David and Jacinta's Walks- 2023

 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...

Castleton's Hollow Country (The description is from the Bradwell's guidebook walk title!)  We fancied doing a walk from Castleton so we chose this one from Bradwell's "Longer Walks in the Peak District". It certainly proved to be longer, as in the book it is scheduled to be 8¾ miles and we ended up doing 11½ and descending into Castleton in the semi-darkness! The walk started with a pleasant walk up Caveday, below Peveril Castle. Cavedale and Peveril Castle At the top, we passed the grassed-over diggins at Oxlow Rake- old lead mines- making our way down to the tiny hamlet of Old Dam. From there, the walk went up Eldon Lane past Sweetknoll Farm with two adorable donkeys. Jacinta communes with adorable donkey We decided to go to have a look at Eldon Hole- classed as "one of the seven wonders of the peak" in the 1600s. Eldon Hole- it goes down a long way- honest! There was a lovely lunch spot just below the fencing around Eldon Hole where we ate and admired...

 Edale, Mam Tor and Brown Knoll A dry day in Edale, according to David's little weather station, so we got out early and arrived in Edale soon after 9. After a customary visit to the Penny Pot (now shutting during the week for winter) we began the ascent of Mam Tor via Hollins Cross. The top of Kinder was in the mist for most of the day but, fortunately, we had good views most of the time. Kinder with its head in the clouds On the way up to Hollins Cross- Rushup Edge in the clouds Looking back along The Great Ridge with the Eastern Edges on the Horizon When we arrived at the top of Mam Tor there were scores of people coming up from the Mam Tor car park and it was a bit of a relief to escape the crowds on the other side of the M.T. road. As usual, the walk along Rushup Edge was fairly deserted. More solitary- on the way up to Rushup Edge We decided to go on to Brown Knoll as the day was clear and mild. David at the Brown Knoll trig point After lunch (just after Brown Knoll) we came...

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...

  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...