David and Jacinta's Walks- 2026

 Cowms Moor and Kinder North Edge A nice day for a walk, and the "Helicopter Walk" beckoned. I parked up at the Birchin Clough car park and started up through the depleted woodland (larch trees having been felled because of infections) and soon had a a view of Fairbrook Naze, looking like the prow of a ship. Fairbrook Naze Because time was limited (and I'd had a long walk a couple of days before), I skipped the trip to the Oyster Clough bothy. I piqued the interest of a couple of sheep as I walked through Cowms Moor. Inquisitive Sheep I crossed the Snake Road at Alport Bridge, crossed the River Ashop ford and had my customary break sitting on the granite roller (a picture sometime?) with a view of the plantation opposite Alport Castles. Alport Bridge and plantation The Lonely Trees on Crookstone Hill were yet to come into leaf. The Lonely Trees and Crookstone Knoll I had my lunch at Crookstone Knoll (I'm a creature of habit...) with great views in the fair weather. La...

 Marsden to Pots and Pans David had not been out for a while, and he fancied stretching his legs. The walk from Marsden to Pots and Pans has always been challenging, and to do this would be very satisfying. Knowing that the walk could be shortened slightly by parking just off the A62 rather than the station car park, this seemed a good idea-especially as the final stretch up to the car park is quite up hill! The initial section of the walk goes up the Standedge Trail, all the way up to the parking spot that used to be Peter's Transport (later Pennine Way) Café. I was graced with a rainbow at the start of the walk. After the site of the café, the walk descends to Diggle Edge, where I should have turned left. However, I had stuck in my mind that I should stay of the Oldham Way for longer than I had previously. I rather overdid it and returned to Diggle Edge where I was persuaded to go back down the Oldham Way, which was a bit of a yo-yo! Nevertheless, I ended up at Pt. 225, just befo...

 Moscar and The Eastern Edges Saturday seemed like a reasonable day weather wise and Jacinta was keen to have a walk before her (temporary) break from our walks. We parked at Moscar Cross Road and started up across the Derwent Moors, negotiating some impressive mud along the route. The journey to the Eastern Edge was pleasant and we made good time. We turned right at the top and continued along the edge, passing the spot where the photo of Jacinta and The Wheel Stones was taken in November 2025 which now adorns our hallway. The rock formations never cease to provide interest on this walk. We stopped for lunch in a sheltered spot at Back Tor and considered our options for the second half of the walk. Back Tor lunch spot Back Tor with its trig We decided to go down to the Strines Inn, which always provides a welcome break. The pub was very busy and the sight of huge Yorkshire puddings being served to large numbers of customers was impressive. After the pub, we ascended to Strines Edg...

Grey Knotts, Green and Great Gables and Base Brown (with The Curmudgeons) David was staying in Seatoller with Julian, Tim, Chas (the organiser), Greg and Andrew; we were joined by Mike and Andy. Chas had the list of  Wainwrights that he planned to do and made it clear that Great Gable wasn't one of them, having done it already. It was great that we could do the walk directly from the cottage where we were staying. The initial ascent wasn't too steep- a nice warm-up- and we all settled into our various paces. Greg and Andy reaching the snowline Andrew and Julian following at a sensible pace Andrew and Julian- in case you missed them! The snowline coincided more or less with the cloud base, so we didn't get much in the way of views. More snow- fewer views Vanity suggested that I took a birthday selfie. Only a few better ways of spending a birthday! Having got to the top of Grey Knotts, and Brandreth, we went on to Green Gable, where we had a discussion about whether to go on ...

 High Rigg with The Curmudgeons David was on a trip to The Lake District with a subset of The Curmudgeons- Tim, Greg, Chas and Andrew. We met at St. John in the Vale church, using their car park as it was afternoon on a Sunday. I remembered that I'd done the walk with Jacinta back in 2021 and Julian reminded me that he and I had done the walk from the south as well. We had views of Blencathra, which had a cloud topping and a dusting of snow. Blencathra with its head in the clouds It was a straightforward amble to the summit of High Rigg. Greg, Tim, Chas and Andrew at the top of High Rigg We walked on for about a kilometre for the view of Thirlmere. Chas and Thirlmere With all the objectives for the day now met, we returned to St. Johns via the route of (relatively) least resistance. A walk of nearly three miles with 345m ascent.

 Eyam to Abney Celebrating our wedding anniversary with a pleasant breakfast of scrambled eggs at the Village Green cafe in Eyam, set us up for a walk to Abney. At the start Mompesson's Well, named after the vicar of Eyam during the plague, is worth revisiting. At Mompesson's Well After this we struck out for open country across Eyam Moor, eventually going downhill to Stoke Ford. Crossing Eyam Moor with clouds below Mud was the order of the day as well as disintegrating footbridges, but we crossed Bretton Brook and  towards Abney Clough to reach Abney village itself. David thought that he recognised the place that he camped with the scouts back in 1968. The village of Abney consists of a few houses and this was our first visit together, although it's unlikely that David visited in 1968. We stopped on the way to Nether Bretton to rest and have our lunch on a convenient woodland bench before the muddy ascent to Cockey Farm. Down again to cross the river again and then the wal...

 Calton Lees and Edensor We parked at Calton Lees and started uphill to Calton Houses, passing a couple of cold-looking donkeys, despite their "Blankets". Chilled out donkeys After passing Calton Plantations, there's a walk up towards Manners Wood and then a traverse across fields to the wonderfully named Moatless Plantation, a wooded knoll where we stopped for lunch. The route then goes downhill, initially downhill and then down a byway, towards Edensor. Downwards towards Edensor Edensor must qualify as one of the most manicured villages in Derbyshire with its perfect cottages and imposing church. Instead of doing the long walk, we made our way back to the car park via the scenic bridge near Chatsworth House and the (rather flooded) fields by the river. Glorious, if damp, Chatsworth Hunting Tower on the skyline There were not the usual Chatsworth immaculate sheep around, although we saw some hardy types out on the hill. A nice walk and not too damp with great views along...