Sunrise to Sunset

The A515 between Buxton and Ashbourne is a great road to witness a sunrise. Its blinding.
We were here nice and early for our Christmas walk and lunch with Martin and Sue and too many others to mention in this sentence.
It was decided that we would have breakfast in the cafe in Hartington and upon arrival at 8.50am found that it was closed. The sign on the door pointed out that it was not open until Monday. Strange that a cafe doesn’t open on the day that i would guess is the busiest. Oh well, their loss, and ours.

Apart from a bit of a chilly breeze the day was quite balmy with huge clear blue skies. On other occasions we have been here at this time of year deep in snow with impassable roads. So please India, Russia and China keep belching out the CO2’s. It’s heart warming.

At assembly in the lay bye i think we counted 28 souls and 1 dog. Motorists passing would be forgiven for thinking there was a Marks and Spencers on the other side of the hedge. And then we were off, the huge gradient onto the Tissington Way easy conquered. The first of many “meanders" quickly overcome as we made our slippery way off the old railway line and down to the River Dove just shy of Milldale. A few bottoms got muddy on the descent. No group photo?

Once down by the river the breeze disappeared, the sun was shinning and the layers were removed. What a glorious day.
As with all group walks chatting is the main event. Good to catch up with Mick and Gayle as always and we hope you enjoy whatever Spain offers you. Have a great trip and don’t forget the sun cream for Colin.

We met Heather for the first time, TGO Challenger and all round good egg. Along with Rowan or Rohan, the dog. What a lovely companion.

The scenery along the Dove is wonderful although it was obvious that the wind had been fierce here during the past few weeks. Numerous trees were down and lots of logs had been cut and piled for removal.

Just before Biggin Dale we stopped for a compulsory coffee and brownie distribution. This has to be undertaken to ensure that the Mountain Rescue are not required. It was quite a leisurely brew stop and one could tell that it had been much rehearsed in the past.
Sadly, we had to resume leg bashing but unfortunately Gayle had forgotten how they were supposed to work and decided it was far better to test the cushioning on the bottom of her new trousers. Mick dashed to help, not.

Just a little disappointed that we had not been in snow and sleet and torrential rain we made it to the sanctuary of Hartington. There were no complaints, no one got lost, no lost equipment and funnily folk were still laughing. Some Christmas do this i thought, Bah Humbug.

The Lunch was booked and food pre-ordered at the Charles Cotton Hotel and that’s enough said about that. No point in telling you how good it was, because, well it wasn’t.
Martin’s quiz was as good as ever considering that they only got back from Patagonia a couple of days ago. And as it happens, the Bah Humbug team won the prize with 24 1/2 points from a possible 30.
Considering that Sheila and I usually avoid quiz’s like the plague, it was good fun. Well done the A team. The choccy’s kept us going on the return leg.

Martin was left to pay the bill and the rest did a runner just in case they remembered that we had had no boiled potatoes and that the food had not been heated, that we did have an appetite, that vegetarians don’t like ham and that fish doesn’t take as long to cook as turkey, that sprouts don’t get mashed with bacon because again it doesn’t go down well with veggies and seasoning is required, that mince pies need cream and well i could go on……..

It started to rain, just a little and not for very long. The hills behind us disappeared and the sky in front was looking ominous. A couple more meanders took place and Martin caught up. There was no swearing, there was no mention of food, for the whole of the return trip. I assumed why not.

We saw a tractor, a nice new MF, well it would be rude not to wouldn’t it.

As evening closed in the sky partially cleared to allow the sun to set spectacularly. Fortunately with such a clear sky we didn’t need head torches to find our way back along the Tissington Trail. Timing was perfect and farewell’s made, the darkness closed in and we were away.

Once again we had a wonderful time and met new people. Thanks Martin and Sue and everyone else.

 Sunrise

Note. No filters or editing software used on the sunsets. Thats how it was. Honest.

Martins 2013 Christmas Walk

Martin has been arranging this annual walk for years, and I mean YEARS.
Sheila and I have enjoyed 3 now. The venue varies and this years walk and Christmas Lunch was excellent. Made even better by the company. There were 25 of us.

I had been kind of planning my recovery programme so that I would be fit enough to do this walk. As usual things don't always go as planned and I was just a little behind where I wanted to be. So I was a bit nervy starting off.

It was good to meet Gayle and Jeff again. Below is a photo of Gayle and Jeff which i nicked off Gayles blog, (naughty), because i didn't get one. Don't they look very very clean. This pic was taken a while ago. Ha

Shame Gayle's other half  Mick was away on business. I believe he is in Israel rewiring the star above Bethlehem. And of course Martin and Sue and Roger from LDWA walks and numerous others who I spoke to but never asked names.

We started the walk from the pay and display car park (£3.50) just south of Tideswell village in Derbyshire. It was a grey day and lightly spitting with rain. Everybody was on time and we were away at the designated time of 10.15am after the group photo.

Heading south down the dale we came across a huge carved vole, I think it was a vole anyway. There was lots of chatter from the group as is usual when so many folk get together. How have you been, where have you been, read the blog and got the tee shirt etc etc. All good stuff.

 We followed  the River Wye for a way downstream crossing over at the bridge adjacent to Litton Mill. Plenty of trout were spotted as we made our way over.

A short rise brought us onto the old disused railway line which we followed for a short distance before leaving it to head upwards on a steep slippery path which terminated at the ridge line above Priestcliffe Lees.

It was indeed steep and had a few of us blowing hard. On the way up I had a chat with Gayle about some thinsulate hand warmers I had been hoping to get sorted out.

At the top we stopped to admire the views and get our breath back before moving into a more sheltered spot to have a quick brew.  Sue offered chocolate brownies and nobody refused as far as i could see. The wind had become quite strong and chilly and it was good to get back moving.

