David and Jacinta's Walks- 2023

Fairholmes, Howden Edge, Margery Hill and Slippery Stones It was the start of the September heatwave and we wanted to take advantage of the lovely weather, so we went across the Snake Pass and up to Fairholmes again. We walked up past the Derwent dam, taking a moment to admire its castellations and the reflection below it, then up to just short of the Howden dam. Derwent dam with reflections below There is a steady ascent to Nether Hay. We weren't in a hurry and took the time to look back over the heather-clad slopes above the reservoirs and towards Bleaklow. Up on Howden Dean, someone had been artistic with the cropping of the heather- making either a serpentine or intestinal pattern. Artistic cropping? Approaching the top of Howden Edge. Lose Hill, Back Tor, Mam Tor and Kinder in the background We took the path close to the edge of Howden Edge, which provided the maximum atmosphere for the day. Howden Edge, Margery Hill on the horizon After Margery Hill we dropped down to Cut Gat...

Edale, Hope Cross, Lose Hill and Hollins Cross A misty moisty day so we were off to somewhere where we could get a nice cup of coffee and do a relatively straightforward walk. Where else but Edale and the Penny Pot? After our cuppa, we walked through Ollerbrook Booth and up to the Youth Hostel and Jaggers Clough. We stopped for a quick break at Hope Cross and admired quite a few sheep. Sheep, near and far Then it was on, down to Townhead Bridge just outside Hope and up to Townhead itself. There, we met several very happy pigs (on the basis that they were in lots of muck). Happy pigs We reached the top of Lose Hill and the mist lifted, albeit briefly, when we had our lunch in the lee of the summit. We were lucky enough to see a rainbow. Rainbow at lunchtime at Lose Hill From Lose Hill, it was down to Back Tor, Barker Bank and Hollins Cross. Looking back from the descent from Hollins Cross, we had another lucky break in the clouds and a view along the Great Ridge. Eastern Great Ridge fro...

 Chrome Hill with Ann and Julian It had been quite some time since we'd had a walk with Ann and Julian and we thought that we'd suggest a walk closer to Macclesfield this time. We'd walked Chrome Hill from the north some time ago and we found an alternative in Day Walks in the Peak District - 20 Classic Circular Walks which started from Longnor to the south. Unfortunately, the coffee shops in Longnor were all closed so we started out as soon as we all arrived. There's a relatively long walk out to the northwest through Hollinsclough, some on roads, before doubling back past Stoop Farm and Tor Rock (where we stopped for lunch). Tor Rock (foreground) and Chrome Hill After lunch we dropped down to begin the ascent of Chrome Hill. It's always a shame to have to lose height before having a big climb! Chrome Hill Ann powering up Chrome Hill On the descent from Chrome Hill, there's an impressive arch in the ridge. Arch in the ridge of Chrome Hill At the end of Chrome H...

Lost Lad, Back Tor and Derwent Edge Another walk from Day Walks in the Peak District- 20 Classic Circular Walks. We parked up at Fairholmes and up to the side of the Derwent reservoir dam, then on for almost the entire length of the reservoir. The Derwent dam From there, it was a steady plod above the valley of the Abbey Brook. We'd not been there before and it had a very different feel to most of the Peak District that we're familiar with. As with other walks this year, the heather was fantastic. Heather above Abbey Brook After a couple of miles, the route turned south up Sheepfold Clough towards Lost Lad. On the way up to Lost Lad from Sheepfold Clough From Lost Lad, we joined the flagged path up towards Back Tor. From this point, there were no great navigational challenges! Back Tor from Lost Lad We had lunch at Back Tor and from there, it was a straightforward walk south along Derwent Edge with views of much of the Dark Peak to our right. The Kinder Plateau from Derwent Edg...

Crowden, Tintwistle and The Chew Reservoir Another favourite walk, David on his own this time. From Crowden, I followed the Pennine Way southwest and crossed the Torside Reservoir dam. At the dam end of the Rhodeswood Reservoir, I stopped to look at the outflow- it always fascinates me. It's like a hole in the water. Further on, passing the farm at Deepclough, a ram and his ladies. He appeared to be pre-seasoned with turmeric. Ram and his harem On crossing the A57, I went up Ebenezer Brow to enter Tintwistle. I think it's a great name, and there's the Ebenezer Chapel at its top. Such a great name Through Tintwistle there's the ascent towards the Chew reservoir along the edge of Boar Flat and above Ogden Clough. The heather has been spectacular this year. Heather on the edge of Boar Flat The path crosses Ormes Moor and the aptly-named Wilderness before following the path above the Chew Brook. Above Chew Brook and the Chew Road looking up to Stable Stones Brow From the Ch...

Low Bradfield, Dale Dike Reservoir and The Folly We chose to do a walk from one of our new guides which suggested a number of places that we'd been to already, but in a different combination. We started from the picturesque village of Low Bradfield which boasted (in an understated way) a cricket green, duck pond and tennis court. It could almost have been a film set. From here, we walked west to the Dale Dike Reservoir, picking up the path to the south east of it, which we've walked several times in the opposite direction. On reaching the dam for the Strines Reservoir, we could see the folly tower on Sugworth Edge, which we've frequently seen from afar. The Folly on Sugworth Edge Having had a break for refreshments on the steps of the folly, we went back to Low Bradfield to the north of the Dale Dike. On the way back, we passed some football-sized giant puffballs ( Calvatia gigantea )- I don't think I've ever seen any that size before! Genuinely Giant Puffballs We a...

Marsden and Standedge A slightly truncated walk by David on his own and no photos, for some reason. I covered a fair bit of familiar ground, one way or another, including passing an air shaft for the Standage Tunnel that I'd last seen that back in 1969, while I was walking the Pennine Way and we'd been marooned at Peter's Pennine Way Café by the Standedge Tunnel. It's funny how one's memory plays tricks- I was sure that this shaft was directly southeast of the cutting! 9.3 miles, 500m ascent, a tad under four hours.