Saturday March 22nd

 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 House with its goats (only one of which came to greet me).

Thompson House goat

On reaching Agden Side Woods, I stopped to put 2024's HCBs out of their misery.

Really good for two years old, although I says it as shouldn't

After passing Agden Bog, the way leaves the broad path and turns up Agden Side and along Agden Side Road back to the car.

A walk of 11.2 miles with 530m ascent.



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