On decent paths we followed Bulltor Lane and along the top of High Dale. Then past Top, Middle and Lower Farms at Brushfield.




  A steep decent through old wooded trackways brought us back parallel with the river in Monsal Dale. Quite a few English Longhorn cattle mingled in the gorse and grass. They were no trouble.
A little further on and once through a number of deep muddy sections we crossed the river at the weir. A five minute stop was taken as its quite a picturesque spot for photographs.

It was a steady climb for the next 10 minutes through woodland until the track leveled out. Skirting the south edge of Monsal Dale the views get better and better. Not much further on we had our first sighting of the old railway headstone viaduct built in 1863 by the Midland Railway. It is 300ft long and has 5 arches. Now disused it has become a great walking and cycling route.

Into view next came our lunch stop, The Monsal Head.

I had been in here once before but a long time ago. Removing our very muddy boots and gaiters we were seated in the large hall.
The first alcoholic drink was on the house and then we were served a wonderful three coarse lunch.
Sheila and I chose Goat Cheese Ciabatta, which was absolutely gorgeous, with a traditional Turkey Christmas Dinner and followed by Apple crumble, mince pies and coffee.

We have to say, it was terrific. Everything about the meal was first class, so a big thank you to Sarah and all the staff at the hotel for doing us proud.

During the meal Martin gave us all a quiz sheet where we had to name photographs taken from his blog. There were prizes, oh yes. This year i didn't win anything. I think i came 4th or 5th. I didn't do too well. I think my memory had gone on holiday. Jeff and i talked gear, as you do.

When it came to leaving, i was definitely full to bursting. Thankfully we only had a short leg of the walk to do and it was either down hill or flat. Thank you Martin for arranging it this way as i doubt that i would have made it going the reverse route. The wind had now become quite fierce, the hotel is in a very exposed position being at the highest point in the dale.

Once down onto the viaduct we lost the wind as we were sheltered from it. The tunnels were open after many years of closure. A sign said the tunnel lights go out at dusk. Strange, i thought, shouldn't they come on at dusk?

Anyway off we set along the track bed and through a tunnel or 3. Lots of soot still clinging onto the roof and sidewalls from the hundreds of steam trains which used to pass. Exiting each tunnel the sky was growing pinker and pinker then redder and redder until we had a decent sunset sky. Unfortunately we were in a gorge so the visual extent of the sunset was limited.

Dusk was just falling as we made our way off the track bed and back over the river. Darkness fell as we entered Tideswell Dale and my torch was only used for the last few hundred yds. Great planning that Martin.
Our total distance 16.4km.
I had no adverse reaction so that was pleasing. In fact i felt much better apart from the obvious tiredness of muscles that had no been used for a while. Oh and the full stomach was complaining a little.
As luck would have it, we had no rain, snow, hail, or sleet to contend with but 20 minutes after getting back to the car the heavens opened. 

Thanks Martin and Sue for organising the day. It was very much appreciated.
Note.
Here  is a link to all the pics i took on the walk.  I have put it in so that if anybody wants to take a copy they can do. I havn't sorted out them out so there are a few crappy shots. There are no copyright restrictions so you should be able to download what you want. Any problems just post a message.

Hartington - Pilsbury Castle circular.

 Todays walk (Saturday 8th December).
This was a short walk to see how i was shaping up after a bout of Flu, bedridden flu that is!
I was still taking the Lemsips and still had a bit of a high temperature and overall was still a bit shaky.

The day was crisp, icy in parts with blue skies and not a breeze. We didn’t have a plan and as we would be walking south of Hartington on the Sunday decided to walk north of the village today. The route north is not a route i had done before so there was lots of map reading to do and the occasional compass bearing.

Looking at the map i decided that going up the escarpment towards Sheen would be a good test and it was in that direction we set off.

 The route leaves Hartington on the lane behind the Charles Cotton Hotel and then turns north before the cheese factory. Then heads for the footbridge across the River Dove crossing a number of stiles along the way. Once across the Dove the path heads west to the top of the escarpment from where a number of paths join giving  the walk a number of route choices.

 We chose the route north passing through a mixed woodland where we found quite a few Chanterelle mushrooms. We didn’t pick any. Alway’s in view was Sheen Hill.
 Sheen is an ancient settlement with a number of Stone Age barrows. There was a settlement here in the 11th Century and most likely Sheen in ancient times meant “shelter”.

 The day was warming up nicely and although i had struggled with my breathing on the up hill stretch it was a delight to be out. The views all round are wonderful.

 Sheen Hill looking from the east.

 Chief navigator pointing out the obvious route.

We made our way, with no rush across to Harris Close where we joined the minor road for a short distance until the footpath marker directed us on a diverted route around some new stabling at High Close Farm. The owners have made a lovely job of the improvements.

From the farm the path drops steeps down to a footbridge back over the Dove to the hamlet of Pilsbury. It’s said you need a lot of “dough” to live here.

At the junction with the minor road just in front of the hamlet i checked the map and seeing that we were so close to the Motte and Bailey castle decided to go and have a look at the earthwork.

 On route the valley opens up giving grand views of Chrome and the Parkhouse Hills. Another day definitely.

 Our feathered friends posed quite willingly without fear. I think they must get well fed by the residents of Pilsbury.

 Pilsbury Motte and Bailey castle which dates from the 11th Century.

 View North towards Chrome.

 Anyone name the flower? No prizes.

 The light was just starting to fade as we approached Hartington from above Bank Top Farm.

Another view of the whole valley 

The water pump in Hartington Village where we found the general store, bought a couple of Huntsman pies and sat out the remaining light.

What a superb day and a beautiful walk. Not particularly long but so scenic. We will be back to walk some more here.