“Five in a Hut”– the story Enid Blyton declined to write

Five intrepid walkers from our regular Tuesday group ventured into the heart of the Lake District for a few days. We arrived in the area around 2pm and got our priorities right – we sussed out the local (Three Shires Inn at Little Langdale), quality assured the ales and booked our evening meal (lamb shanks all round). 

We then checked out our home for the next few days - the Yorkshire Rambler’s Hut at Low Hall Garth. It is an old farm cottage above Little Langdale Tarn and owned by the National Trust.

 

After quickly sorting out the essentials – ie who had top bunk, as well as making the key appointments such as firemaker, entertainments officer, first aider, wine monitor, porridge cook etc – we ventured forth on our first walk. 

Mike took the leader’s baton for this one 

He led us to Elterwater via Stang End

We stopped off at the Three Shires for a few beers and the aforementioned lamb shanks – highly recommended - before returning to the Hut for an evening of games. Our Entertainments Officer was in his element as he explained the delights of “Shut the Box” but found no takers for “Pass the Pigs”, so the playing cards made a welcome appearance. 
 

 We awoke to the smell of piping hot porridge – Chris had been elected Porridge Officer – and after a hearty breakfast we departed to Coniston.  
 

I was leading today’s escapade to find The Old Man. Easier said than done given that the whole area was shrouded in mist and low cloud when we set off; then the rain set in and the wind decided to blow a gale – so what’s new I hear you ask? Our route took us out of Coniston via Heathwaite Farm, along Walna Scar Road before turning north up to Brown Pike.
 

Visibility was still poor, the rain was still wet – you know, the sort of rain that just soaks through – and the wind was still gale force. 

However, our doughty heroes continued on without a murmur.  
 

Dow Crag came and went and we found the Old Man 

Trigpoint S5473 for the cognoscenti and ranked 176th in the Triggy charts (our highest ranked trigpoint to date).

On our descent via Low Water, the weather changed and we saw sunshine for the first time

... with some splendid views over Coniston Water ...

    

 ... and Coniston itself 
 

We took refreshment at the Bulls Head in Coniston – home of the Coniston Brewing Company. The Old Man Ale and the welcoming fire made it all worthwhile.

Mike was on chef duty and provided us with an excellent lasagne. 

His meal was ably supported by Chris’s speciality garlic bread and Simon’s exquisite cheesecake, all washed down with a few bottles of vino collapso from Chateau Nicod.
 

Steve demonstrated his fire-making skills – obviously a former boy scout. The Entertainments Officer’s suggestion of dominoes was eagerly accepted by the crew – apparently the alternative offer of another round of “Shut the Box” may have explained their eagerness.

The following morning, Chris - the day’s walk leader - made sure that we were all up by 7.30am (thanks Chris). Not only did we have the (now accepted and expected) porridge but we were also treated to a full English breakfast by Mike (thanks Mike).
 

Today’s planned hike would take us past Little Langdale Tarn to Wetherlam then back round Greenburn

we would meet some locals on the way

However, this was all a bit too much for me - I experienced a return of my wounded knee within a couple of miles and had to be escorted back to the hut by Simon (thanks Simon).
 

The trio continued on in the mist in search of Wetherlam but they were drawn, seemingly by a greater mystic power, to Coniston again and the Bulls Head. A pint or two later they found their way to a bus stop and eventually ended up close to home. The alternative explanation is that they simply got lost!
 

Boeuf bourguignon was today’s main course, expertly presented by Chris, today’s head chef. He was ably assisted by sous-chef Steve, who provided us with a superb apple and blackberry crumble. Again this was washed down with a few more bottles from Chateau Nicod.

 

The Entertainments Officer finally persuaded the group to play “Pass the Pigs” (nothing to do with the amount of alcohol consumed, honest). We rounded off the evening’s entertainment with charades where the group’s thespian credentials were plain for all to see. Editor’s note - remember to ask Mike about his kangaroo and myself about Richard Nixon.

The following day we said farewell to our Lakeland "home" ...

... but before heading south we visited Grasmere, where William Wordsworth lived (and died)

  ... and, of course, we bought some of the world-famous Gingerbread.

A splendid time was had by all. Especial thanks to Mike and Chris for organising the venue and sorting out the food and drink. We must do it again!

