The walks have been coming relatively hard and fast over the last few weeks, at least considering the fact that we only have the weekends in the main. And life, unfortunately can't revolve around leisure time. Maybe a different story when I get to retiring, but that's a few years away yet so little point in adding it into the mix.
Donna wasn't working today but wanted me to get out with the 'lads', so she found something to keep her busy for much of the day (helping her friend Julie at her flower shop) and I arranged a walk in the Peak District; well where else would it be?
I picked up Malcolm and we arrived at 8:30am in the car-park just below the junction of Mam Tor and Rushup Edge, and Darrell was there to meet us having parked a little further away because he didn't want to pay for parking. Oh, and by the way it was free as the machine was covered off.
Now Tony had actually arrived at the area about 15 minutes before we did, but without wanting to have to undertake a full explanation, it was around 30 minutes after we arrived that we were all together and setting off up Rushup Edge. And all because Tony also hadn't wanted to cough up some money for parking.
Anyway, off we walked along Rushup Edge in the direction of Chapel-En-le-Frith, not that we would actually be walking to the place, but our route headed in a westerly direction. It was a tad windy up there and to be honest the grey skies did not lend themselves to great photos, but at least it was dry.
After a couple of miles we crossed the road and headed down a lane past Rushup Hall. It was on this stretch when we came across an injured Buzzard right next to a fence; we were literally about five feet from the beautiful bird. It was however injured and struggled to fly, but could do enough to make it's way across to another field so hopefully recovery was an option.
We headed down to the hamlet of Old Dam before turning left and going up and over Eldon Hill and past the massive abandoned quarry which closed in 1999. Although the incline up here was not steep, we were all getting a little weary and the strong winds were not making it any easier if I am being honest.
The rest of the walk back was much steadier, in the main it was limestone paths that took us all the way back to the car-park. And now the drizzle had become a little heavier as the clouds had dropped, so we were thankful that the end of the walk was in sight. By the end we had covered over 8 miles and around 1,550ft of ascent and walked for almost 4hrs. All that was now left was a stop off at the cafe in Hathersage for an all-day breakfast, very much welcomed.
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