Offas Dyke, Knighton, Powys

The end of the decade approaching, its time for another walk. This time the group headed off to the welsh border, to a town called Knighton. Those who came along where some of the usual suspects, Helen E, Paul and Antony. All of us running rather later!!

We stated walking from the long term car park at SO 28892 72218, the weather was lets say not particular pretty. Not raining but the cloud was hanging low on the edge of the hills. We began walking through the town of Knighton and following directions to the Offa's Dyke Centre which is on the edge of the town. We popped into the garage stroke supermarket stroke butchers for some food and a map!! Problem was I bought the wrong map. Doh! Oh well will have to plan another walk using that map sometime.

All the way through the town, we saw some  rather odd sculptures lying in front of this building. A giant spatula for example. Interestingly odd!! We walked into the Offa's Dyke Centre to buy the correct map! We had a little nosey around the displays which detailed some of the history and the nature in the area around the dyke.

Back out of the centre we walked northwards onto the long distance path which descended down to the River Teme. The river was very close to bursting its banks. There had been a rather lot of rain recently so it was no surprise. Carefully walking  around the meander in the river we got to the railway bridge, which the footpath crosses. Making sure there were no trains we ran across to the other side!

After we crossed the road and through a small wood we began climbed up and round a field with a few cars abandoned at the bottom! I wonder if they had driven from the top!! Looking back across the valley you could see the dyke clearly cutting down the side of the hill. At the top of the hill (quite sharp gradient), we followed the path by another wood, and followed the contour of the  hill. There were some great views along the Teme Valley, although visibility was limited! We continued along the path in a north westward direction. We passed an old cottage which had better days and eventually hit the top of Cwm-sanasham Hill (406m). We started  the walk a little late so time wasn’t really on our side so we began the descent off the hill down towards Selley Hall. To be honest the weather was getting a bit iffy.

After the steep decline we got to a place called Brynorgan (a couple of houses) and decided to take the path which skirted around the bottom of Cym-sanaham Hill. Although it was a path it certainly didn’t look like one.  Not maintained at all. Scuttling through a few trees we made it across a few fields to a farm, where according to the map there is a minor road down to the river. Problem was some very angry dogs came hurtling out. They were not at all happy and made a right racket. So instead of antagonising them any further, we had little option but to climb back up the hill.

The track circled up past a few more abandoned cars, up a little valley where it joined back up with the dyke. We then retraced our route back towards Knighton. Walking past another pointless stile and then down the hill in the darkness, we made it back where we found a curry house :)

 

 

 

Details:

Persons present: 4
Start and End: SO 28892 72218
Total Ascent: 360m
Total Distance: 12km
Time: 5 hours

Cleeve Hill, Cotswolds

Off to the Cotswolds we go! Although my navigation to get to the start point was much to be desired.. First of all I went straight past the turn off, then I drove all the way up to the Golf Club only to turn back out again. Luckily Rowena, Jon (first timer) and Mikey (first timer) found their way okay and I waited at the start of the road to flag down Antony who was on his own and Jon, Marta, Paul and Helen who were in another car.

After trying to drive straight up the bridleway, I realised my error and turned left into the disused quarry which had been converted into a car park. Now with the whole group together we began the walk from the coordinates (SO98915  27512). We walked through the golf course which was a little odd in itself. Dodging any misplaced golf balls we walked over a cross dyke, just a bit west of the summit of Cleeve Hill (317m). A set of radio/TV masts dominated the skyline as we walked across Cleeve Common. It was quite a gray day really. Not looking like it was going to rain but equally the sun was on holiday as well. As we walked across the Common we saw quite a few people kite flying and what can only I guess be described as grass skiing by kite. Very interesting contraption this gent was driving!! As we got to the masts at SO 99415 24817 we followed the fence wall, across another minor top (330m) towards the car park at West Down.

We had a break whilst various members of the walking group ran off into the bushes, one at a time. No scandal here. We then marched on down the road towards the village of Brockhampton, where we found a pub for some lunch. Finding an empty beer garden, we had a rest and a beer. The sun made an appearance which was pretty good timing!

After lunch we walked passed Brockhampton Park – very nice house in the country and wandered up the road past Cotehay Farm towards Charlton Abbots. At the crossroads we turned left up towards Westwood House, through a lovely little wooded valley. We heard some strange noises in the woods!! Maybe some deer or birds not sure. We climbed out of the valley and up a long reaching field to a disused barn before joining the Cotswold Way.

