Curber Edge

Curber Edge, Baslow, Grouse, Frogget Edge.

Leader: Owen

Minutes: Owen

Weather: dry and initially chilly

Attendees: Andy Blease, Mike Cassani, Chris Owen, Cliff Worthington.

Apologies: Tom Cunliffe (Ossie appointment), Alistair (preference Silverdale), Dean (packing for jollies), Mark (working), Dave (France), Mike (Oz), Harty ?? Simon (daughter home).

Difficulty: Easy, one hill

                                               

Once assembled the motley crew set off downhill towards Baslow across a number of fields, stiles, kissing gates, rock gates……Eventually we arrived at a tarmacadam road and turned right. Again we went further downhill until we turned right and progressed along a farm track.

After negotiating a herd of sheep we continued to a further farm where we shimmied left, downhill, kissing gate, then right uphill until we prematurely took a track on our left. This brought us to a tarmacadam road where we turned right. We went straight across the crossroads and continued until after asking a young lady ‘where’s the park dear’, she pointed behind us at a flagpole and said we should go left. We did. Again we walked slightly uphill and turned left into said park. Normally pie time is taken on the big ‘duckers’, however given the chill wind we progressed further bearing left into the woods via a wooden gate where pie time was called.

We continued through the woods passing some iron gates and then downhill onto a tarmac road and turned right. Fortunately the road is closed albeit there were occasional vehicles gaining access. We also decided rather than go further downhill via more woods we would stick with tarmac and go up the road to the Grouse Inn.

We were joined at this point by Jock and Milly, Tom and Harty for a wet.

After half time we retraced our steps before turning left and went along both Frogget and Curber edges which have panoramic views. The highlight of this section were two (parrots/parakeets) ‘fannying about’.

We returned to the cars.

Next week we will convene outside the Harrington Arms, Bosley in the lay-by across the road at 09.45. We will ascend ‘the cloud’ whereupon Tom will take control and ‘lose’ us to a a boozer in Timbersbrook, leading us back to the cars, hopefully, eventually!

Castleton

February 15, 2023

CASTLETON

CASTLETON, SPEEDWELL CAVERN, TREAK CLIFF CAVERN, BLUE JOHN CAVERN, MAM TOR, HOLLINS CROSS, BACK TOR, LOSE HILL, LOSEHILL FARM, OLD HALL INN AT HOPE, PEAKSHOLE WATER, CHESHIRE CHEESE AT CASTLETON

Distance: 8 miles Ascent/descent: 1,725 feet

Difiiculty: Moderate

Weather: Bright and dry

Walkers: Peter Beal, Mike Cassini, Mark Gibby, Hughie Hardiman, Alan Hart, Jonathan Hart. Shorter route: Alastair Cairns with Daisy, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Chris Owen, Dean Taylor with Tommy, Simon Williams, Dave Willetts

Apologies: Mickey Barrett (New Zealand), Julian Ross (USA), Andy Blease (plastering bedroom), Mark Enright (w***ing). Keith Welsh (bad back), Cliff Worthington (returning from South Africa)

Leader: Beal Diarist: Beal

Starting point: Entrance to Peak Cavern car park, Castleton

Starting time: 9.50 am Finishing time: 2.13 pm

Our route today took in the length of the Great Ridge, stretching from Mam Tor to Lose Hill. I might be mistaken, but a quick search through the Wanderers’ records showed no sign of the whole ridge having been completed before on previous walks in recent years.

Predictions of a heavy downpour over lunchtime proved to be wrong and we enjoyed good weather and good views, although rather hazy.

Mysteriously though, halfway along the ridge half of our group chose to abandon the planned route and head down early towards Hope. No explanation was forthcoming, except from Alastair, who feared terrier Daisy might not be up to the rocky climb up Back Tor.

We gathered at the entrance to the car park of the Peak Cavern, otherwise charmingly known as ‘The Devil’s Arse’, reputedly because of the loud gurgling sounds that it can sometimes emit.

We walked through the car park on the public footpath and turned right up the lane and took a track through a gate to take the path to the Speedwell Cavern, one of Castleton’s four show caves.At the Speedwell we crossed the road at the foot of the Winnats Pass and took the path towards Treak Cliff Cavern (1 mile), the only one of the caves where the famous Blue John mineral, used in the local jewellery shops, is still mined.

