Litton

 

January 11, 2023.

LITTON, TANSLEY DALE, CRESSBROOK DALE, CRESSBROOK, THE ANGLER'S REST AT MILLERS DALE, THE RED LION AT LITTON

 

Distance walked: 7-8 miles.

Difficulty: Mainly moderate, sometimes strenuous with soggy sections.

Weather: Mainly dry after early rain.

Walkers: Alastair Cairns, Mike Cassini, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Alan Hart, Chris Owen, Dean Taylor with Tommy.

Non-walking drinker: Jock Rooney with Milly.

Apologies: Micky Barrett (cruising to Australia), Peter Beal (packing for Canaries hols), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Mark Enright (w*^king), Keith Welsh, Dave Willetts, Simon Williams, Cliff Worthington.

Leaders: Hart and Cunliffe. Diarists: Hart and Cunliffe.

Starting point: Road outside The Red Lion at Litton.

Starting time: 10.05am. Finishing time (of walk): 1.15pm.

 

After being persuaded to lead this walk Jock suffered acute pain from a knee injury and had to tender his apologies. Consequently, without his local knowledge, we had a choice of choosing a different route or delving into the Wednesday Wanderers' archives.

Tom managed to unearth an ancient manuscript, possibly written originally with quill and ink, by one George Dearsley from October 12, 2011. As we discovered enroute this diary from bygone days of yesteryear was full of interesting historical background, wit and whimsy but sadly lacking in directional information. 

Consequently, we found ourselves scrambling over walls, gates and barbed wire as we wandered unwittingly off-piste and despite our best efforts were unable to get back on track.

After nearly two hours of walking, your regular diarist decided to cut his losses and try to retrace the route back to Litton. Mike joined me and we returned to our cars in less than an hour.

Thus the first part of this week's diary is from the metaphorical pen of Alan and the second from Tom. I had already blotted my copybook by oversleeping, turning up late and delaying the start by five minutes for which I humbly apologised.

Possibly as a punishment I was then handed the printout of George's 11-year-old diary and informed I would be leading.

With the Red Lion on our left we walked past the Post Office and the Methodist Church on our right before following a public footpath sign on our right 50 yards beyond the church. On our left we climbed a stone step stile following a sign indicating the path to Cressbrook Dale (4mins)

Following the well-trodden path we exited the field by another wooden stile and turned left for 30 yards. We climbed a stone step stile on our right towards TansleyDale. Confusingly a sign a few yards further welcomed us to Cressbrook Dale (15mins). At this point the directions said we should pass some cottages, one of which was called Quiet Ways. No such buildings were seen.

 

Instead we continued to follow the well-worn path, going through a wooden gate and tiny bridge over a swollen stream before turning right (25mins) along a path now heading south. Having abandoned hope of following the written instructions because there was no sign of habitation, we searched in vain for a footpath heading west.

After crossing yet another barbed wire fence where my crown jewels dangled like saddlebags on either side, I decided enough was enough (115mins). After I announced my decision to try to find my way back to the cars, Mike followed suit.

We found a route which involved no clambering over walls, gates or barbed wire and returned to Litton (170mins). From there we drove to Millers Dale and joined Jock and the other walkers in The Angler's Rest. Lifts were given back to The Red Lion and it was universally agreed that the two traditional pubs had been the highlights of the outing.

What now follows is Tom's description of the rest of the walk by him and Daisy, Alastair, Chris, Dean and Tommy.

 

 

A screen grab from Memory Map

The track we took is shown by the dark blue line starting from Litton through to the Angler’s Rest at Miller’s Dale

 

Alas, the black circle part way along said track approximates to the area at which Messrs Hart and Cassini left the main group to return back to base. Perhaps Mr Hart wanted to reclaim one of his testicles from the barbed wire! Nevertheless, they missed out on what was to be a noteworthy adventure. As the old adage goes; a faint heart never won a fair lady, alternatively, this was no walk for the faint hearted, and so our two comrades trudged back to their vehicles

 

The baton was picked up by your current diarist leading our band of mettled men along the top of the valley, whilst looking for a safe place at which to descend to the river and get back on track. Unfortunately, we had to continue following the valley for about a mile until we spotted a suitable place to descend, we did so rather gingerly down the steep slippery slope until we were met with a rather viscous-looking barbed wire fence penning us in the wrong side of Bottomhill Road. We were now in Upperdale

 

We managed to cross the fence where we turned right with the river on our left striding out for the Angler’s Rest at Miller’s Dale, our burgeoning thirst quickening our step. Upon reaching Cressbrook Mill we turned left here with an iron railing on our left, this brought us to the riverside where we encountered 3 walkers who’d tried to walk along the river bank but rather wimpishly turned back because the river bank had flooded. Undeterred by ankle deep water we proceed along the bank eventually emerging at various villages and hamlets along the way but not before more ankle deep water had to be negotiated. Your diarist was at the head of the group, sadly the rhythmic roar of the fast-flowing river and weirs were interrupted by the moans and groans of those who followed complaining about the ingress of water in a couple of “over-boot” incidents.  The men were so delighted by these events they were heard to remark that this walk should be added to your diarist’s stable of tour companies thus described as Tom’s Wandering Aqua Tours (or twat for short). How lovely!

 

With smiles all round, we sallied forth eventually reaching solid dry ground. 

We marched on, scorching the earth as we went until happily reaching the Angler’s Rest where the Famer’s Blonde was an absolute delight at £4.20 a pint. 

 

                                 

 

 

    

 

Next week's walk will start at 9.45am from near Leather's Smithy, Clarke Lane, Sutton, near Macclesfield SK11 0NE. With the pub on your left turn right along the road with Ridgegate Reservoir on your right. Park in the lay-by on the left after 250 yards. Chris will lead a circular walk over Shutlingsloe, stopping for a livener at The Ryles Arms, Hollin Lane, Sutton, around 12.30pm before returning to Leather's Smithy at about 2.15pm.

Happy wandering !

Pictures by Alistair Cairns