We cut back across the Common, the guy in what appeared another contraption still hurtling along pulled by the wind!! We headed north west to the top of Cleeve Hill (317m), where we sat to admire the view. After negotiating the golf course we made it back to the car with lovely views back across towards Cheltenham and the Black mountains far in the distance.

Details

Attendees: 10
Start and End Point: SO98915  27512
Total Distance: 17.2km
Total Ascent: 205m 
Time: 5hr

Melbreak and Grasmoor, Lake District

Not many takers for this one. But considering the time of year, Summer long gone and a weekend of rain and windy weather in Lakeland it was no surprise. Nevertheless Paul, Helen E and I travelled up to the Lake District late after work on the 2nd October. We headed towards Loweswater which is a few miles south of Cockermouth to some budget hostel accommodation, or as it turned out old Swallow Barn (Map Ref NY115 227). Can’t really complain it was only £7 for the night.

As we got there at the dead of night, we didn’t really see the surroundings very well. The owner told us where things were and left us to ourselves. We had a beer and called it a night..

The weather was a tad shocking in the early morning. I was quite glad there were no leaks in the barn. To be honest it was very basic (reminded me of some places I stayed when I was in SE Asia) but it did the job. We rustled up some breakfast and took our time. The rain died down thankfully so we donned on the boots and started walking. Helen expressing little desire for any exposed ridge walking as it was too windy – more on that later.

We started walking southwards across a few fields and passed a farm and then entered a wood on the south shoreline of Loweswater. The ground was a little soggy but at least the sun had broken through now. The lake visible through gaps in the trees.

Exiting Holme Wood we crossed some fields where we spotted a few birds of prey flying above as we walked along the drive to the farm, dodging the speedy post van! After a mile or so we got to the village of Loweswater and our closest pub, slightly further than one would want for a local! It looked quite nice so we decided we might stroll back in later.

We headed out towards the Brackenthwaite Hows and on through the Lanthwaite Woods. Then from nowhere a red squirrel dashed in front of us onto some cut logs by the path. Trying to get the camera, I could only get blurred shots!! Then after no time at all the squirrel was up in the trees and out of view!! Moving on, we arrived at the top of Crummock Water, where the was a well placed bench in a parting of the trees, so we decided to have some lunch. The views across the water were lovely, with the high hill of Grasmoor dominating the left side and Melbreak on the right. Both wanting to be climbed! The weather was behaving itself now, although still a little bit blustery we walked around the top of the water past the pump house and up through some fields up into Green/Flas Wood (NY 146 201). Still debating whether or not to climb up a hill we decided to go for it, we walked around the north side of Melbreak.

It was quite an exposed route up (oops), past Raven and White Crag. At some points extremely windy but there were clear views back over Loweswater and beyond. I strolled ahead and waited at the top by the cairn of stones (509m). Helen, Paul and I trying to stay up, without being blown over by the wind!! Time passing we knew that the sunlight hours were falling away so we descended quickly down into Mosedale (Moseley in the Lakes???). A lonely clump of trees in the middle of the valley caught my eye, as the shadows started to get long. We then went full cycle and headed northwards past an Earthworks and back to the pub at Loweswater. After a pint or two and some food we walked back  along the main road, in complete darkness, a good place for ghost and horror stories!! After a few miles we got back to the hotel! ala barn and rustled up a few bottles and called it a day.

Woke up, the sound of wind gone, and the sun was out. Excellent. Now I needed to persuade my companions to climb up a large hill before we head off home. After some breakfast, we packed up and decided to head over towards Grasmoor. We began the walk at the car park at Lanthwaite Green Farm, crossed the road and headed towards Gasdale Gill. There were quite a few people out walking today but they walked off towards Whin-Ben which was towering over us on the left. We walked along the beck, scrambling at points. The stream was throwing water down so at some points it was a little tricky.

