17/03/2019.

Over the hills to Bradfield dale.

After a week of wet and windy weather, I wasn't really holding out much hope for todays walk..Expecting more of the same. I pulled the bedroom curtains apart [ about an inch ] and peered out...Blimey Blue skies..KAREN!!..Hurry up..we are going out..We guzzled tea and gobbled a hot x bun and we were off..The walk today was to be around 10 miles long from Wharncliffe side Over the hills to Bradfield dale. Its a walk I have submitted to the Ramblers summer programme..An area I know really well on paths I have walked many times before...should be a good day..We parked up at the Glen howe car park....Couldn't believe it, the skies were still blue...we set off up the lane climbing from the word go.

We passed through the small hamlet of Brightholmlee before dropping down to More hall reservoir..The wind was bitter although signs of spring were popping up everywhere..Daffs added a splash of colour..Great tits were singing their little hearts out..like they were competing against the watery song of the local Robin population...Love to hear our songbirds at this time of year.

We walked along the shore of More hall reservoir..Dodging joggers..We walked in single file as they passed us 3 abreast...They just will not get out of the way...maybe they think they are better than walkers..Karen got angry as we always had to give way to them...I don't get angry these days..Its not worth it...Another thing we noticed was the number of Border collies out walking today..i counted 7 in about half a mile...weird.

After More hall came Broomhead reservoir...before long we were climbing up through the woods...up and up..then up a bit more...we crossed a minor road before heading up and up then up a bit more through Pogs wood...don't know who Pog is but it put me in mind of a Tv programme I enjoyed as a young un called Pogles wood..Folk of a certain age will remember watching this...As we headed up and up then up a bit more we noticed things had changed....where was the blue sky?...why was the sky white?..The heavens opened but not as quick as my rucksack as I scrambled to get out my waterproofs...These show showers were to come and go throughout the day...luckily they only lasted for 10 minutes or so...Before long we were back to blue skies...we were gaining height ...some lovely views were opening up

we sheltered behind a wall for a bite to eat...peeping over the wall occasionally to see the next shower heading our way.

Heading off again we noticed that some of the ladder stiles around these parts were a bit of a problem for dog walkers...I had to lift our old boy up onto them a couple of times..Years ago he would took them in his stride, usually leaping over the wall beside them...but now he needs a helping hand...bless him....we set off towards Rocher edge...I love this walk as the views are superb.

Downhill now...we passed a group of twitchers..we had a chat..about Spaniels and Red kites..Always nice to pass the time of day with fellow outdoor types....I love the path above Agdenside and then Agden reservoir...I was in my element...After Agden reservoir and its fine old Oak tree we followed a steep path up to High Bradfield....Steep?..sorry bloody steep...in fact im beginning to think I may have underestimated this walk....maybe strenuous instead of moderate...up at the church we found numorous benches ..time for a sarnie before a visit to the pub a pint of the local brew [ Farmers blonde]

After a pint...it was up hill again over Onesmoor with its great view towards the peak district...the rocks along Derwent edge standing out nicely..From the summit its all downhill..Along lanes and then the access land on Bent hills..we passed this old road sign en route..one of several of its type in the area.

Almost back now...Glen howe park has a confusing amount of paths but we kept heading downhill eventually making it back to the car park...passing some nice little waterfalls on the way.

Sportstracker on my phone tells me we have walked 10.5 miles...I have thought of trying other walking apps but I believe Sportstracker to be the most accurate...Been using it for a few years and its always spot on....Really enjoyed myself today...days like this are the reason we go walking.

Moel siabod...A day of adventure...23/01/2019.

