Four Edges

FOUR EDGES

July 10, 2024

CURBAR GAP, BASLOW EDGE, WELLINGTON’S MONUMENT, BIG MOOR, WHITE EDGE, GROUSE INN ON A625, FROGGATT EDGE, CURBAR EDGE

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

Difficulty: Easy

Weather: Cloudy but dry, and breezy

Walkers: Peter Beal, Mike Cassini, Chris Owen

Alternative walker: Jock Rooney with Milly

Apologies: Andy Blease, Alastair Cairns, Julian Ross (all on outside broadcast assignment at Spanish golf), Tom Cunliffe (hospital appointment), Alan Hart (getting burst blood vessel in eye checked), Dean Taylor (diabetic review), Keith Welsh, Simon Williams (unspecified), Cliff Worthington (away), Mark Gibby (visitors)

Leader: Beal Diarist: Beal

Starting point: Curbar Gap

Starting time: 10.00am Finishing time: 2.37pm

A combination of medical appointments, other commitments, and in the case of Andy, Alastair and Julian, an exciting engagement at a golf tournament in Spain, saw our numbers reduced to a mere three for today’s outing.

I have dubbed the route the Four Edges walk, taking in as it did Baslow Edge, White Edge, Froggatt Edge and Curbar Edge in a scenic circular trip from Curbar Gap. Occasional rain was forecast, but as so often it never happened, except for a few isolated drops.

White Edge is the least known of the edges, lacking any striking rock formations the others offer, or any reputation among the rock-climbing fraternity. But it is the highest at just over 1,200 feet and rewards the gentle climb with panoramic views over the Derbyshire and Yorkshire hills.

Our small band rendezvoused at the three lay-bys close to each other just below Curbar Gap and set off in the direction of Baslow Edge. We stayed a short distance away from the escarpment and after passing a lone prominent boulder took a track on the left which soon brought us to the gritstone cross of Wellington’s Monument (20 minutes).

   Curbar Edge

                                      

This modest edifice was erected to commemorate the Duke of Wellington’s 1815 victory at Waterloo by Dr Wrench, a local Army man. It was intended to complement a memorial to Admiral Nelson on Birchen Edge, just over a mile to the east.

At the time it seems the two monuments could have been seen from one another. But trees and bushes have obscured the Wellington memorial so it only becomes visible from close-up. Some of the fading lettering on the base can still be made out, with the words ‘Wellington. Born 1769 Died 1852. Erected in 1866 by E M Wrench.’

Birchen Edge

Leaving the monument we followed the track across the open moorland, passing highland cattle with two very young calves, and crossed the minor road that runs between Curbar and Chesterfield to the east (38 min).

Your diarist made a mental note here to do his best to try and comply with the sign requesting walkers to do as little as possible to disturb the adders that apparently lurk on this moorland – Big Moor.

We followed the path, vague in places where it had become overgrown, up a steady climb of around 400 feet to reach the trig point on White Edge, a short distance from which we declared pietime, delayed because of our rather late start (80 min).

Resuming, we continued along a more distinct path along the edge, towards the true top of the moor around half a mile distant at 1,204 feet. Splendid views were on all sides and the outskirts of Chesterfield and Sheffield could be made out to the east.

As we made our way along the edge Chris decided to throw in one of his customary bursts of speed and disappeared from view, not to reappear until the bar of the pub shortly after.

Around a mile-and-a-half from the top of the edge we reached a broken stone wall where a sign marked Grouse Inn pointed downhill to the left. We followed down a distinct track.

Some way down here your diarist suffered a rather crashing face-first fall after tripping on a rock. He was scraped off the floor by Mike, suffering nothing more serious than a badly bruised finger. This, he lately discovered to his alarm, badly affected his ability to clutch a pint glass.

After a short, rocky stretch down through a copse we came to a field, on the other side of which was the Grouse Inn, across the A625 (125 min). Chris was awaiting us and we were soon joined by Jock and Milly, who had walked along Froggatt Edge.

Beers were Marston’s Pedigree (£4-80) and, we later discovered hiding around the bar, excellent Farmer’s Blonde from the Bradfield Brewery near Sheffield (£4-60). Chris most generously supplied out second round of drinks.

Under way again after a 75-minute break, we turned right down the main road for a few hundred yards, taking a footpath sign to Froggatt Edge on the left at a lay-by. This soon led to the start of Froggatt Edge, where we swung left to follow it and then Curbar Edge for

just over two miles of mainly level walking before reaching Curbar Gap a short distance away from the cars (202 min).

