We began at Chelmorton in wet conditions, but fortunately the weather forecast was right on the money and the rain stopped just as the walk began – and stayed away.
The route covered 18 miles of stunning countryside, lots of spring flowers, and young animals and birds.
We had seven attendees, with Andrea as leader and the walk was completed in 6.5 hours with a pace of just under 3 mph.
All were happy and finished in good spirits !

The next long Walk is scheduled for the 1st of July from Gradbach, starting at 9:30.

Today’s walk was billed as ‘Surprising South Yorkshire’, which turned out to be true in unexpected ways.
The start, from Elsecar Heritage Centre, was delayed as all nine participants managed to get more or less lost thanks to unexpected major roadworks and a lack of road signs.
An alternative return route I recommended then proved to have a road closure and diversions in place, but fortunately not too difficulty to negotiate.
Despite the problems in reaching the meeting point, we were all in good spirits and determined to enjoy ourselves despite the heavy rain.
Fortunately that eased by coffee time and we then were able to gradually shed cagoules and over-trousers.
Our route took us past several of the Wentworth estate follies, with coffee at the ‘Eye of a Needle’ – and then a walk down through the park and past magnificent Wentworth Woodhouse, the stately home with 365 rooms and the longest frontage of any house in the country.
Thanks to a recent Government grant of £7.5 million this stunning building now looks to have a more secure future.
We continued through the parkland, past the Doric Temple, over a bridge between two of the large lakes – and then over the fields to our final folly, the 115 feet high Keppels Column.
Our return to Elsecar was via field and woodland paths through the villages of Scholes and Wentworth.

16 of set out from Coal Aston on a lovely sunny evening for a 4.5 mile walk around the Moss Valley Woodlands
A field containing alpacas was quite a hit and our walk was made easier by being able to use a series of new field gates.
These replaced some difficult stiles and had been fitted by members of our amazing Ramblers’ working party.

Approaching Minninglow

Lunch is over

Harboro Rocks

Playful lambs at Winster

Saturday’s long walk from Winster Top.
Lorraine leading her first group walk of 18 miles with 7 participants.
A great Walk from Winster to Minninglow, and then on to Ballidon, Rainster Rocks, Harboro Rocks, and the High Peak Trail.
Then the the Via Gellia (valley) towards Birchover and a return to Winster.
Decent weather even though rain threatened on occasions.
The lambs at Winster Top were the icing on the cake !
A brilliant walk with a great leader.

Leaders: Gavin & Rhona      Photos: Mel

Six takers – the walk started on time under fairly ominous skies, but stayed clear until just before Wetton Mill and then the heavens opened.
It rained so heavily we opted not to do Dovedale and the wet limestone and so did another route via Alstonefield – but still covered 18 miles.
The walk was conducted with great humour in spite of the torrential rain.

Early purple orchids

Not very many of us this time – only eleven which included two visually impaired and their guide dogs.
The walk started at Pit Lane visitors centre, Pleasley – and from there we went along one of the trails to the cafe at Teversal for a bacon butty lunch.
As it was raining when we resumed the walk, rather than return via Norwood and the Rowthorne Trail, we cut the walk short and returned on the Skegby trail.
Just made it back to the car park as the heavens decided to open yet again. So instead of a five mile walk we only did four.

We were 15 people, including 5 Ramblers members and we enjoyed a fairly leisurely 5 mile circular walk from Clay Cross, pausing to look at evidence of some of the history of Clay Cross.
We ascended over fields to the Five Pits trail and along to the Wolfie Pond, with a welcome picnic stop accompanied by sunshine and bird life tempting us to stay longer !
A descent via a disused rail line and beside the present line brought us back to Clay Cross.