It was a couple of weeks ago..a day I shall not forget..I would say without a shadow of doubt,the best walk for a year or two. It was snowing heavily as I pulled into the car park behind the Pinnacle stores in Capel curig..Now don't get me wrong, I love to see it snowing, but ever since I left the road on a snowy bend in the Lake district a few years back leaving me stranded for a couple of hours....I have always been a bit cautious of driving in it..The idea of getting stuck in the snow terrifies me...so here I was sitting in the car all alone watching the snow covering everything...do I go out into it or not?...after 10 minutes I decided to go for it...You only live once...The hill I had come to climb today is Moel Siabod at 2,861ft it is the highest peak in the Moelwynion mountain range.Didnt know if I could make it up to the summit in these conditions but I was going to have a jolly good try. I set off along the road passing Plas y Brenin [The national mountain centre]. Dropping down I passed Llynnau Mymbyr..Here the camera made its first appearance of the day.

I picked a path up through the woodland that covers the lower slopes of the mountain...Easy going and the snow was easing ..Walking along that rising path through the woods there are plenty of things to take ones mind off the gradient..The tracks of Red deer..The thin song of the Goldcrest...The tinkling beck beside you...Suddenly a White mountain Hare bolts off...Things you feel privileged to see and hear out here in the wilds..Suddenly and without warning you are free of the tree line...You look back often.

I looked ahead to where the path should have been rising up and up across the Northern flanks of this huge mountain..Of course there was no path to be seen today as the snow had put paid to that...following a path would have been too easy..as long as I kept going upwards I knew I would eventually make it up to the ridge..The conditions were perfect.

It got a bit tiring at times, sinking in knee deep at times but I couldn't give up now..i stopped for something hot to drink before carrying on, the view ahead of Yr Wyddfa drawing me on ...it was like a magnet.

Eventually I made it up to the rocky ridge..From here I could see the trig point a few hundred yards away to my right, That few hundred yards turned out to be the hardest part of the day as I turned and walked straight into the wind...With the snow stinging my face I struggled onwards. no giving up now.

Suddenly I was there...stood by the summit Trig point...I had made it...There is no better feeling than that feeling you get on reaching the top...For this is what I set out to do those few hours earlier when I left the car...I don't like to rush summits but on a day like today I needed to get down off this windy top...firstly and more importantly a few photographs...There was a pink glow in the sky over towards Cadair idris...There seemed to be the mother of all storms kinging off on Snowdon and the Carneddau were gone from view..i spent a special few minutes up there before moving on.

The plan was to follow the rocky ridge as it drops down gently..All good and well on a clear day but in these conditions up here on my own I thought again...after half an hour of slipping, at times thigh deep between snow covered rocks I realised how easy it would be to break a limb...I decided to wimp out...I wanted to fight another day...only a fool would have carried on..I ran, sliped and stumbled down the slopes of the mountain to pick up the path that I had walked up on earlier.

I soon found my footprints from earlier in the day, although they had more or less been filled with windblown snow....The rest was a doddle..I met a bloke coming up as I neared the tree line...we stood for 10 minutes chatting [mainly about mountains but also about beer]….He was off to the summit to watch the sunset and to take photographs...I told him of the pink glow in the sky...he got rather excited and set off at pace...It had been a great day..A day that had left me wanting more....and believe you me there will be more days like this to come.....

Holyhead mountain...…..20/01/2019.

Some would laugh, That's not a mountain!!...Standing at the 720ft mark, I would have had to agree...But, just when does a hill become a mountain?..Is it a certain height?...some folk say 2000ft...After climbing Holyhead mountain yesterday i have realised that its not all about height, for Holyhead mountain has, despite being only 720ft high all the attributes of a proper mountain..Its rough, its rugged, it dominates the surrounding landscape..and whats more it says it's a mountain on my map so that's good enough for me.
We parked up in the first RSPB car park [The one near the ancient hut circles]. Getting out of the car we were instantly hit by my favourite sound...Silence..Have you ever heard silence? Its lovely, I could listen to it all day..Silence was broken by the sound of grunting and heavy breathing as I bent over to tie my boot laces. We walked down to the cliff edge path stopping occasionally to enjoy the silence.At the cliff silence gave way to crashing waves on rock and the call of seabirds. There are some steep drops here, Unfenced. I peeped over the edge, I wondered how many dogs had fallen over the edge...or even children..it must have happened...We dawdled along enjoying the scenery, especially the views towards the South stack lighthouse.

