Fox House, Burbage Valley, Stanage Edge, and Hathersage

This was my first visit to the Burbage Valley since the large scale tree felling last year. I was curious as to how it looks now. Well, they've done a good job so far in tidying up most of the mess left behind...large areas still need re-planting or re-seeding though. The views are certainly different now, not necessarily better though at the moment, maybe they'll improve as the landscape matures. I've not been a supporter of this project - I thought everything was fine before; the pine plantations gave the valley a Scottish or Scandinavian appearance...something a bit different in the Peak District.

My day got off to a good start at Sheffield Railway Station where free packets of Belvita Breakfast biscuits were being handed out. For once there was something for free that I actually like - I'd already got a half-eaten packet of Belvita in my rucksack, which I finished off later with my sandwiches.

I got off the bus at Fox House and took the first path onto the moors. I then headed straight for Carl Wark [featuring in the first photograph] but missed the main footpath and so had to leap over Burbage Brook at a safe location. I was soon back on track though, reaching the flat summit after a short scramble, exploring for a while and then continuing  towards the next summit, Higger Tor.

After having eaten my sandwiches I spent a couple of minutes looking at the map and deciding where to go next. I opted for Stanage Edge...well, the trig point at the southern end of the escarpment.

I've walked along the entire top of Stanage Edge, in both directions, quite a few times and so wanted to do something a bit different today. There's a path that goes along the bottom of the cliff, and so I made my way down to there, then enjoyed the views of the rocks from below. The sun was at just the right angle to make out a lot of detail - striations, cracks and crevices, precariously balanced boulders, and interesting shadows cast onto the rocks by trees and other rocks. None of the photographs I took was any good though...I think the contrast ended up being too high.

After about a mile I picked my way through the died-back undergrowth to the road, and then had a leisurely stroll down to Hathersage along various footpaths and bridleways.

I arrived at Hathersage with forty five minutes until the next bus back to Sheffield was due. The public toilets are now closed indefinitely with a sign on the door that states that they've been closed because they're no longer fit for use and will be rebuilt some time in the future...no date was given though. Cintra's tearooms were also closed today and so I couldn't pop in there for a few minutes to get warm. My only other option was the cafe at the outdoor swimming pool; I'd never been before and so was keen to try it. It's nothing special; the service was very slow and although I only ordered a pot of tea I looked at the menu and the prices seemed to be quite high, higher than the cost of meals at one of the pubs in the village that I passed by. 

The bus arrived on time, but I didn't reach the railway station at Sheffield in time to catch one of the express trains back to Doncaster. The bus driver seemed to be new to the route and went the wrong way in the city centre meaning that I had a much longer distance to walk to reach the railway station.

I had to catch the local stopping service that goes to Scunthorpe.

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.

Fox House, Totley Moor, Longshaw Estate and Back to Fox House.

My first circular walk. At Fox House I walked a few hundred yards back along the road towards Sheffield and then took the footpath which leads in an easterly direction across Totley Moor. It was easy going, being fairly flat and a well-defined path.

It wasn't long until I had distant views of the western suburbs of Sheffield, unfortunately spoiled today by the hazy weather conditions. I stayed on high ground and looped back across the moor taking a more southerly route, heading for what looked like a rather impressive cairn. When I reached it though it was something I haven't come across before, a combination of cairn, grouse butt and shelter; marked as an enclosure on the Ordnance Survey map when I checked.

A few minutes later I stopped to eat my sandwiches near to the remains of a drystone wall and noticed a strange insect which looked like an elongated beetle - it was an inch and a half long. I've never seen anything like it before and wonder if anyone can identify it?

I then passed near to the trig point on Totley Moor and about a mile later reached Lady's Cross; which is rather disappointing.

It was then a short walk over to Longshaw Lodge where I was hoping to stop awhile for a pot of tea and a bit of something to eat, but the place was too busy...I would have missed my bus. I stopped for a while though and sat on a conveniently situated millstone to admire the view of Higger Tor and Carl Wark; and to look forward to my stew which would be simmering in my slow cooker at home.

Just out of curiosity I looked through the windows of the pub at Fox House, and it was very busy in there too.

Fox House, Longshaw, Hathersage...and Bronchitis.

I've started today's blog entry with a photograph I took whilst waiting for the bus, not very far from Sheffield Railway Station. If you click on the image it will be large enough to read the poem on the side of the building. Just a few yards behind where I was standing there is a very interesting water feature, which I shall take a picture of when it's sunny and there aren't many people about.

The walk began at Fox House. As soon as I'd crossed the road something caught my attention: an amber strobing light on top of what looked like some sort of electrical switchbox. It was a few yards from the main building of the Fox House Inn, and probably had something to do with the premises. I have no idea what it is, and I've never seen anything like it before, and have never noticed it at that location previously.

I was soon walking in the Longshaw Estate, and after a few minutes arrived at a popular stretch of the Burbage Brook.

On a hot afternoon in summer hundreds of people will be enjoying paddling in the cold water, playing games with their children and pets, eating ice cream...and doing pretty much everything you'd do on a beach. Even today there were half a dozen families there.

I then meandered towards Owler Tor and then crossed the road and passed Mother Cap and Over Owler Tor and took the path to the west of Carl Wark and Higger Tor.

Navigating along footpaths that went through, or adjacent to, several farms and large impressive houses I eventually arrived at Hathersage, where I'd got time to purchase a large cream cake and a carton of milk, which were consumed on the bus going back to Sheffield.

I only covered five miles today, which isn't too bad though considering I was diagnosed with bronchitis last week, something that I've probably had for the last three years: no wonder I've been gasping going up some of the hills.