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When? Started: 1993 Who? Started with staff and friends from U H S, Chester. Organiser: Martyn Harris We walk every Wednesday and Saturdays, New Years day and May Day. How many walk? Walks take place as long as there are at least 2 wanting to walk on that day. More walk on a Wednesday than on a Saturday. Most ever: 29. Current group size walking: 2-7 in mid-week and 2-4 on Saturday. Where do we walk? Saturday: Anywhere in North and Mid-Wales, Peak District, Shropshire and the Long Mynd and as far North as the Trough of Bowland. Thursday: Anywhere within about 40 miles of Chester. Type of walk: Distance: 6 – 14 miles (but usually under 10 miles). Climb: up to 4000’ (but usually very much less!). People involved on walks in 2024:- Martyn Harris, Fran Murphy, Sue and Michel Pelissier, Mike Dodd, David Savage,, Ed Meads, Nigel and Elaine Taylor, Winston Feather.

Sunday, 31 May 2009

Biggin Dale, Tissington Trail and the High Peak Trail 29th May 2009

Descending Biggin Dale from Dale End. A very obliging Whitethroat.
The High Peak Trail beyond the farm.
Heading through a field of Barley down to the High Peak Trail.
Distance:12.5 miles; Climb:816'.
Time: 5 hours 0 minutes; On the move walking average:2.9 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:2.5m.p.h.
Group:Martyn, Richard, Sylvia and Dave J.
What a glorious day for walking, perhaps little on the warm side, but out of the valleys we were accompanied by a wonderful cooling breeze. This is very popular area and the two trails were well used by families of cyclists taking advantage of the easy gradients on the former track beds. Our first break from the crowds was on the descent of Biggin Dale, a lovely valley leading down to the Dove, another popular dale. Once again many Spring flowers were on display. In fact the upper reaches of Biggin Dale could be renamed Orchid Valley with one side of the valley in particular being adorned by hundreds of Early Purple Orchids.
Birds seen or heard today included:Swallow. Dunnock, Wren, Greenfinch, Great tit, House sparrow, Garden warbler, Blackcap, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Kestrel, Mallard, Chaffinch and Whitethroat.
Sylvia started the walk with an ice lolly from the Hartington Station Signal Box shop, as well as celebrating the end of the walk with one too. Richard also decided to join in this cooling activity. Dave J. and Martyn decided to wait until arriving at the Wilkes Head in Leek where that wonderful beer, Hartington bitter, was quaffed with relish.

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