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News Archive (October 2021)

The Ramblers
Sunday 31 October

Alstonefield



A very wet start to today’s walk – but the weather improved.
Most fungi anyway like moist locations ; photos taken by those on the walk.

Sunday 24 October

National Stone Centre

Leader & Photos: John

High Peak Trail, Middleton Top, Carsington Water, Black Rocks

The promised clearer skies in the afternoon didn’t materialize – so there were light rain showers most of the day.

Nine members completed a 10 mile, 1640 ft circuit from National Stone Centre, Wirksworth.

A short sharp climb up the inclined plane to Middleton Top to blow away the cobwebs followed by a descending traverse to Carsington Water ; then up to Moor Side before descending once more to cross the Ecclesbourne Valley railway.
Final climbs up to Bolehill (Cromford) Moor trig point and a final descent via the dramatic Black Rocks outcrop.

Bolehill East


Saturday 23 October

Shillito Wood

Leader: Barbara   Photo: Mel

White Edge trig point

Wednesday 20 October

A Staffordshire ‘Ethel’ and a Cave

Leader: John   Photos: Mel / John

Gypsy Bank, Wolfscote Dale, Wetton Hill, Manifold Valley, Thor’s Cave

Thor’s Cave

Despite a forecast of thundery showers in the morning, 14 of us set off from Alstonefield.
The leader cautioned the team about the slippery steps down Gypsy Bank, but it didn’t prevent him slipping at the start smashing his shoulder into the bank!
Crossing the Dove there was then a pleasant walk along Wolfscote Dale to a coffee break below the small caves there.
As usual dippers could be observed in the river.
The river was re-crossed and we skirted around Narrowdale Hill on the south to gain the open access land of Wetton Hill.
The higher of the twin summits of this ‘Ethel’ was ascended (photo group on summit by Mel here).
We were rewarded with a great panorama.
Descent was effected down between the two peaks to one of the tributaries of the Manifold valley for lunch – out of the wind.

A pleasant path descends to the Manifold Valley proper where a short sharp shower occurred ; but soon we could see from the cycle track on the bed of the old railway the dramatic entrance to Thor’s Cave up to our left.
A steep ascent on well worn paths and steps led to the cave entrance.
An ascent into the cave proper was possible, but very slippery in descent and members below the entrance rock step provided security for most of us.
It’s always easier to go up than down! (John’s photo from the cave interior showing members descending with care and Mel’s photo of the group from above the rock step here).
The cave was featured in Ken Russell’s take on Bram Stoker’s ‘Lair of the White Worm’.
Return was across the fields from the nearby Wetton village.
10 miles with 1500ft of ascent.

Wednesday 13 October

The Head of a Hound

Leader: Lorraine   Photos: Mel / Lorraine

17 members met at Grin Low car park in Buxton to map out the ‘head of the hound’ on a 12.5 mile trek across mostly open access land with 2,400ft of ascent.
Unfortunately, fog and rain kept us company for much of the day, hiding the splendid views over the Goyt Valley, Shining Tor, and beyond.

Charlie the Limeburner


However, we set off in good spirits as the route started through Buxton Country Park, giving a wave to Charlie the Limeburner as we made our way towards Cavendish Golf Course.
After a brief coffee stop at Beet Wood, we ascended Burbage Edge to the trig point, traversing above a tunnel once part of the disused Cromford and High Peak Railway line.

Burbage Edge

Bottom of Berry Clough


Descending Berry Clough, we got a short reprieve from the rain as we followed the River Goyt to Derbyshire Bridge and a well-earned lunch break.

The rain re-joined the party as we made our way across Axe Edge Moor and Dane Head before doubling back to cross Axe Edge itself.

However, we finally parted ways with the fog and rain allowing us fine views towards Buxton and Solomon’s Temple.

Head of the Hound





Dropping down towards Brand Side, we made one final ascent over Leap Edge before descending gradually through the testing site of the Health & Safety Executive at Turncliff, before passing by Anthony Hill and the abandoned Stanley Moor reservoir – walking alongside another section of the Cromford & High Peak dismantled railway line.
A skip across Grin Low Road brought us back into the country park and our rides home.

What cartoon hound did we draw??










Ashover from footpath NE1 30/1



Tuesday 5 October

Chesterfield Area Walking Festival




Next year’s Chesterfield Area Walking Festival is scheduled for 14-22 May.


This is an event that our group has strongly supported over recent years, both by providing leaders and walkers.
If you feel you can lead a walk in next year’s festival, please contact us at cnedramblers@gmail.com and we will forward the requisite form, which should be returned to Helena Stenton at the Tapton Lock Visitor Centre by 30 November.
Walks should substantially be within the Chesterfield, Bolsover, or NE Derbyshire Area and present a unique opportunity to meet many potential Ramblers members.
The walks are free to those taking part, but donations to our two charities –
Air Ambulance and Mountain Rescue may be made.

Sunday 3 October

Upper Burbage Bridge

Leader: Paul   Photo: John

Saturday 2 October

Harthill

Leader: Isobel


Despite a poor weather forecast, a small group of four met at Harthill for a shorter than usual Saturday Walk to start the winter programme – and the anticipated rain held off longer than expected.
The walk started by following the western side of Harthill Reservoir before coming out on the service road for Woodall Service Station.
It continued through Pebley Oaks and then over the motorway, heading across fields towards Upperthorpe – before dropping down to Dale Farm.
Then it was a climb up a set of steps to reach the A618 before descending to the picturesque Killamarsh Fishing Ponds.
Lunch was eaten in Norwood Wood, sheltering from the rain ; after which the route went under the M1 and joined the Cuckoo Way for a short section.
Finally, it skirted Kiveton Country Park where the paths were edged by Michaelmas Daisies – before returning to Harthill.
Distance 7.8 miles.