Next week’s walk will start at 9.45am at Ashford-in-the-Water. This can be reached on the A6 through Buxton, or following the A623 through Peak Forest and following a sign to the right down the B6465, fairly soon after the Tideswell turn. The meeting point will be outside the church in Ashford-in-the-Water. There is usually street parking opposite or nearby. Or there is a small car park next to the WCs round the corner (£2 donation).

We will walk for around 8 miles through Monsal Dale and up through Deepdale, calling at the Cock and Pullet in Sheldon. Further refreshment is possible at the Bull’s Head in Ashford.

Happy Wandering!

Birchen Edge 

At the time it seems the two monuments could have been seen from one another. But trees and bushes have obscured the Wellington memorial so it only becomes visible from close-up. Some of the fading lettering on the base can still be made out, with the words ‘Wellington. Born 1769 Died 1852. Erected in 1866 by E M Wrench.’

Leaving the monument we followed the track across the open moorland, passing highland cattle with two very young calves, and crossed the minor road that runs between Curbar and Chesterfield to the east (38 min).

Your diarist made a mental note here to do his best to try and comply with the sign requesting walkers to do as little as possible to disturb the adders that apparently lurk on this moorland – Big Moor.

We followed the path, vague in places where it had become overgrown, up a steady climb of around 400 feet to reach the trig point on White Edge, a short distance from which we declared pietime, delayed because of our rather late start (80 min).

Resuming, we continued along a more distinct path along the edge, towards the true top of the moor around half a mile distant at 1,204 feet. Splendid views were on all sides and the outskirts of Chesterfield and Sheffield could be made out to the east.

As we made our way along the edge Chris decided to throw in one of his customary bursts of speed and disappeared from view, not to reappear until the bar of the pub shortly after.

Around a mile-and-a-half from the top of the edge we reached a broken stone wall where a sign marked Grouse Inn pointed downhill to the left. We followed down a distinct track.

Some way down here your diarist suffered a rather crashing face-first fall after tripping on a rock. He was scraped off the floor by Chris, suffering nothing more serious than a badly bruised finger. This, he lately discovered to his alarm, badly affected his ability to clutch a pint glass.

After a short, rocky stretch down through a copse we came to a field, on the other side of which was the Grouse Inn, across the A625 (125 min). Chris was awaiting us and we were soon joined by Jock and Milly, who had walked along Froggatt Edge.

Beers were Marston’s Pedigree (£4-80) and, we later discovered hiding around the bar, excellent Farmer’s Blonde from the Bradfield Brewery near Sheffield (£4-60). Chris most generously supplied out second round of drinks.

Under way again after a 75-minute break, we turned right down the main road for a few hundred yards, taking a footpath sign to Froggatt Edge on the left at a lay-by. This soon led to the start of Froggatt Edge, where we swung left to follow it and then Curbar Edge for

just over two miles of mainly level walking before reaching Curbar Gap a short distance away from the cars (202 min).

Next week’s walk will start at 9.45am at Ashford-in-the-Water. This can be reached on the A6 through Buxton, or following the A623 through Peak Forest and following a sign to the right down the B6465, fairly soon after the Tideswell turn.

We will walk for around 8 miles through Monsal Dale and up through Deepdale, calling at the Cock and Pullet in Sheldon. Further refreshment is possible at the Bull’s Head in Ashford.

Happy Wandering!

Hayfield

 HAYFIELD

July 3, 2024

SPORTSMAN INN AT HAYFIELD, SETT VALLEY TRAIL, BIRCH VALE, MORLANDS ROAD, OLLERSETT MOOR, CRACKEN EDGE, MAYNESTONE ROAD, MONK’S MEADOWS FARM, CHINLEY HEAD, LAMB INN, VORPOSTEN FARM, HIGHGATE HEAD, HIGHGATE ROAD, VALLEY ROAD, SPORTSMAN

Distance: 9 miles Ascent/descent: 1,880ft

Difiiculty: Moderate

Weather: Cloudy but dry

Walkers: Peter Beal, Andy Blease, Mike Cassini, Tom Cunliffe, Mark Gibby, Simon Williams, Cliff Worthington

Alternative walker: Jock Rooney with Milly

Apologies: Alan Hart (car problems), Dean Taylor (cash and carry duties), Chris Owen ( preparing for golf), Keith Welsh (dog training duties), Alistair Cairns (domestic duties), Julian Ross (unspecified), Mark Enright (w#?king)

Leader: Cunliffe at first, then Beal Diarist: Beal

Starting point: Sportsman Inn, Kinder Road, Hayfield

Starting time: 9.40am Finishing time: 3.10pm

The Sportsman Inn

Despite a forecast of some rain, we enjoyed dry weather throughout today’s walk except for a few short-lived drops as we enjoyed drinks on the outside terrace of the Lamb Inn, one of our favourite lunchtime watering holes.

