enter a field containing a children's playground. Uphill on a group of rocks, our advance party had already stopped for Pietime (80mins)

Continuing after a brief snack we continued uphill to a drystone wall where we turned left, soon turning right through a wooden gate (82mins) to enter Curbar Wood. After going through two metal gates in quick succession (98 and 99 mins) we entered Bee Wood and reached a stone step stile which was blocked by a fallen tree.

Our intrepid group found a variety of enterprising methods to circumvent this obstacle and reassemble on the far side (111mins). Here we followed a footpath down a steep hill on our left to reach a main road where we turned right (114mins)

Ignoring a potentially muddy path on our left (116mins) which would have led us towards Grindleford, Froggatt Wood and Hay Wood, Tom opted for a direct route by continuing along the main road. After a long uphill march we reached The Grouse at Nether Padley on our left (145mins) for pints of Marstons' Pedigree at £4.

As the main contingent prepared to leave, Rooney and Son chose to linger over their beer and make the return journey at their own pace. Bidding them farewell we turned right out of the pub and retraced our footsteps along the main road, though mercifully now heading downhill. At a lay-by where cars were parked on our left (153mins) we turned left and immediately right towards Froggatt Edge.

The route commands magnificent views on the right across the valley but by now the blue skies and sunshine had been replaced by clouds. After stopping for lunch at Froggatt Pinnacle (177mins) we continued along the clifftop path.

The path continued to provide pleasant views to our right although it was clear that the best of the weather was behind us. After passing a babbling brook on our right we went through a wooden gate (199mins) before turning right to follow a sign for Baslow Edge.

After 50 yards we turned sharp right to reach a road (201mins). By turning right downhill we soon reached the lay-by with our cars on the right (206mins)

Next week's walk will start at 10am from the main cobbled square outside The Grapes in Market Place, Longnor (SK17 ONT), which lies south east of Buxton as you cross the boundary from Derbyshire into Staffordshire. Jock will lead us up Axe Edge before returning to Longnor for drinks at The Cheshire Cheese around 2pm.

Happy Wandering !

Topley Pike

 February 16 2022.

TOPLEY PIKE, WYE VALLEY MONSAL TRAIL, CHEW DALE, BANK PIT SPRING, CHURCH INN AT CHELMORTON, DEEP DALE

Distance: Eight miles.

Difficulty: Challenging terrain: one strenuous climb: one tricky descent: otherwise easy.

Weather: overcast, cool.

Walkers:  Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Jock Rooney, Kieran Rooney,  Dean Taylor, Andy Blease Chris Owen, Dave Willets, Martin Evans, Mark Enright, Simon Williams, Cliff Worthington

Apologies: Mickey Barrett, Andy Blease, George Dearsley, Mark Enright Gibby, Hughie Hardiman, Chris Owen, Dave Willetts.

Leader: Cunliffe Diarist: Cunliffe

Starting point: Outside entrance to Topley Pike Quarry, near Buxton.

Starting time: 9.50am. Finishing time: 2.30pm.

 

Standing in at the last minute as your diarist for the day I wasn’t in a position to take notes, I have therefore taken to plagiarising Mt Hart notes from the 21st July 2021 which was the last time the WW did this wander. I am indebted to Mr Hart for the detail as this is an identical route, names have been omitted and added as required.

With the BBC promise of a dreadful weather forecast we were all dressed appropriately, happily, the weather stayed dry during walking but chucked it down whilst we were in the pub (result!).

From the free parking on spare land next to the quarry entrance on the A6 road linking Buxton with Bakewell we crossed to the pay-and-display car park at the start of the Monsal Trail. We walked with the River Wye on our left until we reached a cycle hire shop where we crossed to the other bank. It is noteworthy that this river is normally quite slow, however, the rain over the last few days had turned the river in to a raging torrent with white water here and there.

We followed the footpath, made very slippy by the gelatinous mud, for the duration of our riverside walk.  

We intrepidly negotiated two sets of stepping stones most of which were submerged up to 100mm under the high water. Daisy, who normally skips along these stones, didn’t fancy it so she had to be  carried.  

