The forecast said mostly dry but overcast, and that was optimistic enough for ten of us to set off from Whaley Bridge. The "Happy Fathers' Day" phone call ten minutes into the walk (my son Mike) also explained a few absentee regulars.

A pause to look at the Roosdyche (sometimes claimed to be a Roman chariot racetrack!) and on towards Fernilee village. After stopping for sustenance at the Fernilee dam, where we were investigated by three generations of Golden Retrievers, we ambled along the east shore of the (rather depleted) reservoir to the much more impressive Errwood dam. This is where our route met the Midshires Way, which runs about 225 miles from Stockport to Buckinghamshire.We had an appointment to meet up for lunch with the "family section", about twenty of whom (including offspring) we found just arriving at the Car Park, along with Helen and Colin who was trying out his injured foot.

Lunch was taken on a grassy bank overlooking Errwood reservoir, and that's when the little b*****s made their presence felt!

No, not the kids, they were fine!

Midges! Hordes of 'em! In your hair, up your nose, down your ears! Tickling, biting and generally being a pain.

Not surprisingly we didn't stay there very long and headed along the waterside and up to the ruins of Errwood Hall. We'd bid the families farewell and they had dropped back a bit, but we could still hear the whoops from the kids as they discovered the ruins!

Thankfully as we climbed up from the water we left the entomology behind and followed the Midshires Way (by now re-named "Midgeshires Way" by Harvey!) which goes high along the western side of Fernilee reservoir before dropping back down into the valley just before Taxal. Delighted to find that tea was being served at Taxal Church, together with a complimentary history lesson. As we left for the final leg, my phone rang again.

"Happy Fathers' Day" from daughter Claire this time!

 

Geoff

Hi-de-hi!  Eleven campers enjoyed the delights of the Malverns for a weekend of fun, sun, walking and much relaxing!
 
Started with much hilarity as Campbell realized he had left his outer tent at home – so check out the photos for the rather impressive home-made tent.  He is to be nominated for a Blue Peter badge for innovation, and was renamed ‘Swampy O’Brien’!.
 
The Marlbank Inn provided much needed liquid refreshments, with a great selection of beers, and friendly locals, happy to suggest walk options, and being a stone’s throw from the tents, it was a quick stagger home…
 
Saturday provided the opportunity to explore the many delights of Great Malvern, and we all made it up on to the hills at some point.  The main walk covered most of the tops, with panoramic views at all times, and we really enjoyed taking a relaxing pace to appreciate the wonderful weather and scenery.
 
Mandatory pub stop at the end, in Great Malvern, and we bumped into Shirley, Phil and the boys, and swapped stories about our exciting day.
 
Then all back to camp, to cook the Waitrose and Somerfield barbeque, kindly purchased by Colin and Helen, and their choice of food and three course menu was commended by all.  John provided his services as a waiter, and Dave was the official smoke-absorber, as it followed him round all evening.  We nearly had one critical incident, as Campbell moved on from last year’s crime of shoplifting to knife crime, by moving rather quickly and nearly stabbing Peter in the face.  Thankfully I didn’t see it, but it caused much laughter by those who did, and Peter dodged out of the way, so all was well.
 
During the evening, we were joined by Bob& Rose (Backpackinglight.co.uk), and as they live locally they gave some suggestions of places to visit. 
 
Saturday night at the pub was Debbie Hodgson, singing a number of cover versions, and much singing and dancing was had by most of us!
 
Sunday morning dawned with yet more sunshine, and we enjoyed a very leisurely breakfast, before packing up camp.  Day trips included visiting Elgar’s grave, pick your own fruit from the local farm, and lunch by the river in Upton-on-Severn.
 
Many thanks to Helen, Colin, Campbell, John, Dave, Shirley, Phil, Jonathan and Michael for all coming along, and making the weekend such fun, and we look forward to another great camping weekend in 2010…
 
Helen & Peter

So most of the group either had a lie in following Glenys' party last night - or they were put off by the promise of a spot or two of rain.

 

Never mind, 4 of us drove down to Bakewell and set off for a walk along the river then up through the Haddon estate to Rowsley, just a few short showers of rain so far. Then it seemed to be getting geavier so it was on with the overtrousers. Howard suggested that we should shelter in a barn for lunch, which was a very good idea as the rain was now setting in for the day and it would be our last chance to be dry for a while.

We carried on and when we reached Calton decided to take the shorter route back, rather than continue into Chatsworth. We watched a couple of fast jet planes flying low back and forth above us, presumably a demonstration for the Chatsworth Show. I would like to tell you what sort of planes they were but we did not have a planespotter in our group.

We continued, ever wetter but still in good spirits and the rain did ease a bit as we neared the end.

Driving back home we stopped in Buxton for petrol and Geoff remarked that the price had dropped by 2p a litre since the morning so I said it was worth staying out in the rain to save money!

 

So to the rest of you I say: Shame on you for wimping out of a nice walk - but at least you stayed dry!

 

thanks Pam for a nice walk

Sue T

 

PS the distance was 8.879806 miles (converted from km on my pedometer)