Hartington 10-12 March 2017

Friday 10 March

Here we are again on another weekend away in Derbyshire, this time in the pretty village of Hartington where most of the group stayed at the YHA Hartington Hall a 17th century manor house.

This is a lovely old building with a magnificent fireplace. I'm not sure who took this photo but it shows off the fireplace very well!

However first things first, we had a walk to do ending in Bakewell. Three walks on offer and I opted for the 10 mile B walk led by Gill. The weather was dull and misty and drizzly towards the end of the walk.
It wasn't a good day for photos and most of mine are rubbish!

St Giles, Longstone

Now what have they been up to?!

My photos of Monsal Head did not come out well but if you follow this link you can get an idea of the view. We took a steep path down to the Monsal Trail and walked through the tunnel towards Bakewell. After a little while we turned off the trail on a more interesting path and this is when the drizzle set in.

All three walks finished in Bakewell and of course that means I have to visit Ye Olde Bakewell Pudding shop and cafe.
Jayne and I thought we had plenty of time for a cuppa and Bakewell pudding or tart but unfortunately the service was very slow and we had to rush to get back to the coach on time. Halfway back I realised I had left my camera in the cafe and had to run back for it making me late for the coach, sorry everyone!
The hostel was very busy with a group of young folk preparing for a Duke of Edinburgh award and a group of people, mostly ladies I think, on a Mindfulness course. It took us a while to find our rooms as some of them were in a separate building which also housed the boot room and self catering kitchen. Plenty of room and facilities to suit everyone. The only problem we discovered later was how to get in and out of the wooden bunks as they had  two bars running across the top of the steps where you would normally put your knee. After a few practice sessions and many contortions I worked out how to do it but it wasn't easy and some people resorted to putting their mattress on the floor!

Saturday 11 March

The weather was  better today and it managed to stay dry overhead , but not underfoot, till the end of the walk. All three walks were dropped off near the Tissington Trail and made their way back to Hartington by various routes. I chose the B party 10 miles led by Val.

The A party leader was Brian Humphreys leading his first A walk and here are some of Margaret's photos from this walk.

coffee stop at Ilam Hall

lunch stop at Throwley Old Hall

I think Mr Humphreys is a very popular leader and I don't think they spent all day eating! He did manage to find a lot of mud!

The B walk took the Tissington Trail to begin with and then branched off to visit Milldale at lunch time. 

Milldale in the mist

It was steep going down to Milldale and we all zig-zagged down the hill as Sheila has captured in her photo. It looks as though we are all going in different directions but we did all end up in the same place eventually.

Milldale was a popular spot for lunch especially with the ducks.

Visitor's Bridge and the old mill stone

Upper Dovedale

A very peaceful, managed part of the river

After a while we turned off up Biggin Dale and paddled our way upstream towards Hartington arriving there nice and early before the rain arrived. Time for cups of tea and cake and relaxing with a book.

It was a good day for cake as Frank had made a tea loaf in celebration of his 85th Birthday and after the evening meal he was presented with a birthday cake with candles (not 85 though).

Sunday 12 March

The weather was even better today, the sun shone and we were treated to some splendid views. The only downside to the day was Jean having trouble with a nosebleed and ending up in hospital.

After a slight delay we set off for our last walk of the weekend finishing in Buxton. This time I did the C walk led by Frank who was in good spirits on his 85th birthday

muddy in parts

Both B and C parties had amended the walks to leave out Deepdale that had caused problems last time we visited. This meant that we had our lunch in Horseshoe Dale which was really beautiful and peaceful.

climbing out of Horseshoe Dale

Add caption

Looking towards Deepdale

Spring lambs

Here are some of Margaret's photos of the A walk.

Solomon's Tower

All the walks finished in Buxton and the walkers had plenty of time for refreshments in cafes or the ever popular Wye Bridge House, Wetherspoons of course!

We set off later than originally planned due to our delayed start and made a detour via Macclesfield to pick up Connie and Janet who had kindly given up their day in Buxton to accompany Jean to hospital, As I write this I think she is still in hospital in Wythenshawe while they investigate the cause of the nosebleeds. Get well soon Jean and return to Yorkshire!

Many thanks to all the people involved with the organisation of this trip, the walks leaders and of course Steve the driver who adapted well to the changed circumstances.

I am not on the next weekend away as Margaret and I will be in Cornwall walking the next stage of the SWCP from Landsend to Plymouth. If anyone wants to write some notes and take some photos I can add it to the blog.