Walk from Longnor to Pilsbury Castle

A nice sunny, if cold, start to the day and we drove to the village of Longnor in the neighbouring county of Staffordshire. We parked in the market square and I noticed that standing there you could see four pubs altogether – quite a few for a small village.

Cheshire Cheese Inn

The Grapes Hotel

The Crewe and Harpur Arms

The Horseshoe Inn

We walked a short distance back along the road we had driven along and then turned off along a minor road then onto a concreted lane. We were passed by a number of competitors riding mountain bikes on what seemed to be a sort of Orienteering on bike event as they were following a map and we saw some clipping in at a check point next to a small bridge.

 High Wheeldon

This led us across some fields and then back onto another minor road next to a farmhouse. We followed the minor road gradually uphill for a short distance skirting around the foot of a large hill called High Wheeldon. We soon reached a limestone crag named Alderly Cliff which is a crag often used by climbers and also the site of a recent Orpheus Caving Club dig called Alderley Cliff Cave.

 Alderley Cliff

Alderley Cliff Cave

At a Public Footpath sign we left the road via a stile and followed a small, dry valley which wended its way around the opposite side of the hill, then by walking up a short steep section, we arrived at the trig point on the summit. Here there were views in all directions of the surrounding hills including Chrome Hills and Parkhouse Hill. Down below we could also see part of Alderley Cliff.

 Summit of High Wheeldon

We wandered down the Southern edge of High Wheeldon for a short distance and found the small Fox Hole Cave which has archaeological significance and hence has a gate to protect the cave. We sat in the hollow by the entrance which offered shelter from the cold breeze and had a bit of a hot drink from our flasks.
Afterwards, we walked towards the opposite end of the hill and dropped down through fields and stiles eventually arriving at road leading into the hamlet of Crowdecote. This is the location of a pub called “The Pack Horse Inn”, next to which the Orpheus C.C. Used to have a hut many years ago.
We passed the pub and followed a track back onto pasture land and eventually reached the limestone tor known as Pilsbury Castle, a former Norman Motte and Bailey Castle. We sat in the lee of the tor and had our lunch watching a ewe and her two lambs in the nearby field. These were the first lambs I've seen this year.

 Pilsbury Castle

Ewe and her Lambs

We could hear the noise of off-road motorbikes in the distance and as we finished our lunch and headed off for the track leading uphill, we waited until several of these motorbikes passed by. Of course, they shouldn't be riding on a footpath in the first place (it is illegal, but they don't seem to be worried about signs informing them that motor vehicles are not allowed) and they certainly don't do the ground any good leaving deep, muddy ruts in the soft ground which is only surfaced with grass.

 Snowdrops

After climbing the muddy and rutted path, we were back on a minor road and we followed this for ¾ mile then turned off onto a lane. This lane led to a farm and more fields eventually leading via footpath signs back to Longnor, where we had started from.
I wore my Icepeak X-Treme trousers, Paramo Summit Hoodie and Paramo Fuera Ascent jacket. Also Contour boots and Osprey Kestrel 38 rucksack.

Derbyshire Caving Association (DCA) A.G.M., Monyash

After breakfast at the “Old Smith Cafe” in Monyash, Karen and I went to the Village Hall a short distance along the road towards Lathkill Dale where we attended the DCA AGM.
We had intended to go for a shirt walk afterwards, but by the time the meeting was over and we had returned to the cafe for a snack, it wasn't long before we would start to lose the daylight so we went home instead.

Betws y Coed, North Wales

Due to my trip on the pavement yesterday I had a sore knee so decided not to go walking again today. I was another clear and sunny morning but this time there was a hard frost overnight and frost covered everything outside.
After packing everything I looked for my car keys but couldn't find them. I normally keep them in my jacket pocket and I was wearing it last night when I fell over, so I thought maybe I had dropped them when I tripped. I quickly put on my jacket and hurried back towards the phone box and very luckily found my keys on the concrete below the railing next to the path! What a relief!
Returning to the hut, I had breakfast, settled with Boyd for the hut fees and packed the car. I drove to Capel Curig, stopping in the large lay-by near the Pen y Gwryd junction and took some photos of the view through Cwm Dyli to the Snowdon Massif.
I had a snack at the Pinnacles Cafe in Capel Curig and a quick look around the Joe Brown shop. Afterwards I drove to Betws y Coed and had a wander around then drove home.

Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) via South Ridge and Rhyd Ddu Path

Karen decide to have a restful weekend and stay at home so I travelled alone last night to the Oread Mountaineering Club's hut “Tan y Wyddfa” in Rhyd Ddu near Beddgelert, which the Orpheus Caving Club book for a weekend each February.
Already there were Boyd and Jenny, Frank and Trish, Rod Clayton, Steve White, Derek Freeman, Ashley Richards, Coke, Chris Barrat, John Pratt, Helen, Kev Drakely and his girlfriend and Ned.

Tan y Wyddfa

We walked down the road to the pub – the Cwellyn Arms – where although good, the beer is not cheap at around £3.30 a pint (locally a pint is well under £3.00).
The weather forecast was excellent for the whole weekend and, luckily, it turned out to be correct. There were cloudy patches and short periods of mist but both days were mostly cold, dry and largely sunny with little wind.
After getting up at 08.30 and having breakfast and making up a flask of hot chocolate, I set off straight from the hut at 09.15 crossing the restored Welsh Highland Railway and followed the track leading through old slate quarries and soon reached the Bwlch-Cwm Llan between Snowdon and Yr Aran with views down to the Watkin Path below.
After crossing the wall, a short section of steep loose ground led to stone steps starting up Snowdon's South Ridge. After the steps, the ridge was broader with increasing views all around, short sections of easy scrambling until I reached a sloping, grassy area. The worn path was covered with snow and it was easier to follow the grassy sections next to the path. Soon I reached the beginning of the snow remaining on the higher ground so I stopped and put on my crampons and got the ice axe out.

 Snowdon's South Ridge

In a short distance I passed the route down, the Rhyd Ddu Path, reached a level but narrow section of path with good views of the summit and down to Glaslyn and Llyn Llydaw. I passed Bwlch Main and after a short steeper section of hard-packed snow, I reached the summit station.
The summit station has been rebuilt in the past year or two and is an improvement on the old rectangular concrete building which it replaced. It was around 11.00 and there were a number of other walkers milling about (the Snowdon Railway doesn't run in winter so there were no tourists taking the train up and of course the station and cafe were locked up for the winter) especially on the very large cairn at the actual summit.

 Looking down at Snowdon's Summit Station

I had a look around the summit looking across to Crib Goch on one side and Y Lliwedd on the other side making up the Snowdon Horseshoe. Luckily it was mostly clear with sun and wispy, fluffy clouds moving up the valley with Capel Curig in the distance covered in low cloud.

 Part of Crib Goch

I returned down a short way back the way I came and sat on some rocks to have my lunch, being intently watched by a couple of seagulls! As I was eating my lunch, Boyd and Ashley appeared and after a quick chat, they headed for the summit cairn.

 Seagulls waiting for my lunch!

After lunch was finished, I set off back the way I came and met Steve and Derek coming along the narrow bit and I returned back to the summit with them as it wasn't that far away. We sat on a wall leading from the station and had a snack and hot drink then spotted Kev with his girlfriend.
I said bye to the other two as they were planning to descend via the Snowdon Ranger Path and I again headed back down towards Bwlch Main when I met Trish, Rod and Ned coming up. After another quick chat, they headed for the summit and I continued on down part of the South Ridge, then left it to follow the Rhyd Ddu Path. Soon I was following the lower reaches of the Rhyd Ddu Path and found that there were loads of cairns marking the way. Why there were so many, I have no idea – there were at least twenty in the space of 50 metres or so!

 Cairns on Rhyd Ddu Path

Following the lower paved section and passing through three gates, I soon reached a junction with the track I had followed on the way up earlier in the day. I retraced my earlier route and arrived back at “Tan y Wyddfa” at around 15.10 to find no one around.

