David and Jacinta's Walks- 2026

 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...