David and Jacinta's Walks- 2025

 Meltham to West Nab This was the second time that we've done this walk, which is from "Day Walks in the South Pennines"- it was a lovely Sunday, and we anticipated that most car parks would be very busy but not the free (!) one in the middle of Meltham. Happily, we were right! After a quick shop in the Co-Op to buy tuna for Hamish, we set off up the steady climb from the centre of the town, past Sun Royd farm, stopping for a few minutes to admire the black ewes with their lambs. Google tells us that they are probably Zwartbles but possibly Balwens. Most likely Zwartbles! The climb was interspersed by a few decorative  kissing gates, this one appearing to be made from a selection of reused parts. Gate made with lots of recycled bits We stopped for a break at the West Nab trig point; to our surprise, quite a few couples passed by as we had our snacks and drinks. West Nab trig point Dropping down from West Nab, we joined the horizontal track above the Wessenden valley....

 Mam Tor, Rushup Edge and Brown Knoll A trip to The Penny Pot was a little overdue, so off we went to Edale. The ewe on the fence still had her Easter decorations on! Happy Easter to ewe Lambing had started in earnest, and everyone was enjoying the sunshine as we went up the late towards Hollins Cross. There was still a slight chill to the air, and the clouds were a bit broody, but the view of the Great Ridge to the east was absolutely classic. The Great Ridge, in and out of the sunshine Grindslow Knoll basking in the sunshine The walk along the ridge was as crowded as ever, but once we were past Mam Nick, we were more or less on our own. The ridge from beyond Lord's Seat: both Back Tors visible here. We only met a very few people (there were more sheep!) before reaching the trig point at Brown Knoll, where we had our lunch. Arriving at the Brown Knoll trig point We had had a brilliant walk, with great views across the Vale of Edale, so it seemed fitting that we just returned to Ed...

 Derwent Edge and Dale Dike Reservoir from Moscar The weather forecast was very good, so we sent off to do a walk, last done in July 2024. Instead of going to Low Bradfield, we parked up near Moscar Cross Road which is less frequented- normal parking places (like Cutthroat Bridge) were packed. This is a great parking spot for busy days!  The walk starts with a walk down to, and through, the farmyard at Moscar Lodge, where we spotted the first lambs of the walk. No sheep dogs, though, this time. Lonely lamb! We then had a fairly gradual ascent to Derwent Edge, meandering through the grouse butts and pasture. A right turn begins the familiar 3km walk up to Back Tor, passing the Wheel Stones and the Cakes of Bread. On a clear day like Sunday, the views were magnificent. Lose Hill, Mam Tor and Grindslow Knoll from the Derwent Edge path Nearing White Tor- the Wheel Stones in the background We sat and admired the view at Back Tor and then retraced our steps to the boundary stone and...

 Holme and Stopes Moor- David with Paul B. This was a somewhat curtailed walk from Holme. It followed the Kirklees Way (with a slight deviation), dropping down to and crossing Marsden Clough. After the crossing, the walk ascended Good Bent, contouring round to Stopes Moor and returning to Holme via Issues Road. A walk of 5 miles with 255m ascent.

 Sir William Hill from Eyam It is always a delight to start a walk from Eyam. Not only does it give us the chance to visit the Village Green cafe again, but also the village is so picturesque and historic. After the cafe, we wandered on to Stoney Middleton via the boundary stone. The Boundary Stone. Holes were filled with vinegar and coins for payment Notice describing the Heritage Trail and the boundary stone Stoney Middleton is equally interesting. I remember how delighted we were to see the church and the "Roman Baths" for the first time. It is worth exploring Stoney and the church especially is not to be missed. We then went up the hillside which was bone dry, unlike previous visits and then down to the riverside footpath, along the Derwent Valley heritage trail. It is a pleasant walk to first the Froggatt and then second, the Grindleford bridges. Sheep sheltering between Froggat and Grindleford There is more of the same for the next 3.5 km and we broke up this part by h...

 Margery Hill and Howden Edge We parked at King's Tree after a pit stop at Fairholmes, where a very forward duck made short work of some of my biscuit. Hungry duck He also had a go at David's leg, but no luck there. Go on, Guv? We then went through the gate to the wonderful old bridge at Slippery Stones. The route goes up the valley, past a number of cairns and then on to more level ground above some old quarries. Levelling out before turning up to Margery Hill After a right turn, the path becomes a bit more boggy and meanders up to the summit of Margery Hill. It feels like a comparatively easy ascent of the highest point in South Yorkshire. Although there is not much to see, at the top of the hill is a Bronze Age burial mound dating back over 3,000 years. Margery Hill after lunch After lunch on the Hill, we joined a narrow path that runs along Wilfrey Edge- which in turn leads to High Stones. Apparently there was a cairn here, but we did not see it. Looking back from Wilfrey E...