We skirted the mine entrance and continued up a narrow path across the hillside to emerge at the Blue John mine. Here we dropped down the entrance road to join the start of the former main road before it slipped down the hillside in 1979 and turned left. After 100 yards we bore right up a footpath to bring us to Mam Nick and the start of the rock staircase leading to the 1696ft summit.

A short distance from the top your diarist suffered an embarrassing fall, tripping over a step and landing flat on his face. There was blood, but he was able to carry on after ministrations from his companions.We dropped down from the summit (2 miles) to the col at Hollins Cross, where pietime was declared in a sheltered spot. Resuming, we climbed another rise and came to the foot of Back Tor. It was here that half our party disappeared to the right through the woods in the direction of Hope.

Your diarist, Mike, Mark, Hughie, Alan and Jonny then scaled the steep and rocky, but short, climb to the summit (4 miles). Here an elaborate and artistic collection of around 30 cairns, painstakingly constructed, had sadly been demolished by vandals. This had happened within the last two days. And they say there should be more access to the countryside. Some people aren’t fit to be allowed there (end of rant).

We continued along the ridge and completed the short climb to the summit of Lose Hill, for some reason named on the National Trust signs as Lose Hill Pike, although there is no reference to that on the OS maps.

From here we dropped down to the right, with Castleton and Hope visible below us, and after a steepish initial descent took a gate on the right, where we veered left and followed a path through fields that eventually brought us over a railway line and to a crossroad of paths where we took the right option signed Edale Road. This brought us out on the road just above Hope Primary School and only a short walk from the Old Hall Inn (6 miles) where we were reunited with our errant chums.

This is a splendid and welcoming pub, but being the Hope Valley, the Wainwright ale was £4-40 a pint and the Robinson’s Dizzy Blonde a puzzling £4-65. Our recent wanderings however have shown that the £4 pint is now becoming the norm.

We resumed by crossing the main road and turning left in to Pindale Road. A short distance on the right was the village pinfold, where stray animals would be kept to be bought back by their owners. Just further on we turned right on a footpath that took us on a gentle walk through a series of fields to emerge on the edge of Castleton, where we turned left to reach the Cheshire Cheese. Only your diarist, Alan and Jonny entered its doors to find Jock and Keiran Rooney ensconced.

Next week’s will start at 09.45 from Curbar Gap. This is reached by turning left off the A623 Chesterfield road at the Bridge Inn in Calver and going up through Curbar village. There is a pay-and-display car park near the top, but there is free parking in lay-bys just below. Refreshment stop will be at The Grouse above Nether Padley and possibly drinks after at The Bridge.

Happy wandering!

1. Path to Speedwell Cavern

2. Mam Tor

3. Jonny Hart on Mam Tor summit for the first time

4. Edale from Mam Tor summit

5. Great Ridge heading for Back Tor

6. On Back Tor summit

7 Path back to Castleton

Whaley Bridge

 February 8, 2023.

WHALEY BRIDGE CANAL BASIN, TODDBROOK RESERVOIR, TAXAL RIDGE, WINDGATHER ROCKS, ERRWOOD RESERVOIR, FERNILEE RESERVOIR, THE SHADY OAK AT FERNILEE, GOYT VALLEY, CROMFORD AND HIGH PEAK RAILWAY (DISUSED), THE COCK AT WHALEY BRIDGE

Distance: 9 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Blue skies and sunshine but chilly.

Walkers: Peter Beal, Andy Blease, Mike Cassini, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Mark Enright, Hughie Hardiman, Alan Hart, Chris Owen, Dean Taylor with Tommy, Dave Willetts, Simon Williams.

Non-walking drinkers: Jock and Keiran Rooney with Milly.

Apologies: Micky Barrett (visiting colonies in the Antipodes), Alastair Cairns (testing sore calf at Derwentwater), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Mark Gibby (isolating prior to foreign trip), Julian Ross (returning from Hawaii), Keith Welsh (injured), Cliff Worthington (in South Africa)

Leader: Hart. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Tom Brad's Croft free car park next to Whaley Bridge Canal Basin.

Starting time: 9.33 am. Finishing time: 2.40pm.

Team photo at Pietime

Another lovely walking day in Derbyshire was enjoyed after last week's perfect conditions in Cheshire. February has been kind to us this year and long may it continue. We had 11 walkers, two non-walking drinkers and three dogs for this ever-popular route taking in the panoramic views from Windgather Rocks and the sight of the sun shimmering on the waters of two reservoirs.