Your diarist for the day feels guilty for dodging the first mile-and-a-half of the walk and waiting near his home in Birch Vale for his WW companions to reach him.

After leaving the Sportsman and descending steps opposite to reach Valley Road, the initial band of six, led by Tom, went through Hayfield village to join the Sett Valley Trail towards Birch Vale.

The two-and-a half mile long trail between Hayfield and New Mills is the trackbed of the former railway branch line that closed in 1970. In the 1920s and 30s an estimated 5,000 workers from Manchester used the trains every weekend to escape the pollution of the city and enjoy the countryside. The record number of passengers was 13,000 on a Good Friday in 1926.

On reaching Birch Vale the walkers were joined by your diarist and climbed a narrow track to emerge on New Mills Road, opposite the former Grouse pub, sadly no more, which we crossed to start the 800-foot ascent of Morlands Road towards Ollersett Moor (31 minutes).

At the end of the recently-tarmaced track we went through a gate on to a path climbing the open moorland with a TV relay mast to our right.. After a stiffish climb to the crest of the hill we ignored a gate ahead of us to turn left and soon after went through another gate to take a stile on the right. This brought us along the escarpment leading to the distinctive rock outcrop of Big Stone (80 min).

A short distance further along we dropped left to seek shelter from the breeze in to a hollow formerly used by quarry workers and declared a delayed pietime (90 min).

We then dropped down to the nearby path running beneath Big Stone and turned right through a small gate to head towards the crags of Cracken Edge above us to the right. Evidence of the former quarrying and mining works was everywhere here, making for a striking landscape.

We turned right, then shortly after took a left down an incline to begin our descent from the Edge (120 min). In a slightly complicated manoeuvre, we continued dropping down until coming to a large stone stile, which we crossed in to a field. We took a metal gate below us and soon were able to go through two more small wooden gates to drop down by tricky steps on to Maynestone Road (140 min).

A walk over just over half-a-mile on the road brought us to the large stone house of Upper Lodge on our right (157 min) shortly after which we followed a footpath sign on the right through a gap in the wall.

This led us down a seriously overgrown narrow path and after an uncomfortable 300 yards we emerged through a small rickety wooden gate in to a field. We followed this up the left hand side, climbing slightly and came to a gate, where we turned right to soon come to a large metal gate bringing us to a lane near Monk’s Meadows Farm. A short but steep climb brought us to the main A624 Glossop to Chapel-en-le-Frith road, with the welcome sight of the Lamb Inn nearby on our left (180 min).

Jock and Milly joined us here, having walked 4-5 miles in the Goyt valley and along the Peak Forest canal. We enjoyed beers and teas on the pub terrace, particularly a new blonde beer called Summer Sovereign from the Peak Ales brewery in Ashford-in-the-Water at £4-60 a pint.

Here we had our only few spots of rain of the day but it was short-lived and the donning of waterproof jackets soon brought a speedy halt to it.

After a leisurely hour-plus here we resumed by heading back along the road for a few yards before taking a left through an open gate and right through another small gate to climb through gorse bushes in to a steep open field. We bore left at the top of the field along a path that took us through a gate along a grassy track.

We bore left again and struck off left once more to bring us to a junction at the foot of Mount Famine. We took a path left along a wall to reach a gate that saw us skirt Vorposten Farm. A track across a cattle grid saw us reach the top of a bridleway that descended to reach a junction. Here a discussion led to a vote to shun the dragon’s back ridge to the right and instead head directly downhill to join Highgate Road (220 min).

We headed down Highgate Road and as we reached Hayfield village took a right in to Valley Road, to retrace our steps to the short, sharp climb to emerge at the Sportsman. Your diarist, Tom and Mike enjoyed a further refreshment here.

