Three Shires Head, Shutlingsloe 22nd April 2016

A great use of my Friday off. A beautiful walk through the border area of Cheshire, Staffordshire, and Derbyshire.

The start point is the Cat and Fiddle pub on the A537 just outside of Buxton.

The route follows the well defined path across Danebower Hollow to the A54. From the road the path drops down passed some old dis-used mine workings, and then skirts the side of Cut thorn hill to arrive at the beautiful Three Shires Head waterfalls.

from the Waterfalls the path heads in a North Westerly direction towards Wildboarclough with the distinctive outline of Shutlingsloe (next target) on the horizon. To the south the ridge of the Roaches can be seen. 

Shutlingsloe

This guy adopted me for part of the route

In Wildboarclough there is a short stretch along the road past the church. Such a quiet place - I didn't see any (moving) cars. At the church I made friends with a stray dog who followed me all the way up the hill to the farm(Shutlingsloe farm) at the foot of Shutlingsloe. At this point I had to shoo him away as there were sheep and lambs in the fields I had to cross. 

Although Shutlingsloe is a modest height the climb to the top is quite a slog. From the summit are superb views all around across Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Jodrell Bank telescope can be seen from here. 

The last leg of the route was a drop back down to Wildboarclough and then back along the moors to meet the path back to the Cat and Fiddle. 

A brilliant walk which I will definitely do again.

OS OL24 White Peak . About 8.5 miles

Ulldale fells - Lake District - 20th March 2016

Finally , after a crappy winter and lots of other distractions my first visit to the Lakes of 2016.

These Northern fells are not typical Lakeland fells - they have grassy paths and are generally easier to walk - my creaky , rusty frame was especially grateful for this !!

Up at 4 AM , driving from the East Midlands, I arrived at my start point around 8.30. The road (north of Bassenthwaite) was 'off the scale'  - single track for most of the way (around 5 miles) with pot holes and farmers bombing along on quad bikes.

The start point was Longlands (shown on the map , but no indication from road signs).

Through the gate onto the field and turn right along the wall. Using Mark Richards guide I followed the path across the valley and up to the high valley / ravine of Trusmadoor

Approaching Trusmadoor

From the valley floor turn right up the path to the top of the wonderfully named Great Cockup.
Back down to Trusmnadoor and then straight up the next fell - Meal Fell

Top of Great Cockup

Top of Great Sca Fell with Knott in the background

Dodgy Bloke

Top of Brae Fell from Longlands Fell

Top of Meal Fell

From Meal Fell it was a straightforward path down to the col between Meal Fell and Great Sca Fell. I chose the steep path rather than the one one up to the col between Great and Little Sca Fell - it didn;t look hard but it was !!

As the weather was wonderful and  clear it was an easy navigation past the top of Little Sca Fell and then over the ridge to Brae Fell.

 View from the top of Brae Fell

From Brae fell it was another easy navigation , dropping down and up a gully to the slopes of  Lowthwaite Fell and then onto the ridge leading to Longlands Fell.

Brae Fell Summit

Over Water from the top of Longlands Fell

Top of Longlands Fell

An excellent days walking , which didn't kill me - I need to get some tougher walks in for the coming Months

OS OL  4    North Lakes . About 8 Miles

Catch up - Monsal Dale , Curbar Edge , Derwent Edge (February / March 2016)

I haven't posted for a long time and towards the end of last year and the start of this one have not done any significant walks. This was mainly due to all the building work we had done at home and the crappy , wet weather over the winter.

However , I am slowly getting back up to speed.

Monsal Dale - February 2016

With Richard. Same route as previously - Monsal Head - Monsal Dale - Great Shacklow Wood - Ashford in the Water - Monsal Head

OL24 - White Peak - about 8 miles


Curbar Edge - March 2016

Another favorite walk - great for getting some miles on my legs without any navigation issues.
Park at the NT car park and then a anticlockwise circuit of the edges - Baslow Edge - White Edge - Froggat Edge - Curbar Edge. As usual , a lovely walk. At the start for about 10 minutes it was blowing a blizzard - nearly chickened out and turned back. However, it soon blew over and the weather really became quite mild.




OL24 White Peak - about 8 miles


Derwent Edge - March 2016

With Richard

Parked up at one of the layby's near Fairholmes. No signal so I wondered down to the main car park and Richard was waiting there. This was a repeat of last time I met with Richard around here, Along the shores of Ladybower - a short stroll over the bridge on the A57 and then up to Whinstone Lee Tor - along the glorious Derwent Edge - Back Tor - Lost Lad - Back down to the shores of Ladybower - short stroll arond the southern end of Derwent res - back to the car.

Brilliant walk - as usual !!





OL1 Dark Peak - About 9 Miles

Blencathra Sept 27th 2015

Probably the last chance I would get for a trip to the Lakes this year, as the builders are coming back next week and we will be busy with the new kitchen. Excellent weather for walking - slightly cloudy with some wonderful autumn sunshine poking through the clouds.

I had planned to do some of the Ulldale fells North of Skiddaw but at the last minute (driving on the A66) I glanced up at Blencathra and decided to change the plans.

Summit Ridge

Summit

Scales Tarn

The route and navigation was simple. Park at Blencathra Centre just outside Threkeld, It is virtually a case of stepping out of the car onto the Fell. Up Blease Fell on an excellent path and onto the summit ridge.  Views from the top were outstanding and spectacular.

Causey Pike in the distance

Halls Fell

Looking down from the summit

A brave soul on Sharp Edge

From the summit I had a stroll along the ridge to get some pics of Sharp Edge and Scales Tarn.

Return by the same route.

Harvey Superwalker - Northern Lakes. 5 Miles

5th September 2015 Fairfield Horseshoe

A brilliant September day in Cumbria. Bright , clear and warm.

Leg 1

Leg 2

Leg 3

Leg 4

Final Section

Great Rigg

Dr Fulcher with his new camera

Windemere in the distance

I did this walk a couple of year ago ....in the mist so I didn't get to see much. It was fantastic to do it in clear weather and with someone else (Richard). Because I haven't done many walks recently I was a bit 'out of shape' so found it hard going. However, we got round in one piece !!. Clockwise from the car park in Ambleside on the Grasmere road.

St Sunday Crag from the top of Fairfield

Top of Fairfield

I had considered taking in Stone Arthur as a little detour but by the time we were close to the sunmit of Great Rigg an extra 2 mile detour including 1000 ft down and then back up again did not appear to attractive.

Taking a rest before the descent

Heron Pike and Great Rigg

So - no new Wainwrights bagged this time , but my 'second time round list' is now into double figures.


Superb day out - about 10.5 miles. OS OL5 and OL7

16th August Crich

Been busy with the builders around every day , so it was good to get away for a few hours to do this walk. Not much driving involved and the same route as normal - Anti Clockwise from the small car park near Whatstandwell.

About 6.5 miles OS OL 24 White Peak