We climbed steps passing Ellins tower, a place to watch the seabird colonies on the cliffs, before climbing more steps passing an old lookout building...from here we watched as a Sealink ferry was nearing the end of its journey from Ireland to Holyhead..The great views continued as we pressed on...I was really enjoying myself.

Soon our route veered away from the coast to pick up a broad path across moorland heading straight for the mountain...it all got a bit confusing as there are so many paths around here..i ditched the route I was supposed to be following to just do my own thing..it didn't matter.

We passed a small tarn below the summit..it was a spot to slow down and take a few photograph. We watched as several men from Air/sea rescue were doing some sort of training with ropes over the rocks..I thought about asking them about statistics of dogs falling off cliffs as it must happen. As I stood here I watched a man climb down the rockface at great speed...im going to stick to the paths.

Before long we were sat at the summit, looking down on the port at Holyhead..We drove through Holyhead earlier in the day and I can honestly say its a bit of a shithole...it looked much nicer from up here.

Its a grand little summit, apparently on a clear day you can see the Wicklow mountains over in Eire,i strained my eyes...not today. A man and a women turned up with 2 collies that didn't like Alfie so we went...I have noticed over the years that Border Collies and Springers never get on.Im guessing that collies are jealous of Springers smouldering good looks.We dropped down from the summit heading back to the coast.

Back at the cliffs we heard a right old commotion kicking off as two blokes were running around shouting a dogs name...That's another one I thought...some people have a thing about not putting their dogs on leads...I suppose they just don't care...Almost back to the car now..we sat on a bench to watch and listen to the sea, a lovely end to a lovely walk..

A windy day on Derwent edge....13/01/2019

Another day, another walk...we used to visit the Peak District every other week, we did this for years and years but just recently [the last year or so] it seems difficult to find the time to go there. When we do manage to get there these days its a real treat. Not having to work this weekend, so I jumped at the chance..I Let Karen choose the walk for todays visit..She said she fancied Derwent edge..Yep im up for that, you cant go far wrong with Derwent edge...The weather looked quite promising as we left Donny but by the time we reached Ashopton it was grey and drizzly..we sat in the car for 15 minutes willing it to stop..it didn't..Waterproofs and boots were donned in the car..still raining...it was that sort of rain that soaks you to the skin in minutes...Sod it, lets just go for it. I tucked my camera away into my rucksack, I don't think I will be using it much today...The thought of not being able to take photographs pissed me right off..i felt quite grumpy...We set off to pick up the path that starts at the southern end of the edge..we eventually made it up to Whinstone lee tor. I have always regarded the view from here as one of the very best in the district...not today though...could see chuff all...we were really being battered by the rain now and the wind was so strong we were stumbling around...out of the murk the Wheel stones suddenly appeared we nipped behind them for some welcome shelter..A gulp of water and a humbug raised the spirits slightly [im easily pleased]

We thought it had been windy..we had seen nothing yet..We left the rocks and the wind seemed to up it a notch. By the time we had reached Dovestones tor it was getting a bit scary, I had never heard wind roar like this before...I got blown off the path onto my knees, this was getting serious. I eventually managed to stand, only to be blown over again...I literally crawled to a large rock the size of a car and sat down...I looked across to Karen and Alfie...He had a stupid look on his face...She was bent double unable to move..The rock I was sitting on [ that was the size of a car] was rocking in the wind, I couldn't believe it...I have never witnessed anything like this before...Time to shorten the walk. We had planned on going over Back tor and Lost lad but in this wind we just wanted to get down off this hill so we slipped down off the edge path at Bradfield gate...We could have chosen a nice low walk, but no we ended up up here braving the elements...Sitting at home now though writing this...I realised that I kind of liked it..it made me feel alive...This is what we need in our lives....Real adventure.

We left the edge path, turning west ,we were now walking head first into the weather..but as we dropped down amazingly the wind did start to ease..amazingly the rain slowed then stopped...result, get the camera out...at last I could begin to enjoy things

The clouds slowly lifted and there was even a bit of blue here and there..This is what it is all about.