 View of Cwm Dyli and Snowdon Horseshoe

I sorted out my gear and had a shower and then thought I might drive to Beddgelert to get some food for tomorrow's lunch but changed my mind due to the time of year and the time of day – there probably were no shops open.
So I returned to the hut and after making a cup of tea and making a sandwich, Boyd and Ashley arrived back from their walk closely followed by Steve and Derek.
Gradually the others also arrived and after sitting in the living room with a fire going, they all set off for Beddgelert at 18.15 for a meal leaving myself and Ashley. I planned on just cooking some pasta for a meal and thought Beddgelert would be busy as it certainly was as I drove through last night.
Ashley left to make a phone call from the telephone box down the road as there was no mobile phone reception in the area. I followed a short while later to give Karen a call and afterwards tripped on a small step in the pavement and fell over grazing my knee and thumb! D'oh!
Anyway, I returned back to the hut and read a bit then the others arrived back from their meals and after sitting around until about 22.00, I headed for bed followed by some of the others.
I wore my Paramo Cascada trousers, Paramo Summit Hoodie and Paramo Fuera Ascent jacket. Also Asolo Powermatic 200 GTX boots and Osprey Kestrel 38 rucksack.

A Walk on Masson Hill from Cromford

Luckily today was also a lovely sunny but cold day. Deciding on a shortish walk, Karen and I drove to Cromford and parked in Water Lane then followed a path leading uphill behind cottages and houses with views opening across the village of Cromford.

 Grass with Hoar Frost

After a while we reached a junction on the path in woods, just behind the large house called “Cromford Court” with an obvious opening described as a “cave” in the guidebook. It was obviously an old lead mine. We got head torches out from our rucksacks, left the rucksacks just inside the entrance and went to explore. It was pleasant going with fairly dry walls and floor and easy walking passageways. Not far in there was a raising in the ceiling, obviously an old stope, with an opening not too far above with daylight pouring in – obviously a shaft.

 Mine behind Cromford Court

Further in we passed a couple of junctions and the main passage reached a dead end after a 45 metres or so. The side passages did the same and were shorter.
Returning back to the surface with our rucksacks, we continued on following the path through the woods. Continuing on the footpath, passing some cottages, we arrived at a rough track. This brought us via some fields to Ember Lane which leads to Bonsall.
We ignored Ember Lane and instead followed the route signposted through the farmyard at Ember Farm to arrive at a green lane after passing through a gate.
We had a quick break, sitting on a grassy bank having some hot drinks from our flasks before continuing on along the green lane. We passed an upward bend in the lane and continued straight ahead along a narrowing path leading into a field before realising we should have followed the been in the green lane.
We managed to get back on track after crossing part of the next door field and followed the lane to reach a fence with a stile having a large stone block. We crossed the stile and then walked through scrub land now at the summit of Masson Hill and soon reached a walled wood with a squeeze stile. We realised that the way on was to remain outside the wall, so we continued ahead with views down into Matlock and across to Riber Castle. In the distance we could see Longstone Edge, some gritstone edges still with remaining snow and Kinder Scout in the far distance, again still with quite a lot of snow.

 Matlock and Riber Castle

Crossing more fields and stiles, we reached old stone buildings near a rake and a narrow concrete path leading down to a narrow walled path called Dobbs Lane. Below we could see the rooftops of Bonsall village.
We turned left along Dobbs Lane and after a short distance, popped out into Bonsall right by the old market cross. There is a small walled enclosure by the cross with a phonebox, a very interesting map of the village on the wall and a wooden bench. The good thing was that it was in the sun and very welcome on such a cold day – so we made use of the bench to have our lunch.

 Market Cross, Bonsall

Opposite is the Kings Head pub but it seems the not very long opened café next door was for sale and no longer open. A pity, since it was a very nice café with good food and reasonable prices.
Once lunch was finished we continued our walk through Bonsall heading along Church Treet past the church until we reached the end of the tarmac and passed through a gate onto a track which followed on edge of the very large Ball Eye Quarry.

