Mam Tor Hope. 25th March

 Mam Tor

On a sunny Sunday morning 11 of us joined our eager co-leaders Gill and Paula at the car park below Mam Tor. Ascending the paved pathway up to the trig point on Mam Tor we paused for breathe and a quick photo opportunity. With splendid views of the vale of Edale and the impressive bulk of Kinder Scout to our left we hiked along the undulating ridge via Hollins Cross and Back Tor. After a break for refreshments we finally ascended Lose Hill, dodging the centipede of fell runners coming in the opposite direction.

 

As the weather was so beautiful, and our progress swift, it was decided to extend the hike by a mile and a half to descend into Hope where the kindly landlord of the Woodroffe Arms allowed us to eat our lunches in the sun on his picnic tables whilst sampling his Greene King IPA etc. After a leisurely lunch we picked up the lovely and tranquil riverside path to Castleton passing through the town before following the signposts to Cave Dale, which proved to be quite busy. Emerging from the enclosed dale we proceeded over field paths and tracks reaching the road and our cars just before 4pm.

 

I'm sure I speak for those attending when I pass on our thanks to Gill and Paula for a splendid sunny day's hike out on the Great Ridge and in Cave Dale.

 

 

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Canal walk March 18

Canal walk March 18                        
The usual gang of four, Sue, Linda, Tracy and myself, met up at Marsden station for the latest leg of our canal walk on the South Pennine ring. The weather was bright but cool; ideal for walking. We set off along the Huddersfield Narrow canal through Slaithwaite (I’m still struggling to pronounce the name correctly) and on to Huddersfield.
The Huddersfield Narrow canal is one of the wonders of the modern waterways; the canal was abandoned in the 1960s and built over in many places; restoration was considered ‘impossible’. However, thanks to various funding and herculean voluntary efforts, the canal was restored in the early years of the millennium. However, in parts of Huddersfield the canal runs in tunnels and we had to take to the streets to reach Aspley basin at the junction with the Huddersfield Broad canal.
We had lunch at the well appointed pub at the marina before continuing towards Brighouse  alongside acres of playing fields which were busy with various footie matches, including an all women’s game, the blues had just scored, hooray!
At Coopers Bridge, we joined the Calder & Hebble Navigation and walked on through pleasant countryside to Brighouse. We decided to reward ourselves with a well earned beer; unfortunately my recollections of the whereabouts of the local Wetherspoons proved unreliable and we proceeded off in completely the wrong direction. We did eventually find our way to the pub, a converted chapel, decked out as if for a wedding, and doing a good trade.
We caught the bus back to Huddersfield and thence by train home.
This was a pleasant walk in good company and favourable weather through varied and interesting countryside. And thanks to Sue for the Xmas cake, very yummy if not exactly seasonal.

John H

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Whaley BRidge Walk. 4th March

Whaley Bridge

My walk, and what a start to the day. Rain and more rain. Met Matthew and Sandra at Torkington and at Whaley Bridge, Tracey arrived. So a small but select band.

The rain dogged us all along the canal, up and round the shoulder of Broad Hey Hill to Redmoor Lane where we sheltered under some holly trees for a quick hot drink.

Rain turned to sleet as we approached the Gritstone Trail and we were lucky enough to find shelter in the tumbledown barn to the west of Cock Knoll Farm where we had our picnic lunch. Whaley Moor was covered in snow and on the path below the shoulder of the moor, the sleet was lying in frozen shards. We did not deviate from the path to view the Dipping Stone and all of a sudden the sleet and rain disappeared so the walk down to Whaley via Stoneheads and Hockerley Hall was quite pleasant.

Of course, by the time we reached home, there was a peep of sun! However, we felt very invigorated by the walk despite the weather. (Approx 8.5 miles)

Denise

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