Thursday 29 September 2016

Talk In the Vikings wake 28/09/2016

At Hazel Grove Civic Hall at 20:00hrs. Jim Krawiecki gave a talk with computer photo projector about his trips by kayak.

Monday 26 September 2016

Weekend Idwal Cottage 23-25/09/2016

Sue W. arranged a weekend at Idwal cottage YHA near Bethesda. Sadly We had very high winds during the weekend which meant walks up the high tops of Snowdonia too dangerous.

Thursday 22 September 2016

Talk House minding 21/09/2016

At Hazel Grove Civic Hall 20:00hrs on 21/09/2016. Heather S. gave a talk with computer photo projector on her experiences doing house sitting in USA, UK, Spain, Singapore,  minding dogs, cats, guinee pigs, chickens and fish.

Monday 19 September 2016

Walk Monyash 18/09/2016

Howard R. led a walk from Monyash down Lathkill and Bradford dales return.

Saturday 17 September 2016

Pub Night The Railway Handforth 16/09/2016

Joan Hosted a pub night 20:30hrs at the Railway pub at Handforth.

Friday 16 September 2016

Walk Great Hucklow 15/09/2016

Nigel E. led a Thursday walk around Great Hucklow.

Nigel wrote,
 Nigel led a walk from Great Hucklow, near Bradwell in Derbyshire. From Great Hucklow, the walk climbed through woods and along a minor road where some interesting concrete 'lego' bricks had been employed to close off the road to traffic (see photo). The walk then passed the gliding club before crossing Abney Moor (photo 2) to visit Rebellion Knoll for great views down to Bradwell and across the Hope Valley. The walk then dropped down to the hamlet of Abney and a lunch stop was made in the shade of some trees. It was a rather hot day. The walk then continued down Abney Clough and up Bretton Clough to the hamlet of Bretton where a brief halt for refreshments was made at the Barrel Inn. From there the walk returned to the days starting point in Great Hucklow.


