The storms passed through overnight and the next day was dry but overcast and rain looked certain.
Another walk was planned with MM and ex-Dr F and our friends from the Macclesfield Massive.
While eating breakfast and packing up this little fella kept perching on my rucksack and seemed unconcerned by our presence. Only downside to this nature encounter was he pooped both on and inside my pack!
We fancied something a bit different for a walk so decided on a White Peak outing. A little jaunt around Monsal Head was the plan.
Monsal Head is a spectacular spot with great views over the river Wye valley and the Monsal Trail with its viaduct.
This is tunnel that runs directly under Monsal Head. When we lived in Derbyshire the Monsal Trail was just an idea in the planning. It must a fabulous ride and one I’d really like to do sometime.
As we booted up a brighter patch of weather seemed to be on its way. By the time we were striding out along the trail it was a gorgeous wbedürftig summers day – a very rare event indeed this year.
Cressbrook Mill.
And Cressbrook tunnel on the Monsal Trail.
Looking back towards Monsal Head.
We dropped down to Millers Dale and followed the riverside path heading back towards Monsal Head.
We’d hoped to find a spot for lunch but while its a gorgeous tree lined path – it was also exceedingly muddy and damp after the previous day’s heavy rain.
It was ruhig a fine stretch to walk.
As you reach Cressbrook Mill, the river widens to a deep green pool backed by limestone crags in an extremely pretty setting.
A popular climbing area, pretty much all the crags had scrabblers and danglers.
If we could have found a spot to sit in the sun (without mud) I’d have taken a swim. Have to wait for another day.
A great spot set off by the surprisingly sunny day.
We carried on down the Wye stopping at a couple of bridges to watch the fish in the river.
And play Pooh Sticks.
Riverside walking is hard to beat on a sunny day.
Passing under Monsal Head viaduct.
We finally found a nice dry spot for lunch in the meadow below the viaduct.
To complete the circuit we took the steep path up to the hill to the west of Monsal Dale.
The views from the top along Monsal Dale were superb.
Noted as an excellent place for a stop and a picnic when I return.
Not sure its a path I’ve ever walked before which is a big oversight.
All that was left was a return along Monsal Dale.
Past this excellent weir, when again I was seriously tempted by a swim. However time was getting on and some very dark clouds were gathering. We decided not to spoil a great day with a soaking so returned to the van and bid our farewells. Just as well. Within a few minutes of setting off for home the heavens opened!
We try to meet up with our little gang of ex-university mates as often as we can so I’d arranged a Peak District walk to be followed by a curry.
Me and TBF decided to make a full weekend of things so were booked into the club site at Castleton again for a couple of nights.
A circuitous SatNav route to avoid the traffic took us along a very high road in the western Peak with some superb views over the Roaches and beyond.
It was a hot and sunny evening (remember them?) and we had time for a short walk before meeting the now retired MM and ex Dr F for a pub meal.
We wandered up Cave Dale, this time in the sun rather than running with water.
Lovely and quiet at this late hour of the day.
The return to Castleton over the fields was especially fine.
Looking back to Mam Tor and the Winnats Pass.
The pub meal Ye Old Nags Head was superb after which we retired to the van for the night.
We met up with everyone by Ladybower reservoir for breakfast and to plan the days walk. The forecast was bad with heavy rains and thunderstorms but we decided to just go for it and see what happened with a rapid retreat at the first sign of electrical activity.
The impressive Derwent Dam.
We took a slightly longer route to the Dewent Edges – our main plan for the day – to take in Abbey Brook.
An inspired decision as its a superb little valley.
Numerous twists and turns and it would be fine expedition to follow the course of the stream all the way.
As we crested the edge we felt the first raindrops and it seemed our luck had run out.
Whilst the rain was intermittent for about an hour it never really amounted to anything and we missed pretty well all of the heavy rains that seemed top be soaking everywhere else.