 At one stage we crossed a footbridge to walk briefly back on the right bank of the river before criss-crossing back again to the left bank to continue. After a section of duckboarding we came to a stone footbridge on our right where we stopped for Pietime. 

Suitably rested we continued by crossing the footbridge and heading slightly right at the start of a long hard climb known as Lung Buster Hill following a scarcely visible path which brought us eventually to a drystone wall. It is believed this was once the site of a bronze age hill fort with views over the Chee valley below.

Our route took us through a farmyard and across a main road which we crossed and carried straight ahead for 100 yards before turning right at a wooden public footpath sign to enter a field. The route then brought us to the left of trees behind a drystone wall to a gate leading to another main road.

We crossed this and went over a stone step stile to enter a spinney with a drystone wall on our left. A stile led us into a field, crossing the field we emerged via a stile to a path we turned left and swung right and followed a footpath with a farm far away on our right. After going through a gate we turned right at a public footpath sign which took us to the left side of the farm. We crossed three stiles to enter and leave fields until we reached a track from the farm.

Turning left we emerged at a lane where we turned right for 30 yards before turning left at a public footpath sign for Chelmorton (115mins). We followed this, passing Bank Pit Spring on our right.

Here a plaque informed us: The spring on this site was historically the source of Chelmorton's water supply. It was known as the 'Illy-Willy Water', and lies at the end of Grove Rake, an important former lead mining site.

The trough is the first of what used to be a series of water supply troughs down the west side of Main Street. The supply was replaced in the late 19th Century by a 10,000 gallon tank – now redundant – below the trough.

After passing the spring we entered Chelmorton with St John the Baptist Parish Church on our left and The Church Inn on right. Here we enjoyed pints from a choice of bitters all in excellent condition especially the Abbeydale Moonshine (even though it was an earth shattering £4 a pint) which your diarist found in particularly good form. It was also a time to congratulate Cliff on the birth of his first granddaughter whom the parents have called Harlow Jean (no typo here fellow wanderers) and so there was a round of congratulations for Cliff followed by a round of drinks from Cliff. Bravo 

Resuming we turned right out of the pub and after 40 yards turned right at a public footpath uphill. This was the start of a route which went over stiles and gates in a north-westerly direction. Eventually we came upon the very tricky descent of Deep Dale with slippery limestone and scree to trap the unwary. Happily, we emerged unscathed for the last lap of the journey. Here the footpath took us to the right of the quarry and deposited us at its entrance to rejoin our cars.

Next week's walk will start at 9.50am from Curbar Edge:

Set your Sat Nav to find the Bridge Inn at Calver (S32 3XA). Behind the pub is Curbar Lane, follow the lane uphill until it bends sharp right at the top, the lane levels out, drive another 200 m, laybys 

  

Happy wandering ! 

February 9, 2022.

DISLEY RAIL STATION, RED LANE, LYME PARK, LYME CAGE, LANTERN WOOD, HIGH PEAK SCHOOL, WHALEY MOOR, THE DIPPING STONE, THE MURDER STONE, FURNESS VALE, PEAK FOREST CANAL, NEW MILLS, THE DANDY COCK AT DISLEY

Distance: Nine miles.

Difficulty: Moderately easy.

Weather: Dry with cloudy start and sunny finish.

Walkers: Peter Beal, Andy Blease, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Mark Enright, Martin Evans, Hughie Hardiman with Rex, Alan Hart, Chris Owen, Jock Rooney, Julian Ross, Dean Taylor, Keith Welsh, Dave Willetts.

Apologies: Mickey Barrett and Alastair Cairns (recovering from covid), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Mark Gibby (celebrating 30^th wedding anniversary), Simon Williams, Cliff Worthington.

Leader: Hart. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Disley Rail Station car park.

Starting time: 9.30am. Finishing time: 1.15pm.

Because of our drinking stops at The Soldier Dick and The Dandy Cock this is popularly known as The Phallic Walk. However lack of due diligence on the part of your leader and diarist meant we missed out on our early livener in Furness Vale. The Soldier Dick now opens at 1pm on Wednesdays so they forfeited the business they might have earned from 13 thirsty hikers who arrived outside the pub at 5 minutes past noon.

