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The Ramblers
Thursday 14 June

Michael led the latest in the programme of short, leisurely ‘step’ walks ;

There were five of us who arrived in Eckington (three by bus, two by car) for a four mile walk which took us over a golf course, the river Rother, a railway line and across the Trans Pennine Trail – from where we walked the overgrown towpath – the Cuckoo Way – of the now disused section of the Chesterfield canal.
This took us in a wide loop to the outskirts of Renishaw and on to a car park on the
Trans Pennine Trail.
Continuing on the Trail we made our way back to Eckington, turning off onto a footpath skirting Boiley Farm.
Storm Hector had chosen to operate in Scotland rather than the environs of Eckington – so our walk took place in warm sunshine and a mild breeze.

An Eckington Heritage walk

Our next ‘step’ walk starts at 10:00 from Birkin Lane, Grassmoor on Friday 6 July.

The Ramblers
Wednesday 13 June

On the evening walk from the Robin Hood Inn Leader: Sara Photo: Mel

A trip to Ashford in the Water by 15 walkers (including a guest from New Mills) for a 12.5 mile circular led by Lorraine.
The clockwise journey went via Monsal Head, Great Longstone (for coffee), a busy Bakewell (for lunch), Over Haddon above Lathkill Dale, and Sheldon.
Some tough stiles over the many stone walls en route, but three public conveniences still open to greet the walking tourist.
A fine and completely mud-free day for such a good walk.

Monsal Head

Magpie Mine, near Sheldon from footpath Ashford in the Water WD 5 / 6

The Ramblers
Saturday 9 June

David writes ;

It was an ideal summer day for the 14 of us on our 11 mile walk along the eastern border of Derbyshire.
We started at the car park at Whitwell Wood.
Our route took us past Whitwell and Hodthorpe villages, through the hamlet of Belph, and then briefly into Nottinghamshire and on to Creswell Crags.
We walked over the old colliery site at Creswell, noting that the footpath has been temporarily moved as house building has now started on this long derelict site.
We continued to Elmton and had lunch on the village green.
Some of our group were sat straight in the path of a flock of around 100 sheep being moved from the farm, where they had been sheared, back out to the fields.

Elmton

Photos by Mel

Passing through a magnificent field of poppies, we paused to look at the attractive parish church which was built in 1773 after the original one had fallen down.
We also learned a little about
Jedediah Buxton, an illiterate farm labourer and mathematical genius who had lived in the village in the early 1700s.
Skirting the edge of Clowne, we continued over the fields, through Whitwell village – and back to our cars.

It’s pleasing to report that most of the footpaths were in excellent condition – clearly defined through growing crops and with wide, mown,paths along the hedgerows.
Much of the land in the area we walked is part of the Chatsworth estate and we had several reminders, with the familiar blue paint on gates and doors.

Another summer Saturday and another long walk, this time led by Lorraine and Andrea.
Beginning at Chelmorton Church it was on to Horseshoe Dale, and Deepdale – a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Then to Brierlow, Hindlow – and a return via Monyash, Deepdale, Taddington to Chelmorton.
Sunshine all day and very warm – lots of wild flowers and the expected pollen count was high.
A finish in the pub for an extremely welcome refreshment after seven hours and a route of over 16 miles.

The Ramblers
Wednesday 6 June

Robin Hood’s Stride

Leaders: Pauline & Clive Photos: Mel

An excellent first walk from Lesley as a leader.
A dozen ‘long bus walkers’ followed an 11 mile local circular from Holme Hall, via Linacre Wood, Birley, Moorhall, Unthank, Millthorpe, Cartledge, Barlow, and Cutthorpe on a warm, but very cloudy, day.
Quite a few of our NE Derbyshire footpaths checked en route.
It also marked a welcome return of a group stalwart after a long illness.