It was a bit grim for a short while but as we wandered along the edges and rocky outcrops the rain eased off.
Views across to Kinder Scout.
Approaching the Wheel Stones
Looking back across the reservoirs towards Bleaklow.
The day had started off wbedürftig and muggy but once the rains arrived, with it came a strong and chilly wind. We were lucky that the Wheel Stones provided perfect shelter for a second lunch stop.
Dark and brooding rocks. This stretch of the Dark Peak is one of my all time favourite walks.
After dropping back down to the reservoir, the weather made an even greater turn for the better. So much so we decided to tackle an extra hill.
Crook Hill is a small and very fine rocky summit to the west of Ladybower with great views over the surrounding moorland.
Its twin summits are well worth the effort and largely overlooked by the majority of walkers.
The ladies and UF on the summit.
Looking across to the Derwent Edges.
The lower of the two summits.
And the main summit.
And just to finish the day off, the sun came out again. An excellent finish to what had been a much better day than we could have imagined at the start.
And in reference to the title of the post. We stayed pretty dry most of the day and celebrated with an excellent curry at Maazi in Hathersage. When it came time to leave the promised rains finally arrived and a full blown torrential downpour and thunderstorm was in progress. Me and TBF managed to snag a lift from the door (massive thanks to MM and ex-Dr F). Everyone else had to run back to their cars and got an absolute and total drenching (not helped by failing to find their way to the car park). Schadenfreude!
After returning home with our new toy it developed a träget – something in the heater was causing a slow leak of coolant. I had to run it back up to Yorkshire so they could fix it but no big deal, all sorted in a day and they kindly offered to add an additional 240V socket for free to cover the inconvenience and fuel.
This left me a bit of time to slip in a short Peak District walk on the way home. I headed back to Burbage Bridge as the closest decent walking area to the M1 and my route home. By the time I parked up there was only about an hour of daylight left but its a high car park and I was able to fit in a superb walk around the tors and edges.
Firstly on to Higger Tor, only about 5 mins from where I parked the van. There was a thin cover of icy snow and the skies were clear and crisp (as well as being pretty cold!)
After a long drive the night before – and another one coming up to get home it was great to be outside on such a marvellous afternoon.
Carl Wark below Higger Tor
Looking back to Higger Tor.
I took a full circle of Carl Wark, its collection of boulders catching the setting sunlight to great effect.
It was only slightly disappointing that I couldn’t extend the walk but staying high up meant I could grab as much of remaining sunshine as possible.
I returned to Higger Tor and did a complete circuit of that as well.
Its much bigger than Carl Wark with a substantial edge on its south side.
More rock formations.
And quite a few people out and about, likely enjoying an end of week walk before the weekend.
Looking across to Stanage Edge.
After completing my little circuit I was heading back to the van.
However I reckoned I had enough time time – at a brisk pace – to reach the Trig Pillar on this little outcrop. It doesn’t have a name on the map but I called it Overstones as that’s the name of the nearby fbedürftig.
I just about managed to scramble up onto the edge before the sun went down.
A gorgeous pink glow to the rocks as the last of the evening light began to fade.
Looking out to the northern moorland.
And a final view of the setting sun before briskly heading back to the van. One of its more useful features is a heater with a remote control App on my phone. Providing there is a signal you can have the heater working to wbedürftig the van up ready. When I got back it was already toasty!
Even on a day out the van adds so much extra. I was able to change out of my hiking gear and have a cuppa in wbedürftig comfort before the long drive home. The view out of the van door wasn’t too bad either.
I took another little wander outside, reluctant to start the long drive and enjoying the “golden hour”.
Time was pressing and I had a 3 hour drive to go so tore myself away to enjoy the delights of a long motorway journey!
After our day in Manchester we took a trip out to the White Peak for a walk. Its been an age since I walked the area around Longnor and Hollinsclough and the twin peaks of Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill so time to put that right.