Worries about the capacity of the car park proved unfounded but concern about the beer at our first watering hole were vindicated. The Shady Oak has long been a vital venue for our walks around Whaley Bridge because there are few alternatives. So it gives me no pleasure to report that after recent experiences it will have go on our notorious black list.

This is a serious matter. The Bull i'Thorn at Hurdlow was banned from our pub stops in 1992 after the late Roy de Courcey was served with a cloudy pint. For the past 30 years no Wednesday Wanderer has darkened its door. Perhaps that is a little harsh but a lengthy boycott of The Shady Oak is likely to follow our latest visit for reasons explained later.

From the car park we walked back to the A5004 and crossed it to the left of The Jodrell Arms and the railway station to head up Reservoir Road. Ignoring the first public footpath sign we turned left at the second, heading towards the Memorial Park (5mins). This took us past repairs to the dam.

Shy workers repair the dam behind giant screens

After several days of heavy rain the dam's auxilliary spillway was damaged in August, 2019, causing 1,500 residents of Whaley Bridge to be evacuated for up to six nights as a precaution.

The reservoir, opened in 1840 as a feeder for the Peak Forest and Macclesfield Canals, had a billion litres of water pumped out into the River Goyt. Work on repairing the damage and updating its spillway channels began last autumn and the reservoir is due to reopen in late 2024.

After passing the reconstruction site we entered the Memorial Park briefly before turning right uphill and emerging with a skate-boarding area on our left (12mins). We turned right, walking to the right of a five-a-side soccer pitch, then turned left.

This took us past some cottages before we turned left to pass through a wooden fence with gaps for pedestrians. We swung first right and then left to walk through a housing estate and reached a main road at the end of Reddish Lane (18mins). Here we turned right uphill and crossed to the other side. Fifty yards after passing Linglongs Road on our left we turned left at a wooden public footpath sign (21mins)

A short climb led us to a path which ended when we crossed a stone step stile (27mins). Turning immediately right uphill we reached a wooden public footpath sign and turned sharp left (31mins), turning right after an electricity sub-station and then left along a path leading to the ridge above Taxal (35mins)

Looking back to our right from Taxal Ridge

We now enjoyed views across the valleys to our right and left as we walked towards the distinctive shape of Windgather Rocks in the distance. Our brisk pace brought us to the summit (65mins) in record time. On the cliffs themselves mountaineers were testing their abseiling skills.

The view back towards Whaley Bridge from Windgather Rocks

With the cliffs on our right we walked along a path before descending into a sheep fold which provided shelter from the wind. Although it was only 10.42am we decided to pause for an early Pietime (69mins)

Instead of climbing back up the rocks to the path from which we had descended we opted to walk through a gate and reach a narrow road where we turned left. This brought us to a passing space on our left (80mins) where we crossed a stone step stile and turned right to continue along a footpath which ran parallel with the road. When we reached a fork in the paths (83mins) we turned left and headed across the moorland to reach a road (89mins)

Turning left along a footpath which ran parallel with the road we now began a steady descent as the road and its adjoining path wound their ways down towards the dam bridge which divides the reservoirs of Errwood and Fernilee.

Looking down on Errwood Reservoir

After crossing the dam bridge (122mins) we turned left at a white barrier and followed a track which emerged on the right bank of Fernilee Reservoir.

Fernilee Reservoir

At the end of the reservoir we followed the road as it swung right uphill (155mins) until it reached the A5004 Whaley Bridge to Buxton road. We turned left (163mins) and reached The Shady Oak at Fernilee on our right (169mins). As we arrived so did Jock, Keiran and Milly.

Your diarist had been warned about previous disappointments with the state of the beer and its occasional absences at this hostelry. All our worst fears materialised. One by one the three cask ales proved to be undrinkable. As the abstemious tea-drinkers chuckled at our discomfiture, we were obliged to resort to pints of Guinness or gins and tonics.

Apologies were proffered by the landlord and the explanation given was that the A5004 closure in Whaley Bridge had prevented dray wagons from delivering fresh supplies. A sorry state of affairs.

After leaving the pub with no beer we crossed the road opposite and headed down a track towards a farm, passing through the farmyard and continuing down through a field which we exited by a wooden stile (175mins). We continued down through another field to the River Goyt and turned right, pausing for lunch just before we reached a wood (180mins)

Continuing we went through a wooden gate (181mins) and entered the wood, turning right uphill.

