Etherow

February 14th 2024

 

Etherow Country Park River and Weir, Ernocroft Wood, Farm and Lane, Sandy Lane Boarfold Craddock wood Pipers Clough Werneth Low

 

Distance: 8.85 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Rain, Drizzle and More Rain, Dry after lunch otherwise mild!

Walkers: Mike Cassini, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Alistair Cairns, Colin Davison

Alternative walker: Jock Rooney with Milly.

Apologies:  Whatever!

Leader: Davison. Diarist: Cassini

Starting point:  Andrew Street Free Car ParkCompstall SK6 5HW

Starting time: 9.40am. Finishing time: 2.34pm. 

 

Apologies, the descriptions in this diary will be less than exact as I haven’t found a template for guidance and Tom did not set his mobile map so I have attempted to remember the damp, drizzly, uphill and down-swamp walk that Colin led us on. On his continued recuperation, testing the limits of his hill walking mechanics, he mentioned in conversation with Tom as we ambled peacefully by the River Etherow that this walk has seen off a previous walker (John ?) due to the long climbs. They did not disappoint.

Although this being Valentine’s Day and the spirit of love and peace should be in the air, once again we encountered stroppy females who believed because they worked in the boxing gym and child nursery on site they had exclusive claim to the car park and walkers should use the pay and display in the park, they weren’t receptive to the argument that as we were pensioners we needed to save all our pennies perhaps further inflamed by Tom parking his Mummies tractor right outside the front door.

On entering Etherow Park we were greeted by a variety of wildfowl, noticeably a pair of Black Swans and then further along the River at least 20-30 pairs of exotic Mandarin Ducks.

Black Swan Australian Native 

 

Ducks in the Trees. 

We then encountered the weir in full flow and a waterfall powered by run-off from local streams

 

Weir

 

 

Across the bridge we made our way ever upwards through Ernocroft Wood until we reached the Glossop road A626, which we walked along a few yards until turning by the 94 bus stop, crossing the road upwards again and bearing left(east!) towards Ernocroft Farm. Past the farm, we climbed further towards the top of the hill where the remains of bonfires previously lit would have been visible across the valley.

Just before this picture Tom took a tumble which may have contributed towards his subsequent hamstring injury.

 

 While climbing hills is no one’s idea of fun particularly those on this walk, the climbs were mostly covered by trees and on hard ground although in one case comprised a running stream, the worst parts of the walk were the descents which were open to the elements and so were mostly sodden fields impossible to gain a solid foothold and the stiles at the edge of the fields were particularly hazardous for those with grumbling joints- though not Alistair.

 

After descending from Ernocroft we again crossed the Glossop road and after taking a particularly difficult stile we took Pietime. After Pietime we continued downwards towards the Etherow River which we crossed and slowly made our way upwards, crossing streams, passing stone-built executive houses and eventually walking ever upwards towards the Hare and Hounds at Werneth Low.  Just before this, climbing the hill Tom was having difficulties with his hamstring so we ignored the walk to the War Memorial and went straight along the road to meet with Jock and Milly. As it was Colin’s birthday (72) he bought the teas although Tom went for the Guinness. My attempt to drink initially Green King IPA and then Speckled Hen failed miserably as the barrels finished ¾ of the way through, my pints giving a drink best poured on my chips  - if I had any - which I couldn’t have as it was Valentine’s Day and they were only serving prior bookings and turned away at least three families while I was waiting for a drinkable pint even though tables were available they didn’t have any food!

After lunch we turned right after the cricket club and walked straight down School Lane through the park to retrieve our cars. Tom had a lift down with Jock and probably won’t be available next week.

Next week will start at New Mills Leisure Centre SK22 4BP @ 9.40 going via the Torrs and Peak Forest canal through Lyme Park from the East Lodge with drinks at The Dandy Cock around 12.

Happy Wandering!