Curbar

 

CURBAR GAP, BASLOW EDGE, WELLINGTON’S MONUMENT, BIG MOOR, WHITE EDGE, FROGGATT EDGE, CURBAR EDGE, BRIDGE INN.

 

Distance: 8 miles Ascent/descent: 1,080ft

Difficulty: Easy 

Weather: Mainly dry with one shower downpour

Walkers ,Andy Blease, Steve Brearley Mike Cassini, Mark Enright. 

Alternative Walkers: Jock Rooney with Millie,-

Leader: Mike Cassini. Diarist:  Mike Cassini

Starting point: Clodhall Lane Curbar Gap

Starting time: 9.40am. Finishing time: 1.15.pm.

 

We last walked this route in April this year which was a glorious sunny day and although we were expecting rain, we mainly had good warm weather, until we were most exposed on White Edge and the heavens opened completely soaking everyone. 

There are numerous diarised instances of this particularly scenic route so we managed without any diversions or incidents, encountering the Highland Cattle who always seem to be there to greet us, just past the Wellington Monument.

Further flora and fauna alert. We came across poisonous fungi, which we immediately identified as the fly agaric, once eaten by reindeer and then the reindeer urine was drunk to experience the psychoactive effects.

I asked for volunteers to feed the highland cattle and try their piss but not even microbiologist Mark was interested in this valuable scientific experiment.

We finished at the Bridge Inn where three of us sampled the local Bridge Inn Bitter and Andy tried Mr Clarkson’s Hawkstone lager. We found it most palatable. 

From the archives (by Alan Hart)

From a lay-by opposite The Harrington Arms on the A523 at Bosley we headed towards Leek, crossing the road opposite the derelict Queens Arms and went through a metal kissing gate to follow a public footpath sign (2mins). This took us into fields which we reached and exited by two more metal kissing gates until we reached the remains of a factory.

Wood Treatment Ltd were the manufacturers of wood fibre and powder products. In July, 2015, many employees were injured and four were killed when at least three explosions rocked the area. The former mill was destroyed despite the arrival of 15 fire engines. One of the bodies was never recovered. The company was convicted of corporate manslaughter due to negligence. 

Next week we are meeting at the free car park in Eyam, which should be on Hawkhill Road, Eyam S32 5AD for a 9.50 start. Anyone with a route plan will be most appreciated.

Happy Wandering!