We even saw several other walkers now...and we thought we were the only silly buggers to be out on a day like this..We are not crackpots..we are part of the most popular pastime in the country, there will be thousands upon thousands of other people out walking today..a simple pleasure...I couldn't live without it..we picked up the lane along Pike lowe...the views are superb along here as we dropped back down to Ladybower.

Down on the track by the reservoir..almost over..keep going..lots of folk around now, families out for a short walk on a sunday afternoon with clean dogs and clean shoes ...we looked wet and bedraggled..we got some funny looks.."Mummy look at that dirty dog"...oh yes son he needs a bath.It looks Horrible.....I felt like pushing the little brat in a muddy puddle..of course he is muddy..because he is a proper dog..

Back at the car....time for some scran.

Friday 11th January 2019.

A walk from Penistone.

Can't remember the last time I added a walk to my blog, I suppose I have been a bit lazy of late. Time to get back into it...I do enjoy writing about my walks, it keeps me out of trouble and gives me something to look back on..Todays walk should be a cracker, I have submitted it to be used in the Ramblers summer walks programme. The starting point for the walk is the free car park in Penistone town centre [ the one next to the old Paramount cinema.].. The walk starts by crossing the road then passing through the churchyard of St John the Baptists church, an interesting old churchyard. I would have liked to have had a look around but wanted to get cracking. I set off along the Trans Pennine trail soon leaving the old town behind...I passed through the village of Thurlstone, picking up the track that is known as High bank...I have always enjoyed walking along here, its easy uphill walking and the views are fine..I paused often to take it all in..i remember walking along here years ago watching a bat..Nothing strange about that !!..but it was in broad daylight...now that is strange...No bats today.

I came to the end of the track..just up the road a bit I visited the Royd moor viewpoint...I had been walking almost an hour..A bit early for my elevenses break but this spot is just perfect ...several sheltered benches and a most interesting toposcope with a great view of the Spicer hill windfarm...I counted the turbines 20?...or was it 21...Like them or loathe them you have no chance of ignoring them..I kind of like them.

I enjoyed a coffee before setting off again...Downhill now, heading for a string of reservoirs in the valley... Ingbirchworth, Royd moor and Scout dike reservoirs popular with Fishermen and Birdwatchers...Walkers like them too...Much of todays route is following the Penistone boundary walk, a 16 mile route that circles the town...one day I shall walk it.

Crossing a busy road...then a not so busy Railway line I suddenly found myself in an area so quiet, so peaceful..i could of heard a pin drop..if I had a pin, I would have tried it ..I walked along a narrow lane [Carr lane]..I saw no cars..This is Gunthwaite, a quiet backwater..a couple of farms a couple of scattered cottages and Gunthwaite hall with its ancient cruck barn..that's it..its a perfect place..I walked along the lane for just over a mile...im not a great fan of tarmac but with no traffic it was no  great hardship

Passing Gunthwaite spa and Dam and it was uphill, rather steeply at times.

Ahead of me now was the village of Hoylandswaine..a hilltop village that is famous for being open to the elements..i realised this as I sat in the churchyard eating Cheese and onion Naan bread with Bacon Frazzles...The sky had become as black as a crow..i decided that it might be prudent to find the pub to sit this approaching storm out...The Frazzles by the way were horrible..i shant be eating them again..I repacked my rucksack, put my collar up and lengthened my stride...5 minutes later I was stood propping the bar up in the Rose and crown quaffing Farmers blonde ale.

I enjoyed it in there...chatting to the manager and a local fellow listening to current stories circulating the village and their tales of some of the locals...Looking out of the window it seemed a bit clearer so reluctantly I moved on..It was soon downhill all the way to Penistone....Passing a smelly farm on route..2 dogs ran out to greet me, barking wildly..i refused to be scared, reaching out to stroke them...come here you buggers I said....they ran off..Down by the Don I came to Boulder bridge an attractive old Packhorse bridge..half a mile later and I was back to the car...The walk had been exactly 10 miles and had worked really well although I might tweak it a bit so that there is less road walking...but then again, I might just leave it.

