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Autumn 1995 - Peak District (Castleton x 4)
Thursday 12th October
Norman, Alan and Dick Grundy used the whole day by driving as far as Youlgrave to do a circular walk. They met at the Bulls Head hotel. On the journey up Alan had questioned Norman's skills of map reading as they had already seen quite a lot of Derbyshire! After light refreshment the following walk was taken:- down to the river and along it as far as Lathkildale valley, it was seen how much rain is needed by the fact the river was barely flowing. The Lathkildale valley was dry much different to a previous walk, a point which Dick kept saying to Norman he must remember several times during the walk. After the valley a flight of steps lead us up hill to walk back to the cars, then on to Castleton arriving at the Hostel around 18:00.
By the time evening refreshments were being taken Norman had become quite concerned as he could remember any of the days sights. The George and the Castle were visited before Dick remembered it was Jack who had been on the previous walk not Norman, (perhaps it had something to do with Dick being on Cappy's stag night the previous night), Norman was much relieved, Dick apologized, it had not been a deliberate windup.
Paul, Barry and Wayne met us in the George after trying all the others.
The weather had been fine at lunchtime but become increasingly misty as night approached.
Castleton Youth Hostel.
Friday 13th October
We woke up to misty start but went with the route decided in the hope the weather would clear, some hope that was, at least it was dry and warm though.
The route was from the hostel up to Hollins Cross along to Mam Tor via Lords Seat along Rushup Edge then across to Brown Knoll crossing the Cowburn Tnnnel. After Brown Knoll we carried on until we reached the Pennine Way going down Jacobs Ladder to Upper Booth and Edale, then back to Castleton via Greenlands and Hollins Cross.
There was not much to describe during the day, as the clouds were so low. The airshaft for Cowburn Tunnel and a few Grouse were seen, as we descended Jacobs Ladder visibility did improve for a while so the walk to Edale was more pleasant. Much disappointment was felt at Edale as the old wooden cafe had been closed so refreshments were taken by the station. We had one casualty today, Barry suffered a nasty blister on his heel.
Graham Busch and Dave met us at the hostel and we went to the Peak Hotel were excellent food and drink were consumed. Roland and Pete Tompson joined us later, after searching every pub in Castleton!! The weather closed in even more although still dry and relatively warm, it did not change throughout the day.
Apart from Barry and Wayne who did their own thing as Barry could not walk, we all went to Hathersage in Alan's and Graham's cars to do a circular walk the route is as follows:- from central car park past Brookfield Manor, Bronte cottage, North Lees and on up to Stanage Edge, along Stanage Edge on a circular walk as far as High Neb then back past the starting point on the edge to Robin Hoods Cave, Hook's car, Trig point, Cowper Stone, Burbage Rocks, Carl Wark, Higger Tor, Callow, Kimber Court Fm, Carr Head, back into Hathersage.
The fog had prevented any of the "fine views" to be seen, a number of incomplete millstones could be found though. It did cause a couple of diversions from the intended route however, the first was when we went along the old Pack Horse road instead of along the Edge, this was rectified by walking from Stanedge Pole across to Robins Hood Cave. Paul, Dave, Graham and Dick took the second around the trig point and Cowper Stone; this was rectified with some compass work. Roland, Alan, Norman and Pete went back to Hathersage from the trig point and the Scotsman's Pack for lunch.
We arrived back at the car park around 15:00 and went to the cafe at Hope for tea and cakes. Roland and the others got back just after us and went to Gridleford to the famous run down station cafe (Roland and Norman walking Alan and Pete took the car and ended up sitting around, for an hour, whilst we had the best deal with big slabs of pie/cakes. All met back at the Hostel.
The night was split between the Nags Head (expensive) the Peak Hotel (good value) and the Bull (Robinsons) good beer. Roland entertained us by having a starter (a free pastie) before his mixed grill, all was consumed though, even the pattern on the plate. Dick had made a curry at the hostel causing a fog to hang around all night!!. After Roland's dinner he sat in the bench and the end spread out. He claimed it was like it before he sat down?. Roland switched on his mobile phone for a personal call but only got work calls; this caused him much stress as he had missed a call out! At the Bull a mini pool competition ensued and some late drinks, someone had locked the dorm door so the warden had to be roused whilst doing this he shut the outside door locking Graham, Dave and Roland out but they were let in with no problems.
The highlight of the day had been Pete on Stanage Edge taking a group photo and getting someone else to take one also, with no film in his camera! Best weather so far broken sun no fog continued throughout the day getting sunnier as the day went on. Barry and Wayne went home, as Barry could not walk.
The Cheshire Cheese, Hope.
Saturday 14th October
Route Castleton on to Limestone Way over Cow Low towards Eldon Hill turning of to go to Oxlow Ho before reaching the hill, over Windy Knoll, up Mam Tor down to Hollins Cross. Here Dave, Graham and Roland left us to go back to the hostel Roland to meet us at the lunch time stop, Dave and Graham to go home. The rest of us continued via Black Tor, Lose Hill, down to the Cheshire Cheese at Hope for lunch. Paul had a pint and roll then walked up Win Hill and down to the cafe in Hope. Roland took Norman and Pete to the cafe, Alan and Dick stayed outside in the sun and had another pint before walking to the cafe seeing Roland depart as they walked down the road to the cafe. Norman and Pete left shortly after Alan and Dick arrived and Paul soon arrived to join Alan and Dick. After the cafe we walked back to Castleton along the river Noe and Peakshole Water to watch the football in the Peak Hotel.
Pete left for home after the cafe. After a wash and change it was back to the pub, for more food, beer and a Quiz night no points for guessing that we did not win.There had been two highlights today one being told by a mountain biker that country pubs have crap beer!! and the other BT staff bump starting a Cable Tel car as Roland had a flat battery.
Sunday 15th October
Just Alan, Norman, Paul and Dick left decided to try Stanage Edge on the way home as cloud was higher and chance of some good views. We drove to the car park under Stanage Edge parked and walked up to the top. Although it was clearer it was not brilliant, very windy though. Again we done a loop around High Neb to Robin Hoods Cave this time coming down to the road via Hook's Car and along the road to the cars. When we arrived back at the cars a woman said her car had been broken into but ours had not been touched. Norman suggested we meet at the cafe at Hathersage for a pastie before going home, Paul and Dick could not find the cafe (this was because it was at Hope), so said goodbye as Paul needed to get home. The journey home was uneventful.
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