ROUND HATHERSAGE WITH THE DYNAMIC DUO!

We've extra company this week. Joining us and our regular doggy pal, Mollie (border collie), is Scamp (not a border collie!!!) Scamp, a rescue dog, belongs to PC's daughter and her partner and today his usual job of joining his master at work has been postponed, so he's coming with us instead.

We park in the car park near the leisure centre and pay the maximum charge. Last time we did this walk we did the same and needed the extra time. We head down the alleyway at the side of the car park and into the village, crossing the road and turning right.

We follow the narrow lane between the houses then turn left, hunting for a path on our right to take us up towards the church.

There are workmen in the church, not that we were going to visit, but we do pause at the parking meter next to Little John's grave. 

We go through the gate at the end and go left until we reach a gate into a muddy field. Nothing for it, we head through the gloopy mess.

The ​path swings right and up to a lane. Perhaps we could have avoided the mud by taking a slightly different route!

We walk up the lane, pausing to admire the snowdrops and the gnarly roots of the trees growing on the bank.

When the path splits, with the right one going towards Toothill Farm, we head in that direction. There are some glorious views towards Mam Tor covered in snow!

We continue uphill, it's a little slippy underfoot but not too grim. Last time we were here we inadvertently followed a right-hand path, but this time we are prepared and keep our eyes open for one on our left. Sure enough, there it is.

We follow it uphill through the next field.

And come to a barb wire fence!

After a quick look around we follow the fence to a wall and a gate into the access land. Again, the views are superb.

We follow the path through the mood and onto a farm lane which leads, in turn, to the road up from Hatersage. We follow this until we reach the road beneath Stanage Edge.

We follow this road down aiming for the picnic site near Stanage Plantation. Here we can sit comfortably with coffee, sandwiches and buns. Or rather, early, cream filled, hot cross buns. Yum. 

We head away from our picnic, retracing our steps to the toilets.

Then leaving the views of the edge behind us we take the downward track toward North Lees Hall.

From here it's steadily downhill, and at the bottom of the sweeping driveway we turn left, clamber over an awkward stile on our right, then negotiate a rather slippery path adjacent to Cowclose with its spectacular metal stag sculpture.

From here it's a pretty direct route across the fields, slippery in places but the sun is out which makes it so much better.

Of course, we aren't long before we are walking back through the churchyard and through the village. And it hasn't taken us anything like as long as we had anticipated.

STANAGE AGAIN

One of our frequently visited walks this week as we are on a tighter than usual time schedule, and Stanage fits the bill perfectly. 

We meet up in the car park at Burbage Bridge and spend a while in the car catching up with important news and eating chocolates (a pre-Easter present from Mollie). We also bemoan the chill here, which neither of us felt when we left our respective homes. So it is on with the layers against the chill.

Suitably fortified with chocolates we set off up the road a little distance then cross over onto the path leading to Stanage Edge.

The weather isn't brilliant, but it isn't raining and there is the odd glimmer of sunshine. There are also a lot of people out. Yes, this is a popular spot, but it is maybe also an indication of the looming Easter holidays. Some people are clearly already enjoying the break.

The one thing you can guarantee on Stanage is the view in all directions. Of course, Mollie isn't interested in the view, only in the dog biscuits in my pocket!

It's a short stroll up to the trig point and surprisingly there is no one else there - at the moment, anyway. So we walk over to it to enjoy even more views.

We are on the very tip of the Edge here and although we have walked its entire length in the past we won't be doing that today.

Today is an easy day; lots of talking and no need to even bother with the map. 

As usual, it is very windy up here (when isn't it?) so we hunt for somewhere to sit that is reasonably sheltered. Eventually we find some rocks that are close to the edge but away from the main path. We enjoy a nip from the secret flask, then a superb coffee before eating our lunch.

Just before we are about to start our pudding course we are joined by a climber who has had a bit of a scary ascent of the rocks (or so he informs us as he stands at the rocks just behind us). We don't feel it would be fair to start pudding yet, so we wait until he has finished talking and moved away.

Out come the puddings; pots of profiteroles - choux pastry, fresh cream, caramel sauce and chocolate sauce. So yummy. And they must look good to Mollie too as she is drooling, until she is allow an almost empty pot to lick clean.