Footpaths from Tansley.

27/10/2018

Another walk out today with the Doncaster ramblers, billed in the programme as "a gem of a walk, one not to be missed". Lets hope so...It's going to be a great walk with plenty of interest along the way. 17 of us gathered across the road from the Tavern in Tansley...Soon we were off, uphill in the direction of Riber castle..A cold morning, that actually felt quite like winter [im not complaining]..There was talk of the odd snow flurry although we never saw any....A day for wooly hats...Up through fields and along a lane we passed behind Riber castle known as Smedleys folly, it was built in 1862 by local industrialist John Smedley, perched on a hilltop overlooking the town of Matlock, it commands attention...We couldn't actually see the castle from close up but as we climbed and looked back we were treated to some nice views of it.

It was soon downhill, sometimes gently, sometimes steeply, sometimes through woodland, sometimes bracken covered slopes. The beautiful colours of Autumn enhanced the scene. I love this season its just a shame that it doesn't last long...I look up at the trees, the wind blowing the leaves from the branches...slow down.

The first descent of the day over we found a convenient wall for our elevenses break..The wall backed onto Smedleys mill [Lea mills]...founded in 1784 by Peter Nightingale and John Smedley it straddles Lea brook...the brook was used to clean yarn and power the machinery...The Mill/factory is still open today manufacturing the company's range of designer knitwear...It began to drizzle.

From here it was up again...up to another interesting old building, Lea hurst hall near the village of Holloway. The hall is famous for the fact that it was once the home of Florence Nightingale...although born in Florence[Italy] The lady of the lamp has many connections with this area of Derbyshire and it was here that she returned too after the Crimean war..We gingerly crossed a cattle grid, trespassing up a private drive to gain a closer look at the building but we couldn't see much, a huge electric gate barred our way...lets get out of here before they set the dogs on us I thought.

Another drop down and we found ourselves walking along the towpath of the Cromford canal..For me this was the highlight of todays walk..a most attractive little canal that runs for 16 miles between Cromford and the Erewash canal...I could have followed that path all day.

Sadly we had to leave the canal..what came next I can only describe as a bastard, a climb so steep that even as I write this I can still imagine my legs trembling...I exaggerate of course, actually I quite enjoyed it...we stopped a couple of times to catch our breath, mop our brows and take a gulp of water...before we knew it we were free from the bastard, marching purposefully across fields in the direction of the village of Critch...passing the Critch tramway museum where we paused for a group photograph.

Next stop...Critch stand, a regimental war memorial..a place to sit and think...I payed my 20p into the honesty box and climbed the steps that spiralled around to the top of the tower...what a view I was greeted with.

Didn't stay long up there as the wind was whistling around my lug holes...I followed the path down to find a wet seat for a sarnie and a coffee..after which I visited the small cosy tearoom for a glass of coca cola..so this is where everyone was.....Quite literally there was no room to swing a cat although it was nice to get out of the wind and drizzle..

With lunch over and another group photograph at the base of the tower and we set off due north back in the direction of Tansley.

A few more ups and downs followed by a few more ups and downs and we came across a most attractive little church...St John the Baptists church in Dethick is set in a beautiful secluded spot...a place of prayer and stillness..The key was obtained from the property next door..Manor farm [the home of Blue Peters Simon Groom]..A turn of the key and slipped in for a look around..as soon as you walk in you are struck by the beauty of the stained glass windows.

With a couple of miles still to walk we decided to pass on the pub stop today..Didnt matter this had been a cracking walk...I have been walking with the Ramblers now for about 5 months and I reckon that this is one of the best walks that I have been on...a walk I shall return too one day... maybe next spring.

A walk around Grasmere and Rydal.

18/10/2018.

