Saturday 16 September
Three visually impaired, together with six guides, enjoyed a five mile walk today – a circular from Cromford Meadows up to the High Peak Trail, with a return via the Cromford Canal.
Reg was the leader.
The first walk with the visually impaired in the winter programme is on 21 October from Unstone, via Summerley Hall and Frith Wood.
The leaders will be Barbara and Ken, with Mark and Otis.
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Wednesday 13 September
A 9.5 mile local walk for five, led by Basil.
A bus to Newbold, and then a route via Dunston, to Sheepbridge, Cobnar Wood, Lees Bridge, Grasscroft Wood, Ouzle Bank, Unstone, and New Whittington.
Apart from a few spots of light rain and a bit of a breeze, the weather was better than the forecast.
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The overnight storm Aileen had largely passed on by the time Kath led a bus circular from Glapwell.
A group of nine + two dogs followed a fairly familiar anti-clockwise route via Ault Hucknall, Hardwick Hall, Norwood Lodge, and Rowthorne.
Fine weather, except for a few spots of rain while having lunch in a convenient Hardwick barn and unfortunately a heavy hailstone shower ten minutes from the end.
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Wednesday 6 September
Lorraine describes her walk ;
12 + myself set off from Taddington towards the rain cloud over Sough Top before dropping into Chelmorton for a sheltered coffee stop in the churchyard.
Skies clearing, we headed across farmland to Churn Hole where a little care and concentration was required to negotiate the short descent to Topley Pike Quarry.
The walk continued into Wye Dale alongside the river, traversing the stepping stones in Cheedale, where we stopped at a lovely spot for lunch.
After its tricky (but enjoyable) terrain, the sun greeted us and we had an easy amble along the Monsal Trail to Litton where we made a short, steep ascent to Bull Tor.
Along High Dale to Priestcliffe and Rock Lodge Farm, we returned to base by way of the church, having done 11 miles.
A superb day with great company.
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A linear walk from A to B across our local area always involves rarely walked footpaths and a new perspective.
Few people would dream of walking from Bolsover to Unstone but David’s route revealed views of the area that are not often seen.
A route via Woodthorpe, Staveley, the Chesterfield Canal, New Whittington, and the Hundall TV masts.
15 made the journey.
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Saturday 2 September
One of many stiles
Fourteen minus one
Peak Forest from Lower Beelow
Limousin Bull progeny
Approaching Peak Forest
Negotiating a particularly awkward stile
Approaching Little Hucklow
Durham Edge and Hucklow Edge
Reurning to base with Win Hill in the background
Good action photography from John’s latest Saturday strenuous outing ;
All met at the lay-by on the road from Windmill to Bradwell.
A good group of 14 from far and wide.
The walk started in good conditions with no rain forecast, heading from Jennings Dale to Hollandtwine Mine on the Limestone Way and then downhill towards Peak Forest and Beelow for refreshments.
From there it was onto Damside Farm and a stile with barbed wire which we crossed with great care.
Down into Dam Dale, along Hay Dale and Peter Dale, and then up from there to the Limestone Way and Wheston.
From there it was onto Little Hucklow and back to the cars.
All returned to their transport happy after 17 miles, despite some stile problems.
Another ‘summer’ long walk of 18 miles on 23 September.
Saturday 26 August
Mel & Cathy write ;
Today’s walk from Ashford in the Water.
Graham and Edna led us, a lovely 9.5 mile walk, weather glorious, company super – and beer, cake and ice cream to finish.
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Thursday 24 August
Chatsworth deer
A bright day for the latest of the short, leisurely ‘step’ walks.
Ten took the bus to Baslow for a circuit of Chatsworth Park, displaying its early preparations for the
Country Fair.
These walks are ideal for those members who still want country exercise and good conversation on more relaxed terms – and those not yet in the Ramblers who want an easy introduction.
The programme will continue throughout the winter.
Wednesday 23 August
John reports ;
After arriving at the start of today’s walk in Upper Hulme through a torrential rain storm I was not expecting any walkers to turn up.
Fortunately six of us did and we started off on time in decent weather, which later developed into a bright warm day.
Our lunch stop adjacent to Turners Pool was interrupted by a small herd of interested cattle, but no problem at all as they just stood and watched us eat.
We progressed from there to a small holding called Cliff where there is a small menagerie of animals including two pot bellied pigs (very friendly and wanting their heads scratched), peacocks, Indian Runner ducks, geese, chickens, and goats.
It was then on to Gun End Farm where the promised mud had to be negotiated, and we found it to be much worse than expected.
From there to Hollins Hall and Danes Bridge and the Wincle Brewery for lunch (and a beer).
I changed the route from there and went up to the Hanging Stone, down to Lud’s Chapel, and up to Roach End, along the Roaches and a return to the cars.
A total of 11 miles in good weather, thoroughly enjoyed by all participants.
Photos by Trish.
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The week’s gloomy and humid weather continued today as the short bus walkers made their way on the Pronto bus to Pleasley.
Marion led 14 on a linear route to Bolsover, via part of the Archaeological Way and Scarcliffe.
A few bright patches in the afternoon to prove that the sun has not been totally eclipsed.