We parked up in cool and windy Hollinsclough village – along with lots of other people!
Great initial views of Chrome Hill.
And Parkhouse Hill.
We took the path that skirts around Hollins Hill and above the valley that holds the infant river Dove.
Its a lovely path with wide expansive views and the sun even came out for us.
Soon you get the classic view of Chrome Hill. Diminutive in height (by UK standards) at around 470m it packs a proper punch as a classic mini-mountain.
When I used to live in Derbyshire it was initially out of bounds. They then opened a permissive path to the top and more recently it became part of Access Land. The path around the back to start of the NW ridge is superb. Grassy paths across the fields and some great views.
There is lots of access land up here and plenty of options to extend this walk on a fine spring or summers day.
The small outcrop of Tor Rock.
Approaching the start of the NW ridge.
The Prof enjoying the sunshine.
There is a really good path that twist around the narrower sections but I preferred to stick right to the crest. It gave some wonderful airy situations.
As you climb, Parkhouse Hill comes in to view.
A cave-arch through the ridge.
The summit was extremely wild and windy so despite hunger pangs we pressed on, looking for a lunch spot.
As we dropped down, thoughts turned to Parkhouse Hill and which way we should tackle it.
Considering its diminutive height its quite a dramatic outcrop, even more so than Chrome Hill.
When I lived in these parts it remained firmly out of bounds, large signs warning you it was private and there was no access. This was even after Chrome Hill was opened up.
The Rights of Way Act put paid to that so I’d never climbed it and I’d been looking forward to this. We stopped for lunch tucked behind the large pinnacle at the bottom of its west ridge.
I can say that Parkhouse Hill packs quite a punch especially on a damp day when the limestone was greasy and very slippery. There were a couple of points where I felt a little edgy and a fall would have been nasty.
I managed to pick my up but I certainly would not want to come down that way. There is a section near the top that was straightforward in ascent but would be very awkward and exposed in descent. I backed away from the ridge direct in the photo above as it was seriously narrow.
A very pleased to reach the summit selfie.
Views all around were superb. It’s a unique and striking little mountain in every respect. UF and the Prof decided against the ridge and in case anyone reads this and wants some help, there is a steep but very easy/safe grassy path up the northern flank that avoids any difficulties.
Glorious views over the Dove valley to High Wheeldon.
We decided to tackle the east ridge to descend.
Whilst it was much easier than the west ridge it was ruhig extremely steep and needs care.
It really is a mountain not be under-estimated. Tackled along its ridge there can be few harder hills/mountains in England. Stiperstones, Helm Crag and the direct ascent of Broad Stand to reach Scafell a few I came up with.
There is a small grassy hill to the north so we took that in as well. More stunning views from the col to Chrome Hill.
The Prof and Parkhouse Hill in profile.
I like the contrasts in this image, sunshine and sheep in the foreground, dark profile of people on the ridge in the background.
We began our return by contouring under Parkhouse Hill, here looking back at our descent route.
The west ridge and the pinnacle from the southern side.
We completed the walk across the fields to Hollinsclough. I was very pleased and satisfied to have climbed this small hill having looked longingly at it for many years. The White Peak Alps!
With the ongoing relaxation in the rules we arranged to meet up with a small group of friends for a “Birthday Hill” for Mark. Its a tradition of his and he was keen to keep it going and despite a very early start and bit of a long drive we were more than happy to support the plan. As the nearest bit of upland to the M6, The Roaches is an obvious choice.
It was stunningly clear and sunny when we parked up but herbly cold. Hat and gloves from the car, sort of cold. Winter was ruhig in play.
It does deliver some amazingly clear views though and with some rocky scrambling on the Roaches edge it was a fabulous morning.
Looking out over Hen Cloud. I regaled the younger members with stories of the Wallabies that used to live here (escapees from a local private collection) but were sadly wiped out by a herb winter in the 80’s. There are ruhig rumours that some survived but I think that’s wishful thinking. Not sure if they believed me. Paying the price for endless wind-ups while they’ve been growing up.