Next week’s walk will start at 9.55am from the lay-bys just below Curbar Gap above the village of Calver in the Derbyshire Dales. This is reached by taking the A623 through Stoney Middleton and at the Bridge Inn at Calver turning right uphill. We will walk to the Wellington Memorial then along White Edge, stopping at the Grouse Inn and returning along Froggatt and Curbar Edges.

Happy Wandering!

Brabyns Park

 June 26, 2024.

BRABYNS PARK, ROLLINS WOOD, ETHEROW COUNTRY PARK, ERNOCROFT FARM, BROWN LOW, MELLOR CHURCH, THE DEVONSHIRE ARMS AT MELLOR, LINNET CLOUGH, MELLOR AND TOWNCLIFFE GOLF COURSE, OLD HALL FARM, SITE OF MELLOR MILL, THE NORFOLK ARMS AT MARPLE BRIDGE

Distance: 8-9 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate with one long steep climb.

Weather: Warm and sunny.

Walkers: Andy Blease, Mike Cassini, Alan Hart, Julian Ross.

Apologies: Alastair Cairns (domestic duties), Tom Cunliffe (sciatica), Chris Owen (in Kirkby Steven), Jim Riley (stuff to sort out), Dean Taylor (cashing and carrying), Keith Welsh (new puppy to train), Simon Williams (dog-sitting), Cliff Worthington (away)

Leader: Blease. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Free car park in Brabyns Park, Marple Bridge.

Starting time: 9.37am. Finishing time: 2.10pm.

When we took this route in August, 2022, there were no fewer than 16 walkers and four dogs in our party. This time, despite lovely sunny summer weather, we could only muster four bipeds and no quadrupeds.

It is a shame because although tough climbs were involved the steepest of them took place through a wood where the canopy of trees gave us shade. When we did reach open fields a cool breeze sent ripples through the Yorkshire fog grass as we strolled over meadows strewn with wild foxgloves, buttercups and daisies.

A pair of nesting curlews sent out their “keep off” cries as they circled overhead and at one stage we encountered two goats who wanted petting and food – not necessarily in that order.

Brabyns Park was formerly the grounds of Brabyns Hall, a Georgian mansion built in 1749 by Elizabeth Brabin and her husband Henry who also landscaped the estate. Its last private owner was Fanny Hudson who died in 1941.

The grounds were bought by Cheshire County Council for public recreation and the derelict hall was demolished in 1953.

From the car park we followed the path into the park keeping to trees on our left with the wide open spaces on our right. After passing a whitewashed cottage on our left we crossed a bridge over the Goyt and follow a path through Rollins Wood.
This brought us to the main A626 road (14mins) where we turned left, soon crossing a bridge across the River Etherow and reaching Etherow Country Park on our right (17mins)

We walked to the right of the lake and then, at its end, we went left until we reached the river feeding it and turned right with the water now on our left. En route we passed an impressive display of lily pads. Continuing we passed a weir on our left (32mins) created by Samuel Oldknow to power his cotton mill - of which more later.

The weir at Etherow Country Park

We now headed right along what proved to be a relentless path uphill through a wood. Where the path forked we swung left (37mins) and it became remorselessly steeper until we reached the A626 again (50mins). Turning right we now looked back with relief not anger down on Compstall on our right.

Our view from the main road

After reaching a bus stop on our left we crossed the road and went over a wooden stile to head uphill again, swinging left after we emerged from trees (55mins). The path took us through the yard of Ernocroft Farm (59mins). Beyond it, we turned left up a gravel track (62mins) and through a metal gate.

We went right to cross a ladder stile (64mins). From here we should have headed diagonally left across a field, exiting via a wooden stile and turning right (66mins). This would have taken us along a path over two wooden stiles which we crossed and stopped for Pietime at 11am sharp by a drystone wall. On this occasion, instead of crossing the field we followed a trodden track right and erroneously kept to the right of the field. Three of our group, whom I will not name, crawled under a fence to reach the track before we all stopped for Pietime (83mins)

Resuming we kept to the left of the field we had just entered, crossing a wooden stile and turning left along a lane. We passed Brownlow on our left before turning right into Smithy Lane (90mins). Turning left up a rocky path (98mins) we swung left uphill (104mins) and turned right at a lane (107mins)

This took us past Chatterton End Farm on our left (109mins) and we went straight on along a path where the road swung right, passing a sign for Horsepool. After going through a wooden gate marked with a yellow arrow (114mins) we went through another wooden gate (117mins) to enter a tarmac lane. As we reached the outskirts of Mellor along a narrow lane we passed some chocolate box cottages beautifully decorated with flowers.