Holmesfield footpath NE 11 / 45

Barlow footpath NE 2 / 38

Sunday 3 June

Narrowdale and Narrowdale Hill on today’s final walk in the Ramblers ‘hidden gems’ Festival

Leader: Robert Photos: John

The Ramblers
Saturday 2 June

Simon led the Saturday strenuous walk ;

Six steadfast souls set out, despite the threat of rain, to complete the Edale Horseshoe.
The 18.5 mile route started out from Hope up to the first trig point on Win Hill.
On then along to Hope Cross before ascending to the southern flank of Kinder via Crookstone Moor.
Navigation was put to the test as we picked our way through the mist westwards to Ringing Roger, past the top of Grindsbrook Clough, before snaking through the Woolpacks where we stopped for lunch.
A slight descent then followed to the top of Jacob’s Ladder before striking out for the trig point on Brown Knoll. The flagstone path took us then to Chapel Gate before a short hop over to Rushup Edge. We emerged from the mist to enjoy some afternoon sunshine as we returned along the Great Ridge to take in our final summit of Lose Hill.

The Ramblers
Wednesday 30 May

The ‘short bus’ group headed into Nottinghamshire today.

Michael writes ;

It didn’t look too promising as nine members took the bus to
Newstead Abbey in the pouring rain.
However, it stopped after we had walked for about 15 minutes and though it was very wet underfoot the weather remained dry for the rest of the walk.
We were able to appreciate the varied colours of the many flowers and shrubs in the different gardens.
Lunch was taken in the Rose Garden and after this we stopped to chat with a gardener who was tending some roses. One of our ladies obviously made an impression upon him for he cut off a rose and presented it to her.
We timed our walk back to the entrance with less than ten minutes to wait for the bus back to Chesterfield.

The footsteps of Lord Byron (baldhiker.com)

Val reports ;

A group of ten ‘long bus’ walkers went to Tideswell using the revised 170/66 connection from Chesterfield.
Being wary of relying on it for returning, the plan was to walk back to Baslow.
Soon after we had started on the route to Tideswell Dale the rain started, but after a brief stop to put on waterproofs on we went.
We followed the Dale to Litton Mill, too wet for the planned coffee stop, and took the riverside path to Cressbrook Mill where a hydro-electric scheme is in progress ; plenty of water today.
Ascending to the Monsal Trail we continued over the viaduct and, as it was still raining, into the Headstone Tunnel, and then across to Great Longstone.
The rain having stopped we had lunch by the playing fields – and then it was over the fields to Rowland and Hassop.
A stretch of quiet road walking took us over the hill to find field paths back to Baslow and Nether End. Approximately 10 miles.

A walk to the ‘hidden gems’ of the Barrow and Grinah Stones, led by Gavin and Rhona was scheduled – and 15 turned up at Kings Tree in the Upper Derwent Valley to enjoy what would be a delightful route on a fine summer’s day. It was a favourite of Rob Randle, after whom we named the route.
Unfortunately the rains came down and it was decided to call it a day near the Deer Holes before facing the moors in atrocious conditions.
The Stones remain hidden for a better day.

The start of the walk at Kings Tree
(Hope Woodlands footpath HP 17 / 9)

The Ramblers
Saturday 26 May

John reports on the strenuous Saturday walk ;

We started in bright but hazy sunshine, a group of eight led by Jill – John H, Lorraine, Nicky from Nottingham, Paul and Hilde from Hallam, Diane from Sheffield, and myself.
We set off through Smeekley Wood to Totley Moor with our path marked with bluebells and other spring flowers.
On our way over Totley Moor we observed a few red deer amongst the heather.
On to Longshaw for lunch and then the ‘hidden gem’ that is Padley Gorge, Froggatt Edge, White Edge, Curbar Edge, Baslow Edge, and the Wellington Monument before a return to Shillito Wood car park in really good spirits.
A smashing 16 mile walk completed in 6.5 hrs with marvellous views all around.

