Diary Walk
41
Ilam Depart 9.30 a.m. 11 miles Leader:
Gerry White
A summer’s
day, an earlier start, tennis on the telly, what a good day to be out and about
as some of us were, extending ourselves to make at least three six hundred foot
ascents, phew. Climbing from the start, that large thing that looks down on
Ilam, Bunster Hill, very windy up there today, a good place to view the whole
layout of Ilam Hall and surrounding parkland.
From this vantage point we could
also spot the small strings of exuberant youths, setting off on a journey into
the unknown, huge packs on their backs, hoping to earn themselves their Duke of
Edinburgh badge, later we would see more who had completed their course,
resting and thinking of real food after two days of campfire fare.
Ilam Hall, Church and Bunster looming large behind.
We walked
along the ridges of Bunster Hill before turning our attention to a lovely path
through Dovedale Woods, with a lovely descent to Doveholes and along the
well-used path to Milldale. This little watering hole of a
village, heaving under the influx of visitors, locals, and tourists alike.
Many people relaxing by the river, feeding the overfed ducks and generally
enjoying the day.
Only, just a short toilet break here, before our ascent to
Shining Tor, another good uphill push, but, thankfully a rest and lunch at the
top. Baley Hill, beckoned and we answered its call, moving more easily now,
after a break and from its summit we could view the whole of the mornings
route, on the western side of Dovedale. Looking down we could see the cave at
Doveholes, to which we would soon return, albeit over some rather rough and
overgrown terrain, stinging nettles and all.
The group split at Doveholes,
four, to take the lower route back and the remaining five to go up yet again
and walk the eastern ridge, descending steeply and a little uneasily to the
Stepping-stones.
The last ridge and the ‘very’
downhill all the way!
Easy now we thought, just follow the river and meadows back,
but no, another 200 mtr. climb and a descent along
the sharp ridge leading down to the cars that we had
in view for quite some time, but didn’t appear to get any closer.
We made it
just in time to see the lower group leaving, as we made our way to the National
Trust tearooms for a very well made cuppa, good old National Trust, where would
we be without them to preserve and maintain our heritage.
Diary Walk
42
Tansley
Church Depart 10 a.m. 6 miles Leader: Geoff Thrupp
Twelve of us
gathered outside the church in Tansley to make our way out of the village on a
forty-minute climb up to Mooredge and Blakelow Hill, a total ascent of 270 mtrs.
As we neared the top, a chance to look back at the distance and climb we had
achieved, with magnificent views across Matlock and beyond. Riber Castle, to
our left, seemed as if we were standing at the same height and in the far
distance, one eagle eyed member pointed out, Minninglow Hill, tremendous views
of the area from up here, well worth the effort, but more was to come.
We
crossed the Holestonegate Road, to take the track leading to Ravensnest Wood,
to pass Cocking Tor, or so we thought, Geoff had other ideas as we turned off
track, to climb through bracken, taller than I. The climb became a scramble, as
we were forced to go, hands and knees in places, to reach the top of this great
rock, 310mtrs. Eleven-o-clock on the dot as we sat for a coffee break and to
take in the great view over Ogston reservoir and far, far beyond to the eastern
horizon. The picture I have chosen to show all of this, doesn’t really do it
justice, but treat it as a small nosegay of the pleasure we had in seeing it
all first hand.
For me, this is why Britain is so great, when views like this, can be seen .....
Our way was then west, as we made our way through wonderful fields of ripening Barley, with a huge field of Oats on one side and then through a very heavily laden Wheat field, marvellous well-farmed crops that one might expect to see on arable farms at sea level, but at this altitude, truly remarkable.
.. alongside rural farming like this, good for us, good for
nature.
Our lunch was taken with
our backs against a wall on the boundary of Matlock Golf course, which we later
crossed on our return leg. Rain threatened, and that is all that it did, as we entered Cuckoostone Dale making
our way safely back to Tansley.
Plenty to see, and learn,
another lovely day.
Next Walks.
Sunday 11th
July 2010
Cutthroat Bridge, lay
by. SK 217 874 Depart 10 a.m. 12 miles Leader:
Robert Taylor
Wednesday 14th
July 2010
Ilam roadside SK 135 508 Depart 10 a.m. 6 miles Leader: Gerry White.