Julian, Andy and Mike

One of a pair of friendly goats

We headed downhill and turned left into Church Road (134mins), emerging on the left side of The Devonshire Arms (138mins). Here we enjoyed pints of cask bitters and shandies served by a waitress in the beer garden.

We now crossed the road opposite the pub and entered Gibb Lane. Where it forked we turned right and continued to a T-junction where we turned left (145mins). We soon forked left towards the car park of Mellor and Towncliffe Golf Club (146mins) where we stopped for lunch at a convenient wall. At one point we passed Linnet Clough scout camp where we observed armed police taking part in a training exercise on our right.

It was interesting to note that when a voice of authority shouted “Stop right there. Don't move. The game's up.” all four of us instinctively stopped in our tracks before we realised what was happening on the other side of the trees.

It was tempting to shout “Let him go. He's innocent” but that might have been interpreted as interfering with a policeman in the performance of his duty. So we resumed walking until we reached Old Hall Farm on our left (163mins)

This was previously called Bottom's Hall (Mellor Mill was known locally as Bottom's Mill) and it was here that millowner Samuel Oldknow housed his orphaned apprentices.

After passing the hall we continued along the path shaded by trees on either side until we reached the site of the once mighty Mellor Mill (165mins).

A plaque showed the size of the mill in its heyday

Mellor Mill was built by Samuel Oldknow in 1793. It was a six-storey cotton mill originally driven by a Wellington water wheel after the River Goyt, which marked the boundaries of Cheshire and Derbyshire, had been diverted and a weir built to maximise the power of the water wheel. At its peak in 1804 the mill had 10,080 spindles operating and employed 550 people. It was destroyed by fire in 1892.

We continued along the path until it emerged on the road between Mellor and Marple Bridge. Turning left we entered the latter and reached the Norfolk Arms on our right at the traffic lights. Here two of us enjoyed a choice of cask bitters in the beer garden outside.

Next week's walk will start at 9.40am from Kinder Road, Hayfield, outside The Sportsman Inn (SK22 2LE). We will head via South Head towards The Lamb Inn at Chinley (SK23 6AL) where we intend to stop for a livener at about 12.20pm before returning to the Sporty for a final drink around 2.30pm.

Happy wandering !

High Lane

 June 19, 2024.

HIGH LANE VILLAGE HALL, MACCLESFIELD CANAL, MIDDLECALE FARM, PLATTWOOD FARM, ELMERHURST WOOD, LYME PARK, GREEN FARM, MACCLESFIELD CANAL, THE COPPICE, MIDDLEWOOD WAY, THE BOAR'S HEAD AT HIGHER POYNTON, JACKSONS BRICKWORKS NATURE RESERVE AT MIDDLEWOOD, MACCLESFIELD CANAL

Distance: 10 miles.

Difficulty: Easy.

Weather: Dry and moderately warm with cloud and sunshine.

Walkers: Andy Blease, Alastair Cairns, Mike Cassini, Alan Hart, Julian Ross, Keith Welsh.

Leader: Hart. Diarist: Hart.

Apologies: Micky Barrett (on the Danube), Peter Beal (Skiathos hols), Tom Cunliffe (sciatica), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Mark Enright, Chris Owen and Dean Taylor (at Royal Ascot), Mark Gibby (monitoring Royal Ascot), Jim Riley (w*^king), Jock and Keiran Rooney (in Austria), Simon Williams (Lake Garda hols), Cliff Worthington (fluttering heart)

Starting point: High Lane Village Hall car park, off Windlehurst Road (SK6 8AB), High Lane, Disley.

Starting time: 9.40am. Finishing time: 2pm.

From the car park, we walked away from the car park entrance, passing the village hall and a children's playground on our right before going through a gap in the hedge to reach the bank of the Macclesfield Canal. We turned right with the waterway on our left and walked along the towpath beneath the A6.

At Bridge 13 (20mins) where a Second World War pillbox has been disguised with a collection of ornamental knick-knacks, we turned left to cross the canal and headed up the lane, passing Middlecale Farm on our right.

The decorated pillbox

We turned left at a T-junction (23mins) aiming for Lyme Cage in the distance and then turned left again at Plattwood Farm (35mins)

The tarmac lane swung first right and then left, then right again as we went through a gate into Lyme Park (52mins). After 50 yards we went right over a wooden ladder stile and entered Elmerhurst Wood (54mins).

