At last, a good turnout for one of Ian's walks, pity that he arrived last and we had already taken up all available parking spaces in the main street. 

This was a gentle walk through an area most people probably dismiss as not being sufficiently interesting. But we enjoyed it anyway although the lunch spot overlooking the River Dove and the A50 dual carriageway was not the best we've ever had.

10 miles / 5 hours / Moderate

6 miles / 4 hours / Easy

5 miles / 2 ½  hours / Easy

A joint event with our Westmorland Branch (part of what is now Cumbria to you heathen youngsters). 

In order to get the worst part over with first we started out via the infamous 'knife edge' dam-ridge. Everyone made it safely and nerves were restored by resorting to the bag of sick'n'mix that Jean had thoughtfully brought - but who hid all the chocolate eggs at the bottom I wonder.

Climbing up through the expansive forests at the far side we sighted several rare breeds such as the rubber suited sail boarder, often spotted wading in shallow waters and the more common white legged wobble cyclist seen au naturel pushing their machines up the most gentle of gradients.

The walk completed we turned our attention to the feast of many flavours which was devoured 'on the beach' i.e. on the grass looking at the reservoir. A bench was pressed into use as a dining table and all manner of splendid dishes were presented - you know the usual stuff - fresh pork pies with hot salsa dip, carrot sandwiches etc.

By late afternoon the sun had made its presence known and our regular ramblers dozen dozed en-masse in the sunshine. Eventually it was time to return to the charabanc and head off home but not before the laydeez checked out the olde crafte shoppes.

Many thanks to all those who took the time to make this another great day out.

A nice bright warm day, a welcome change in this strange summer we are suffering. 

A pleasant stroll along the Monsal Trail to Litton Mill for our first Ice Cream Stop. Restoration work has now begun on the mill (and not the ice cream) after many years dereliction. Continuing through the dale we passed Cressbrook Mill (whose restoration appears to be virtually complete - and a good job they seem to have done) and then up to Monsal Head for Ice Cream Stop number two (followed by cream teas and toasted tea cakes). 

Suitably refreshed we made our way back down to the valley and on to Taddington where there is no tea room and the pub was closed ! so that thwarted our plans for a trio of treats. 

Soon afterwards there was a nasty incident with a gooseberry of which we shall say no more.

The light shower as we approached the car park did not dampen our spirits and everyone went home tired but happy with the exception of one youngster who commented - it was very nice but you cannot beat Gnosall for FLATNESS..

The curse of the Cat & Fiddle struck once again and the group was left to admire the view of the inside of a very wet & grey cloud for much of the day. 

After several miles it was necessary for our leader to tell blatant lies in order to keep the troops enthused - yes we are past the half way point he said after only four miles - it's less than three miles to go he said for at least two hours - ha! 

Our damp enthusiasm for all things outdoor was severely tested when we arrived at the promised 'tea-barn' at Teggs Nose to find it most definitely closed and very firmly bolted shut (tighter than the leaders wallet indeed). Mutinous voices were widespread and a motion to overturn the rangers van and spin it round on its roof was narrowly defeated but only after an ice-cream van was spotted lurking in the car park.

An excellent walk with lots of variety - hill and dale, moor and forest, lake and lane.

A gentle amble across the downs and back up the canal towpath to Wedgwood where we watched the chaps from Railtrack chopping down all the trees and one of them drove off in his excavator thingy with a signal - no wonder the trains get delayed. Finally a walk past Barlaston Hall (the former home of Mr Wedgwood himself) and one final field to the village but....

..... just how many cows can a farmer get into one field - more like a roundup at a cattle ranch and just imagine conditions underfoot - phew!!!

After a change of footwear we drove to the recently refurbished Plume of Feathers where they have done a good job - nothing like it used to be at all.

 8 miles / 4 hours / Easy

A walk of circles, are there really three villages called Seighford in Staffordshire or was the walk leader drunk when he recce'd this one? A good walk on a lovely spring day. Lunch was taken on the ramparts of Stafford Castle which offers extensive views over the surrounding area and of group members coming back up the hill with the ice creams.

8 miles / 4 hours / Moderate

OK, so there were two lay-bys, one on either side of the pub. Once we had found each other we set off for an easy ramble with views over Stafford town from Beacon Hill.

Of the promised hell there was no sign - just a slightly muddy field. Of the heaven there was plenty, even if slightly derelict nowadays.

Saturday 2 February - Ribble Way (part 2), Marching on with the Roman Legions (or a trip up Pendle if good weather intervenes)

Sunday 27 January 2002 - Stowaway with Mary, Queen of Scots (Stowe-by-Chartley)

7 miles / 4 hours / easy

Sunday 13 January 2002 - Steamy Staffordshire (Cheddleton)

7.5 miles / 4 hours / moderate

Cheddleton - Snowball fights - Combes Valley - Colstone - Malcolms Patch - Consall Forge - 10" Baguettes - Cheddleton

Saturday 12 January 2002 - Ribble Way (part 1) from Proud Preston to Roman Ribchester

Saturday 5 January 2002 - Luner Landing (Lancaster)

8 miles / 4 hours / easy

A gentle walk along the Millenium Way out to Crook O Lune before returning along the opposite bank. What looked like a promising riverside path (as an alternative to the sensible cycleway) soon petered out and it was necessary to negotiate a considerable length of slippery riverside rock beds with an ice covering for added 'balletic' effect. The walk and long journey to it was made worthwhile by the special offer in The Hogshead pub in Lancaster centre - two pints for £2.10 and half price meals - the uphill walk back to the station proving just a little bit difficult as a result!

Saturday 29 December 2001 - Sanatarium Circular (Loggerheads)

10 miles / 5 hours / easy

Dear Country Landowners,

Are you really allowed to line up your guests straddling at least three public rights of way and shoot innocent little birdies ? Probably not but never mind you're presumably in the House of Lords and make the laws anyway. 

After passing through the middle of the aforementioned shooting party we came upon an interesting exercise in farmyard management - a 2 foot - yes 2 foot deep lake of lovely cow manure, passable only by shuffling one at a time along the rungs of several wobbly gates. Despite the efforts of some group members (un)fortunately no one fell off backwards for an early bath!

Sunday 2 December 2001 - Creamery & Cheese (Hartington)

What started out as a walk with a few friends turned out to be the inaugural event of this wonderful new walking group!. Before we even started out there was, shall we say, an 'incident' involving a rubber ring, leaks and a rucksack. However we soon sorted this one out and our rebellious former RA Group Leader, now both rucksackless and wearing jeans (feel the freedom) took his place in the group slipping and sliding its way over hill and dale to Alstonefield where the Sunday licensing laws caught us out and we had to wait a while for our loaves and fishes (& wine). As always the service at The George was excellent. Our return took us via Wolfscote Dale and, just as we neared Hartington and a chance to rest our weary feet, off we shot up the right hand bank to take an alternative route back into the village which offered splendid views and was therefore worth the extra effort.