Sheen Hill, Pilsbury Castle and Parkhouse Hill 27th June 2015

One of the wils flower meadows as we headed from Longnor towards Sheen Hill.

Chrome hill and Parkhouse Hill above Lower Boothlow farm.

The trig point on Sheen Hill.

The popular Pilsbury Castle.

Abundant flowers on the roadside from Crowdicote to Earl Sterndale.

Chrome hill and Parkhouse Hill from the minor road from Crowdicote to Earl Sterndale.

Chrome Hill from the farm road on the South side of Parkhouse Hill.

Parkhouse Hill from the farm road on its South side.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.5 miles. Climb:1201'.

Time: 5 hours 58 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Celia.

We arrived at Longnor just in time as we were able to take the last car park space on the cobble area in the centre of the village.

 We knew it was going to be on the warm side as it was, but fortunately there were frequent spells where passing clouds shielded us from the full glare of the Sun.

 The start of the walk took us through several meadows that had superb displays of wild flowers, only matched later on by the display along the minor road from Crowdicote to Earl Sterndale.

 The views today down the valleys and the distant Chrome hill and Packhouse Hill were superb.

 Once again we didn't manage to get to the trig point on Sheen Hill, but we did see a fewer walkers get there.

 It would seem that Packhouse Hill is now open access, we started up the steep hill, but I abandoned the idea half way up but Celia climbed a little higher before we both returned to the farm road on the South side of the hill.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Barn swallow, House sparrow, Eurasian curlew, Carrion crow, Rook, Wheatear, House martin, Dunnock, House sparrow and Great tit.

 Drink were enjoyed at the Wilkes Head in Leek, where the Hartington bitter went down well. I had planned to have a drink at the Grapes in Longnor, but alas it has been shut for nearly seven years, so we had no choice but to head for the Wilkes Head!

Grindon, Butterton and Onecote 1st December 2012

The Cathedral of the Peak - Grindon church.

Butterton Village from the South.

On the edge of Grindon Moor on the way to Onecote.

Onecote church.

The Hams Valley.

Butterton village - nearly back at the car - light fading again!

 Walk stats: Distance: 11.3 miles. Climb:1390'.
Time: 6 hours 45 minutes. On the move walking average : 2.1 m.p.h. Overall average :1.7 m.p.h.
Group : Martyn and Mike.
Overall a glorious day for walking, a little on the cool side at times, but sunny most of the time. Quite a varied walk with plenty of good views despite the fact that we only reached a height of  just over 1000'.
Thankfully the ground was still pretty well frozen, or we would have had more difficulty crossing the muddy  fields on the way to Butterton for the first time.
Lunch was taken at Onecote, where we were able to take advantage of a bench in the village.As we sat in the sun, we decided that it would be wrong to send a text to Celia,reminder that  she had made the wrong decision to go back to bed and no come walking!
Once again we managed to extend the walk and ended up walking down the road as the light faded and my head torch came into use once again!
Birds seen or heard today included : Common blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Common starling, Chaffinch, European robin, Rook, Jackdaw and Carrion crow..
After walk drinks were enjoyed as always at the Wilkes Head in Leek. The Hartington Bitter,  the best bitter in the world, lived up to its reputation.

Lathkill Dale 16th June 2012

Bradford Dale.

A Common coot and chick at the nest in Lathkill Dale.

Upper Lathkill Dale.

Jacob's Ladder in flower in Lathkill Dale.

Located on the roadside opposite an aggregates quarry / mine on Long Rake.

Walk stats: Distance: 12.0 miles. Climb: 786'.

Time: 5 hours 22 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.32 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Dave J and Mike D.

This is always a good time of the year to walk in Lathkill Dale, even if we had plenty of the wet stuff. There were plenty of flowers in bloom all along Lathkill Dale and Jacob's Ladder seemed plentiful in its usual spot.

The river was much fuller than I have ever seen it before, in fact in places the real path was flooded to depths well above boot level. Thankfully there was always a way round these flooded areas, taking the ground slightly higher.

Lunch was taken opposite the footbridge leading into Cales Dale, catching just about enough time in the sunshine to finish our food.

We finished the walk by taking paths across the fields to Long Rake, and in so doing avoided the drop into Cales Dale and the steep climb out of it on the way to Calling Low.

Birds seen or heard today included: Barn swallow, House martin, Common swift, House sparrow, Skylark, Carrion crow, Common blackbird, Pied wagtail, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Garden warbler, Blackcap, Jackdaw, Redstart, Tufted duck, Mallard, Grey wagtail, Common coot, Blue tit, Mute swan, Common pheasant, Chaffinch, European robin, Greenfinch, Green woodpecker and Eurasian curlew.

We arrived back at the car with tired legs and looking forward to a pint of Hartington Bitter at the Wilkes Head in Leek. We weren't disappointed!