A week off work....You can't waste time off work. With this in mind we set off up to the Lakes for a walk. A treat [its always a treat to visit the lakes]. We have been visiting the Lake district for walks around 25 years now and I still get excited at the prospect of spending time up there. No where else has this effect on me...in short... im in love with the place.After a mainly sleepless night, we were up at 4 and set off up the A1...Destination Heaven.

As we drove over Dunmail raise and down to Grasmere we realised what a corker of a walk this was going to be..Ahead of us lay a fantastic cloud inversion. A sea of cotton wool covering the valley floor..hope it lasts for some photographs..We parked up and booted up in record time..heading off up the Red bank road...slow down for Red Squirrel signs every few yards along here....I wondered if we would be lucky enough to see one...There were occasional glimpses through the mist across the lake to Loughrigg, the hill where we were heading.

Nearing the top of the pass we located the Loughrigg terrace path, a path that crosses the northern flanks of the fell, However before we followed this delightful path we need to walk up to the summit, it shouldn't take long, although listed as a Wainwright fell it doesn't stand much above the 1000 foot mark..With every few steps I turned to take in the show in the valley..The mist was slowly clearing. We passed a couple of lads flying a drone I bet they got some great results this morning.

Before long we were sat/stood on the summit enjoying a sandwich and a coffee..Of all of the little fells this has to be one of the best viewpoints..Spinning round I named the main features..Windermere...Coniston fells..Crinkle crags and Bowfell...The Langdale pikes, Silver howe, Helm crag, Dunmail raise, Seat sandal and most of the Fairfield horseshoe...A perfect view on a perfect day...Time to move on ...Another Wainwright on the wifes list.

I didn't want too but it time to leave the summit and head back down to the Terrace path..The last of the mist had fizzled away leaving great views of the lake..crystal clear.The views were so good..i got to thinking about the best views in the Lake district..its hard to decided but I would plump for the view of Borrowdale from Great end...a view to die for

We trotted along the path..I felt happy...I almost whistled..I looked around in all directions, everywhere looked perfect..some great Autumn colour around these parts...suddenly peace was shattered as a Staffy bolted out of the bracken heading for Alfie [ our placid laidback Springer]..A women shouted for him to come back but he was on a mission to sniff Alfies parts...After sniffing where Alfies parts used to be he wandered off...his owner shouting VINCE...GET BACK HERE !!..
what a great name for a dog I thought.

Next came Rydal water, one of the most beautiful of the Lakelands lakes,situated in the Rothay valley between Ambleside and Grasmere...I took some photos, Alfie took a swim..I didn't want the shoreline path to end.

I had wanted to visit the caves along here but somehow or other we found ourselves on the wrong path...never mind ...We crossed Pelter bridge and walked along the road to the Hamlet of Rydal..a few houses and a church line the one street..a place significant in the history of English romantic literature as William wordsworth lived here at Rydal mount. Wordworth was not only one of our best poets but he was also a great walker..and here we are following in his very footsteps...we headed off along the coffin route..some of the views along here wouldn't have changed much since the days of the Romantic poet.

We passed many lovely houses along here with equally lovely gardens..an elderly man was taking a photograph of a Silver birch tree..In gods name what sort of tree is that he shouted out in a soft Irish accent..when I told him he looked a bit disappointed..it looks different he said..it didn't....I like trees.All day we had kept our eyes peeled for Red Squirrels, we knew they were often seen around these parts but we never seem to be lucky enough to see them..we looked up the pines...below the oaks..under the Beeches..never mind...better luck next time..we eventually made it to the end of the coffin route where coffins were carried between Ambleside and Grasmere..hard to imagine that..we passed a rock where it is said that coffins were laid on while those carrying them rested.

The walk nearly over we reached the now busy village of Grasmere...We passed Dove cottage pushing our way through groups of Schoolchildren and Chinese tourists....Shops selling sheep with googly eyes...20p toilets..The wordsworth graves..the line of people queueing outside the gingerbread shop..Tweedies bar...all of the things that Grasmere is famous for...And then Hey.!! a Red squirrel running down the road towards us...At last when you least expect it

Back at the car...only 7 miles walked, but one to remember.