David and Jacinta's Walks- 2023

Edale, Mam Tor, Brown Knoll and Grindslow Knoll  A fine weather forecast meant that we were able to go to Edale which always provides lots of options regarding ways up and down. We walked up to Hollins Cross and then on to Mam Tor- where there were crowds of people (and sheep dogs). Mam Tor from Hollins Cross The Great Ridge (and Win Hill) from Mam Tor We managed to leave the crowds behind simply by crossing the road and heading up to Rushup Edge. As we were going well, we walked up to Brown Knoll- passing a couple of (very clean) sheep who had managed to camouflage themselves as builders' material bags from a distance! Very clean sheep At Brown Knoll we ate our lunch balanced on the edge of the trig point. On our way down to the top of Jacob's Ladder we met a man with his two dachshunds who had walked 20 miles, which was pretty impressive. Then we walked up to Kinder and up to Noe Stool and the plateau. The Woolpacks on the LH skyline and Grindslow Knoll (Center skyline) Noe S...

Castleton, Rushup Edge and the Limestone Way To Castleton on a sunny Thursday and another walk from the new Day Walks book. From Castleton the path passes three Blue John mines and the obligatory sheep and lambs.  Lamb owning the path On the way up to Blue John Cavern: Mam Tor looming ahead After the Blue John Cavern, it was on to Mam Nick- always a gathering point for the many people who climb up Mam Tor. We stopped for a snack with a very  tame (or cheeky) jackdaw who sampled various snippets. Jackdaw on the scrounge It was then a familiar walk up to Lord's Seat and Rushup Edge but it does not disappoint. This time we went down to the main road and then down the side road (very quiet!) down to Eldon Lane. We took a turning from here which led us into the long, straight Perry Vale which has nice views either side, but still feels a little like a road. The route then follows the Pennine Bridleway, where we passed a bunch of lounging goats. Lounging goats with one scratching hi...

Castleton, Peak Forrest, Sparrowpit and Rushup Edge This was a walk that we didn't do last year, and it did not disappoint. We drove to Castleton and worked our way up the hillside beside the Norman castle to reach the path to Rowter Farm. It was great to see the usual features from a different angle. Mam Tor, Back Tor and Lose Hill with the Derwent Edges in the far distance As we walked towards the farm the clouds were in and out with the occasional drizzle, and a full rainbow. Rainbow with Mam Tor in the background As we passed Rowter Farm, a welcome absence of frisky cows meant that there was no need for detours and the way through The Portway and all the old lead mining workings seemed less obscure than in 2021. The route was a combination of grassy and vague paths, and tracks- some definitely not for the use of casual off-roaders! Giant Lego brick detering 4-wheel drives We made our way down to Old Dam and Peak Forest, and along Perry Dale, a section of the Pennine Bridleway, ...

  Lord's Seat and Barf with The Curmudgeons The second day of the brief trip to The Lakes with Tim, Andrew, Chas, Julian and honorary Curmudgeon Lauren. A shorter walk had been planned but the general consensus was that Barf really should be on the itinerary. The original plan was to leave two cars at the Whinlatter Forest car park and drive everyone up to Scawgill Bridge, leaving the other cars there, so that we could have a one-way walk, rather than a circular one. However, those plans were scuppered as the Whinlatter Pass was closed after the Whinlatter Forest Park car park. We wound our way up through the forest and found ourselves on the summit of Lord's Seat, possibly more by luck than judgement. The mists cleared as we arrived. Chas, Julian and Lauren at the summit of Lord's Seat There was a certain amount of discussion about whether we'd go down to Barf then return to Lord's Seat and go on to Broom Fell and Graystones (on the original route). This would mean...

  Edale, Mam Tor, Rushup Edge and Chapel Gate The forecast was for a dry day- and so it was until we had just got back to the car at the end of our walk! After a trip to the (newly revamped) Penny Pot, we walked up to Hollins Cross and then up to Mam Tor. Approaching Hollins Cross; Kinder in the background The sun on Lose Hill The last time we did this, the mist was down so it was great to have panoramic views all around. There were a lot of walkers out today on Mam Tor, but as soon as we crossed over the road to Rushup Edge, the people melted away and we had the place virtually to ourselves. Ascending Rushup Edge, Mam Tor in background The Great Ridge from Lord's Seat, summit of Rushup Edge We branched off rightwards a bit after Lord's Seat and this led us down to the Chapel Gate path. From here the route down is great, not as steep as some of the other paths and it was a way that we had not gone down for ages. Part way across the fields to Manor House Farm, we stopped for som...