A basking adder on a South Yorkshire walk
Photo: Collin

The Ramblers
Wednesday 23 May

St Mary’s, Cromford

The good weather continues ….
A route between High Peak Junction and Sir Richard Arkwright’s Masson Mills for ten ‘short bus’ walkers, led by Barbara.
After an initial stretch of the Cromford Canal there was a northward turn towards Holloway and Lea Bridge.
Lunch in Bow Wood led on to Cromford Station and Cromford Church before the Trans Peak bus at Masson Mill.

Cromford footpath WD 112 / 40

early wild orchids

One of today’s two ‘wildflower walks’
Monsal Head, Longstone Moor, Wardlow Mires, Cressbrook Dale
Leaders: Eileen & Terry Photos: John

The Ramblers
Saturday 19 May

Chesterfield Walking Festival

Another fine Walking Festival day for a linear walk from Millthorpe to Holymoorside, covering most of Section 11 of the Peak District Boundary Walk.
Ten set off from the Royal Oak at Millthorpe heading for Smeekley Wood and Fox Lane Top. The Boundary Walk then led on to Birchen Edge with its weekend collection of rock climbers before a lunch stop at the Robin Hood.

On the edge of Chatsworth

Climbing on Birchen Edge

Continuing along the western edge of the Chatsworth Estate it was on to the prehistoric burial mound known as Hob Hursts House where the Boundary Walk heads down to Beeley – but we crossed Eastmoor for a finish at Holymoorside.

The Royal wedding had a miss, but we ended in time for the Cup Final.

The Ramblers
Thursday 17 May

Chesterfield Walking Festival

An excellent week weather-wise for the Chesterfield Area Walking Festival and our ten contributions to it.
Our group area may be unique in having three excellent English Heritage properties in such close proximity and today’s ‘triangular’ walk took in Bolsover Castle, Hardwick Old Hall, and Sutton Scarsdale Hall.
28 walkers, with one baby, and one dog followed a 13.5 mile route via the Bolsover Backhills, Palterton, Glapwell, Ault Hucknall, Hardwick Park, Stainsby, Heath, Sutton Scarsdale, and the Bolsover Model Village. Slightly longer than planned, owing to footpaths not being re-instated after ploughing and cropping.
All were appreciative, including the youngest participant ; baby changing stops are perhaps a new feature of our group walks ?

Hardwick Row Ponds

The Ramblers
Sunday 13 May

descent into Deep Dale

near the summit of Chelmorton Low

Leaders : Terry & Eileen Photos : John

Taddington circular

The Ramblers
Wednesday 9 May

Sue & Isobel commented on today’s long car walk ;

Perfect walking weather to enjoy the views from the many vantage points on our circuit from Barber Booth – ideal walking weather ; bright sunshine but not too hot.
The route ascended steadily up to Hollins Cross via Greenlands, and then along the ridge with excellent views of Kinder and Castleton, to Lose Hill.
From there we descended to Edale Road and took a path through a wood by the River Noe to Bagshaw Bridge, before climbing slightly to Jaggers Clough.
The route back contoured along the other side of the Vale of Edale via Rowland Cote to Ollerbrook Booth.
A group of 14 walking 11 miles along ridges and rivers, and through woods carpeted with bluebells and white sorrel. An enjoyable day with 1750 feet of ascent.

The Ramblers
Saturday 5 May

John comments ;

Six walkers for a 17 mile circular from Cutthroat Bridge in stunning weather.
The group consisted of Nigel (Leader) John H, Mike B, myself – and two walkers from Stockport Ramblers, Kev and Mark.
We started with a stiff ascent to Ladybower Tor and progressed to Abbey Bank down the Reservoir.
Then it was up to Lost Lad and Back Tor, and on to Foulstone Delf.
Dale Dyke Reservoir was next and up to Sugworth Hall and Moscar Cross Road before a return to Cutthroat Bridge.
All happy at the finish of Nigel’s first lead.