Ilam 2-4 October 2015

We were a bit late setting off as an accident on Manningham Lane caused a diversion and it seemed a long way to Flash where the 'A' and 'B' parties started their walks. All the walks were shortened to fit in with the time available. The 'A' party managed to get to the trig point on The Roaches but the 'B' party took a lower route through. These are some of Ben's photos from the 'A' party walk.

The 'C' party did a circular walk starting at Upper Hulme and these are some of Sheila's photos.

I opted for the 'B' party and it was a beautiful sunny day and quite hot in the afternoon which made the walk seem more difficult than it should have been. We had good views of The Roaches on both sides of our path.

The 'B' and 'C' parties finished outside a pub that was closed but the 'A' party managed to find one that was open! Trust them.

Shortly after 5.00 pm we set off for Ashbourne where we dropped off the people staying in B&Bs and then on to Ilam Hall YHA where most of the party were staying. What a grand place this is. It has been a hostel since 1935 after it had been saved from demolition by the Cadbury family who bought it for £500 in 1934. It is now owned by the National Trust and is surrounded by beautiful park land and gardens. The following are Mary's photos.

What a lovely place to stay.

I managed to forget to pack my camera so I only have a few photos of my own taken on my Google Nexus tablet and my primitive phone.

Day 2 Circular walks from the hostel

All three parties did circular walks from the hostel, of varying lengths taking in Dovedale. I opted for the 'B' party as the walk was going via Thorpe Cloud, something I had always wanted to climb up. It wasn't too bad going up apart from the last little bit but it was quite narrow on the top which made it a bit scary.

Don't panic!

This is 'A' party on top of Thorpe Cloud. They didn't want to be upstaged by the 'B' party!

We climbed down a more gentle way after walking along the short ridge and arrived at the stepping stones in Dovedale.

All three parties walked along Dovedale. The 'B' party turned off at Ilam Rock and climbed very steeply up to the top after stopping for lunch on the way.

Ilam Rock

This is a link to a YouTube video of someone climbing the rock.

We had managed to persuade Brian, our leader, that we needed to get back to the house in plenty of time to partake of tea and cake at the National Trust tea rooms but he was determined to fit in a few more hills before we descended to Ilam.

This is something you don't see too often when out walking!

As it was we were the first group back and had plenty of time to eat cake, drink tea, visit the shop and admire the textile exhibition. 

Everyone had a good day and all the parties were back in time for afternoon tea.

Day 3 ending in Matlock Bath

I had a bit of time to wander around the grounds before the coach departed and these are a few more photos from my phone.

There is also a bunk house and a caravan park at the back of the main house.
Just time for a few more photo shots before departing on the coach.

Male Models

All three parties walked to Matlock Bath by various routes. I joined the 'B' party again and we followed the Limestone Way from Tissington. It was another lovely sunny day and we had a lovely long lunch break in the sun.

There was a very steep path down through the woods to Matlock Bath and it was a bit of a culture shock arriving there to be greeted by hundreds of bikers and many fish and chip shops. It felt a bit like I imagine Blackpool to be (I have never been there!)

Still, we managed to find tea and buns. Others found the pub or the fish shop so everyone was satisfied although many thought it wasn't a very nice place to finish the weekend.

Many thanks to everyone involved in the organisation of the weekend, particularly Jean Galthen, the walks leaders and Steve the driver.
Also thanks to those people who have provided me with photos by email and Facebook, Ben, Mary, Sheila, Jayne and Margaret. I might add some more later but I wanted to get this done while I have electric! Some of you will know the problems I have been having but touch wood...........!