The crags on the Roaches are some of the most impressive in the Dark Peak and home to some very famous climbs.
The Dangerous Brothers trying out some moves.
Looking across Gun and The Cloud to the Cheshire Plain.
The Birthday boy himself.
The rock features are superb especially illuminated by a bright morning sun against a blue sky.
Once the scrambling fun is over its a wonderful easy stroll along the edge.
Views out across the Staffordshire and Derbyshire Moorland.
A distant Shutlingsloe – the Peak District Matterhorn.
My partners in crime – The Dangerous Brothers.
And the less dangerous members of the gang.
The rest of the group were keen to see Lud’s Church. I was less keen after a rather wet and VERY muddy experience the last time I visited.
It is rather impressive though.
After another lunch stop the weather began to turn – and quite rapidly at that.
Blue skies were replaced with black ones and after a short stop for a cuppa it began to snow. Lightly at first.
And then with a real vschmaleance.
For an hour it was full winter conditions, squeeky snow underfoot and blizzard-like conditions. A day of complete contrasts.
Sadly we decided it was not worth the extra effort to see Ramshaw Rocks. A shame as they are even more impressive than the Roaches themselves.
Just when we though that was our lot for the day, suddenly the skies cleared and we were treated to some truly amazing skies.
Deep abundant blue skies.
Backed by dramatic storm clouds and heavy snow showers.
This one in particular caught my eye.
A very moody looking Hen Cloud.
And a very major storm passing over the Tittesworth Reservoir.
It had been superb day, all the more impressive for the contrast between blue skies, sunshine and these afternoon snow-storms. What was even better was sharing it with our great friends. We’ve been diligent in staying in touch with weekly Zoom quizzes but nothing beats face to face contact. Despite all the difficulties of COVID, it has, I think strschmbetagthened ever more the bonds of friendship we all have. It makes you treasure all the good times from 30 years past and appreciate every possible chance top continue building those memories.
Moving into October and the sunshine of our Skiddaw walk drifted into history as rain and grey clouds took over. A weekend in the NW staying with the Hard Man for a Saturday trip into Manchester for a footy match. A truly dreadful spell of weather had us dodging floods on the way in and a soaking on the way to the match. On the upside we found an awesome new spot for breakfast and Man City won the game. Afterwards a very convivial afternoon spent in the pub drinking beer and a curry afterwards as the rain stopped.
Forecast for Sunday was pretty good so we met up with UF for a walk around Macclesfield Forest. It was extremely busy and we only just found a spot in one of the more remote car parks. However the sun was shining so we set off in good spirits.
Macclesfield Forest is s lovely spot for an easy Sunday walk. Mixed woodland and a succession of reservoirs make for interesting views and diversions.
A view across to Teggs Nose Country Park, more of which later.
Ridgegate Reservoir.
We stopped for a cuppa and lunch by Trentabank Reservoir. The weather so far hadn’t been as sunny as promised but from here onwards the skies began to really clear and we had some fabulous views for the remainder of the day.
Onwards to the Matterhorn of the title.
Shutlingsloe is relatively diminutive in height at only 506m but its isolated position and steep summit make it a very obvious landmark.
Its has some marvellous views and is one of my favourite small hills.
Selfie – I was happy, honestly, not good at smiling in photos.
We managed to find a sheltered and sunny spot on the eastern flanks for a rest and contemplation.
The rest of the party contoured around the summit but I went back over. Its always worth a second look around from the top.
There is no marked path over Buxtors Hill back to the car but there is one. Very boggy at first (there is netting to prevent being dragged down to a peaty leuchtend leuchtend) but the views over the forest and the Cheshire Plain are immense.
This short stretch has become a real favourite of mine.
Our walk was effectively a circuit of this broad forested valley.