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Saturday 19 August
Kath reports ;
Fifteen of us, which included six visually impaired, braved the wind and the squally showers on a lovely scenic 5.5 mile walk around Fox House.
From the car park we headed along Houndkirk Road towards Lady Canning’s Plantation, and then cut across Burbage Moor to Upper Burbage Bridge, returning to Longshaw on the Sheffield Country Walk.
The moors were just one mass of purple heather – it was so dense in places you could even smell it was a little bit like honey.
Everyone was able to appreciate the atmosphere, sighted or not.
The Walk Leader was Kay.
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Lorraine led the Saturday strenuous walk of 18 miles ;
Two records were set on the long Saturday walk this week.
The first award came for a turnout of 18 hardy walkers. These included visiting members from Nottingham, Derby, Alfreton & Derbyshire Dales.
The second award was given to the number of times we switched from short sleeves to rain jackets.
We set off from Birchover with a day of showers but mostly sunshine ahead.
A visit to Robin Hood’s Stride before continuing along the Limestone Way to the River Bradford and on to Over Haddon – for a wet coffee break.
Leaving the shelter of the trees, the sun duly returned for our traverse across Haddon Fields, offering splendid views of Haddon Hall and Bakewell.
We climbed our way behind the Hall towards Rowsley, leaving the rain down on the A6.
Following lunch, we picked up the Derwent Valley Heritage Way towards Darley Bridge before hitting Wensley Dale, Cambridge Wood & Clough Wood on our return to base.
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Wednesday 16 August
Michael writes ;
There were 13 of us on my circular walk from Fox House ; 7 travelled by bus, 6 came by car.
We took the path of the Sheffield Country Walk almost to Totley, returning via Lenny Hill and Blacka Moor.
Fine weather on the day as well as dry weather on previous days ensured that there were hardly any wet, boggy patches to negotiate.
Arriving back at Fox House there was ample time for most of us to sample welcome refreshments before returning home.
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For the second week running, the ladies outnumbered the men 2 to 1 on the Wednesday Long Car Walks.
 Riber  Matlock  Jughole Wood
Lorraine had led one walk, her first as leader, on 9 Aug when 9 members walked from Elton to Clough Wood, Wensleydale, Darley Bridge, the Heritage Way to Matlock, climbing to the Heights of Abraham and then onto Jughole Wood – returning to Elton via the Limestone Way. A good 12.5 mile walk.
The walk today was led by Liz, an 11.5 mile walk with 10 members taking in the delights of the Goyt Valley.
The route to Windgather Rocks, Pym Chair, Errwood Hall and the dismantled Cromford High Peak Railway was a true highlight.
Another excellent walk.
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Saturday 5 August
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We try to cater for all tastes, and today’s two walks were completely different.
The choice of a strenuous 18 mile route in the Peak or a leisurely four mile stroll from the Chesterfield Visitor Centre along the Chesterfield Canal to the Hollingwood Hub.
Five plus a dog favoured the Canal route.
We would have gone on to the Barrow Hill Roundhouse close by, but unfortunately it’s not due to re-open until September.
So it was a repeat of last November’s route but at a slower pace of 2 hours 20 minutes on a warm sunny morning.
The Canal is increasingly popular with walkers and cyclists and we encountered old friends from the group en route.
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 Bramley Dale  Nigel, Elaine, Doug, John, Simon, Andrea, Lorraine, & John  Nigel, Elaine, Doug, Simon, Andrea, Lorraine, & John  Emperor Lake, Chatsworth  Hell Bank Plantation  John, Nigel, Elaine, Andrea, Doug & Simon at Calton Houses  Nigel, John, Doug & Simon at Calton Houses  Highland calf at Peak Pasture
Another strenuous Saturday, described by John ;
Eight of us started this 18 mile walk in fair weather (no mud,no rain).
We progressed along the River Derwent to Curbar and climbed out of the valley and along to Baslow – then it was on to Chatsworth Park and the Hunting Tower, the Emperor Lake, the Warren, Hell Bank Plantation and Beeley.
Lunch was at Calton Houses.
An afternoon route on to Manners Wood and Bakewell, where unfortunately the new member of our group had a problem with his knee and decided he could not continue.
He took a bus/taxi back to Calver and his transport.
From Bakewell we continued on to Rowland and climbed toward Longstone Edge, Hassop Common, Back Dale Wood, Peak Pasture and a return to Calver and the Derwentwater Arms.
All happy as usual – an excellent walk in good, mostly clear weather.
So, now on to the next one on the 19th August to be led from Birchover by Lorraine. Another 18 miles.
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Wednesday 2 August
A bit of a damp day for Val’s Hope Valley train walk ;
Despite the threatening weather forecast, 11 members arrived at Sheffield station in dry conditions to take the train to Bamford.
Alas on reaching there the weather had deteriorated and it was time to don our waterproofs.
Light rain lasted until the end of the walk.
Our route took us north-east to reach Stanage Edge, then along to Upper Burbage Bridge and, crossing the bridge, pursuing the well surfaced path below Burbage Edge to Lower Burbage.
We then followed Burbage Brook south through #PadleyGorge to Grindleford Station.
A total distance of about 9 miles.
Not being a day to linger on the edges, we had time for a welcome mug of tea in the always welcoming station café before catching our train.
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