16/11/2019

A route around the Rivelin valley.

Another wet day was on the cards, but 13 familiar faces [ including mine ] turned up at the Rails road car park in the Rivelin valley for todays walk with the Doncaster ramblers. Suitably kitted out in full waterproof regalia we listened to our leader as he delivered the walks briefing..It was going to be a grand day out..if a little damp.Leaving the car park we set off up the lane steeply at a cracking pace.Warmed up, the route levelled out and we enjoyed the path as it snaked its way through an area of woodland [ mainly Birch ] known as Rivelin rough.

Emerging from the trees we crossed the A57 to be greeted with the lovely sight of the Lower Rivelins dam reservoir, some lovely autumnal colour reflected in the glassy stillness. I don't seem to have done much walking this autumn, it seems to have passed me by..This makes me feel sad..never mind Winter will soon be here, the loveliest of all our seasons.

From here are route was to follow alongside the delightful Wyming brook on a popular path as it climbs out of the valley passing pretty little waterfalls. Sadly though today this was not going to happen for as we rounded a corner we were greeted with a path closed sign, apparently several of the bridges that cross the brook have been damaged in the recent bad weather, with one of them being actually washed away...Oh well....we reverted to Plan B.A quick perusal of the map and we found another route up to the car park on the Redmires road. We followed soggy wet paths and crossed even soggier meadows to reach todays pub stop, the Three merry lads. 45 minutes and a couple of pints of Moonshine later 8 merry lads and 5 merry lasses were ready for the afternoon walk.

  

This afternoon we were to follow a path that sticks to the high ground as it traverses the valley along its southern edge...Drizzle came then went, then came back again but we hardly noticed as we followed this entertaining undulating path passing many a fine viewpoint.The highlight of this section being the crossing of Blackbrook...A raging torrent today.[ a slight exaggeration ]

All safely across and it was more ups and downs to cross the road near the old Bell hagg pub..We were on the very edge of Sheffield now.

We dropped down steeply on wet slippery paths into the Rivelin valley were we were to follow the Nature and heritage trail back to our cars..for me this final 2 mile stretch turned out to be the best part of the walk..Waterfalls, weirs, stepping stones, mill pools, bridges and a rushing river all backed with some lovely autumn colour...Whats not to like.

Its been a cracker..

03/11/2019

A short walk from Edale.

This week i was lucky enough to get a rare Sunday night off work which is great, as it means that i can get out to do a decent walk. I let Karen choose todays walk "why not a quick jaunt up to Ringing Roger with a return over Grindslow knoll ?"..Good choice i thought..we pulled into the car park at Edale which was already half full. Not raining today but the last month or so has been a complete wash out. My boots were soaked through after yesterdays walk with the Ramblers around the Yorkshire sculpture park, luckily I had a spare pair in the car.A bit chilly as we set off as I am still wearing my shorts..i have been wearing them since March the 29th this year [obviously not the same pair]. I think it is almost time to get the trousers out. We passed the Rambler pub followed by the Nags head, maybe we could pop into one of them for a pint on our return...Before long we were free of the village and heading for the hills.

Todays walk was to be no longer than 6 mile, 6 wonderful miles over some of the best terrain in the Peak district. Its a steep path that zig zags up out of the valley, but after half an hour or so we had made it up to the fine crest of rocks along the little ridge of Ringing Roger...I don't know who Roger was or why anyone would want to ring him..I have an idea that the ringing bit comes from the noise the wind makes as it blows through those rocks and maybe the Roger bit comes from the French word for rocks "Rocher"...one thing I do know is that it always seems to be quite windy up there..i remember a few years ago we stumbled across a German choir up there belting out songs amongst the rocks...I remember it well...I remember it as one of the best things I have ever heard in my life...no singing todays just the rasping of my lungs as I left the path to enjoy a scramble over the rocks...Superb place

From here its just a short easy walk up to the path on the plateau of Kinder scout..Having walked many of our countrys mountains and hills, I consider Kinder to be up there with the best of them, It has dozens of routes up to the plateau .No one ever got bored of dear old Kinder, Ok it has its busy spots but there are also places to walk that gets away from it all especially along its northern edge.

We followed along the edge...Dawdling, taking photographs,  exploring the windswept rocky tors..just taking it all in..too good to hurry. It was great...I was surprised how dry it was up there after all of the rain we have had of late..We crossed Grindsbrook and changed direction heading for Grindslow knoll.The 1972ft summit seems to have turned its back on Kinder scout, its an independent peak, all alone, like its been left out of the party...Not much to.be seen up there today as the mists dropped down.

We found a rock to shelter behind, sat down for a drink and to eat the leftovers of last nights pizza along with a vegan sausage roll..Time to head back down..Mist fizzled out and we were treated to some nice views again over the Vale of Edale.

So that's 2 more tops ticked off my Peak 170 challenge..28 now done...Back in Edale we decided to visit the Ramblers inn for a pint..Farmers blonde for me while Karen chose the Ramblers Gold..Might as well have a bite to eat while we are here too..Nice way to end a walk.