Suitably replete we walk on, continuing a little further along the length of the Edge.

There are so many people about now, though. And Mollie makes a fuss of everyone, thoroughly enjoying the attention she is getting.

Eventually though, with our eye on the time, we turn back the way we came, retracing our steps until we find the path before the trig point that leads down.

Within a few paces we are on a level again, with no one else on this path being a bonus.

On the Edge to our left, and on the ground too, we find abandoned mill stones all cut and ready to move when the market for them dried up. A sign of the industrial past in this area.

 We continue along the path until it meets the road, then cross over and through a very tight kissing gate (difficult with a rucksack on) which leads us across the land between this road and the next. We are very close to the roadside edge of Higger Tor now.

Once again we go through one gate, cross the road, then back onto moorland through another. Now it is a straightforward walk following the contours of the roadside fence until we are back at the car park. 

We have timed it perfectly, we are back with 10 minutes to spare.

BURBAGE TO STANAGE AND BACK

Well, it happened again. Cancelled walks - this time due to my mother falling and being hospitalised - and a long wait before we are able to get out again. Then PC succumbs to the recent bug/chest infection which means choosing something steady.

So we park up at Upper Burbage Bridge after passing coach-loads of school children - must be that time of year again when Geography teachers get to introduce their pupils to the Great Outdoors. It's actually quite chilly and murky this morning, although when I left home the sun was trying to shine. Fingers crossed the weather will improve.

Plenty of layers, then, as a guard against the cold, after which we need to restrain Mollie who is more than eager to go.

We cross the road and walk along the verge to the level path that is part of the Sheffield Country Walk. A woolly-legged grouse scuttles off in front of us as we do our usual catch-up talk. When we come to the rise up onto the first part of the edge we have to be careful due to the large stones and boulders that appear to be ready to be used for path repairs.

Once over these we climb up onto the start of the edge with the wide rocky slabs of gritstone and peaty puddles. We very quickly arrive at the trig point but the view, usually so good, is disappointing. A widespread murk covers everything in sight. PC gamely takes a few photos, though, before we set off along the edge.

This is oh-so-familiar, we have lost count of the number of times we have walked here, but it makes for steady - if uneven - walking which is ideal for PC. We are fairly early and the usual crowds have yet to arrive so we pretty much have the paths to ourselves.

We walk on for a while before deciding to sit on one of the rocky outcrops for a coffee and to admire the - well, the murk actually. Spiced vanilla latte again, which is lovely though a little on the thick side today. No idea why, maybe too much milk to water, but it goes down well.

As we continue we consider the best options. PC doesn't really feel up to a long haul uphill which would be the case if we drop off the edge (not literally!) and walk up the road, so we decide that after lunch we will turn back, descend a little way and hopefully not lose too much height.

Our lunch stop is familiar, yes, we even have our favourite eating places up here, where we can admire the view along the edge (not quite as murky now) and keep a little sheltered from the gentle breeze.

Sandwiches, coffee and pre-Easter hot cross buns, but this time with fresh cream and jam filling. Yum. Mollie devours her biscuits and drinks out of her new, collapsible water bowl.

Then it is back on with our gear and retracing our steps. Unsurprisingly there are now loads of people out walking so it is good when we find a descent a little south of Stanage Plantation  along what seems to be a stream bed, but is actually a path that just happens to drain water from the top.

Soon we are walking through the dry, rusty bracken beneath the Edge and can see the climbers scaling the cliffs. The path comes and goes, in places it is indistinct, but it is uninterrupted walking. At last we see an incline and decide to go up it to avoid PC having to slog up the road further on.

A few steps later and we are back on the top, with minimal effort, but after a short distance we once again choose to go down and find a way to skirt the uppermost point where the trig point is along with a lot of people. We're successful, and make our way through the bracken and around rocks to emerge on a broad path which takes us to some roadside parking.

We cross the road and walk along it until we can cut across and go through the gate at Fiddler's Elbow, which suits Mollie much more than road walking.


It isn't far now and in no time we are back at the cars. PC is in fine shape, the walk hasn't been strenuous and she hasn't had a relapse so it has all been worth while. Just a pity about the views.

