We began the walk at the Old Bridge of Tilt car park- a lovely space with lots of trees, and the river nearby. We passed a bug hotel on the way up towards the castle.
Bug Hotel
We stopped to admire the statue of Hercules from the 18th century near the entrance to the eponymous Hercules Walled Garden. This statue cost £25!
Hercules and his walled garden
In front of the castle we saw (and heard!) the piper who presumably comes out at regular intervals to entertain (or scare away) the visitors.
We went into Diana's Grove where there were some truly spectacular conifers, again largely planted in the 18th century.
The path took up to the few houses which constitute Old Blair and then we went into the woods along the high riverbank. This took us, after a sharp turn back, up to open country with lovely views. The track then went into another plantation, passing a small reservoir which was a surprise, leading to the firing range and a bridge over a small stream.
Bridge by the firing range
Luckily there was no activity there that day and we just wandered down the track towards Gilbert's Bridge (an excellent lunch spot), passing Siobhan running the opposite direction- she had already clocked up 12 miles when we met!
We turned around at Gilbert's Bridge, the shorter version of the walk in the Cicerone guide that Rachel had given to us- this meant that we messed the opportunity to see Marble Lodge again (visited in June 2018, just before Jacinta's retirement). It was a lovely walk back to the car park, with extensive views of the rolling hills, the various lambs and their mothers (some limping...).
A field of limping sheep
Most memorably, we passed two pigs who were having the best sleep in the sun at the side of their custom built house.
Most of the way back we were able to take a green, grassy track until it joined a lane above Fenderbridge from where it was a pleasant stroll downhill to the car park, passing the private drive up to Marble Lodge.
Bleaklow Stones and Bleaklow Head The original plan was for David to meet Paul at Langsett but, for very valid reasons, the plan fell through. I set off for Langsett but, on reflection as I started along the Woodhead road, I hadn't walked on Bleaklow for quite some time so I stopped off at the old Woodhead Station to walk up to the Bleaklow Stones and Bleaklow Head. The mist was fairly low and I wasn't anticipating good views. The view from the Far Black Clough path I didn't expect to meet many people but I did encounter a ram with very fine horns. Ram with fine horns Fortunately, the mist lifted and at the Bleaklow Stones the views were good. The Bleaklow Stones Kinder and Stanage in the distance When I reached Bleaklow Head, the wooden stake had collapsed, so I made a (probably very temporary) repair. Before... After! As I left Bleaklow Head, I could see clouds tumbling over Black Hill and Holm Moss: I anticipated that I'd be walking back mainly in the mist. As it wa...
Shining Tor and Thursbitch Our last walk of 2023 was not very ambitious on account of the weather. We went up to Shining Tor as usual- battling into the wind; the cloud was low and just grazing the top of Shining Tor. Shining Tor with its head in the clouds After a very short break at the top, instead of just reversing the walk, we went down into the valley and visited Thursbitch for the first time this year. Clouds blowing in from Shining Tor towards Cats Tor The ruins of Thursbitch We saw no one except for some (hopeful) sheep who wrongly assumed that we might be bearing food. Optimistic sheep Persistently optimistic sheep The only downside to this really nice walk is the somewhat boring plod up the road from the end of the drive to Howlersknowl up to the car park at Pym Chair and the welcome sight of the car. It was then home for lunch. An occasionally cold and occasionally wet outing of 4.6 miles with 320m ascent but well worth doing nonetheless.
Castleton and Mam Tor At this time of year it's all about seizing the opportunity and the weather window, if they appear. We went to Castleton, had a coffee at the visitor centre and then walked up past the three Blue John mines- Speedwell Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern and the Blue John Cavern. Then it was up onto the moorlands leading up to Mam Nick. It was cold and quite windy, but nice to be out- although a Saturday during the Christmas Holidays meant crowds, especially as we neared Mam Tor. We always feel that it's great to see so many people out, enjoying the Peak District and we know that, in a week or so, we will have the place (almost) to ourselves. At the top of Mam Tor it was blowing a gale and we didn't hang about. A party of three, which we had initially met at the Treak Cliff Cavern and then a couple of times more, were kind enough to take some pictures of us, with the lovely light illuminating The Peak to the east. In the chilly wind, descending Mam Tor We w...