Their loss was The Dandy Cock's gain as we reached Disley with our tongues dragging on the pavement.

We welcomed another debutant to the fold with Keith's pal Martin Evans bringing our numbers up to a Baker's Dozen, plus two of our canine chums. Pessimistic weather forecasts had clearly failed to dampen enthusiasm and we were rewarded with a dry day which ended in lukewarm sunshine.

For the record our finishing time refers to when the last of us reached The Dandy Cock and not the time we arrived back at our cars a quarter of a mile away. In my case that was 2.15pm but some were still looking settled for a longer session at that point.

From the car park we walked past the station ticket office before turning left up a steep flight of steps leading to Red Lane. Here we turned right and continued to the entrance gate at Lyme Park. Entering the park, which is free for pedestrians, we turned left at the green hut and continued along the tarmac for 30 yards before turning left uphill towards Lyme Cage (12mins) We were entertained on our way to the summit (30mins) by Rex who admired his reflection in puddles as he ran in circles trying to bite his own tail.

Wednesday Wanderers pictured in front of Lyme Cage by passing dog-walker

Lyme Cage was originally a hunting lodge, later used as a park keeper's cottage and a lock-up for poachers. The original structure dated from 1580 and the current building was completed in 1737.

From the height commanded there we descended eastwards, slaloming down in easy stages to avoid the muddy challenge which would have faced us by the direct route down to the stream and uphill to the right of the deer sanctuary.

Having reached the point where the direct route reaches the lane from Lyme Hall we headed eastwards to a wooden stile (41mins) and followed the path beyond it towards Lantern Wood ahead to our right.

The path brought us to a ladder stile (47mins) which we crossed and followed the path through the wood. On our right was the belvedere (50mins) known as The Lantern. It overlooks Lyme Hall and at night when lit it gives the appearance from the hall of a giant lantern.

The Lantern in Lantern Wood

We continued along the path which led to a ladder stile. On viewing the mud on the far side it was decided not to cross the stile but to follow a fainter path on our left, keeping the dry stone wall on our right. This brought us as we hoped to a ladder stile on our right (62mins) from which we could exit the wood. A stone step stile on our left took us over the wall and out of Lyme Park (63mins)

This marked the end of any steep climbs for the day as we began our descent towards Furness Vale. The path led us downhill over three wooden stiles before we reached a lane and turned left, passing Hill Top House on our left (83mins)

The lane brought us to the entrance to High Peak School, motto “Climbing to Success”, where we paused for Pietime (78mins). The school, for children with behavioural difficulties, was once the Moorside Inn at Higher Disley, where Coronation Street legend Pat Phoenix (Elsie Tanner) held her farewell party for cast colleagues and where Manchester United manager Tommy Docherty had secret trysts with his lover Mary Brown.

Continuing on the path to the right of the building we left the grounds and immediately found ourselves wading through watery ankle-deep mud which had been churned up by excavating vehicles working at the rear of the school. Although the mud was only 30 yards across there was no way round it. On the far side we deliberately waded through puddles to wash the muck away.

We continued along the re-emerging path until we turned left just before a cattle grid (86mins) and crossed a ladder stile (90mins). We were now walking across Whaley Moor where the sun was trying to break through the clouds across the valley.

View across Whaley Moor

After crossing a stone step stile (95mins) we crossed a wooden stile (102mins). Thirty yards to our right was The Dipping Stone where your diarist demonstrated to our new boys how coins soaked in vinegar had been exchanged for food during the times of plague.

After this three-minute diversion we returned uphill to the stile and then continued along the path which led down to a stone step stile by the side of a wooden gate (110mins). Beyond it was a road where we turned left. While a minority turned right after 80 yards to cross a wooden stile and head straight for Furness Vale, the majority continued for another 500 yards, passing a public bridleway on our right, to reach The Murder Stone (119mins) on our right at the roadside.

The Murder Stone

The memorial, which was erected several years later, marks the spot where in July, 1823, a merchant named William Wood was found robbed and murdered. He had been seen drinking at a pub in Disley. When he left three men in sailors' clothing followed ten minutes later and used stones from a wall to batter him to death. Mr Wood, 30, from Eyam, was married with three children.