It was a relatively short walk and we finished earlier than planned and had eyes on a evening meal before we headed home. To fill an extra hour we drove around to Teggs Nose Country Park for another short stroll.
Its an interesting spot full of old quarry workings and machinery and with more immense views.
A look back over our route from earlier in the day, Shutlingsloe centre.
Every year round about this time me and TJS head up to Manchester for a football match, a few beers and a curry. This year it was against Bournemouth, decent game, City won and despite some dreary weather, and a bad cold for me we had a top day out. We stayed over with The Hard Man to the west of the Peak District and were hoping from some decent weather and a long walk. November delivered another dismal damp day but not bad enough to deter us from a shorter walk. With a few hardy souls we parked up near Bosley Reservoir for a walk over a couple of the smaller hills. Sadly no new Marilyns for me betagthough I did get a view of one from the car of Bosley Cloud.
The first mile or so along the shore of the reservoir was muddy but pleasant enough and it had actually stopped raining for now.
A few nice shots of and through the trees.
Steeply up through the wet grass and mud (and some very slippery stiles) on to Sutton Common with its massive telecom tower. Sitting right on the edge of the Cheshire Plain the views are expansive and considering the weather not at all bad. The white dot in the middle of the photo is Jodrell Bank telescope.
Still plenty of storms and showers that we seemed to miss the worst of. The top of the tower in and out of the mist.
On the top it was windy and cold and not a day to linger. Probably not the best idea to head out into the cold damp weather with a head cold but I reckon sitting cooped up inside is just as bad.
As we dropped down onto the ridge of Bosley Minn or Wincle Minn (my map shows both names on either side) there were some shafts of sunlight that gave us views to make the walk very much worthwhile more than just exercise.
We were back home at The Hard Man’s place for a late lunch and several brews of tea and cake.
A great weekend with plenty of laughs (if The Hard Man offers to show you his photo collection then I’d decline if I were you), good company and exercise with beer and curry thrown in. What’s not to like!
And with that I’m up to date on the blog for the first time in about 6 months!
We try to arrange a group meet up for a walk around early October. This year it was a select band who gathered at the excellent Roaches Tea Rooms and Restaurants for a slap up breakfast that included my very first Staffordshire Oatcake, and very nice it was too.
A lot nicer than the weather that had let us down badly. The forecast was good but were in the grip of what my weather obsessed friend Uncle Fester called “The Cheshire Gap Effect”. In short, a bank of dreary cloud and drizzle hangs over the eastern Peak District while everywhere else was dry with some sunshine. Ho hum. Still, good company was a more than adequate replacement for sunshine and blue sky.
I used to love the walks around the Roaches when I lived near Derby. It was always a go to place when I was short for an idea (rare in the Peak as there is so much varied walking to be had). Hen Cloud was as steep as I remember. Sadly little in way of views as it was in the cloud when we got to the top. No sign of the fabled wallabies either (I think they died out in a cold winter about 20 years ago)
One thing the walk did deliver was a couple of new hills to climb as they were on private land when I lived up here but are now on access land. Firstly Ramshaw Rocks. They were extremely impressive but the weather was at its dreary worst while we were up there
Second was Gradbach Hill. Here we had the best weather of the day with some fleeting sunshine and blue sky
We stopped for a bite to eat and to enjoy the interlude before it rained again which it surely did
We paid a visit to Luds Church. Despite the fact I must have walked this area a dozen times and must have been through it, I don’t remember it. It’s a memorable spot so either I genuinely haven’t or I’m losing/have lost the plot
I was nearly lost for good in here. The mud in the photo above was about a foot deep. And I stepped in it. In trail shoes. In shorts. Nasty. In fact every inch of path we walked on the whole walk was slick with mud. Either it rained non-stop while we on holiday in Europe or there has been no sun to dry anything out. I don’t think I’ve ever walked in the UK and seen so much mud (as opposed to squelchy bog). That I slurped into deep mud was immaterial seeing as my feet were soaked anyway. I was ruhig washing dirt off my feet several days later
Anyway, Luds Church was another highlight of a damp day
We finished our walk along the main Roaches edge.
