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October 29 Vince's Sunday Walk. Ladybower. The torrential rains of the early morning did not deter 5 hardy souls from joining Vince for his walk in the Ladybower and Derwent Valley's of Derbyshire. Clocks having gone back we made an earlier start and drove in dismal conditions over the Snake Pass, starting the walk soon after 10am.The rain soon stopped and by midday the sun came out.Climbing from Ladybower to Crook Hill we were rewarded with splendid views. The atmosphere had been washed clean and the autumn colours we at their best especially as we descended to the information centre in the Derwent Valley for lunch. Another steady climb took up towards Derwent Edge and again the panoramic views were spectacular. We were all delighted that we had not been deterred by the early rain. Thank you Vince for a brilliant and memorable walk.  October 25 First weekday walk for the groupAs an experiment we decided to see whether a midweek walk would be popular, so Sue & Geoff led a walk today from Chadkirk Country Park. It was a dull but dry autumn day and eight people came along, so we set off through Chadkirk, stopping briefly to look at the restored orchard then up (sorry Jackie!) and onto the canal.
As we approached Lock 7 we stopped for an early lunch stop before heading away from the canal and along through the outskirts of Marple, passing the Old Hall before dropping down to Dooley Lane. Actually we accidentally dropped down a bit early so we had an additional climb. We tried to hide this fact from Jackie by standing in front of the path which approached around the top on the dip, but it was no use we were rumbled!.
The plan was to go for tea & cake in Wyevale Garden centre but it was very busy (half-term) so we crossed the road and had a pleasant chat at the Hare & Hounds - some people had puddings!
OK, so what if the photos show that we spent much of this short adventure eating & drinking. We are Gerry's after all (thanks John)
I pronounce midweek walks to be A Good Idea and will probably do another one in December. Perhaps one a month would be popular during the winter months, so if anyone would like to lead a walk please contact the Walks Secretary. You choose which day is best for you.
Sue October 22 Sunday walk toPendle HillToday's Sunday walk took 9 of us heading into Pendle hills. The weather was perfect with good clear views. We set off from Whalley and headed up towards Nick of Pendle . Sue and Geoff were looking out for a patch of mud that had some healing powers. But it could not be found so no rolling around in the mud. After lunch we had a small climb on the trig point where we met a couple doing one of Fred Talbot Granda TV walks. From there it was a nice down hill with grand views all round us. We had a slight problem at the bottom where we had to head back up and pick a track up to get back to Sabden. Sure, some would have got their broomsticks out to get back up the hill. Few problems finding the path but the gps soon told us we were a few fields out. But we soon rejoined the path to Sabden and the road back to the car park. Little late finishing and a few miles added on. With the fine weather and autumn views everyone was happy to go that extra mile. October 20 Elterwater weekendA Relaxing weekend at Elterwater.
Last weekend 15 of S.W.O.G. travelled to the Lakes to stay at Elterwater YH. The weather on Saturday was, some might say a typical Lake District day with mist right down and no mountain views. Even so most of us went for a walk along a low level route taking in the newly built bridge near Skelwith Force then onto Colwith Force into Little Langdale and back along the valley of (or for some higher up) Great Langdale.
On Sunday the weather improved allowing those who wanted to, the chance to climb the Langdale Pikes. There were views all around and the sun broke through at the very end which was quite spectacular. A long day but, an enjoyable one.
Other members also had a good day’s walk in the Little Langdale Valley, continuing up to Greenburn with a steep descent down to Tilberthwaite.
A good weekend for ‘chilling out’ and The Britannia lived up to expectations too.
Pam
October 12 Andy Howell TGO Challenge Talk Wednesday Talk saw Andy Howell giving a talk on the TGO Challenge walk. He started off with the planning of buying the magazine. Off you go and buy the Scotland OS maps and open then up and gasp where do I go. No paths just brown contour lines.But with advice that he picked up from fellow walkers things start to fall into place. You have your route and now the kit. Little bit of the kit was covered and kit that other walkers used. With amazement to the weight. All a sudden our group was thinking our day packs are too heavy. Never mind the ones we use for backpacking Andy went onto the walk itself he had done. Two challenge walks so far. The amazing places that he wild camp and the photos he took made you want to go wild camping. It also came across that the challenge was not a race but a social event. Meeting other walkers on route or in the pub chatting over the day events.And some of the challenge people he met came a long to the talk as well. So we got two talks in one. He also had to carry on the walk recording kit which he recorded podcasts with Bob Cartwight who also sells some of the light weight gear that Andy was talking about. After the talk questions were asked and these carried on into the pub over a good pint of beer. But by last orders Andy,s carriage was waiting for him to take him back to his hotel before midnight. It was a great night and some us had the chance to talk to him early on the evening when we met him at the station and went for a bite to eat and another pint. Listen to the trips he done and his love of the outdoors. His grand days out with Bob using the tarps. We are hoping he will return to Stockport again and do another talk or two for us. Below you will find links to some of the items and podcasts Andy talk about. Online shops to buy from. http://www.andyhowell.info/trek-blog/ http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/ http://www.theoutdoorsstation.co.uk/ http://www.golite.com/main/home.aspx http://www.tgochallenge.co.uk/ http://www.alansloman.blogspot.com/ http://www.cordee.co.uk/CWN002.php http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/ http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/epages/terranova.storefront/470e946b0031ee8427410a022f0105d8http:// http://www.ula-equipment.com/index.htm http://www.inov-8.com/ http://www.montane.co.uk/ http://www.x-socks.com/ http://www.apple.com/itunes/ Happy backpacking planning  October 08 John's Walk. Old GlossopThis Sunday walk took 8 of us from Old Glossop via Mossy Lea and the old Roman route of Doctor's Gate to Bleaklow Head. The early sunshine soon disappeared, but it remained calm and mild.The going was easy after the recent dry weather, but we still felt justified in having a pint at The Queen's Head at the end. |
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