Elmerhurst Wood just outside Lyme Park

A well-trodden path took us across a pair of footbridges to a stone step stile over a wall to return to Lyme Park with the distinctive Lyme Cage above us 200 steep yards away (69mins). Turning right along a footpath we reached Lyme Park cafe on our right and stopped at a picnic table for Pietime (79mins)

Our view heading for Pietime

Resuming we passed the lake on our right and the car park on our left before going right across a cattle-grid and swinging right at decorative rocks. A few yards later we turned left along a dark gravel path (88mins). After 250 yards we turned right (91mins) and started to descend a path of well-trodden grass to a wooden ladder stile.

After crossing this we went right over a wooden stile and followed the footpath signs through Green Farm.

At a T-junction (97mins) we turned right towards Green Farm House. Opposite the house, we turned left downhill (98mins). Just before a farm we turned left at a footpath marked with a yellow arrow (101mins) and followed this path through a metal kissing gate until it emerged through another gate into a field.

Turning left downhill we reached the Macclesfield Canal and crossed it by a footbridge (106mins). We turned right but instead of following the towpath we immediately followed a footpath on its left which swung left away from the canal,

After passing a large house on our left and finding the public footpath towards a footbridge still closed without minor repairs after two years, we walked a further 30 yards and turned right at a stile. Another stile brought us out on a road where we turned right. On our left we entered The Coppice car park (120mins)

At the far end of it we turned left to enter a public footpath, taking the right fork and passing above a verdant valley on our left below. At a kissing gate we carried on along the path until it emerged with a tarmac road where we turned left just before a barrier blocking the road to traffic (128mins)

We walked past the barrier and continued until a footpath sign on our left indicated a footbridge over a stream. Opposite was another footpath sign showing a narrow path uphill between two houses. We followed this path, crossed a wooden stile and followed a well-trodden path across a field. In the middle of the field was the remains of a tree which had been struck by lightning (133mins)

We passed the tree and crossed another wooden stile to enter another field and followed another well-trodden path leading to a footbridge which brought us out on Coppice Road (138mins)

Here we turned right along the road until we reached a sign for kennels on our right (142mins) where we turned right. Following a lane we reached a footpath on our left which took us past the kennels and back to the kissing gate which was the exit/entrance to The Coppice. We entered (147mins) and soon turned right down a flight of steps into the valley we had previously admired from above. Another flight of steps tooks us back up the Coppice car park (157mins). We turned left along the Middlewood Way and left it at the former Higher Poynton railway station to enter the Boar's Head (169mins)

To celebrate the 59^th anniversary of his birth next month Keith bought a round of drinks which included excellent pints of Wainwrights and Timothy Taylor Landlord at £4-75. There were also two limes and soda and a pot of tea! We wish Keith many happy returns as he and Simon now represent the Wednesday Wanderers' youth policy.

Suitably refreshed we headed out of the pub to join the Middlewood Way, turning left towards Marple. After going under three bridges we turned off diagonally right beyond the fourth bridge to enter Jacksons Brickworks Nature Reserve (189mins). After exiting we turned left through two gates before swinging right to reach the Macclesfield Canal (204mins) at Bridge 13.

A pair of Canada geese with three goslings

Turning left with the canal on our right we retraced our earlier footsteps, going under the A6 then turning immediately left to skirt a children's playground on the way back to our cars.

Next week's walk will start at 9.40am from the car park of Brabyn's Park, Marple Bridge (SK6 5LB). The entrance is opposite The Midland pub. We will be aiming to reach The Devonshire Arms at Mellor (SK6 5PP) around 12.20pm for a bracer with an optional final drink at The Norfolk Arms, Marple Bridge (SK6 5DS)

Happy wandering !

Topley Pike : Take 2

 June 12, 2024.

TOPLEY PIKE, MONSAL TRAIL, WYE VALLEY, CHEE DALE, BLACKWELL HALL FARM, PRIESTCLIFFE, BANK PIT SPRING, THE CHURCH INN AT CHELMORTON, SHEPLEY FARM, DEEP DALE, TOPLEY PIKE QUARRY

Distance: 8 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate with one strenuous climb.

Weather: Dry but cloudy.

Walkers: Andy Blease, Alan Hart, Cliff Worthington.

