WALKING GROUP
Sunday 5th May was a warm, sunny day and three cars set off for Edale, but, so did a great number of others, which meant we had trouble finding spaces in the designated car park. After driving further on, we eventually struck lucky, managing to park all cars next to each other. After booting up we started the walk, later than expected, but what an exhilarating walk it was. We could hardly believe the difference in the weather, as last month we were sliding on snow and this time we were striding out on dry, dusty tracks. For most of the walk the area was alive with joggers, ramblers and cyclists. Bob led us down tracks and across fields with Rushup Edge, Mam Tor and Lose Hill on the right and Kinder rising to our left, and all the time we were trying to find the farm building which had been used for the BBC production of ‘The Village’.
On passing a churchyard, we spied a stone font with grass growing out of the top of it. If that had been in our churchyard the tidy-up team would have planted some trailing aubrietia or something similar, and made a feature of it. We spotted belted Galloway cattle with their calves and fields full of bleating lambs, many curled up in pairs in the warm sunshine. One or two tourists (city dwellers?) were taking photos of them. We were led around the base of Kinder, a steady uphill climb, managed very well by most of the group, but not so well by others. A bit of puffing and panting went on, but all the time we enjoyed fantastic views of the hills all around us. Apparently, one of our party dislikes ‘edges’ and was very hesitant of putting her feet forward, but she managed it.
Gradually we left the public behind us and entered the quiet coolness of a wooded area with a stream and a small waterfall.
This was a wonderful walk, and one we must do again – and guess what? – we found the partially derelict building and recognised the muddy field depicted in the tv drama.
Evelyn Lowe
On 2nd June, Colin Hand will lead us on a 5 mile walk from Cromford and through Holloway, meeting first at the church gates at 12 noon. Any other walkers will be most welcome. For further information please ring Colin on 204903.