 Bonsall Village Map

Following the perimeter of the quarry brought us to an old access road and after a couple of path junctions we arrived back at Chapel Lane in Cromford very near to where we had parked the car.
We changed out of our walking boots, and as we were so close to Scarthin Books bookshop, we decided to have a look around the bookshop, which is always interesting, and have some cake and a drink in the upstairs café.

 T'Owd Man of Bonsall

I wore my Icepeak X-Treme trousers, Paramo Viento jacket. Also Polar Buff as a hat, Contour Navigator boots and Osprey Kestrel 38 rucksack.

A Walk from Hartington

With Karen from Hartington. Biggin Dale, Wolfescote Dale and Beresford Dale. A repeat of the walk I've done a few times before. The snow is now mostly gone except for a few sheltered spots where some of the snowdrifts remain, such as the lane leading from near Hartington Hall.

 Lane with snowdrift near Hartington Hall

We followed down Biggin Dale with a small stream flowing most of the way due to the recent weather. We passed a man sitting near the junction of Biggin Dale with Wolfescote Dale who had a shotgun and was looking up the steep slope above. While we stopped nearby for lunch, we saw several men spread out across the dale sides, each with a dog or pair of dogs. Some sort of hunt? After lunch we heard the barking of hounds from high up above Wolfescote Dale, so it probably was a hunt.

 Biggin Dale near the junction with Wolfescote Dale

After following Wolfescote Dale, we crossed a wide, waterlogged pasture, crossed a footbridge and started along Beresford Dale. Soon we were back in fields and not very long after back at our starting point in Hartington.

 Footpath sign in Hartington

I wore my Icepeak X-Treme trousers, Paramo Summit Hoodie and Paramo Fuera Ascent jacket. Also Polar Buff as a hat, Contour Navigator boots and Osprey Kestrel 38 rucksack.

A Walk from Ashford in the Water

With Karen starting from Ashford in the Water, we followed Fennel Lane as far as Vicarage Lane, then along a footpath leading past houses to reach a large field. Crossing this large field we crossed paths with two men out shooting with shotguns and reached a stile in the far corner which brought us onto a lane.
The lane brought us to more pasture, including a dew pond which still had a large amount of ice with the sad remains of a number of toads who obviously had succumbed to the recent cold weather when the dew pond had probably become completely frozen.

  

 Sheepwash Bridge, Ahford in the Water

Leaving the pasture, we arrived at a viewpoint overlooking Monsal Dale, not very far from the pub. After a quick break to make use of a convenient wooden bench and have a quick hot drink from our flasks. We followed onwards along the path.

 Monsal Had and the Wye Valley

We soon reached a path leading down through woodland to reach a weir and the River Wye. Crossing a footbridge, we soon arrived at the A6 and crossed over into White Lodge car park. We followed the path up towards Demon Dell and found a small stream which obviously only flows in wet conditions as its bed was a small trench in the grassy hill side. We found the source of the stream to be a small cave nearby which had a fair amount of water flowing from its entrance, called Demons Dell Cave.
It was a lovely day and we stopped for a bit of lunch sitting on a couple of limestone blocks near the cave.

 Demons Dell Cave

Stream flowing from Demons Dell Cave 

We followed a small gorge called Demon's Dell, luckily being able to avoid the water by stepping on mud, rocks or bits of trees. We left the ravine where there was a small waterfall and followed the path into Deep Dale. Along the Dale we had a quick look at the Hubberdale Mine shaft which has a metal pipe and lid right next to the wall following the bottom of the Dale.

 Ravine in Demons Dell

The end of Deep Dale brought us into more walled fields with stiles and views to the old buildings of Magpie Mine in the distance and eventually the village of Sheldon. From Sheldon we dropped down pasture to arrive back at the A6 and then back into Ashford in the Water after a walk of 8 miles (12.8 km,).
I wore my Icepeak X-Treme trousers, Paramo Summit Hoodie and Paramo Fuera Ascent jacket. Also Polar Buff as a hat, Contour Navigator boots and Osprey Kestrel 38 rucksack.