Water, water, everywhere
AFTER a preceding week of continuous heavy rain, the sun decided to come out of hiding for the East Cheshire Ramblers’ 12 mile circular walk from Calver in the Peak District.
The riverside path following the line of the River Derwent was, as expected, rather wet underfoot where there was no underlying foundation.
The morning break was at Padley Chapel.
As usual, the chapel was closed but in the grounds at the back there’s an undercover shelter with wooden seating which is much used by rambling groups.
Here, most of the party shed layers of clothing in preparation for the climb along Padley Gorge where the path traverses the gorge edge with views of the tumbling, churning water of Burbage Brook below.
The upper reaches of the brook were much calmer and led into the grounds of the National Trust’s Longshaw Estate.
On leaving Longshaw, an Edale Mountain Rescue vehicle rushed by with sirens blaring.
We encountered it again after lunch when taking the track onto Froggatt Edge.
A climber had fallen from the rocky edge, injuring his back, and with the rescue completed he was on his way to hospital.
The track is dry and wide with gentle gradients, enabling the extensive views to be enjoyed along Froggatt and Curbar edges.
Beyond Curbar Gap where there’s a natural gap in the rock, the party continued along Baslow Edge to a large gritstone boulder called the Eagle Stone.
From here it was downhill all the way back to Calver via a disused quarry and an old burial ground with good views back to the edges earlier traversed.
Finally, a perfect day was rounded off with a visit to the nearby excellent tearoom.
For more details of East Cheshire Ramblers’ programme of weekend and midweek walks, ranging from four to 15 miles in length, go to ramblerseastcheshire.org. uk.