Martin B. wrote:-

Thursday 15 September 2016 – A Circuit from Great Hucklow with SWOG

1508AbneyMoorgroup
This, believe it or not, was my first daytime walk with Stockport Walking and Outdoor Group (SWOG). The continuing brilliant weather drew me into the Peak District after being encouraged by Nigel and Chris during the previous night’s presentation of ‘Images of Snowdonia’ by Martin Block at Hazel Grove Civic Centre. (These Wednesday evening sessions are excellent – do feel free to attend – 8 pm – cost is just £1.)
The seven of us pictured above on Abney Moor met at Great Hucklow on another hot, sweaty, September morning. From L to R – Martin, Tracy, Alison, Chris, Sue, Pete and leader for the day Nigel.
We wandered up to Hucklow Edge through pleasantly shady woodland, at the entrance to which is this highly informative sign about a complex lead mining area. (Click on the image to enlarge it.)
1501sign
The area is now mainly agricultural, but the village was formerly a centre of the Derbyshire lead mining industry. The lead vein or rake outcrops to the surface to the west of the village and dives under the rocks of Hucklow Edge on the western side of the village where an adit, known as Milldam Mine, has recently been reopened by Glebe Mines Ltd and connects the various deep mines that had formerly been dug along the edge. This mine is being worked for fluorspar, which is frequently found associated with lead in the vein.
It was relatively cool under the cover of the trees.
1503wood2
We joined a lane that offers access to the nearby gliding club where aircraft were being catapulted into the sky. The World Gliding Championships were held here in 1954, and on 9 August 2011 the UK's longest ever paraglider flight apparently began here, ending over 250 km away in Suffolk.
Currently the road is blocked by giant Lego bricks being used to repair a landslide.
1504lego1
Chris established that they weren’t blocks of white chocolate, whilst Pete looked on, baffled by his mate’s extraordinary efforts to supplement his breakfast.
1505lego21506lego3
Somehow we found the energy to climb onto the plateau of Abney Moor, where a long break for self-timed photos and elevenses was much needed in the stifling heat.
1509break
A few metres further on was a conveniently shady bench (at SK 184 801). Duh!
1510seating
After the ‘I didn’t think of continuing to the bench’ debacle, Nigel led us on to a promontory overlooking Bradwell and the nearby massive quarry.
“I wonder where we are now?” he pondered, scrutinising his map with a magnifying glass.
1512bradwell2
The answer was clear when everyone decided to turn around and re-join Sue and Alison, who had declined this part of the walk. “Rebellion Knoll.” (Check the map below!)
Soon we were back on a path towards Abney.
1515pathtoAbney
Not long afterwards we gained the shelter of woodland in Abney Clough, where Chris and Tracy found some welcome shade and demanded “lunch”.
1516abneyclough
After a lengthy break, we stumbled on towards another section of woodland that we hoped would protect us from the burning sun and the mewing buzzards.
1517abneyclough2
Taken just a few minutes later, the picture below gives the impression that the season has changed in a matter of minutes!
1518abneyclough3
At the foot of Abney Clough there’s a complex path junction where we turned sharp right to ascend slowly up Bretton Clough in a desperate bid to return to Great Hucklow before anybody expired.
1519brettonclough
Near the top of the hill an enticing lawn-like area induced a break for … “afternoon tea, anyone?”
1520break
It may be September, but there are still quite a few flowers for the insects to enjoy. I’ve already photographed most of them this summer, so I left the thistles to themselves today, but I couldn’t resist this Meadow Crane’s-bill.
1521meadowcranesbill1
We emerged at an old stone building with a viewpoint over the escarpment. There’s an orientation point that suggests to visitors what they may be able to see.
1523barrelview
The intense heat haze meant that today’s view was relatively limited.
1524barrelview2
Hang on though, it’s only 2.55 pm! The pub closes at 3 pm. We rushed in, much to the dismay of the landlady who wanted to shut early. It was a fine place to rehydrate before tackling the (thankfully downhill) slope back to our starting point.
1525barrel3
It took some persuasion to get everyone back onto their feet, but it didn’t take more than a few hours more to stumble down to Great Hucklow, where the welcoming sign looks as if someone has written something else then scribbled it out.
1527hucklow
After five and a half hours in the heat of the Indian summer, we were all pretty exhausted after 13.5 km and 440 metres ascent. I felt at least as tired as I had done after the previous day’s rather longer stroll!
Here’s the route.
1599route
Thanks to Nigel for leading this excellent stroll, and apologies for any misinterpretations as to what actually happened, in the above ‘report’!

Wednesday 14 September 2016

Talk north Wales 14/09/2016

At Hazel Grove Civic Hall 20:00 hrs. Martin B. gave a talk with computer photo projector on walking in North Wales.

Monday 12 September 2016

Walk Hayfield 11/09/2016

John H. led a walk around Hayfield. We started at the bus station and walked West along the Sett Valley trail for about a mile. Then North towards Lantern Pike, Penine bridleway onto Cown edge, South to Rowarth back onto Sett Valley way. It was a warm sunny day with clear views. Some went into the George pub in Hayfield for drinks.







Saturday 10 September 2016

Pub night The Kings Hall 09/09/2016

Chris and Janet H. hosted a pub night at The Kings Hall in Cheadle Hulme, a large and busy Weatherspoons pub originally built as a dance hall. Several different real ales were enjoyed.

Thursday 8 September 2016

Talk Danube 07/09/2016

At Hazel Grove Civic Hall at 20:00 hrs. Denise C. gave a talk with computer photo projector on Carry on down the Danube.

Tuesday 6 September 2016

Walk Uppermill to Marsden return 4/09/2016

John E. led a walk from Uppermill along the Huddersfield canal to the south end of Standedge Tunnel then up over moors to Marsden then  to the north end of Standedge tunnel return. The weather started off very poorly but became steadily better until at the end saw us sitting outside the Granby pub at Uppermill enjoying a well earned drink. 13miles.





Saturday 3 September 2016

Pub night Buxton Tap House 2/09/2016

Paul and Pam D. hosted a pub night at Buxton Tap House at George Street Buxton. This completed the themed pub nights along the Manchester to Buxton railway line.

Thursday 1 September 2016

Walk Werneth Low 31/08/2016

Les H. led a Wednesday evening walk around Werneth Low.