Just a short post to fill some time while I wait for the rain to stop and I can do my pre-holiday chores.
About 3 weekends ago I think (I’m close to being caught up!!) and day of sunshine and heavy showers had us looking for a short walk for some fresh air and exercise. Coppet Hill near Goodrich was always one of our go-to short walks and we hadn’t been for a while so that settled things.
I’ve walked up here many times and its rare not to catch a glimpse of deer at some point. This time however we were treated to some much closer sightings. About 3 or 4 were wandering about near the path, close enough for me to get sneaky photo.
Onwards and upwards to the summit and the weather seemed to be ok, between showery spells.
Always great views over to the south Wales mountains.
Of course, there is always time for a sit down for lunch and a brew. We did get caught by a brief shower but it didn’t spoil the ambiance.
Its a long and easy path that takes you down to the River Wye and from there its a succession of very pretty meadows along the river. This one with a view back to Symonds Yat Rock.
We walked as far as Welsh Bicknor Youth Hostel and the fine church that sits alongside before walking back along the lanes to the car. Fresh air and exercise boxes ticked.
Near enough the walk we did, just missing out the extra loop of the river and walking straight back from Welsh Bivknor
The storms passed through overnight and the next day was dry but overcast and rain looked certain.
Another walk was planned with MM and ex-Dr F and our friends from the Macclesfield Massive.
While eating breakfast and packing up this little fella kept perching on my rucksack and seemed unconcerned by our presence. Only downside to this nature encounter was he pooped both on and inside my pack!
We fancied something a bit different for a walk so decided on a White Peak outing. A little jaunt around Monsal Head was the plan.
Monsal Head is a spectacular spot with great views over the river Wye valley and the Monsal Trail with its viaduct.
This is tunnel that runs directly under Monsal Head. When we lived in Derbyshire the Monsal Trail was just an idea in the planning. It must a fabulous ride and one I’d really like to do sometime.
As we booted up a brighter patch of weather seemed to be on its way. By the time we were striding out along the trail it was a gorgeous warm summers day – a very rare event indeed this year.
Cressbrook Mill.
And Cressbrook tunnel on the Monsal Trail.
Looking back towards Monsal Head.
We dropped down to Millers Dale and followed the riverside path heading back towards Monsal Head.
We’d hoped to find a spot for lunch but while its a gorgeous tree lined path – it was also exceedingly muddy and damp after the previous day’s heavy rain.
It was still a fine stretch to walk.
As you reach Cressbrook Mill, the river widens to a deep green pool backed by limestone crags in an extremely pretty setting.
A popular climbing area, pretty much all the crags had scrabblers and danglers.
If we could have found a spot to sit in the sun (without mud) I’d have taken a swim. Have to wait for another day.
A great spot set off by the surprisingly sunny day.
We carried on down the Wye stopping at a couple of bridges to watch the fish in the river.
And play Pooh Sticks.
Riverside walking is hard to beat on a sunny day.
Passing under Monsal Head viaduct.
We finally found a nice dry spot for lunch in the meadow below the viaduct.
To complete the circuit we took the steep path up to the hill to the west of Monsal Dale.
The views from the top along Monsal Dale were superb.
Noted as an excellent place for a stop and a picnic when I return.
Not sure its a path I’ve ever walked before which is a big oversight.
All that was left was a return along Monsal Dale.
Past this excellent weir, when again I was seriously tempted by a swim. However time was getting on and some very dark clouds were gathering. We decided not to spoil a great day with a soaking so returned to the van and bid our farewells. Just as well. Within a few minutes of setting off for home the heavens opened!
We try to meet up with our little gang of ex-university mates as often as we can so I’d arranged a Peak District walk to be followed by a curry.
Me and TBF decided to make a full weekend of things so were booked into the club site at Castleton again for a couple of nights.
A circuitous SatNav route to avoid the traffic took us along a very high road in the western Peak with some superb views over the Roaches and beyond.
It was a hot and sunny evening (remember them?) and we had time for a short walk before meeting the now retired MM and ex Dr F for a pub meal.
We wandered up Cave Dale, this time in the sun rather than running with water.
Lovely and quiet at this late hour of the day.
The return to Castleton over the fields was especially fine.
Looking back to Mam Tor and the Winnats Pass.
The pub meal Ye Old Nags Head was superb after which we retired to the van for the night.
