Sunday 27 December 2009 – Christmas Pudding Walk
Leader: Gerry Scarfe
18 walkers (and one dog) gathered for this ‘After Christmas Walk’ at the car park on the B6050 near it’s junction with the A619 (Baslow to Chesterfield Road) next to the ‘Robin Hood’ pub, in the area known as Robin Hood, Baslow. Although there were some concerns over the extent of the snow in the area, as we approached the area, there was actually less snow than in parts of Sheffield. The weather, though, was not as kind to us as on most of our previous walks, with virtually continuous sleet or snow falling. But everyone’s spirits were high and having ‘kagged’ up, off we went.
The walk started by crossing the A619 and then in an easterly direction along Heathy Lea Brook until picking up a track onto Gibbet Moor. We then followed the track around the moor until we reached ‘Hob Hurst’s House’, a prehistoric burial chamber that was made a national monument in the reign of Queen Victoria (indicated by a stone bearing VR at the site). Here we took a quick ‘coffee’ break. We then walked across the moor in a southerly direction to Hell Bank Plantation and went down through the plantation towards the village of Beeley. We took a lunch break before leaving the shelter of the woods. We then followed a lane down into the village and picked up a footpath across to Beeley Bridge where we entered the Chatsworth Estate. We followed the river across the estate and passed the front of the House. Some of the party then walked up to the Hunting Tower to enjoy the extensive views from that location, whilst others took a less strenuous route across the estate and back to Robin Hood.
Most of the party then assembled in the warmth of the ‘Robin Hood’ pub for a festive drink and a chat.
Sunday 7 February 2010 – Stanage, Derbyshire
Leader: Dave and Emma Foster
On this very foggy, murky morning, 13 walkers gathered at the Hollin Bank picnic area / car park below Stanage Edge. We set off along the road for a short distance and then entered the woods and walked towards North Lees and eventually up onto Bamford Edge where everyone enjoyed a hot drink. Unfortunately, because of the foggy conditions, we were unable to enjoy the views from what would have been an excellent viewpoint. From there we walked across the moor to the A57 at Cutthroat Bridge, where we took lunch. After this stop we crossed the road and walked up passed Moscar House and Moscar Lodge and then back across the A57 onto the footpath leading up to High Neb and onto Stanage Edge. We then took a snow covered footpath dropping down from the Edge and back to the car park.
It was quite muddy on the footpaths, which was expected after the recent weather we had experienced. We also encountered small areas of snow in places which was quite deep at times.This was a good walk which should have offered extensive views from a number of high viewpoints but unfortunately the fog persisted and it was not to be.
Sunday 7 March 2010 – Birley Edge, Sheffield
Leader: Harry & Kath Cawthorne
On this absolutely beautiful sunny but chilly morning, 14 walkers gathered at the Niagara Centre for this walk. The walk took us along Claywheels Lane and up Limestone Cottage Lane and onto Birley Edge. We then followed the Edge passed The Birley Stone enjoying the extensive views over the River Don Valley and Oughtibridge. A number of the walkers commented that they did not realise what wonderful views over Sheffield could be enjoyed from this footpath. We continued along the Edge to Wharncliffe Woods where we dropped down to Great Hollins Wood and Beeley Wood and then back along Claywheels Lane to the Club House.
Once again we were blessed with excellent weather and extensive views and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the morning’s walk.
