David and Jacinta's Walks- 2026

 Around Quarry Bank Mill Our original plan was to go to Shining Tor, but due to a navigational quirk on the part of David, we ended up going to Styal and Quarry Bank Mill. We'd not been there together for many a long year.  Having parked up, we went down to the mill and then to the second-hand bookshop. We were tempted by Delia's Vegetarian Cookbook but, as we have so many such books. Quarry Bank Mill We followed two waymarked paths, stopping for a snack and a drink at the Apprentices House. Apprentices House A pleasant and relaxed walk of 3.3 miles.

 The Mortimer House Walk David was out on his own today. Many of the parking spots on the way to Mortimer House were absolutely full so it was a surprise to find the layby below Mortimer House empty. Starting along Dukes Road, I met a climber with his bouldering mat. It turned out that he'd been climbing on the Hurkling Stones. I made a slight detour from the path to find a few short but fierce routes on the stones. The Hurkling Stones- routes mainly on the far side On reaching the col below Flint Hill the track turns south-west along Cartledge Stones Ridge, eventually reaching Back Tor- the usual stopping place for lunch. Back Tor from the north Trig point just about visible A most enjoyable part of lunch was a Cadburys mini-egg cookie, provided by Rachel. Lunch and location After lunch, it was back down the Foulstone Road and to the Dale Dike Reservoir. Rather than taking the rather boggy path beside the reservoir, I stayed high, skirting Hallfield House and passing Thompson Hous...

 Ladybower- North Arm A lovely, relaxed walk for both of us today- great to get out together to get some fresh air. We parked at Fairholmes and started our walk in the best way- with a coffee from the ever-open café.  The walk is fairly level, running between the access road and the reservoir itself. The water level is back up to normal- a real contrast to last year, when much of the dam and the bridge piers were visible. Ladybower bridge with water back to normal We crossed the bridge and started back along the eastern side of the reservoir, passing the notice describing the lost village of Derwent with a sculpture of its drowned church. Just beyond this is the pair of gateposts, long redundant. Redundant gateposts The remaining houses and cottages along this eastern access road are mainly holiday lets. Decorated holiday let house sign Close to the end of our walk, one house had a huge bank of daffodils in flower. Daffodil bank A walk of 5.7 miles with 130m ascent.

 Lots of Stones: Barrow, Grinah and Bleaklow Another day out for David. This time, the Ladybower/Derwent/Howden flight of reservoirs called and I parked up at King's Tree. I walked south along the access road to reach the path up through the Nether Wood Plantation and up onto Ridge Nether Moor. The track from there follows a boggy groove more or less along the ridge, crossing the tracks leading north east to Lower Small Clough and south west down to the Fagney Plantation. Just short of the ascent to Round Hill, there's a view of the Grinah and Bleaklow Stones. Bleaklow Stones (Skyline left) and Grinah Stones The top of Round Hill, with its shelter, is always a good place to stop for a snack and a drink. Round Hill Shelter From the top of Round Hill, its a brief climb to the Barrow Stones. Barrow Stones main outcrop From the Barrow Stones, it's a straightforward traverse to the Bleaklow Stones with another short climb to the outcrops themselves. The weather was much brighter...

 Bleaklow Stones and Bleaklow Head Another walk for David on his own today- a chilly and overcast day. Because the road down to the old Woodhead Station is now closed, I parked up at the Torside Car Park, even though there was space by the Woodhead Reservoir dam. Parking at Torside meant that I would get the boring walk along the Longdendale Trail over at the start of the walk, rather than having to trudge a mile or so at the end. Although I passed a few dog walkers and a cyclist on the Longdendale Trail and saw a couple of hunters on the skyline above Far Black Clough, I didn't see anyone else during the entire walk.  I reached the Bleaklow Stones in time for lunch. Bleaklow Stones It was quite chilly- my watch showed the temperature to be 7⁰ C: After lunch, it was on to Bleaklow Head, spotting a mountain hare in winter white on the way. There was no need, today, to shore up the stake on the cairn. Bleaklow Head cairn and stake On the way down Torside Clough, I noticed an ind...

 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 ...