The path easing out and the full stretch of the Gill came into view. Negotiating some waterfalls the walk climbed up towards the col, called Coledale Hause. At this point you could see all the way down to Braithwate and Keswick, with the large hills of Skiddaw behind. At this point Paul and Helen wanted to make tracks back, so I decided to carry on and join them back to the car, so our stories diverge at this point. Determined to get to the top, I headed southwards with Crag Hill towering to my left, I cut up a steep slope up to to Grasmoor. The actual summit was a bit further on than what I thought! At a height of 852m the hill gives a great panoramic view of the western lake district. I managed to pick out Great Gable and Pillar in the distance!! Also hanging in the air were a couple of Para gliders. They must have had an awesome view. Conscious of the time I began my descent down Lad Howes. This ridge swept down towards Crummuck Water below. 

Watching one of the Para gliders crash into some bracken – that must have hurt – and then take off again.. the path opened up onto the road which I followed back for a mile or so back up to the car park. Glad to see Paul and Helen waiting we began the long journey back home.

Details

Loweswater and Melbreak
Total Ascent: 580m
Total Distance: 15.5 Km
Start and End: NY115 227
Time: 6 hours.

Grasmoor and Gasdale Gil
Total Ascent: 776m
Total Distance: 9.95km
Start and End: NY159 207
Time: 4-5 hours

Ironbridge and the Wreakin, Shropshire

For once we decided to walk closer to home!! This time we all met at Ironbridge down in the gorge. Although we still managed to get confused with the car parks oops!! Helen P and myself were joined by Antony, Rachel (first timer), Helen E, Marta and Jon.

After donning on the boots we walked over the bridge (famous one :) where we encountered the local rotary club trying to make a 10p chain across the bridge! I helped them with a couple of centimetres and then sunk the rest my spare change into a lovely pie from the shop.

It was quite a pleasant day not particularly sunny but not gray and cloudy either. We began by following the Severn Way and strolled past the heritage museums. I still think its bizarre that the English put a power station right by a world heritage site! Trying to not be overshadowed by the cooling towers and ignoring the hum from the wires and generators. I looked back at the idyllic scene. We even managed to go off road.. and get lost in a load of stingers! Not the best..

We walked by the river and passing an amusing sign we passed through the small village of Buildwas. We then cut north across the fields avoiding a few cow pats! After checking the map for the path we were made tracks to catch up with the Shropshire Way. Heading west with the Wreakin in grasp we arrived at the south western edge!! and the climb began!!

I was actually surprised how steep it was as we walked up through the woodland. We came to the top of a little hill – and as it says on the map it’s the Little Hill! With sun out now as well.. it felt like the middle of summer!!

Stopping for some lunch, I remarked that this wasn’t the top and there was more of the hill around the corner!! Continuing up through the woods we went past the Needles Eye.. up onto the rocks with quite an impressive view of the Shropshire countryside. It was  a little bit hazy but you could still pick out the Malverns in one direction.

We then went on to walk down from the Wreakin through Heaven and Hell gates and we then stopped at the Wreakin cottage for a well deserved cup of tea :) and a couple of ice creams. After mid-afternoon refreshments, we continued on through the wooded area/fields and up onto a minor road that took us to Little Wenlock.

A short hop down Coalbrookedale road, I mastered the art of making a stupidly loud noise with some grass and my hands. Feeling very proud of that achievement we went over  the dual carriageway and down on to the Rope walk towards the heritage museums. Passing the old Victorian Ironworks we made our way through the village back over the bridge and back to the cars.

Details:

Start and finish location: Car park by the Pub in Ironbridge (SJ6750 0350)
Distance: 20km
Altitude Gain: 604m
Time: 7hr (including stops) 
Walk: River and Woodland Walk.
Group Size: 7

Comb’s Edge, Peak District

Up early on a Sunday morning, some up earlier than others, we all made our way to the Peak District National Park, and in particular to just off from the Goyt Valley, near the car parks there. Unfortunately many of us running late, some of the walkers thought hey had been left stranded.. :) Anyway as the time approached 11am, we all began to turn up. Walking today were, Helen P, Fran, Scott, Paul, Helen E, Marta, Jon, Antony, Rowena, Laura, Kiri, and their friend Tom (newcomer) and myself. A few sickies and alternative plans came in from a few others.

