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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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Small sheep at Chestnut Centre

Shetland Pony

Our target for today – Cracken Edge

The volunteers would have a field day here !

Bogland in site of Chinley Churn

Jill, Graham and Elaine + Luci

Elaine (Derbyshire Dales), Margaret and Graham (Rotherham), Steven (East Cheshire), John, Jill (Derbyshire Dales), Nigel (Derbyshire Dales) on Mount Famine

A circular from Rushup Edge, via Hayfield, Mount Famine, and South Head with guests from other groups         Photos: John

Cathy, Pat, and Hilary on a Jacob’s Ladder and Grindsbrook circular

Our route took us along Burbage Edge, through Longshaw and Hay Wood to Grindleford.
From there we walked along the river to Leadmill Bridge looking out for dippers; one was seen.
After Hathersage we returned through fields and woods and over moorland via Over Owler Tor and Higger Tor, where a coach-load of orange helmeted children had spent the day rock climbing, supported by rangers and instructors.
Our total ascent was 1837 ft.