Losehill Weekend 27th January 2013

Losehill Hall Weekend (The ‘B’ Group version)


Pam F, Joan and I set off to Losehill at 2.30pm hoping to arrive in daylight and without encounters with snow or ice – and we did. The Hall has been very well re-furbished and our dorm was comfortable. The lounge areas were blessed with lovely log burning stoves too.

On Saturday there was a 3-walk spread. ‘A’ walk was a linear one by Pam and Paul D, involving a bus to Foxhouses, ‘B’ walk was Denise’s (unrecce’d, what a surprise), a circular walk direct from the Hall and ‘C’ was a memory walk up Winnat’s Pass for Ken, Rick, Helen, Rob (?) and Hilary.

Dave R was a super backstop and help on my walk, which was up Losehill Pike, halfway up which we had a snap break in the vague shelter of some trees. Dave took half the group along a lower route, while I went to the top of the Pike with the rest. We met up just below the sharp rocky descent to the woods where we had a sheltered lunch break while the world and his wife plodded past us.

At Hollin’s Cross, Chris H, Clive and Mike went further along the ridge and up Mam Tor while the rest of us made the descent past Mam Farm and along the “old road” by Shivering Mountain.

The ‘Mam Tor three’ met us at the metalled road then Kath, Pam & Joan went across the fields to Winnat’s Pass Farm, Kath’s childhood home, Martin and Maryanne went down Winnat’s Pass itself and the remaining 10 of us went via Rowtor Farm, along the top fields and finally made a steep descent to the west of Peverill Castle down to Castleton.

I made that descent largely on my backside with a few ‘roly-polys’ as well. Some took tea in a genteel fashion at the Rose Cottage Tea Room, while others had stronger stuff at the Cheshire Cheese. All of us felt we had had exercise equivalent of several gym workouts, but felt invigorated by the lovely snowy day and good company with lots of laughs. Special thanks to Dave R for all his help and to Pam D for organising yet another super January weekend.

On the Sunday, people dispersed in various directions, some to walk, others to shop, on a bright but chilly blue sky day.

Denise C








.

Pams Walk

Kinder Walk 20th January 2013

Kinder Walk 20th January 2013

Set off from Hayfield towards Edale Cross into a cold snowy headwind, four turned back, the rest carried on towards Brown Knoll but bypassed it and got back at 2.15pm.

Harvey.

Charlesworth walk 13th January 2013

Charlesworth Walk 13th January 2013

 On Sunday the 13th January 2013 Matthew Lynn led a 7.3 mile circular walk from Charlesworth to Rowarth return. The 29-strong group (including 4 new lady members who joined on the day) were blessed with a cold but bright morning following the previous evenings frost. Around 15 people met at Torkington Park at 9:30am with the remainder of the group meeting at the start of the walk outside a Primary School on Town Lane in Charlesworth at 10:15am. Parking was free and on-street.

The walk itself started with a climb out of Charlesworth Village along a narrow road to the right and then a well marked stone bridleway followed by a climb along the ridge of Cowan Edge. It was a clear day so from the top of Cowan Edge itself spectacular views were afforded across to Glossop, Bleaklow, Snake and Woodhead Passes, and beyond. Campbell’s new hat was also noticeable due to its comedy value. We stopped here to take in the view for a cup of tea at ‘elevenses’.

 For the next hour the group walked across open fields with the direction of views changing to take in Stockport and Manchester City Centre with Cheshire in the distance. The group dropped down into Rowarth Village to the sound of gunshot (clay pigeon club in the village) and then enjoyed a scenic walk next to the river to arrive at The Little Mill pub, our lunch stop. Banks and Marston's Pedigree were available at the bar, as well as 3 pumps reserved for fine 'Guest Beers’. Several of the group ate hot food and were interested to know about the live music at weekends at the pub.

Following an hours lunch stop there was an unwelcome steep climb out of Rowarth taking 20-30 minutes. However after such a steep climb, further gradients on the return leg of the walk back to Charlesworth were not noticeable although it became very boggy and muddy underfoot as the afternoon progressed. The group passed the ‘Picking Rods’ (local landmark) and negotiated a number of tricky styles. We then descended into the quaint hamlet of Chisworth and followed the main Marple-Glossop road for around half a mile back to the start point.

 The walk finished around 2:30pm and 5-6 people enjoyed a drink at The George and Dragon pub in the centre of the village which is owned by Robinsons Brewery and has an excellent range of cask ales. An hour after the time that the walk finished, the weather had changed and in fact by 4:00pm that afternoon it became inclement, cold, and dark.

Matthew Lynn

Borrowdale New Year 28th December 2012-1st January 2013

Borrowdale New Year 28th December 2012-1st January 2013


Another New Year weekend over for 30 SWOG members. We were staying at Borrowdale Hostel which is      now under a new management team. There have been a few changes since we were there last time. They now have a bar that was well stocked and also serving real ales. The lounge area has been refurbished, although very nice there is now less seating due to accommodating the new bar.

The hostel was trying out making the beds up for you, which seem to go down well with everyone. The food was good for the main meals, but the buffet was not as good as we have had in the past when there has been a  New Year party.

There was a mix of walks each day and due to the wet weather; most were at low level or up to about 300m.  Most went near Grange, Castle Crag, Waller Crag and at some point all went into Keswick. The main problem this year was water logged paths, or in some areas paths completely submerged!

Overall I think everyone made the most of the weekend even with the poor weather.  New Year Eves we danced the night away to let 2013 in. Even a bit of Duvet Dancing was going on.

It would appear that on the last day everyone went home without doing a walk.

Colin

Mulled Wine Walk 22 December 2012

Mulled Wine Walk

John Gregory led the group on this walk along the Sett Valley Trail into Birch Vale where we all ascended from the track across the road and up onto the moors above.

We were really lucky with the weather with no rain at all. We crossed the moorland with excellent views all around and made our way at a leisurely pace down to Peep O Day. We then climbed up and had the mulled wine just under Southhead, which everyone enjoyed and then finally descended into Hayfield and the pub for a festive pint or two.