Through The Goyt Valley

We bore right at a path near a footbridge below us across the river, then crossed a wooden stile to join a lower path emerging from our left (196mins). Turning right we once again reached the A5004, which we crossed into Mevril Road (200mins)

Turning left at a telegraph pole (202mins) we entered a path which led down through a field to reach the disused Cromford and High Peak railway line (205mins) and turn left. This former railway track took us to within 20 yards of the rear of The Cock at Whaley Bridge. We turned left, crossing a bridge over a stream, and then went right to reach the front door of the pub (214mins)

After an excellent pint of Robinsons' Dizzy Blonde we left the pub and turned right towards the town centre.

Network Rail has closed the A5004 for about 10 weeks so it can repair and repaint the railway bridge over it taking trains between Manchester and Buxton.

There is still pedestrian access so we were able to walk under the bridge and turn right to return to the trackbed of the old Cromford and High Peak railway line (216mins). By turning left we were able to cross the Goyt and return to our cars (220mins)

Next week's walk will start at 9.45am from the entrance to The Peak Cavern car park on Buxton Road, Castleton (S33 8WP). Drivers approaching through Winnats Pass are advised to turn right on to Buxton Road and immediately look for places to park before walking to the cavern entrance. Peter will be leading us over Mam Tor along The Great Ridge to Lose Hill before descending to The Old Hall at Hope for a livener around 12.30pm. We will then walk along the bank of Peakshole Water to return to Castleton for a final pint in The Cheshire Cheese at about 2.30pm.

Happy wandering !

Ridgegate

  

February 1, 2023.

 

RIDGEGATE RESERVOIR, MACCLESFIELD FOREST, NESSIT HILL, SHUTLINGSLOE, CRAG INN  AT WILDBOARCLOUGH, PIGGFORD NATURE RESERVE, THE HANGING GATE AT HADDON FARM, SMALLHURST, THE RYLES ARMS, LOWERHOUSE, BACKLANE HOUSE FARM, MOSSLEE FARM, LEATHER'S SMITHY AT LANGLEY

 

Distance: 9 miles.

Difficulty: Moderately strenuous.

Weather: Mainly dry, clear visibility, occasional cold wind.

Walkers: Andy Blease, Mike Cassini, Ben Enright, Mark Enright, Alan Hart, Chris Owen, Dean Taylor, Simon Williams.

Apologies: Micky Barrett (cruise nearing Australia), Peter Beal (visiting Center Parcs), Alastair Cairns (calf injury), Tom Cunliffe (supervising workman), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Mark Gibby, Hughie Hardiman, Jonathan Hart, Julian Ross (visiting Hawaii), Keith Welsh, Dave Willetts (recovering from tooth extraction), Cliff Worthington (visiting South Africa)

Non-walking drinker: Jock Rooney with Milly.

Leader: Owen. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Lay-by next to Ridgegate Reservoir, 3 miles south east of Macclesfield.

Starting time: 9.45am. Finishing time: 2.25pm.

 

After fog and mist spoiled our views around Kinder last week we swapped the attractive Derbyshire moorland for the area surrounding one of Cheshire's highest peaks. We were rewarded with a dry day, apart from the odd spits and spots, and with some stunning views of the lovely landscape. Reaching the hills to admire them was breathtaking in every respect.

We also visited two traditional upmarket country pubs which are in need and deserving of support in these uncertain times despite their extravagant prices. Sadly when your diarist arrived at our final watering hole three of its four cask beers had already run out and the fourth gave up the ghost as his pint was being poured.

It was a pity that the attractive, well-groomed, well-spoken, well-dressed barmaid was not also skilled in the art of changing barrels.

With Ridgegate Reservoir on our right we walked along the road, turning right towards Wincle and then heading left by a gate leading into Macclesfield Forest (5mins). This was the start of a steady climb uphill.

When we reached a six-barred wooden gate on our right (13mins) a sign warned us that this had now been designated as a route for mountain bikers. Undeterred by the potential peril, our intrepid leader Chris led us unharmed up the trail. Just before we reached a wooden gate (23mins) we took a footpath on our left which brought us to the summit of Nessit Hill on our left (29mins) for the first of our spectacular views of the country.

 

 

After admiring the vista and regaining our collective breath we continued along the path towards Shutlingsloe, going through a gate and turning right along flagstones (40mins). 

           

 

After passing over a stone step stile and through a wooden gate (50mins) the path became even steeper as we approached the summit and reached the Trig point (55mins)

 

Because of its shape Shutlingsloe is ironically named “The Matterhorn of Cheshire” and it is the third highest peak in the county behind Black Hill and Shining Tor. But at 1,660 feet it is somewhat dwarfed by the 14,692 Alpine mountain between Switzerland and Italy.