 

 

Picnic at Black Rocks

This week Andy led us on a splendid walk around Cromford and Matlock Bath and he even let us have a picnic at the famous Black Rocks.

We met at Cromford Wharf ...

  ... and set off in search of the Heights of Abraham

We then called in on Andy's chip shop in Matlock Bath

Matlock Bath developed as a spa town in the nineteenth century and was extremely fashionable and prosperous. It was visited by the then Princess (later Queen) Victoria on 22 Oct 1832 when she was a guest of the Duke of Devonshire at nearby Chatsworth House and again in 1844 - the Princess Victoria pub is no doubt named after her and her visit. 

These visits served to enhance the reputation of the resort and it was at this time that Matlock Bath developed its inland 'seaside' resort image that it still carries today.

The health spa aspect of Matlock Bath began much earlier than Victorian times and in fact, it was in 1698 that the discovery was made of three medicinal springs. Soon afterwards the first 'bath' was devised and constructed. It was made of wood, lined with lead and it was this bath that gave Matlock 'Bath' its name.

Other famous people have made comment on Matlock Bath, including Lord Byron and Mary Shelley, who mentions Matlock (Bath) in her novel 'Frankenstein': "We proceeded to Matlock (Bath), which was our next place of rest. The country in the neighbourhood of this village resembles Switzerland; but everything is on a lower scale". 

In those days, many people used the name 'Matlock' when they meant 'Matlock Bath'. John Wesley found it "pleasant beyond expression"; Ruskin expressed his delight as did Nathaniel Hawthorne. Sir John Betjeman, wrote a poem about the village - see link Betjeman's poem - "Matlock Bath"

At tea break, Chris took the opportunity to present Dave with his Green Mat. A proud Dave was well pleased and vowed to work towards the Red Mat award

Riber Castle in the distance

Then on to Cromford

Mill pond ...

... and water wheel

these terraced houses were provided by Arkwright for his workers ...

 ... he lived elsewhere

Black Rocks from afar

We came across this toadstool - which perhaps looks bigger than it is ...

... but as you can see it is less than a foot!

The area has been a well-known rock climbing venue since the 1890s. A large number of hard lines were put up by some of the best climbers of the 80s/90s. The two best known climbs are featured in the documentary Hard Grit. These are Gaia (E8 6b), up the groove in the massive nose that one sees first on the walk to the top, and Meshuga (E9 6c), on the main overhanging Promontory.

The views are fantastic

 Picnic time

 Chris had spotted some interesting graffiti ...

... and Mike wasn't that hungry

We returned to the High Peak Trail

High Peak Junction lies at the bottom of the steep Sheep Pasture incline (some 1320 yards in length at a gradient varying between 1:8 and 1:9)

Following a runaway in 1888 a catch pit was constructed, the two lines passing either side of it. In this accident (of which there are a number of varying versions), it would seem that a wagon loaded with lime and a brake van containing gunpowder broke free from a train, hurtling down the incline at speeds of up to 120mph. Failing to take the bend at the bottom, they then ran across the site, jumping across both the canal (damaging the bank) and the double tracks of the Midland Railway before one of the canisters exploded in the adjacent field. Minutes later the London passenger train passed.

Wreckage seen in the catch pit today dates from a further runaway in the 1950s.

Chris just loves playing with levers ...

... he thought he'd broken it!

 ... but happily he hadn't!

High Peak Junction is the name now used to describe the site where the former Cromford and High Peak Railway (C&HPR), whose workshops were located here, meets the Cromford Canal. It lies within Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, and marks the southern end of the High Peak Trail, a 17 miles trail for walkers, cyclists and horse riders

This first section of the line, from here to Hurdlow, opened on 29 May 1830, opening throughout in 1831. At this point in time the railway was isolated from any other railway lines, being connected only to canals at either end, namely the Cromford Canal in the south, and the Peak Forest Canal at Whaley Bridge in the north. Cromford Canal had previously been finished in 1794 and linked Sir Richard Arkwright’s mills to the national waterway system

The workshop complex here was largely built between 1826 and 1830 (making them the second oldest railway workshops in the world 

We broke with tradition and had a welcome coffee break at the café - the shop also had some interesting books of the railway and the area. We then returned to the Wharf and adjourned to the Princess Victoria in Matlock Bath for some excellent local (Ashover and Buxton) ales.