A CIRCUIT OF BAMFORD MOOR

 

It's been a grim and grey few weeks, and not just with the weather. With PC off sailing the seven seas and family events taking over to a suffocating degree, getting out walking had fallen off the bottom of my list of things to do. But, joy of joys, an email from PC announced her pending arrival back in the UK for a friend's wedding and would I like to go walking the day after she landed. Would I?

Of course, the week leading up to PC's arrival had been bright, sunny and summery. The day of our planned walk dawned grim, dim and rainy. But undeterred we were still raring to go.

PC looks healthy and tanned (obviously not been in Britain, then) but had missed the moors and paths of the Peak District. She'd also missed proper English tea so had used up all her milk. Good job I have brought the coffee.

We meet at one of our familiar spots, the layby near to Cutthroat Bridge just above Ladybower, and we have a plan. Since we don't have Mollie with us today (too short notice to plan to bring her) it means we are free to roam on the access land leading across Bamford Moor to Bamford Edge. We've only done this once before, years ago (we tried once before that when the moor was first opened but the belligerent gamekeeper of the day considered a miniature poodle on a short lead to be a great threat to his game birds and turned us back before we got very far).  Back then we did struggle to beat our way through the thick heather to our destination. This time we're hoping to be luckier.

We walk down the side of the busy A57 and take the stile next to the gate leading onto the access land beneath Hordron Edge. We're on a clear track (frequented by gamekeepers and shooters) taking us gently through thin coniferous woodland which shields the moors from the road. It is so good to be out again, even if it keeps trying to rain.

Immediately we notice how much noise there is from the birds. We hear curlews and a cuckoo almost straight away, and there are others that we cannot identify. The track continues beneath Hordron Edge and when we come to the next woodland copse we see a bird up on the rocks to our left. I eventually manage to take a photograph, but although the bird is silhouetted against the light its long pointed beak is obvious. Is this the noisy but elusive curlew?

We continue along the track enjoying the chance to catch up on all that has happened in the last few weeks. It seems an age since we were last walking and apart from a few emails we haven't had the opportunity to exchange gossip. All that is changing!

As the track starts a gentle upward incline above the stream running down from Jarvis Clough we see a narrow but fairly distinct path on the opposite side. Recalling our problems on our previous walk, and the lack of any kind of path through the thick heather, we decide to drop down to the stream, cross over and follow the path.

 

This is done without an problems and we are soon walking up the path towards a single tree. We pause to admire the distant views of Stanage Edge before stooping beneath the tree and walking uncomfortably close to an old, disused quarry. The path levels out and we walk on a little way, following a drystone wall, then decide to stop for a break. We don't need a rest, but the secret flask and secret chocolate (yes, chocolate too) are calling.

We settle down on some flat stones at a broken section of the wall and pull out the secret flask. The Ramblers Restorative tastes wonderful, as does the Old Jamaica chocolate.

We have good, if rather murky, views across the Derwent Moors whilst behind us we can see (if we turn around) Stanage Edge. We have barely finished our drink and chocolate when the rain starts again, and this time it seems to mean it. We pack up quickly and pull on our waterproof trousers and coats before setting off again, keeping roughly to the line of the wall and the path.

The rain doesn't last long and by the time we have reached the rocks marked Pillars on the map the sun has come out and we need to remove the waterproofs as we're in danger of providing ourselves with our own greenhouse effect.

It is fairly easy walking, and the path is clear enough for us not to have to struggle through the heather. So far we haven't seen another soul out walking.

Before long we come to more rocks and decide to find somewhere comfortable for lunch. Once settled we pull out our food, and enjoy our buns (a cinnamon swirl danish and an apricot danish - we split them in half so we can have a taste of each) and a convivial drink of coffee. It is so good to be sat here enjoying the fresh air, views and company that we are most reluctant to get going, and we linger for quite a while. Eventually though we must move on and we pick up the path again.

 

The northern end of Bamford Edge starts to come into view, and we have a clear view of Win Hill across the valley, looking very stark and imposing from this vantage point. As we approach Bamford Edge we can see someone there, and when we get closer we realise it is a climber. He's holding a rope and looking over the edge, hopefully there's someone on the other end.

 

We walk along the wide path that tops the Edge giving us great views down to Bamford and across the Derwent valley, then further away to our left we can see the full stretch of Stanage Edge.