The three killers went to Macclesfield where they bought new clothes to replace their blood-stained ones. They spent freely and aroused suspicion. One of them was caught in the town and held in a cell where he hanged himself with his own stockings. A second man, Joseph Dale, 17, was found on board a boat about to sail from Liverpool.

He was charged with murder, pleaded not guilty but six weeks after the killing he was convicted by a jury, sentenced to death and hanged two days later. The third member of the gang is still at large !

Retracing our footsteps we returned to the bridleway we had passed a few minutes earlier and turned left through a gate (123mins). The bridleway took us through a farmyard and to a tarmac road where we turned right, passing houses. The road emerged on Yeardsley Lane (140mins) where we turned left downhill.

This took us to the A6. We turned left and soon reached The Soldier Dick on our left (143mins). After loitering outside hopefully a phone call elicited the information that the pub now opens at 1pm on Wednesdays.

Without further ado (148mins) we crossed the A6 and went down a cul de sac opposite The Soldier Dick, turning right at the end and going through a tunnel underneath the railway. At the far side we turned right and then left to cross a bridge over the Peak Forest Canal. Then we turned left again to reach the right bank of the waterway at Furness Vale Marina (151mins)

Our view to the right across Goytside Meadows

Our journey back was now straightforward as we kept to the right bank of the canal, stopping for lunch at a bench (171mins) just short of the nostalgically aromatic Swizzels' sweet factory at New Mills. We left the canal at Bridge 26 (194mins), turning right and going over the bridge we had just walked under to reach Hollinwood Lane, where we turned right.

This led us steadily uphill until we passed under a railway bridge and reached the A6 with The Dandy Cock on our left (201mins). Here the Dizzy Blonde cask bitter was in excellent form at £3-70 a pint.

From the pub we turned right and crossed the A6, going straight on at the traffic lights and turning left into Disley Station (206mins)

Next week's walk will start at 9.50am from free parking space outside Topley Pike Quarry. This is directly opposite the entrance to the Wyedale pay-and-display car park (Postcode SK17 9TE) on the A6 road heading east out of Buxton. We will be aiming to reach the Church Inn at Chelmorton for a bracer around 12.30pm and returning to our cars at about 2.30pm. There will be an option to call at Wetherspoons in Buxton on the way home for those who are still thirsty.

Happy wandering !

Erwood Reservoir

 February 2, 2022.

ERRWOOD RESERVOIR, SHINING TOR, PYM CHAIR, OLDGATE NICK, HOO MOOR, THE SHADY OAK AT FERNILEE, FERNILEE RESERVOIR

Distance: 10 miles.

Difficulty: Moderately strenuous.

Weather: Misty start: bright finish.

Walkers: Andy Blease, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Mark Enright, Alan Hart, Chris Owen, Keiran Rooney, Jock Rooney, Dean Taylor, Keith Welsh, Dave Willetts, Simon Williams, Cliff Worthington.

Apologies: Mickey Barrett and Alastair Cairns (covid victims), Peter Beal, George Dearsley (in Turkey), Hughie Hardiman (fraternising)

Leader: Keiran Rooney. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Car park overlooking Errwood Reservoir near dam bridge.

Starting time: 10am. Finishing time: 3.05pm 

 

Our debutant leader Keiran Rooney could hardly have had a more soggy baptism. After a lucky run the weather gods turned against us for this walk which would normally have provided excellent views across picturesque valleys. Instead we were shrouded in mist and reaped no rewards for our stiff climb for the first hour.

The start was delayed by a tardy carload of wanderers and at some stage the mist became decidedly damp. It was like walking through gravity-defying rain which made you wet without hitting the ground. As the usual suspects hared off ahead and the more venerable of us fell behind Keiran managed to avoid losing his control and his temper. He no doubt had lessons from Tip.

Despite an occasionally treacherous surface we only had one near faller as Cliff went into a skid on his first few steps off the tarmac. But we were treated to a virtuoso performance later by Dave when his feet hit a slippery set of flags. Dave's pas de deux and pirouette to stay upright were reminiscent of Jayne Torvill when she partnered with Christopher Dean in the 1984 Olympics. Are we too late to crowd-fund him for a trip to Beijing?