Apologies: Peter Beal (Skiathos hols), Alastair Cairns (volunteer at Lancaster Castle Police Museum), Mike Cassini (chest cold and cough),Tom Cunliffe (sciatica), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Mark Enright (w*^king), Mark Gibby (unspecified), Chris Owen (changing caravan wheels), Jim Riley (w*^king), Jock and Keiran Rooney (Austria hols), Dean Taylor (cash and carry duties), Simon Williams (Italy hols)

Leader: Hart. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Free lay-by near entrance to Topley Pike Quarry on the A6 south east of Buxton.

Starting time: 9.51am. Finishing time: 2.30pm.

Only two of us turned up for this walk a week earlier so it was postponed as rain began falling. An electioneering politician might claim that a 50 percent increase in turnout for this week's hike was encouraging.

The truth is that once again we had an avalanche of apologies for absence and some unexplained no-shows. Perhaps it is time for a discussion about where we would prefer to wander at this time of year.

The trio who did attend enjoyed what has become a rare dry day this summer although it has to be said the temperature was disappointing for Flaming June !

Whatever happened to global warming ??

In the past, we have basked in bright sunshine outside the popular traditional country pub at Chelmorton. On this occasion, we opted to take a pew inside the Church Inn with all the other customers than to sit in the empty beer garden.

Anybody wanting to know the precise route taken should refer to George Dearsley's Blogspot for July 20, 2022. Suffice to say, we enjoyed the spectacular scenery, photos of which appear below.

Setting out on the bank of the Wye

Cliffs towered above us

Cliff and Andy cross the stepping stones

The Church Inn at Chelmorton

Returning from the pub

Supporting England in the EuroFinals ?

Next week's walk will start at 9.30am from High Lane Village Hall free car park off Windlehurst Road, High Lane SK6 8AB (turn left at The Horseshoe). We plan to walk along the Macclesfield Canal, through Elmerhurst Wood into Lyme Park and reach the Boar's Head, Shrigley Road North, Higher Poynton SK12 1TE for a tincture around 12.30 pm. We expect to return to our cars to de-boot at about 2.30pm

Happy wandering !

Topley Pike (cancelled)

 June 5, 2024

TOPLEY PIKE LAY-BY

Distance: 0 miles

Weather: Sunny with blue skies

Attendees: Mike Cassini and Alan Hart

Apologies: Andy Blease (in Anglesey), Alastair Cairns (Devon hols), Tom Cunliffe (touch of sciatica), Mark Gibby (adverse effect to shingles vaccine), (Jock and Keiran Rooney (Austrian hols), Simon Williams (stuck in traffic jam), Cliff Worthington (A6 closed at Disley); Mark Enright, Dean Taylor and Keith Welsh (unspecified)

Starting point: Lay-by on A6 at Topley Pike, south east of Buxton.

Starting time: 9.50am. Finishing time: 10am.

As the trickle of apologies for absence became a deluge your diarist wondered whether any wanderers would be joining him for this walk along the picturesque Wye Valley with a visit to one of our favourite pubs.

Some of the excuses given were on a par with “The dog ate my homework.” May I remind you that no reasons are necessary but some take an interest in the movements and welfare of their comrades and it is useful to know for whom we do not need to wait.

Absolved from any criticism is Simon who was gridlocked for an hour after a major crash on the A34 near Handforth Dean and kept sending bulletins about his (lack of )progress.

Because of the closure of the A6 at Disley your diarist took an alternative route to Buxton which went down narrow country lanes but proved to be far quicker than the dual carriageway. By heading towards Whaley Bridge from the main traffic lights in Disley it took just 41 minutes from Poynton to reach Topley Pike and only 38 minutes to return. For more than 20 years the journey via Doveholes has taken me 50 minutes. You live and learn.

It was also useful to note that a small layby on the A6 which can accommodate four or five cars was completely empty almost opposite the pay-and-display car park at the start of the Monsal Trail

Although Mike and I arrived in blue skies and sunshine by 10am the temperature had dropped, the blue turned to grey and it started raining. We decided to postpone the walk for one week.

So next week's walk will start at 9.50am from the pay-and-display Wye Valley car park at the start of the Monsal Trail opposite Topley Pike Quarry (SK17 9TE). We will be aiming for a livener in the Church Inn, Main Street, Chelmorton (SK17 9SL) around 12.30pm and returning to our cars at about 2.30pm, where we will discuss any desire for further refreshment.

Happy wandering !