Tameside Walk 21st October 2012

Tameside Walk

Nineteen of us set out in glorious autumn sunshine from Roe Cross to explore Tameside's Pennine foothills.

After walking above the old quarry and through the old rifle range we stopped for coffee and home made banana scones in Tameside country park.

Lunch was taken by Devils bridge before climbing to Arnfield and then down to the Bull's Head in Tintwistle for a drink in the sun, then through Swallows wood, which may disappear if the by-pass is built.

Linda as usual was keeping up her immaculate appearance by skirting the boggy Tameside trail and employing John G as her Mule to keep her feet dry!!

Harvey

20th October 2012 Canal Walk Leeds to Bingley

Canal walk Saturday 20 October Leeds to Bingley

                       

 We had our usual gang of four for our canal walk. We proceeded from Stalybridge to Leeds by train.

It was a glorious autumnal morning. The canal runs adjacent to Leeds station and as with so many city centre waterways, has been much improved over recent years with new bars, restaurants, office and residential development.

However, we soon left all of this behind as we strode out in a north westerly  direction. The canal immediately takes on a rural complexion, with tall trees and verdant vegetation on all sides. The wide canal and well maintained towpath  meant that this was as pleasant a stretch of canal walking as one could wish to encounter.

We stopped at a bench by a staircase of locks for some refreshments with various chocolate treats provided by the girls.

We walked on quickly covering the miles and had nearly reached our final destination at Bingley when we stopped for refreshments at Saltaire. This is a Victorian model village built by the philanthropist Sir Titus Salt to house the workers for his adjacent mill complex. Ironically we enjoyed a beer at the pub overlooking the river; this is a relatively recent addition as Salt was strictly temperance in order to protect his workers from the evils of drink. We had an enjoyable stroll around the village which is now a World Heritage Site.

It wasn’t much further to Bingley where we finished at the famous ‘five rise’ staircase of locks; constructed in 1774 and one of the ‘seven wonders of the waterways’. We had time for a welcome drink in Timothy Taylor’s ‘Brown Cow’ before catching the train back home.

We all agreed that this was one of our most enjoyable walks.  For our the next stage we will carry on from Bingley to Skipton early in 2013; details to follow.

John H

7th October 2012 Mam Tor

We set off from Stockport on Sunday 7th October from Torkington lodge with the sun breaking through on what was promising to be a bright sunny day. By the time we were approaching Castleton the view over the valley below was breathtaking with the sun shining on the low mist that covered Castleton and Hope Valley, it was simply stunning. 

We set off on our first climb of the day to Mam Tor up the steps and made our way to the trig point where we all stopped to admire the views of Hope Valley, High Peak and Win Hill. 

Any chill in the air had disappeared, the sun had well and truly broken through, temperatures were rising and we had lovely views of the peak national park and beyond. 

We continued to follow the path from Mam Tor to Hollins Cross and after dipping into Hollins Cross we continued along the ridge and with a quick steep scramble up to Bac Tor.  We stopped and basked in the autumn sunshine for a coffee break. The sun seemed to be lifting the mood and everyone was in good spirits. 

From Back Tor we continued another long and gradual climb to Lose Hill and continued a steep descent from here down across meadow and a few muddy paths where we passed some highland cows.  

We encountered some steeple chase runners passing us on their way UP Lose Hill!! (The mind boggles) 

We cut over the train tracks and arrived in good time in Hope where we Hi-jacked our usual pub.   Campbell had also managed to sign up a new member that joined us for the rest of the walk. The landlady kindly gave us permission to have our lunch in the pub gardens while we had a cool well earned drink. The wasps were unwelcome guests and after a lunch we headed off South on the road beside the church.  We took a right turn onto the public foot path where we followed the water back through fields with views of the remains of Peveril Castle on our route back into Castleton.  It seems we picked a busy day as the 21 mile Steeple chase began and ended from Castleton square.   

We arrived back in time to see some of the runners crossing the finishing line with a brass band playing and plenty of Bradwell Ice cream on the menu.  We took a short break to take in the atmosphere and rest our legs. Because of the lovely day and making good time we continued our walk through rocky Cave Dale with a steady stream of water running over the rocks.  

This was our final climb back up through the limestone way where we stopped again and sat in the sun for a chat and a few laughs before turning right heading towards Rowter farm and over Windy Knoll back to the cars. 

We all had a lovely day out and the weather was nothing short of perfect for a lovely day out with plenty of laughs along the way!


Joanna Winterbottom

7th October 2012 Marple Vale Walk

Twelve group members, including one newly-wed spouse, set off from Marple Bridge at 9.45am heading south along the Goyt Way, pausing to study an archaeological dig before a brief requested comfort break at the cafe by the Roman Lakes.

Progress continued to Strines station and then turning left uphill to Brook Bottom (the weather thankfully sunny now, with views of the Lyme Cage folly to the south).




Elevens were taken on the picnic tables by the Fox Inn before route continued uphill and soon besides New Mills GC.

The newer part of the golf course was traversed with a superb vista of Kinder Scout on the far horizon. Passing through the hamlet of Whitle, we headed up the road passing the Pack Horse Inn - pausing to say "hello" to a cute pony on our right.

Next we took a slanting path towards Briargrove Farm. Despite setting off on the intended path above the farm a slight navigational error meant that we eventually chose to take the alternative lower path towards Rowarth. This path was quite muddy and Linda struggled to maintain her pristine appearance!

Emerging at Hollinsmoor Road we turned right soon to reach The Little Mill Inn to be greeted by a thirteenth club member,John G, who was already seated in the sun. A very pleasant, sunny and leisurely lunch followed (a couple of the female contingent even purchasing chips from the bar!). Leaving the pub at 2pm we walked back up the road, turning left along Shiloh Road, later heading right and later besides Hilltop Farm and onwards to Mellor Church. Dropping down to eventually reach the main road we soon took the direct pathway towards Linnet Clough Scout Camp, pausing for a mid afternoon break on a grassy bank looking down towards Marple Bridge.

Later we unexpectedly encountered the Lilley family by the scout camp. After exchanging our greetings we turned downhill, to reach the Goyt valley, then Marple Bridge by 4.30pm,, pausing only to view a heron waiting patiently to claim his tea from the River Goyt.

 Thanks to Pete H, Harvey, Gill, Paula, Helen & Peter, Linda, Sue, Kevin, Tracey, John, and the newly-wed Mrs Sue Baynes for joining me on my Sunday hike.

Les H

15th September 2012 Sue & Steve's Wedding

Last Saturday two long standing members of the group - Sue Adams and Steve Baynes got married at St Mary's, Disley. The bride looked fabulous and the YHA men and women scrubbed up well. Congratulations to both. Peter Hudson