We met up with everyone by Ladybower reservoir for breakfast and to plan the days walk. The forecast was bad with heavy rains and thunderstorms but we decided to just go for it and see what happened with a rapid retreat at the first sign of electrical activity.
The impressive Derwent Dam.
We took a slightly longer route to the Dewent Edges – our main plan for the day – to take in Abbey Brook.
An inspired decision as its a superb little valley.
Numerous twists and turns and it would be fine expedition to follow the course of the stream all the way.
As we crested the edge we felt the first raindrops and it seemed our luck had run out.
Whilst the rain was intermittent for about an hour it never really amounted to anything and we missed pretty well all of the heavy rains that seemed top be soaking everywhere else.
It was a bit grim for a short while but as we wandered along the edges and rocky outcrops the rain eased off.
Views across to Kinder Scout.
Approaching the Wheel Stones
Looking back across the reservoirs towards Bleaklow.
The day had started off warm and muggy but once the rains arrived, with it came a strong and chilly wind. We were lucky that the Wheel Stones provided perfect shelter for a second lunch stop.
Dark and brooding rocks. This stretch of the Dark Peak is one of my all time favourite walks.
After dropping back down to the reservoir, the weather made an even greater turn for the better. So much so we decided to tackle an extra hill.
Crook Hill is a small and very fine rocky summit to the west of Ladybower with great views over the surrounding moorland.
Its twin summits are well worth the effort and largely overlooked by the majority of walkers.
The ladies and UF on the summit.
Looking across to the Derwent Edges.
The lower of the two summits.
And the main summit.
And just to finish the day off, the sun came out again. An excellent finish to what had been a much better day than we could have imagined at the start.
And in reference to the title of the post. We stayed pretty dry most of the day and celebrated with an excellent curry at Maazi in Hathersage. When it came time to leave the promised rains finally arrived and a full blown torrential downpour and thunderstorm was in progress. Me and TBF managed to snag a lift from the door (massive thanks to MM and ex-Dr F). Everyone else had to run back to their cars and got an absolute and total drenching (not helped by failing to find their way to the car park). Schadenfreude!
I’ve always been keen to see the Thames in its Cotswold disguise. A much more bucolic setting than its quintessential image of the broad tidal river that flows through London.
We met up in Lechlade on Thames for a bit of river play. This was after a fine breakfast in a local cafe .THO in his new kayak.
And me on my SUP. I had it in Kayak mode on account of the fact that I’m still not terribly good at the stand up paddling and it was seriously cold (both air and water temps) and I wasn’t all that keen to fall in.
The Thames is lovely here, deep and green and pretty clear and perfect for a lazy paddle, the banks teeming with bird and insect life.
We took a side paddle up the River Coln for a few meters before it became shallow and overgrown.
We paddled for what felt like ages but its relatively fast flowing so quite hard work heading upstream and we hadn’t actually gone all that far.
Very enjoyable though.
Paddling selfie.
A wonderful old willow tree.
This stretch was especially lovely when the sun finally came out.
We paddled downstream a bit before heading back to the vans for lunch. A fine sausage roll from the bakery was enjoyed by – the dog! He nicked them and scoffed them while we weren’t looking.
After lunch we both went out in the two man kayak.
The weather had improved quite a bit. Downstream is more open fields as the river starts to widen.
Plenty of Canada Geese.
Coming assure to re-assure the dog we were still around.
This is the Ha’Penny Bridge. Currently closed (and likely to be for several months) due to the large hole visible here. Had the advantage of effectively cutting off the car park from the north so it was very quiet.
Time to paddle back and find somewhere for an afternoon ice cream.
Our launch spot was backed by some rather deep and stinky mud which I managed to fall backwards into trying to get out!
Time for that first swim in the Thames. Despite the chilly temperatures I really enjoyed it and at least came out clean and refreshed.
Last view from the bridge before heading home after top notch weekend.
I spend alot of my time surfing the web looking for ideas on places to go, walking routes, travel ideas and tips to plan the perfect holiday or day out. (I'm a project manager I like to plan). I thought it was time to share my own experiences and contribute to the vast amounts in information that's already out there.
I'll also add in some gear and tech reviews and when something irks me I may even use this forum to have a rant - I do that pretty well I'm told.There are a few pages at the top that give a bit of background to what I like to get up to and what you can expect to see in my posts. I'm not exactly a creative writer but I hope some people will find my stuff useful or inpsiring or at least enjoy some of my photos.
surfnslide 