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Autumn 1993 - Peak District (Youlgrave, Hartingtonx3)
Thursday 7th October
Travel up to Hartington those in party journeying by car were Barry Murphy, Dick Grundy, Jack Relph and Wayne Murphy.
We arrived in time for lunch unfortunately we had to call in the Devonshire Arms not bad. After a light lunch a walk to Youlgrave, via the B5054-Tissington Trail-Footpath and Road to just South of Monyash-Limestone Way (via One Grange farm Calling Low)-into Youlgrave. At Youlgrave met Paul Keech who came by train to Matlock and walked to the Hostel at Youlgrave. Also John Stopani who had driven up. After checking in at our "hotel" dinner was taken at the George Hotel with after dinner drinks at the Bull.
Distance walked approx 9 miles.
Hartington Youth Hostel.
Friday 8th October
This walk was started from the Hostel down to the River Bradford along the river Bradford to Alport then up the River Lathkill, whilst walking along the Lathkill we saw some beautiful trout and Dippers, after we passed the source of the Lathkill we continued up the dry valley to Monyash were lunch was taken at the Bulls Head. After lunch crossed to the High Peak Trail by the inn then down the High Peak Trail to the Tissington Trail down to Heathcote and across to Hartington to stay at the hostel. The hostel was fully booked and full of kids just our luck. Roland Carr joined us having cycled along the High Peak Trail from Cromford, looking slightly flushed (Bloody Knackered really).
Distance walked about 14 miles.
Whilst taking some sustenance in the Devonshire Arms a thunderstorm of some ferocity entertained us by flooding the kitchen after we had eaten. However all was not lost as it stopped raining in time to go back to the hostel.
Saturday 9th October
Today's walk was from Hartington down the river Dove, along the Beresford Dale - Wolfscote Dale -Milldale (tea break) - Dove Dale to Lin Dale then in to Thorpe for lunch at the Dog and Partridge.
After lunch we returned to Hartington along the Tissington Trail coming of just south of Heathcote. Several Dippers including a displaying pair were seen and some took a diversion through Tissington rejoining the trail just north of Tissington. The trail was like walking on a motorway a good way to cover distance but not so good on the feet views not so bad though. A new pastime was innovated during the pre evening meal drink guess the distance to the nearest 100 yards, entrance fee 50p winner take all.
Distance covered today was 18 miles 70 yards.
Sunday 10th October
Back to proper walking today along footpaths and using maps, the route was up the Dove valley and back along the Manifold.
The route in more detail, starting from the hostel we went through Hartington up to Bank Top farm across to Pilsbury then on to Crowdecote from there we went through Underhill and up to Earl Sterndale for lunch at the Quiet Woman (oh dear another watering hole). After lunch we walked to Stannery then to Longnor (now there's a place 4 pubs around a square with a chippy). After Longnor we reached the Manifold walking along the river until Brund here we went to Sheen and back on to Hartington crossing the Dove valley again on our way back to the hostel.
John Stopani had a quick meal before leaving us, the rest of us had a quiet meal at the pub. The highlight of the day had been the lunch break, as we came down of the hill we had to walk through a field with pigs and donkeys in it, then through a yard containing chickens, pigs and geese the geese took a fancy to Barry and Wayne. After we came out of the yard there was a dog on a chain, it was a good job it was as it liked to charge and bark at anybody who dared to pass. Roland, Jack and John were a short distance behind and had not seen what had happened to us. Jack stopped by the pigs to take a picture, from where we were it looked like he was kissing it. John was further behind and Roland was nervously walking through the yard but the geese just turned up their beaks and strutted off (shame), however all was not lost as Roland approached the dog it started to wag its tail, Roland started to relax as he came level with the dog then the dog made its move leaping and barking at Roland who in turn leapt in the air (both feet). Several attempts to capture this on film were made but no results are known we were laughing so much there's bound to some camera shake.
Distance covered was 12 miles 1250 yards
The Quiet Woman, Earl Sterndale.
Monday 11th October
Going home day Paul left to walk along the High Peak Trail to Cromford. Roland cycled up the Tissington Trail until the High Peak Trail joined it and then cycled down it to Cromford. Barry dropped Dick and Jack off at Hulme End while he went with Wayne to Buxton to get some shopping. Dick and Jack walked down the Manifold until it was joined by the River Hamps and then down to Waterhouse. The river Hamps was dry nearly all of this length and was quite depressing to walk along as there were many dead trees along the banks. Barry and Wayne joined Dick and Jack for the last 1.5 miles to Waterhouse, lunch and home.
Roland and Paul got very wet as it rained for much of their journey, although they made up for it by getting wet on the inside at Derby. Dick and Jack's walk was down a metalled track although it only rained for the last mile it was a dismal walk in dismal weather, still last days always are dismal, and we all got home safely.
Hartington Youth Hostel.
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