Saturday 28 July
Edge to Edge
Leaders: Gavin & Rhona Photos: Mel
 Stanage Edge from Dennis Knoll
 Great Tor, Bamford Edge with Ladybower below |
Wirksworth circular
Leader: Andrea Photos: John
Lorraine reports on a walk which, after the heat-wave, saw the return of some familiar grey skies ;
A group of five set off from the National Stone Centre near Wirksworth for a walk of 18.5 miles.
It was quite a chilly start but the sun soon appeared to defy the gloomy forecast.
After an initial stride through Wirksworth, we crossed the
Ecclesbourne Valley Railway heading for Ashleyhay and Alderwasley, keeping Alport Heights in view.
Picking up the Midshires Way, we descended to Cromford Mills for a lunch stop and the ladies’ customary cappuccino.
Fully fuelled, we then set off for Cromford Station and the sharp incline to Hearthstone Lane which rewarded us with splendid views at Riber Castle.
The sun was still shining as we descended into Hall Leys Park in Matlock.
Although tempted by a cooling in the paddling pool, we continued to Shining Cliff, Long Tor and Upperwood.
The looming black cloud had finally caught us and after a brief heavy shower, we soon dried to follow a yet another tough ascent, this time through
Slinter Wood.
Continuing a steady climb towards Dene Quarry we soon reached Middleton village.
Our luck began to run out and we were greeted by high winds and driving rain.
However, we braved the next ascent onto Middleton Moor following a loop to the Star Disc and a dry return to base.
An overall ascent of approximately 3,800 feet.
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Wednesday 25 July
Mel comments on the evening walk ;
A good shot of the group with Bolsover Castle as a back drop.
The evening light added a wonderful warm, if not slightly surreal, light to the picture.
Nine members were present for the walk along the Doe Lea Valley with a return via the ridge between Palterton and Hillstown.
The route began with a short detour around the Peter Fidler Nature Reserve, and this was rewarded with sightings of Dragonflies.
A short stop just below the Castle provided the excellent photo opportunity.
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Over the Moors & Far Away
Leader: John Photos: Mel
 Part of the group descending from Offerton Edge
 Had the leader arranged cool transport on a hot day ?
Unfortunately it was going the wrong way |
Saturday 21 July
Simon writes ;
Another fine weekend prompted a party of four to set out from Rowsley.
The route followed the Derwent at first along to Churchtown, Darley Bridge – and then along the gated road to Oker.
After crossing the fields to Snitterton, the group’s stamina was tested on the long pull up and over Masson Hill and on to Bonsall.
At this point we picked up the Limestone Way and continued on to Winster where we found refuge on the benches in the churchyard for lunch.
Picking up the Limestone Way once again outside Elton, we pressed on to Robin Hood’s Stride and before too long the church tower at Youlgrave came into view.
Sanctuary came in the form of an afternoon stop in the church porch before continuing on down a quiet lane to the picturesque crossing point over the river Lathkill.
A brief, stiff climb followed, up and on to Haddon Fields before reaching the A6 near Haddon Hall.
The final leg started along the footpath adjacent to the river Wye ; then up to Bowling Green Farm, returning back to Rowsley with 18.5 miles completed.
Wednesday 18 July
A Meander around Bakewell
Leaders: Eileen & Terry Photos: Mel
 Panorama, heading for Dirtlow Farm, (well lunch really, hence the determined faces and gait), with a backdrop of Longstone Edge.
 Monsal Dale group shot |
A still warm, if more cloudy day of late, saw Kay lead nine on a linear route between two of the Hope Valley Line Stations.
Leaving Grindleford the walk went via Padley Gorge, Burbage Moor, the Limb Brook, and Ecclesall Woods to Dore and Totley – a nine mile trip.
 Lunch at the Ox Stones on Burbage Moor
 In the Limb Valley |
Saturday 14 July
John comments on the ‘strenuous’ Saturday walk ;
A 16.5 mile circuit from Gradbach, taking in the Roaches, Hen Cloud, Meerbrook, The Foulds, the Gun, Turner’s Pool, Dane Bridge, Hanging Stone, and Lud’s Church.
It was fine warm weather all day – a welcome change in this area.
We had five takers – and collected two more at Dane Bridge with two young ladies trying to navigate from Dane Bridge to Lud’s Church using Google Maps on an iPhone – a forlorn hope as they only show roads and not paths. They joined our group and returned safely to their car park at Gradbach Mill, thanking us for our help.
The walk was completed in six hours with all happy and thirsty, leading to a stop at the Red Lion at Litton.
Leader: John Photos: Simon
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Mam Nick circular
Leaders: Maureen & Dorothy Photos: Mel
 Lunch at Perry Dale  In front of the Great Ridge
 Edale Valley from Rushup Edge |
Wednesday 11 July
The Hardwick Story
Leader: Collin Photos: Mel
Apparently 26 million watched England’s World Cup semi-final with Croatia in the evening.
Alternative activities were available.