 

Up to this point we hadn't quite decided which route to take back, so we come to a decision and turn left to pick up the very indistinct path heading towards Moscar Moor. To begin with it is moderately clear, although we suspect it is used more by sheep than people, but eventually it peters out altogether. We could start compass work to attempt to find the correct route, but since this is access land we decide to strike out in the direction we want. Very quickly we are rewarded by another indistinct track, this time following some stone posts from a long gone fence line.

 

It's lovely out here with only the odd sheep for company. In places the heather is very high, though fortunately not where we are walking, and there are large areas of gnarled, whitened twigs where parts of the moor have been cleared. In amongst the low growing heather, though, are clumps of the while tufty 'flower' heads of Common cotton-grass (Eriophorum angustifolium), a sedge which favours boggy areas. 

We have to skirt one boggy area where the ground dips, but we do that easily enough without losing sight of where we are going even though we seem to have reached the end of our line of stone posts. Ahead are the grouse butts and a stone wall, beyond that we can see the top of the track that we had started out on.

As we reach the vehicle track that runs from the grouse butts to the main track another walker strides across the moor and passes us without saying a word. We allow him his space and follow him at a distance. When we reach the main track we see him striking off across Moscar Moor towards Stanage Edge, but we decide instead to take the route over Hordron Edge where there is a large amount of bird activity. We spend a while trying to capture shots of them in flight but don't have much success.

Further along we see another man and realise that he is at the stone circle known as the Seven Stones of Hordron. He scowls at us as we approach, refuses to answer a friendly 'hello' then sits on one of the stones with his arms folded, glaring. As we look at the stone circle and start to take photographs he snatched up his bag and stalks off. Phew. Glad I didn't see him when I was walking alone.

The stone circle is about 16m in diameter and there are about 23 of them in total, if you count all of the smaller ones as well as the main ones. It is in a superb position with the hills and edges forming an amphitheatre around it.

Once we've finished looking around we continue along Hordron Edge then drop down towards the road. Sadly there is a taught wire fence at the edge so no short cut, instead we walk down to the conifer wood, reach the main track then go down to the stile. It's only a few minutes now and once we've walked up the side of the busy road we're back at the cars.

It has been an amazing day. Despite the promise of rain we've only had one wet spell and that didn't drench us. We've enjoyed a long satisfying walk and even been and seen places we've not ventured to before.

Once the wedding is over PC will be back to the ocean waves, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that family trials and tribulations will ease allowing me to get out again.

STANAGE CIRCUIT - AND ALL ALONE

PC is off sailing the seven seas with her husband so, for now, it's just me and my camera.

Well, this is it. My first lone walk so I've chosen a familiar route to help me get into the swing of it. I've also had to take into account the perils (real or perceived) of 'a woman walking alone' and I need to know how I feel.

So, Stanage Edge beckons. I'm a bit later than usual, not actually having an appointed time to meet someone has meant that I've done a lot of catching up at home before setting out. But I've missed the heavy build-up of early morning traffic through Chesterfield and made good time.

There are a few cars and a couple of mini-buses in the Hook Car car park, and I can see people already walking up on the edge. I can also hear the shouts and calls of rock climbers, mainly children doing outdoor activities.

I gather my gear, manage to remember my camera, and set off  only to stop at the end of the car park to take my first photograph. I've decided to walk along the road first then up onto the edge from Dennis Knoll as returning on the road always seems such a trudge, especially the last couple of hundred yards uphill!

It's quite chilly so I've put my waterproof coat on though I don't feel as though I need my gloves or hat yet. Over the sound of voices on the rocks and my own, lone, footsteps I can hear the distinctive call of a curlew but I've never been able to see one around here.

It is very strange walking alone, not having anyone to talk to or any news to catch up on. I'm stuck with my own thoughts and my own company, and not sure if that's particularly comforting!

A quick stop at the conveniently placed conveniences and I'm on my way again, surprised at how quickly I seem to be covering the ground. I pass the car park at Stanage Plantation and pause. The road stretches ahead and I'm reminded words from a Beatles song, 'Long and Winding Road'.

Maybe I should be thinking 'These Boots Were Made For Walking' as I continue along the road. See how my mind wanders when there is no-one to keep me in check!

There is a small lay-by and a gate leading down to access land, but the views to Hathersage with Abney beyond are lovely. Sadly my camera doesn't do the view justice.