The walk did not begin with the best of starts as we were trying to get everyone in the same place, once done, we avoided the initial stroll up Goyt’s Lane, which I’m sure I wouldn’t be popular if I made people walk up that first! We began walking for proper, at the car park at the top of this road (SK02043 75178) and headed eastwards back to the main road from Buxton to Manchester (A5006). We passed a shrine on the left. Omens? At the junction we went through the gate and walked down the track towards Rake End. As we approached the road, the clouds started to empty, not for the first time. So the usual stop and donning on waterproofs we got back onto the main road where we walked a couple of hundred yards and went other a stile and headed up the hill (SK02400 76288).

This winded eastwards around a contour in the hill through a rather muddy track towards the Whitehall Centre (Outward Bounds). Plodding through the half foot deep muddy water, we spotted that the centre has their own little go ape in the trees! We carried on and walked around the back of the centre and onto the Midshires Way. After initially missing the turn point at (SK03338 76360), I managed to gather the group back and we began crossing the hill towards Broadlee Farm.

After crossing a few fences and fields, I managed to find a minor footpath which would take us up onto the hill. Although to be honest it really didn’t look like much of a path at all. To which I had to convince most of the walkers that it was actually a path and not just some random off road route (SK03560 76598). We walked over through some rocks, and hugged the side of the hill which is the start of Comb’s Edge. Although sidetracked by some interesting looking gullies, we preserved through what looked like Jurassic Park. Some of the ferns were as tall as me! Luckily the weather had behaved itself at this point. But I still got soaked from all the water in the undergrowth.

We could see our destination for lunch, which was a small old croft sitting on the side of the hill (SK05155 76808). Admiring the views across to the village of Combs and the reservoir beyond it we could see quite a lot people out sailing. As we cleared up and moved away it was clear that the rain wasn’t going to hold away for much longer. We kept up on the edge of the hill by the wall. You could just about hear the rain hitting the trees in the valley a mile or so away. A rainbow became clear in the valley, as we turned north eastward at the old Iron Age fort, long ago reduced to a mound in the hill by the ravages of time.

As we turned it became even more obvious that we were not going to escape the rain. A huge and rather angry gray cloud was suffocating the horizon. We carried along with a bit more pace along Shorts Edge and then up to Hobs Tor (507m). By this point we were walking in the midst of heavy rain. All of us soaked we continued on as quick as we could in the direction of Buxton, along Blacks Edge (SK01365 76700). A radio mast came out of the mist and rain was the first indication I managed to get it right at this point, we walked around a small brook and then over a rather precarious stile and began the descent down from Flint Clough (SK 05320 75448) towards the Lightwood Reservoirs.

It had to be said there wasn’t much water in the reservoir more really on our clothes as we walked around the empty hole in the ground! We strolled through the woods and down towards the edge of Buxton. At this point the rain had stopped thank goodness, but half the group had steamed on ahead. Finally managing to see where they were and trying a few phones with no answer, someone popped their had back around and realised they had gone too far down the road.

With the group reassembled we walked passed the Park at the Hospital back onto the Manchester road. Walking for a mile or so it became clear to me that the weather made the road quite dangerous, so I decided to walk the group up the Midshire’s Way (an old roman road). A bit tired and weary it became clear I had made mistake in thinking there was a footpath further up across the fields to the top of Goyt Lane. Near quite an appropriate named place ‘Round the Bend’, half the group chose to make a dash across the fields as they realised the road was nearer at that point. The rest of us plodded on a mile or so down the track and caught back across. Only later did I find out that one of the party knew the area well and walked their dogs regularly cross the fields.. so some of us walked on further than we had to.. One of the party injured as well, this was not the best.

A breakdown in communication was thankfully not made worse, to the efforts of a few people guaranteeing everyone was alright. We all made it back to the car park pretty much at the same time and in one piece. A few of the party rushed of to prior engagements, some of the remaining of us headed back to Buxton for a much deserved curry. A nice lamb Shashlik yum! Although I think Jon and Marta were trying to avoid the fourth day of curry in a row :)

 

Thanks to everyone who came along. I hope you  all enjoyed the walk apart from the weather and the mix up at the end. Please I am only human and if people know an area where I have setup a walk, can they tell me because that kind of feedback is invaluable and helps especially when tiredness sets in. Also please come along next time and invite some people you know who want to stretch their legs!!

