Leek

July 19, 2023.

BLACKSHAW MOOR, LEEK, TITTESWORTH RESERVOIR, CRABAPPLE TRAIL, ALDER LEE, THE LAZY TROUT AT MEERBROOK, MIDDLE HULME, THE THREE HORSESHOES.

Distance: 8+ miles.

Difficulty: Easy.

Weather: Cloud and sunshine with one short heavy shower.

Walkers: Peter Beal, Mike Cassini, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Alan Hart, Chris Owen, Julian Ross and Cliff Worthington.

Alternative walker: Jock Rooney with Milly.

Apologies: Mickey Barrett, Andy Blease (walking along Pembrokeshire coast), Alastair Cairns (walking in Cumbria), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Mark Gibby, Hughie Hardiman (in France and Ireland for three Wednesdays), Dean Taylor (in Whitstable), Simon Williams (in Edinburgh)

Leader: Owen. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Car park of The Three Horseshoes, Buxton Road, Blackshaw Moor, Leek ST13 8TW.

Starting time: 9.52am. Finishing time: 1.49pm.

The Roaches and Hen Cloud

After a wet five days beforehand and more prolonged showers predicted later in the week, this promised to be the best day for a walk and so it proved. Apart from one short heavy shower we were able to enjoy decent weather as we encircled Tittesworth Reservoir on a mainly flat ramble.

There had been several apologies from those on holiday elsewhere as The Magnificent Seven set off in cloudy conditions. Almost immediately we were treated to the picturesque sight of Ramshaw Rocks, Hen Cloud and The Roaches on our right as we aimed for Tittesworth Reservoir.

We nearly had a chance to Meet The Forkers at Pietime, of which more later.

From the pub car park we turned right along a minor road and crossed a bridge over a river before turning left at a green footpath sign (13mins) directing us towards a Visitors' Centre. Where the path forked (18mins) we went right and did the same again (23mins) to keep close to the lake on our right.

The south side of Tittesworth Reservoir

When we reached a T-junction (26mins) we turned right and continued straight on at another junction (30mins) following a sign for The Crabapple Trail, turning right again (31mins) to follow the trail once more.

At a fork in the paths we turned right (37mins) and then made a sharp right turn over a bridge (38mins). We ascended a flight of steps to begin following The Reservoir Trail (40mins). This brought us to a metal kissing gate (52mins) and time for a consultation.

The sight of maps being unfolded always brings a sense of foreboding, born of unhappy experience, among the followers.

Our experts confer

Eventually (55mins) it was decided to turn left, passing a metal kissing gate (58mins) and crossing a wooden footbridge to go through another metal kissing gate (61mins). After going through yet another metal kissing gate (64mins) we turned right just before reaching a footbridge and then swung left over a road bridge. Beyond it on our right we stopped for Pietime sitting on handy rolls of materials provided by a firm of contractors with an unusual name (68mins)

An empty van with no forkers in it

Before we left Chris attempted to meet one of the forkers in a nearby hut but he was engaged on a conference call, so we departed and continued our journey. Initially we ignored a path on our right but after 100 yards along a road there was a sign stating “No Public Right of Way.” It was accompanied by a diagram of a pedestrian with a line through is body which hinted there might be a Mafia hitman lurking round the corner.

Chris decided discretion was the better part of valour and returned to the path he had ignored four minutes earlier, this time turning left (73mins), We went through two metal kissing gates and headed uphill. As we reached a modern housing estate rain started to fall with increasing intensity and waterproofs were donned.

We turned right following a yellow arrow (81mins) then dog-legged right and left to cross a wooden stile (86mins). Chris was later of the opinion that the left turn was a mistake which added a 20-minute loop to our journey.

Passing through a metal kissing gate (88mins) we squeezed through a gap stile and crossed a bridge over a river (93mins). We then bore left to follow a path into a wood (95mins)

This well-trodden path took us to the edge of the trees but at a No Trespassing sign we swung right following the path to another exit and a lane (110mins). We turned right downhill and reached a path on our left (114mins). Chris announced we were now back on track as we passed a memorial bench to Beryl and Roger Ball.

Walking through a wooden gate we turned left at a signpost (115mins) and forked left where the paths branched (116mins). After crossing a wooden stile (120mins) we reached and walked past canoes and sailing boats at the Tittesworth Watersports Centre (125mins)

We followed a path marked Visitors Centre (131mins) and crossed a wooden footbridge. When we reached a road we turned left and reached The Lazy Trout at Meerbrook on our right (136mins)

He drinks like a fish !

Here we enjoyed pints of Wainwrights for £3-75 in the sunlit beer garden at the rear, where we joined Jock and Milly. In a move to modernity, or a retrogressive step depending on your point of view, this busy, popular country pub no longer accepts cash.

Suitably refreshed we turned left out of the pub and headed east passing the northern end of the lake.

Looking south from the northern end of Tittesworth Reservoir

Some of you may be wondering how the lake earned its unusual name. According to local folklore it arose when a young farmer's son named Ned fell for the charms of a local lass known as dishy Dora. Ned bought two pork pies and persuaded Dora to join him for a picnic in a secluded spot next to the lake.

After the pies the couple engaged in some kissing and cuddling which led to what later became known as “heavy petting.” (A strange term because if you did it with a dog or cat you would be arrested)

After their tryst friends asked Ned if he had got his leg over. “No,” replied Ned, “but I got my tittesworth.”

The road brought us all the way back to The Three Horseshoes at Blackshaw Moor (162mins) where five of us had pints of Timothy Taylor's Landlord cask bitter for £4-60. Tom, a serial offender himself, was insistent that Julian and Cliff should be named and shamed for using the pub car park and not buying anything.

Next week's walk will start at 9.55am near the parish church at Ashford-inWater, off the A6 between Buxton and Bakewell. We will be aiming for a livener at The Cock and Pullet in Sheldon around 12.30pm before returning to The Bull's Head in Ashford at about 2.40pm.

Happy wandering !