A circuit around Hartington

“Hartington is a lovely place to start a walk and few walks could be better than that along Beresford and Wolfscote Dales - an easy outing with varied and ever-changing scenery” – so said Martin, today’s walk leader (or it might have been someone else, Isaac Walton, Charles Cotton or even J R Hartley).

At times, when it was lashing it down, or when a local landlord clearly indicated he didn’t want our custom at 2.40pm because he was shutting at 3pm – “lovely place” may not have been the most appropriate description.

But undaunted by the inclemency of the weather, we trekked on and were rewarded with some great views, some rare fungi, a heron, a white dipper and even some bright sunshine. As Stuart would say, “we were blessed”

Here are a few memories from our amble around Hartington, Beresford Dale, Alstonefield, Gypsy Bank and Wolfscote Dale. Thanks again chaps for an entertaining and fun day.

A "magic mushroom"?

Not sure what Dave and Stuart have put in their coffee

More "magic mushrooms" for lunch

Have you seen this man? If so, please report the details to the nearest police station!

 The mushrooms had a dramatic effect on Martin!

The Dove in Wolfscote Dale

The dipper

The heron

A welcome Farmer's Blonde at the Bull's Head in Monyash



3rd Nottingham Robin Hood Beer Festival

It's Friday and it's just past 1pm, and you're on Sheffield Railway Station. So what better thing to do than to get on the 1.05pm train to Nottingham to pay a visit to the 3rd Robin Hood Beer Festival

 

Set in the environs of Nottingham Castle

There were around 800 different casks of real ale which the organisers claimed to be the largest number of cask ales ever assembled at a festival in the world - as well ciders, perries and country wines. 

With that number of ales on tap we were only able to scratch the surface in our brief visit. My favourite ale was Castle Rock's Harvest Pale Ale - a "pale well-balanced ale with crisp fresh citrus hop". I could readily taste why it was voted Supreme Champion Beer of Britain 2010. See www.castlerockbrewery.co.uk for further details.

Other ales that tantalised my taste buds were Blue Monkey's Infinity - "a citrussy, strong, pale and refreshing ale"; Double Drop from Flack Manor in Romsey - "a classic amber bitter with bitter citrus Sovereign hops"; Nottingham Brewery's Robin Hood - "a pale copper coloured triple hopped brew"; and Iceberg from Titanic in Stoke - "an English style wheat beer with citrus hops". In case you haven't already guessed, I do like citrus flavoured beers.

The musical entertainment was provided by the Backline Blues Band

 No visit to Nottingham is the same without a trip to "The Trip" - a view from the Castle
 

An amble up Rushup

On what started out as a misty, murky morning in October, these intrepid adventurers set off from Edale in search of Mam Tor and Rushup

According to the "Nicod Protocol", elevensies need to be taken at regular intervals

Our leader had clearly seen something we'd missed, but what was it???

Some say that it was Mike paying us a flying visit but all we know is he's called Hang Glider Man

Stuart telling one of his jokes, and Martin being very attentive

... but where is he when Stuart gets to the punch line?

The name of this Edge was misleading for our intrepid heroes - "Ambleside" would have been nearer the mark

A look back at what we had achieved

This is allegedly a "Belted Galloway" - well at least that is what http://www.namethiscow.co.uk/ says it is

A wonderful walk, excellent company, and thanks guys for inviting me to join your group



A jaunt to Monsal Head

On what turned out to be a glorious October day, Steve & Trev ambled and rambled from Ashford in the Water to Monsal Head and back

Views from above Ashford  on our way to ...

... Monsal Head - where we savoured some excellent coffee and a wonderful home-made fruit cake; we must go back for more!

Views from the top

Our route took us down to the riverside - not the one in Durham, this one is by Nether Dale Farm

Then under the viaduct. When it was built in 1861 there was fierce local resistance. John Ruskin (of poetry and environmental fame) is quoted as saying: "The valley is gone, and now every fool in Buxton can be in Bakewell in half an hour and every fool in Bakewell in Buxton, which you may think a lucrative process of exchange, you fools everywhere!"

The River Wye

Then across the A6 to Marianne Grace Wood

and a disused water mill

Views from  Sheepwash Bridge, Ashford, where for centuries shepherds washed their sheep (by night?) by driving them across the river at Ashford. The custom still survives as an annual event for tourists. Sheep are penned in a stone enclosure built on the side of the 17th century packhorse bridge

Ain't "retirement" great!!