Errwood Reservoir was the second of two reservoirs to be created in the Goyt Valley. It was built by Stockport Water Corporation for £1.5million and completed in 1967. It holds 4 billion litres of water.

Errwood Reservoir

 

From the car park we turned right along the lane with the reservoir on our left, After crossing a bridge and just before we reached Errwood Hall car park we turned right uphill (10mins). It was a narrow track which sent Cliff slithering backwards but his recovery paled to insignificance compared to Dave's balletic performance later.

We continued to follow the paths and tracks uphill before swinging left between two walls (21mins). This brought us to a wooden public footpath sign (28mins) indicating a path left which involved fording a stream.

A babbling brook 

 

The path soon continued uphill. After going through a wooden gate we turned right and continued climbing (40mins). At a wooden kissing gate marked with a yellow arrow (58mins) we turned right and continued our climb to the Shining Tor Trig Point (72mins). 

At 1,834 feet Shining Tor is the highest hill in Cheshire. It normally commands a spectacular view across the valley to The Cat and Fiddle pub. On this occasion visibility was restricted to 10 yards.

We turned right following a wooden footpath sign for Pym Chair and walked along stone flags with a drystone wall and the valley below on our left. We were just about able to view the wall. At Oldgate Nick we used the wall to protect us from a chilly wind as we stopped for a belated Pietime (108mins)

Continuing we soon reached a sign for Windgather (113mins) and crossed a road. On the far side, instead of heading towards Windgather Rocks we turned right and walked downhill for the first time in nearly two hours. 

The narrow road back down to the two reservoirs took us to a wooden public footpath sign on our left for Hoo Moor and Fernilee (138mins). We followed the path with glimpses of Fernilee Reservoir on our right. Ignoring a sign on our right for Fernilee we went through a farmyard (155mins). The path continued to a wooden gate (167mins). Beyond this was a wooden public footpaths sign where we turned right before turning left over a stile on what appeared to be a door frame (170mins)

 

 

The path now led us diagonally downhill through a wood before we emerged over a wooden stile opposite a house (173mins). On its gatepost was a huge yellow arrow indicating we should proceed down the drive and exit the property over a wooden stile (174mins)

We crossed a wooden footbridge (180mins) and a wooden stile (181mins) before crossing a footbridge over the River Goyt (182mins). Turning left we immediately reached a sign for Fernilee and turned right uphill (183mins). Crossing a footbridge over a stream (185mins) we continued up to a wooden stile (188mins)

Ahead was a farmyard which we entered via a metal kissing gate (191mins). A final walk up the farm drive brought us up to the A5004 Whaley Bridge to Buxton Road (194mins). On the opposite side, joy of joys, was The Shady Oak.

 The Shady Oak at Fernilee

 

Here we enjoyed, among various refreshments, pints of Hobgoblin Gold at £4-20. This is a pub where we have mixed experiences in the past but on this occasion we received a warm welcome from a friendly efficient barman.

Indeed his helpfulness extended to taking a team photograph outside the hostelry. 

 

    

The Dirty Dozen

 

Suitably refreshed we turned left out of the pub along the main road. At the first road on our right we crossed and headed downhill (203mins). This brought us to the northern end of Fernilee Reservoir where we turned left with the lake on our right.

Fernilee Reservoir was completed in 1938 at a cost of £480,000. It has a capacity of 5 billion litres and is 38 metres deep. To create it farmers were forced to leave their ancestral land.  Among the buildings beneath the water lies Chilworth Gunpowder Mill, which manufactured chemical explosives from the 16thCentury until World War 1. 

                 

Fernilee Reservoir

 

At the far end of the reservoir we climbed up to the road and turned right (236mins) to cross the dam between Fernilee and Errwood. As the road turned left we followed and then turned right up to the car park (244mins)

Next week's walk will start at 9.30am from Disley Railway Station car park. It is planned to head up through Lyme Park then across Whaley Moor before descending to The Soldier Dick at Furness Vale for a bracer around 12.30pm. From there we will walk alongside the Peak Forest Canal back to the Dandy Cock at Disley at about 2.30pm. 

Happy wandering !