      

 

 

A little way further along a stream cuts through the landscape at Sheepwash Bank (the name may possibly be used to describe the area and woodland below) and there was once a settlement here, with a field system marked on the OS map.

 

 

I step down to have a look at the stream which runs beneath the road, then pull out the (not-so) secret flask and make a toast to absent friends. Then I have an idea, and take a photo of the secret flask with a backdrop of Stanage Edge, just for PC! Hope she appreciates it.

 

 

 

 

 

From here it's a short walk up the road to Dennis Knoll where the small car park is full of County Council vehicles and a huge pile of rubble. As I reach it a lorry pulls up to dump another load. From the road I had been able to see a JCB and a digger high up on the Dennis Knoll path near to the Buck Stone and assumed that they were repairing the path which had become badly eroded. Sure enough, when I reach the end of the car park I see the sign saying that the whole lane is closed as far as Stanedge Pole and will be for some time. Fortunately, it is only closed to vehicles (ie the 4x4 brigade who have caused so much damage to the track) and walkers/cyclists/horse riders will be allowed access.

 

As I set off up the track the JCB comes down, followed by the digger. It's lunch-time for the men and they've come back to their base for a break. Luckily for me it gives me a clear stretch without having to dodge vehicles.

 

I pause to take off my outer coat. I know it's going to get warm as it's all uphill, so better to do it now. The road is already in much better repair than it was on our last visit here so although there is a gradient it isn't too bad underfoot, and I can keep pausing to look at the widening view.

 

Not only are the workers repairing the track but they are also adding drainage ditches, which are really very impressive. There's even boulders at the side to stop vehicles from by-passing them. Let's hope that the 4x4s don't undo all the good work when they start using the lane again.

 



 

A little way further up the lane and I reach the point where the work hasn't progressed so far. Although they have filled up some of the huge potholes with coarse rubble the fine surface hasn't been laid or rolled which means having to watch where I put my feet.

 

It isn't far now and within a few minutes I'm on the Edge with all the uphill walking behind me. The path is deserted here as I veer right onto the track that runs along the top of Stanage Edge, but as I come up to the path meeting it from Stanage Plantation a large group of walkers haul themselves up onto the path just in front of me. Fortunately they need a rest from the climb, so with a brief 'hello' I overtake them.

 

The wind is pretty fierce up here, nothing new there, and I know that when I stop I'll have to put on my top coat, though for now I'm fine. I keep pausing to look at the view from the edge which is, as usual, spectacular.

 

 

My stomach tells me it's lunchtime so I find myself a spot out of the wind between two huge buttresses of rock, drag on my coat and hat, then settle down for lunch. A heavy salad and a small flask of coffee. The coffee is good, but not overly hot; the small flask doesn't seem to keep the heat in very well. I shall have to either insulate it or buy a better one. I finish off with a pecan and maple syrup muffin (which I made this morning). It tastes good, but is more like a Battle Muffin (anyone who reads Terry Pratchett will know of the Dwarf Bread Museum in Ankh Morpork - this muffin could be an exhibit) and could do someone a serious injury.

 

It doesn't take long to eat lunch, and with no-one to chat with there is no need to linger. I re-pack my rucksack, take another couple of pictures, then rejoin the path.

 

 

There are more people up on the edge now, but looking behind me I can see clouds gathering. In fact, it is virtually impossible to see the Blot on the Landscape (the cement works) because of the rain at Hope. Not good.

 

 

 

I step up the pace, pausing only briefly to look at the views. I can already feel a few drops of rain - a good job I put on my waterproof trousers after lunch. Fortunately the rain doesn't come down in a torrent, more of a fine misty drizzle, nothing too bad but I decide I don't really want to be out in it for long. I don't have far to go, and soon find the path leading down off the edge towards the car park. I'm reasonably dry when I reach my car, though I notice that one of my coat sleeves is wet, and I need to use my windscreen wipers straight away.

 

It's been a pretty good walk, and completed in record time, but it hasn't been half as pleasurable as usual. I'm going to keep at it, though, and I'm already trying to think up some alternative walks. Next week, though, it looks as though I may have Husband with me as he has a day off work. That will be novel! But if he thinks I'll let him off easily he has another think coming.