Cutthroat Bridge, Bamford, Shatton, Offerton, and Hathersage.

I caught the 256 bus from Sheffield and travelled to Cutthroat Bridge, a lay-by on the A57 road. I made my way up to Bamford Edge but had difficulty finding the path because I crossed the brook in the wrong place and ended up having to fight my way through bracken as tall as myself.

I  came down into Bamford , walked through the village and onwards to Shatton from where I made my way over to Hathersage, going via Offerton..

When I arrived at Hathersage I had over an hour to wait for the bus and so I popped in to the Outside Cafe for a pot a tea and a large slice of mixed fruit crumble. I sat inside, there is no outside seating area.

Cutthroat Bridge, Ringinglow, and Sheffield City Centre

I travelled to Cutthroat Bridge today on the 257 bus, getting there at 08:30 for an early start. I immediately climbed up to Bamford Edge to enjoy the views looking down at Ladybower Reservoir. At the entrance to the Access Land I stopped to read this notice; it seemed to have been there a while though and I assumed the moors had already been sprayed...and that was correct.

It took me about forty five minutes to reach the Edge.

Just after taking the photograph above I changed direction and walked across the moor, heading for Stanage Edge - the aroma of the heather was gorgeous, although it wasn't looking its best in the murky weather.

I walked along the top of Stanage Edge from north to south, and at Upper Burbage Bridge continued along the road to Ringinglow.

  

[I had to play hopscotch here whether or not I wanted to.]

There was a steep descent into the Porter Valley at Ringinglow and I followed the valley down to Endcliffe Park and finally the City Centre.

Cutthroat Bridge, Bamford, Thornhill, and Brough

I caught the first available bus to the Peak District from Sheffield this morning, the 273 bus to Castleton. I got off at Cutthroat Bridge, walked along the verge for a few hundred yards and then took the track which leads across Acess Land to the grouse butts on Bamford Moor.

Throughout the day the weather was far better than yesterday; it was only sunny for about an hour though, fortunately when I had the best views as I was looking down to Ladybower Reservoir and Ashopton Viaduct from Bamford Edge, but it wasn't misty, even when it was quite overcast at times.

This first photograph was taken just as the sun was starting to break through the clouds; I'm pointing the camera at where I've just been.

I spent about five minutes waiting for the sun to come out again at the next location, my first proper sight of the reservoir. It remained cloudy, so I moved on.

Maybe only ten minutes later and I was bathed in lovely bright sunshine; the views were magnificent; I think I struggled with the camera a bit though; the photographs seem a bit flat. Although it can't be seen on the photographs, when I was standing here I was able to see my first snow of the winter, a few remaining patches in the deepest and highest up of the gullies near to the top of Kinder Scout on the horizon.

I arrived at the road which climbs up from Bamford and then walked down Bamford Clough, a steep track with a lot of loose stones and debris from a concrete path which was laid many years ago. At both the top and the bottom the route had been blocked at one time; I could easily get past the obstructions...but it means that mountainbikers and off-road motorcyclists are prevented from going this way - probably a good idea.

I popped into the community cafe in Bamford, which shares the building with The Angler's pub, also owned and managed by the local community. I was tempted by the cream tea, costing only £2.85.  I decided to let the metformin tablets do a bit of work for me today; I had hardly any sugar at all yesterday, I ate mainly roast vegetables. I've walked at least ten miles on my two walks this weekend and so the calories won't do too much harm either...I don't want to be losing weight too quickly anyhow.

I crossed over the River Derwent using the bridge and the stepping stones at Bamford Mill.

It was only a short walk across the fields to Thornhill; as I passed the Primitive Methodist Chapel I noticed how primitive indeed they are, or were then, the letter 'Z' on the inscription is written back-to-front.

It was a steady walk downhill to the main Hope Valley trunk road. Yet again my path was blocked, this time it was just probably someone being thoughtless...I just walked straight over it.

I decided to catch the bus back to Sheffield from the bus shelter at Brough and I didn't have long to wait.

