Setting off down the road, hoping the weather would improve!
"Is this all you left me? The core!
The best view from the Roaches.
Yes you can you see Tittesworth Reservoir.
One of the many outcrops of rocks that seemed to take on a different air in the mist.
This one we thought looked like a dog pointing its nose in the air.
This one we thought looked like a dog pointing its nose in the air.
At the trig point on the Roaches.
Mike and Celia on the way up the Hen Cloud path.
Walk stats: Distance: 8.0 miles, (8.4 miles). Climb: 1150' (1400').
Time: 5 hours 16 minutes. (5 hours 36 minutes). On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h. (1.5 m.p.h.).
Group: Martyn, Mike and Celia.
We arrived at the car parking area below Hen Cloud with mist/cloud covering both Hen Cloud and the Roaches. We decided to start the walk by taking the road all the way to Roaches End and then follow the path along the ridge and eventually approach Lud's Church from the West. This would give the Sun chance to work on the mist and give us the best chance of having views from the Roaches. Alas the mist didn't clear from the Roaches all day, so any views were somewhat fleeting!
The the best conditions for walking as far as I was concerned, my glasses kept on steaming up and 9 hankies was only just enough to cope with the continuous need to wipe them clear!
We decided to have lunch on a small outcrop of rocks before heading for Lud's Church. At least the rocks were dry, so we had a relatively comfortable place to sit for lunch. a Grey squirrel took a great deal of interest in us while we ate our lunch, and was "rewarded" with Mike's apple core.
We managed to get through Lud's Church and the muddy sections of Forest Wood without too much trouble, but as soon as we could be headed back up to the ridge above Back Forest.
It seemed like along way up the paved section of the Roaches before we finally arrived at the trig point.
Having spent enough time in mist and rapidly running out of hankies, I decided I didn't want go over Hen Cloud and decided to head for the car by the easier route. Celia and Mike obviously wanted this "misticle" experience to continue and over Hen Cloud.
I'm sure I made the right decision as I had plenty of time to finish of my soup and fruit tea before they arrived back at the car twenty minutes later.
Today we didn't see the Roaches at their best, but at least we did manage to stretch our legs and id didn't rain on us!
Birds seen or heard today included: Dunnock, European robin, Common blackbirs, Raven, Meadow pipit and Red grouse.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Wilkes Head in Leek, where the Hartington Bitter was excellent. I even enjoyed the mug of coffee. It's always good to visit this hostelry that has plenty of character and characters too. A delightful bar maid filled by carry keg and then made me a cup of coffee!
It seemed like along way up the paved section of the Roaches before we finally arrived at the trig point.
Having spent enough time in mist and rapidly running out of hankies, I decided I didn't want go over Hen Cloud and decided to head for the car by the easier route. Celia and Mike obviously wanted this "misticle" experience to continue and over Hen Cloud.
I'm sure I made the right decision as I had plenty of time to finish of my soup and fruit tea before they arrived back at the car twenty minutes later.
Today we didn't see the Roaches at their best, but at least we did manage to stretch our legs and id didn't rain on us!
Birds seen or heard today included: Dunnock, European robin, Common blackbirs, Raven, Meadow pipit and Red grouse.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Wilkes Head in Leek, where the Hartington Bitter was excellent. I even enjoyed the mug of coffee. It's always good to visit this hostelry that has plenty of character and characters too. A delightful bar maid filled by carry keg and then made me a cup of coffee!
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