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 A parched Deep Dale
Another hot day for a group of 22, led by Liz, on a Monsal Head circular.
A dry Deep Dale was unfortunately rather short on its plant life, but the River Wye at Ashford in the Water provided a cool, green spot for lunch. The afternoon return was via the edge of Bakewell and Great Longstone.
 The descent from Sheldon into Ashford
 Ashford’s Sheepwash Bridge
 Ashford in the Water |
Sunday 8 July
A 12 mile circular from Fox House, led by John, followed some traditional landmarks well known to the group.
Padley Gorge, on to Hathersage along the River Derwent, Stanage Edge with a lunch at Burbage Bridge ; then on to Burbage Rocks before a return to Fox House.
Hot weather and clear skies made for memorable views as the dry spell continues with no end in sight.
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Friday 6 July
You perhaps don’t appreciate the significant growth of trees and hedges on the
Five Pits Trail until a hot day gives walkers regular shade from the heat.
David led the latest short leisurely ‘step’ walk on a beautiful morning which set off from
Grassmoor Country Park and covered a northern circuit that took in part of the Trail as well as Williamthorpe Ponds and Holmewood Woodlands.
The Wolfie Pond on the Five Pits Trail
Wednesday 4 July
David led the Wednesday evening walk ;
Nine of us set off from Hundall on a perfect summer evening, with our four mile walk taking us to Middle, and then then West, Handley.
It could be called the oilseed rape walk, as we went through or alongside no fewer than nine fields of this crop…. but very pleasing to report that there were wide clear paths through – and also through the several cornfields too.
Not all field paths though – we did also visit a couple of woods.
At West Handley, I took the group to see a (very!) old friend – though he (or is it a she) did not have much to say (see below).
Towards the end of the walk there were splendid views over Dronfield and across to the Eastern Moors.
Earlier paths gave good views across to Bolsover Castle and Hardwick Hall.
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Val reports;
Another hot sunny day and the ‘long bus’ walk was shortened a little to find more shade and cope with the heat.
From the Matlock park we went to Lumsdale and climbed through the old mill ruins past waterfalls to reach the first reservoir for a welcome break.
We then took lanes and field paths to Tansley and Dethick – and on to Lea.
The lunch stop was beside the playground with a choice of either picnic table or shade. The lure of swings and see-saw proved irresistible to two (nameless) members of the group, before we went on to pass Lea Gardens and then through Coombs Wood and a long ascent to Hearthstone Lane.
A return to Matlock via Starkholmes, High Tor, and the riverside path into Hall Leys Park.
A walk of generally quiet paths until finding a large school party on High Tor, apparently just looking at the view of Matlock.
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Photos by Mel
 Emerging from the Forest  From the top of Shutlingsoe  Cimbing to the top of Shutslingsoe  Macclesfield Forest from the top of Shutslingsoe  On the top of Shutslingsoe
A double lunch for the ‘long car’ walkers.
Lorraine writes ;
It was over the border to Cheshire today for 13 long car walkers on this glorious sunny day.
Setting off from the Standing Stone car park in the Macclesfield Forest we headed to Lamaload Reservoir via Forest Chapel and
Higher Ballgreave Farm.
After topping up our fluids, we soaked up the splendid scenery across to Vale Royal before picking up a concessionary path to Ash Tree Top, offering views of Tegg’s Nose to our right & Croker Hill ahead.
Heading back into the Forest, the original route should have taken us to Higher Ridgegate. However, due to storm damage in March several footpaths are still closed. A pre-planned diversion took us back to Forest Chapel before following a path through Bollin Brook to Trentabank Visitor Centre. Here we were treated to a superb picnic area & facilities for
lunch (part 1).
Fuelled & in good spirits, we made a steady ascent to the summit of Shutlingsloe where a gentle breeze and a rest for lunch (part 2) awaited us. A fantastic clear day to take in the extensive views across three Shires (and the Welsh Hills).
From Clough House, an option to take a shorter route back to the start was dismissed by all, so it was onwards and upwards along Cumberland Brook towards the Cat & Fiddle.
Dropping back down the valley to Chest Hollow, we followed Clough Brook towards base.
Altogether, with a total of 14 miles due to the path closures, we all finished happy.
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We’re beginning to get used to hot weather walks.
On another glorious day in the current protracted heatwave, Judith led 26 on a 9 mile circular from Calver Sough.
 Coombs Dale
Beginning with a steady climb through
Coombs Dale the route then swung north towards Middleton Moor and the Glebe Mine before crossing the busy A623 for a lunch by the Foolow Duck Pond – where we met a couple from Queensland similarly surprised by the UK weather.
The afternoon return was across the fields via Eyam (boosting ice cream sales) and Stoney Middleton.
 A parched Middleton Moor  A green part of Stoney Middleton  Industry meets nature at the Glebe Mine
 An idyllic Foolow lunch stop
 Dropping down to Stoney Middleton |
Chesterfield & NE Derbyshire Ramblers 