Fox House, Stanage Edge, and Hathersage.

Walking with Chris and Simon again.

I arrived at Doncaster Railway Station this morning just after a train had departed for Sheffield and so had to wait twenty five minutes for the next one, just about the longest gap there is between trains. During this time three trains left for London. Doncaster has a very good service to the capital, less good to other places much nearer though: trains are less frequent, and it takes longer to reach cities such as Nottingham, Derby, and Lincoln.

My train did arrive on time though, and my bus from Sheffield to Fox House as well. Chris was waiting for me when I got off the bus. After spending a few minutes in the car park whilst Chris and Simon put on their boots we set off across the moor to reach the footpath that goes along the top of Burbage Rocks. The weather was excellent, and there were some lovely views.

We discussed which route to take, continue going along the top of the rocks, or drop down into the valley and then climb Carl Wark and Higger Tor at the other side. We wanted to get to Stanage Edge as soon as possible so that we could walk most of its length, and so we pressed on, going straight ahead.

We soon reached the Upper Burbage Bridge and then briefly walked along the road until we found the path leading to Cowper Stone and the beginning of the edge. We posed for photographs at the trig point and then headed northwards, passing hundreds of climbers wearing the very colourful safety equipment that is part of the modern sport. When we spotted a young man confidently bouncing down a vertical rock face..Simon and myself started reminiscing about our times abseiling many years ago, myself at the other side of the Peak District, near Bollington in Cheshire, and Simon in the Lake District; we agreed that we were both confident at the time too.

Just before reaching Crow Chin, which I consider to be the northern limit of Stanage Edge, we stopped to eat our sandwiches in a sheltered location which was warmed by the sun.

We then continued for a few more minutes until we located a way of getting down to the path which goes along the bottom of the rocks. I pointed out that since neither the heather nor the bracken had grown much higher than a few inches, and the ground didn't seem too waterlogged, today would be a good day to break out across open moorland and head towards Bamford Edge. Simon and Chris agreed, Chris being quite eager as he lead the way. He soon discovered that the easiest terrain to walk across was where the heather had been burnt back last autumn, the unburned areas were a little harder, and the small low-lying areas of [not very deep at all] bog were the most difficult. Chris got his feet wet and Simon had to stop a couple of times to remove something from the inside of his boots.

We safely reached Bamford Edge, but too far south to enjoy views of Ladybower Reservoir. We briefly considered a bit of a detour, but when we noticed a large group of hikers posing for photos on Great Tor, we didn't bother, and continued walking in a southerly direction until we reached the road.

Our original plan was to walk back to the car at Fox House, but Simon wanted to have a bit of a look round Hathersage: he's never been there before. The crossing of Bamford Moor had been quite tiring for us all, and when Simon mentioned that Chris could travel on his '+1' concessionary travel pass, the decision was made: we'd catch the bus up the hill from Hathersage to Fox House, where Chris and Simon would go back to Leeds in the car and I'd stay on the bus to Sheffield. Our route to Hathersage took us along country lanes, through woodland and across fields, at times even briefly heading back towards Stanage Edge.

Near to one farm there were a couple of stiles which were constructed over stretches of electric fence. The farmer had done an excellent job with clear signage and more than adequate insulation so that there was no danger of accidental electrocution for even the clumsiest or most infirm person. Being a city boy from Leeds, Simon hadn't encountered an electric fence before and wanted to check that there was actually any current in the wire. He discovered that there was and the shock it gives you is quite unpleasant.

Our time in the centre of Hathersage was a bit shorter than we'd intended. There was a game of cricket being played, and we stopped to watch a few overs, standing in the lane, positioning ourselves in line with one of the batting creases. The batsmen were scoring well, not having any difficulties, until a bit of confusion when taking a run. It was quite a tight decision for the 'run out'. There appeared to be only one umpire, and he was standing at the bowler's end and so didn't have a good view. The three of us all yelled "Out" and put up one finger each, indicating that the batsman was out. I don't know if the umpire took any notice...but he did give the batsman out.