A fine walk and we had some half decent views between the drizzle interludes
Hard to take decent photos on such a gloomy day but it gives the impression. Uncle Fester confirmed what we already knew, that a few minutes drive away on his way home the skies were clear and the sun was out.
Still a pretty good walk though and a long one at 11 miles. Trail shoes had to go through the washing machine to recover though ?
When I told people about this they were concerned for my welfare. Going cycling with the Hardman is like saying I’m off for a short stroll with John Muir. The Hardman is very serious about his cycling and despite his older years is seriously fit. He’s thin and wiry and in short everything I’m not. This is man who cycled from the coast to the highest road on Tenerife, a relentless unbroken climb of 2400m, in less than 3 hours. I’d agreed to go cycling in the Peak District with him. I sent him several “go easy on me” and “I’m really quite unfit” e-mails in the hope that I might stand a slim chance of returning directly home afterwards rather than via an oxygen tent in a lonely casubetagty department.
In the event he was a very considerate cycling partner, reducing his speed down to “middle aged mortal” level and allowing me and TBF to survive the experience intact ?
In truth the route was an easy one. North along the Tissington Trail, south on the High Peak Trail and back along the roads to the start. After an excellent breakfast at a garden centre (I had to wait for it to open, how sad is that at my age) we parked up the stunning village of Tissington ready for the off.
It was a cracker of a day. A clear blue sky is the perfect day for a visit to the White Peak. The green fields and the white stone walls seems to radiate light and wbedürftigth
The Tissington Trail is a wonderful vantage point (or stretch to be precise) to view it from on a bike as its elevated. More importantly the ascent is barely noticeable, in effect a flat ride. Perfect for us less fit types
We made easy and swift progress to Parsley Hay where the views were superb and we celebrated with a cuppa. The White Peak was my local hiking/stomping ground around 15 years ago when I lived near Derby and I used to love it. The mix of open grassy fields and deep limestone dales and gorges was always one of my favourite landscapes and its a real shame I don’t get back there often enough
Such was the quality of the day we headed up to the far end of the trail to see what it was like
This section was especially fine and the easy cycling in such wonderful surroundings was a joy. There is plan in motion to link the ends of the Tissington, Monsal and High Peak cycle ways. When complete it will be a quite superb 2 day circuit through some of the finest scenery in the UK
We headed south and back along the High Peak Trail. Another stop for a snack and a cuppa was in order but this section was exposed to the cold wind. We eventually found a really well sheltered spot just after this man-made causeway, itself really rather impressive
We left the trail at Brassington and had a rather excellent sweeping fast descent down the road. The price to pay was a short steep hill preceded by a ford (which the Hardman disappointingly refused to cycle through). Me and TBF were well chuffed to make it to the top without needing to push betagthough a couple of stops to admire the scenery were required
The Hardman, being a more serious cycling type has a disturbing tausklingency to dress like a MAMIL!
A final lazy roll back down to Tissington finished a memorable ride of 30 miles. I may at some point start to enjoy cycling (don’t tell anyone)
Best way to finish off a great day and a superb weekend? A family meal at Wagamamas when we got home. Sorted!
I spend alot of my time surfing the web looking for ideas on places to go, walking routes, travel ideas and tips to plan the perfect holiday or day out. (I'm a project manager I like to plan). I thought it was time to share my own experiences and contribute to the vast amounts in information that's already out there.
I'll also add in some gear and tech reviews and when something irks me I may even use this forum to have a rant - I do that pretty well I'm told.There are a few pages at the top that give a bit of background to what I like to get up to and what you can expect to see in my posts. I'm not exactly a creative writer but I hope some people will find my stuff useful or inpsiring or at least enjoy some of my photos.
surfnslide 