Winkle Walk 13/11/2014

Denice C. led a walk around Winkle 8 miles.

Hartington, Big Sing Weekend, 7th/8th November

Hartington YHA

Hartington, Big Sing Weekend, 7th/8th November
We arrived at Hartington Hall Youth hostel on Friday night. This is probably the poshest and most comfortable hostel in The Peak District. After a hearty meal, a convivial evening was spent either in the hostel or down in the village pubs.

Saturday morning came round only to find it was rather wet. We split up into two main parties. One composed of the more long term members set off for an old watering hole, The Quiet Woman at Earl Sterndale. After several dishes of ale they returned by bus.

The rest of us set off on a very muddy and wet walk to Pilsbury, returning via Sheen. Along the way several people decided to return by more direct routes in order to get out of the weather. Those who persevered were rewarded by a roaring fire in the Staffordshire Knot public house. We got back in the middle of the afternoon, just as the rain stopped.

Saturday evening brought us to the main event, 'The Big Sing'. We were fortunate to have our orchestra back in the form of Sue on uke, Geoff on guitar and John Pudduck on accordion. We also had John's friend Wayne who did some splendid renditions of folk tunes.

The highlight of the evening was the 'Last Night of the Proms' where we were most honoured to have the services of our guest conductor, Sir John Gregorolli. Perhaps the highspot of this was when Simone gave us her very own interpretation of 'Rule Britannia'.




 Many thanks to Simone for stepping in at the last minute and performing completely unrehearsed. (you wouldn't have known???!!!)

Sunday dawned a sunny day and we took full advantage of it. I led a walk down Berrisford and Wolfscott dales before climbing up to Alstonfield. After refreshments we carried on over the tops and back to the hostel for a cream tea. Denise did a shorter walk down Berisford Dale and up Biggin Dale before returning.

I think everyone agreed it was a splendid weekend and if I have the stamina, I will try to organise a similar event next year.

Amsterdam weekend

Chris H. organised a weekend in Amsterdam 24/10/2014 staying at Vondelpark hostel.

Denise’s Walk Sunday 28 September 2014

Denise’s Walk Sunday 28 September 2014

 After a grey overcast start the day improved steadily and was mostly sunny and fair as 11 of us set off from the Piethorne Car Park at Ogden Reservoir by Newhey.

Crossing the foot of the Ogden dam, we ascended steadily via Carr Farm to cross the M62 footbridge and take a morning tea break in the lea of Castle Hill which cut the traffic noise.

 Returning under the M62 eastwards a long steady incline took us up to Tunshill Lane, part of the Rochdale Way. Chris Shea said he thought the name indicates that it was once a packhorse way to transport barrels aka tuns.

Descending with Norman Hill Reservoir to our left we then turned westwards through a lovely mixed woodland path through Old Ground wood and enjoyed lunch by the path across the meadows above Kitcliffe Reservoir with fine views. Up and down again and alongside Piethorne Reservoir there was another long steady climb almost up to the main A672 north of Denshaw. Short of there we went west past Rooden Reservoir and gently down to the south side of Piethorne where the road took us back past Kitcliffe to Ogden reservoir and our start point.

My “stringometer” indicated 9.5 miles, but with all the ascents and descents, it was probably nearer 10 miles after which 7 out of the 11 went to the Bull’s Head for a swift drink up on the flowery terrace still in the afternoon sunshine. Amazingly no "getting lost adventures" for a change on my walk!