The River Dane - Buxton to Congleton

Saturday 23 June 20 Miles
Guided walk
Jane, Hilary, Donna, (John and Martin came too)

Getting up at 5.30 not good, but managed to leave Middlewch for about 6.30 and made good time to Congleton. Caught the bus in Congleton. The weather was very overcast and on the bus journey up to Buxton there was very low cloud, we thought we would definitely be walking in the rain!

We were dropped off in Buxton. Decided to put on the waterproof trousers as it was raining. We set off just after 8am. We walked uphill to start with, up on to the moors. There were skylarks and curlews flying about.

A bit watery on on the peat moors, I felt water seeping into my boots even though I have sprayed them with waterproofing! Also I hadn't fastened one of my boots properly so blisters were starting already.

By half past 10 we had done a 6 mile walk. (Put a plaster on the blister.)

Mine shafts indicate a different use of the area in the past.

We stopped for lunch about 12.15. I probably could have continued a couple of miles before stopping at this stage as we had snacked at 10.30. The rangers had stopped here because the hill gave a pleasant view of the countryside.

By half past 2 we had walked about 13 miles.

Jim took over as leader on the last leg - he really didn't stop enough. We had one 5 minute stop on a 7 mile walk, this made the last leg seem quite arduous. The stiles over the fields towards the end felt like very hard work.

The rain came - it wasn't cold though in fact it made me too warm!

We arrived back in Congleton by the school around 5.30 - pretty good going as they had suggested that we would be back between 6 and 7pm.

The blisters were a problem - the wet socks helped to create blisters on my toes and I felt one burst fortunately I was just around the corner from the car because it was certainly painful!

20 miles is quite an achievement!

Sandstone Trail with a Difference

September 17 2006 12 Miles
Jane (drove), Tracey, Donna, Hilary

Ranger guided walk.
John Street led the walk, the rangers are hoping to make this route a part of the Sandstone Trail.By walking the ridge there are some pretty good views, I think this is what makes the walk more interesting than the other route.

The guide stopped to give us bits of information, but we didn't have proper rests like we did on the Gritstone Trail.

We stopped for lunch on a ridge where you could see for miles, especially as the sun was shining at this point.

A bit of a mixed day weather wise, sunny and rainy. But it was rather warm, especially when the rain started on the climb near the end!

Gritstone Trail

July 8 2006 Section 3 10.3 miles (17km)
Tegg's Nose to Disley
Jane(drove), Hilary, Donna

Ranger guided walk.
This section felt like harder work than the 15 miler - I obviously wasn't in the mood.

I also managed to lose the car keys!!(They dropped out of my pocket onto the bus seat)I only realised when we stopped for lunch. John had to come out with the spare keys!

We went to the pub at the end and we were presented with the certificates!!