 

 

      

 

With a blustery cold wind blowing we wasted little time in appreciating the panorama before turning right and descending the summit before turning diagonally left to reach a track leading to a metal kissing gate (66mins)

A similar gate then led us across a footbridge (70mins). The path then led us to a lane (72mins) where we turned right. This brought us to a road (80mins) where we turned right to reach The Crag Inn at Wildboarclough. The pub was closed and its future appears uncertain. We stopped for Pietime (82mins) in its car park.

Resuming we immediately turned right at a yellow arrow to enter a field and follow the well-trodden path uphill through a series  of gates. Several fields later we continued along a steeper path towards a drystone wall where we used a stone step stile to climb over it (103mins)

 

 

 

We turned left along a narrow lane with Piggford Nature Reserve on our right and joined a road emerging from our left (111mins). After passing Heron Crag on our left we turned right through a metal kissing gate at a green footpath sign (114mins).

This path took us through a wooden gate and across a footbridge (118mins) where we encountered a large flock of exclusively black sheep. There was not even a token white member of the group.

 

 

On our right was the home of George Osborne when he served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in David Cameron's Conservative government and represented the Tatton constituency.

We crossed a wooden stile (126mins), crossed a road and headed uphill through a wooden gate at a green public footpath sign (128mins). At another wooden gate we turned right then went left over a wooden stile marked with a yellow arrow (136mins)

This path took us through a metal kissing gate where we emerged at a road with The Hanging Gate pub opposite (141mins). We crossed the road, lamenting that this once favourite half-way house for thirsty Wednesday Wanderers was no longer open on Wednesday lunchtimes.

We went past the front door of the pub on our left with its separate toilets to our right, and reached a gate on our right marked with a yellow arrow. As we did so we gazed nostalgically at the picnic tables which commanded idyllic views across the valley.

 

 

 

The path took us through another metal kissing gate and down a flight of steps to a road where we turned left (145mins). After 20 yards we turned sharp left uphill then turned right towards Smallhurst Farm (148mins). As we reached the impressive farmhouse we walked to its left following a footpath sign (150mins). It took us down steps and across a footbridge.

 

 

 

We crossed a broken wall by the side of a ladder stile and through two metal kissing gates (155 and 159mins). On reaching a wooden stile we turned left (162mins) to reach the rear of The Ryles Arms (163mins). Here we enjoyed a choice of three cask ales priced at an eye-watering £4-30 a pint. 

Suitably refreshed we retraced our footsteps to the lane leading to the back of the pub before turning right at a Gritstone Trail marker (164mins). After going through two metal kissing gates (166 and 171mins) we walked through a wooden gate, climbed a stone step stile and reached a road (180mins)

We dog-legged right and left to follow the GT marker and go through a a wooden kissing gate and then a farmyard (188mins). Continuing to follow GT markers through metal kissing gates either side of a lane (194mins)

Another metal kissing gate brought us to a track where we turned left (199mins)

 

We went right through a wooden gate and crossed a wooden footbridge over a stream (203mins) The path then emerged on the banks of Ridgegate Reservoir. We turned left along the bank before reaching Leather's Smithy (211mins) on our left.

 

Dating from the 18th Century the building was formerly a smithy which gets its name from William Leather, a local farrier who in 1821 obtained a license to sell ale and porter.

 

Some of our group aimed straight for the bar and were joined by Jock and Milly whilst others walked back to their cars for the drive home.

 

 

Your diarist sat outside the pub on a nearby bench eating a lonely lunch before returning to his car to de-boot and drive back to the pub. It was to prove a schoolboy error. By the time I returned three cask beers were already unavailable and there was nothing left in the remaining Black Sheep pump except froth.

The aforementioned barmaid asked if I would like “a nice pint of lager instead.” In the finest of journalistic traditions I made an excuse and left.

 

Next week's walk will start at 9.30am at Tom Brads Croft car park (SK23 7LX) next to Whaley Bridge Canal Basin (Approaching from the A6 turn left opposite The Jodrell Arms and swing first left and then right). We plan to head for Taxal, pausing for Pietime at Windgather Rocks before descending to the dam bridge separating Errwood and Fernilee reservoirs. After a bracer in The Shady Oak at Fernilee at about 12.20pm we will return to Whaley Bridge along the banks of The Goyt for a final drink in the town around 2.20pm.

Happy wandering !