Details:

Start and finish location: Car park at top of Goyt Lane (SK02043 75178)
Distance: 21km (shorter by around 2km in you cut across the fields)
Altitude Gain: 446m
Time: 6hr
Walk: Is through undulating hills, fields, woods and moorland.
Group Size: 13

Cotswold Way, Moreton-in-Marsh, Cotswolds

Up early on a spring morning and off to Moreton-in-Marsh we go! Helen P and I met up with Ed, Matt, Becky, Alice H, Luke, Alice L, Chris, Louise and Tom at the railway station. Helen E and Paul were in transit and were hopefully going to catch up with us later in Blockley. Of and of course Max was there too :) 

We began by walking  through the centre of town, where I was trying to work out the path out westwards. You know you are on the right path as there is a caravan park to the left. In the distance we saw the first stately home of the day! I was also quite bemused on how hung over Matt and Becky were!!

The footpath crossed a few more fields and started to follow the hedge up to where it crossed the road to the falconry centre at Batsford Park. We continued up past the walled grounds of the old stately home and up into the woods. As we crossed the road we headed to a viewpoint which showed the lovely little village of Blockley.

To which point Chris was poking about a tree and clearly trying to find something. Then it dawned on me he was trying to find a geo-cache. The debate for me is out on this one. Some people call it blatant littering but I can see the fun side of it too – like a treasure hunt. Chris was clearly addicted! One of the treasures was one of those long party balloons which promptly got blown up and let off.It screeched and span around whilst we began to walk down the hill to Blockley.

On the way down we stopped at a pub in Blockley, had some lunch and a nice pint of ale. After lunch we made our way out of Blockley southwards through a little hamlet called Dovedale and into Bourton Woods.  I did another classic wait for people to go the wrong way and make them walk back oops. We strolled up past Hailstone Farm, at which point there was lots of wild garlic around which Helen P was picking up! We carried on over the road and down to the little village of Bourton-on-the-Hill.

At which point we walked  south towards the stately home at Sezincote. This place looked a bit peculiar, a cross between a mid eighteenth century ancestral pile and the Taj Mahal. It looked quite ridiculous. At this point I spot a few birds circling in the sky. We began walking down the track towards some farm outbuildings. At which point I lost my bearings and Chris helped out with his GPS.

Correcting the route we made our way along a field at which point at the end was a swing which many of us had a go on. It was getting late in the afternoon but still enough time to pick up an ice cream in Moreton. Which went down very well!!

The day was full of sunshine, hopefully a sign for many more days like this later in the year.

Symonds Yat, Herefordshire

Its June again - this year has gone so quick :) But its lets go for a stroll and this time we all met up at Symonds Yat, which is in Herefordshire but very close to the Welsh Border. With the promise of Caves, rivers to negotiate, Peregrine Falcons - and fair weather the turnout was pretty good. Meeting at the Symonds Yat east forest commision car park - although I did get lost!! Helen, Paul, Helen, Adam, Gillian and her friend, Edd, Marta, Jon, and Wendy were present :)



We began walking away southwards towards the river wye, and downhill :) Taking a quick short cut to the rocky outcrop which looks over the valley. Far below was the Saracens Head - going there later :) Also there were plenty of canoeists battling against the currents and branches - it seems that the recent rainfall had washed debris down into the gorge. Taking a few photographs we headed on back through the woods and then down next to a stream running quickly off into the distance. Studying the map I knew there was a crossing at some point and we then stumbled on it - a pretty cool wire suspension bridge :) Had to jump up and down on it - although some of the members of the group were not impressed :)



We walked by the river for a while and passed a few old houses. We also passed through a campsite - although it looked pretty flooded! very pretty place for pitching a tent - but the tent might float away :) Back into the woods again we went. Quite a steep climb, it flattened out and we came up across lots of little caves. Investigating into King Arthurs cave I saw a bat, before he/she fleeted off as I startled it :(



We carried on a bit further up and out of the woods and ended up at a quarry where we sat down for some lunch. A few of us tried out our free climbing skills up the side of the quarry and waved from the top :) After passing some old derelict huts and another caravan site - we headed back into the woods and back down to the river and back across the bridge - checking to make sure there were no trolls under it :) We then headed up towards the pub for a pint/cup of tea!

We then had to climb back up the hill behind the pubs to the carpark - but the views were worth it. We crossed over the road and up towards another viewing spot where there were several RSPB volunteers with cameras and binoculars showing us some falcons :)

The weather staying on the sunny side, this was a great walk and definitely will return back here at some point..