A few of us went to The Grapes on Monday 25th May to see George & Elaine presented with the CAMRA Pub of the Month award - and to share the sandwiches!

Between September and April The Grapes is our "local" after our Wednesday night slidehows at Hazel Grove Civic Hall.

We are always made very welcome as we usually take over the front room of the pub for a chat and a drink.

Well Done The Grapes, see you again in September.

Sue T

16 people enjoyed a walk from Castleton to Win hill via Hope led by Chrsi & Wendy.

We walked along the river past the Roman fort but we did not see any romans! We went through Brough and up to Win Hill for some excellent views from the top.

Then we went down the river to Wooler Knoll, down the Roman road to Hope and back to Castleton.

 

John started out without butties but ended up having quite a feast: tuna, turkey and ham salad sandwiches followed by 3 chew bars.

As Joan was eating her lunch on top of Win Hill a sheep plonked itself on her lap and started to share her sandwiches but with the help of some of the group, Joan won!

The weather once more was wall to wall sunshine and it was a very good day.

your reporter this week is Joan

What can I say about this walk. It was very wet and very muddy.

All I can do is thank the 22 courageous  people who came out on such an awful night.

We walked along the old railway to Reddish Vale where we circuited several ponds before deciding to head back to the Railway pub to get wet inside as well as out!!

Jack

"... where Derwent rolls his dusky floods

Through vaulted mountains, and a night of woods."

 

That was in 1789, but of course Derwent has been dammed since Erasmus Darwin (Charles's Grandad!) saw it, so doesn't roll so much these days; and I suspect that the woods weren't Sitka Spruce either!

 

Despite the weather forecast the day looked quite promising as Helen led 15 of us from Ladybower, and with the Derwent Valley on our left we climbed up towards the Edge.

A cuckoo repeatedly calling from a copse to our right just emphasised the perfect spring atmosphere.

Things were looking a little less hopeful as we reached the top of the climb. The sky had greyed over, and a cutting east wind did its best to blow us back down the way we had come. However, a sharp left turn and the wind was behind us as we headed along the Edge, passing the Salt Cellar and many other celebrated shapes, blasted out of the gritstone by centuries of winds, frequently much stronger than today's. A curlew found it hard going trying to maintain a straight line, but swallows and skylarks just let the wind help them around.

As we approached our scheduled lunch stop (Dovestone Tor I think) the rain came in, and with admirable timing reached full force just as we arrived. Quite an amusing sight watching 15 people trying to cram beneath a rock overhang big enough for about half of them! Not keen to hang around, we were soon on our way again, and the rain eased shortly afterwards. Thank goodness for the flagstones which have been laid, otherwise we'd all have been up to our oxters in the mire!

Back in sunshine, we dropped down from the end of the edge to the track by the shore of the reservoir, very grateful to be back on firm footing and out of the wind.

Seated on some of the exposed ruins of Derwent village, a final tea-break at Mill Brook Bay was the cue for the rain to return (perhaps it's something to do with food!).

Despite the occasional heavy showers, it had been a most enjoyable day, with spectacular views in the clear intervals, and lots of laughter.

As to the weather? Well, I suppose after the last few weeks of fine Sundays, our luck had to change sometime!

 

Geoff

Well the weather did not look at all promising but nevertheless 21 people and 2 dogs met at Jackson's Brickyard, Poynton for the first evening walk of 2009.

It turned out to be the best part of the day, walking mostly on paths to avoid the wet/muddy fields. It did not rain and we even had some sunshine.

We passed through one field with lots of lambs, the biggest gang I have ever seen, all leaping and running around. How do they jump so high?

Then we went into some woodland full of bluebells which smelt lovely.

We also saw a couple of deer (although they were fenced in). One of them was quite tame and came over to be stroked.

John timed the walk to perfection and we returned to the cars just as it was growing dark.

Then it was off to the Bulls Head for a drink and a chat.

Despite heavy rain overnight and dark clouds, 18 of us (plus three dogs) met at Monsall Head for a fairly easy 10 mile walk, starting off down many steps into the valley. We had been promised that there would be no mud, but after all that rain we did manage to find some, easily avoidable though. There was a cold breeze, especially on the higher parts of the walk but the rain held off until we were back at Torkington Park when it set in again ready for the Bank Holiday Monday. Generally though it remained sunny and we enjoyed the views and we found a nice sheltered spot to eat our lunch following a climb up many more steps (as promised!).

Then it was back along the valley and UP to the Monsall Head where some of us stayed for a drink.

This walk must hold the record for the most maps in use, thanks to Steve's for the map reading lessons.

Thanks Sue & Linda for a nice day out.

Sue T