Members: John Dobson, Pete Walker, Jim Gregson, Sandy Gregson, Iain McCallum, Dave Summerfield, Lorna Marsden, Ken Beetham, Phil Ramsbottom.

Guests: Andrew, Rachel, Geoff, Sylvia.

The BBC reported that England had been brought to a halt by a widespread blanket of snow a few days before this walk. A phone call to Chris and Rosie, who live at Sparrowpit, confirmed that all roads were open. Yet again a few inches of snow around broadcasting house and the capital had resulted in mis-reporting the true national picture. Some northern local authorities even had enough snowploughs and road salt.

I received re-assuring phone calls that if the roads were open then I would have company for the walk. As you will note from the list of people above if was a well attended meet. The lay-by on the A6 above Chee Dale was virtually free of snow but for the rest of the day we crunched through a couple of inches of nice snow. The only hazards we met were dangerous Swords of Damocles icicles as we walked by the river beyond Chee Dale and at Water cum Jolly and later the packed ice/snow on popular sections of path particularly on the accent to the Monsal Head Hotel. This is a steep narrow path that many motorists ventured on to and auditioned for Dancing on Ice. Phil rescued an unfortunate (about four times) and prevented him from becoming a human avalanche and taking the rest of us with him.

By the half way point at the Monsal Head we had only lost one person. Pete had decided to return and back his own way back. Ken met us at the Hotel and it was great to see him. We had refreshments but some of us did not have the patience to wait for the barrel of Black Hole to be changed and settled for an inferior substitute. Keen to be moving again we left Andrew and Rachel waiting for food and possibly a better pint. ( Has anyone seen then since)?Geoff and Sylvia headed back retracing their steps and reduced in number we headed back down to the river and the second half of the walk. We arrived back at the cars at 4pm and five minutes later Geoff and Sylvia Arrived. Pete had left but I rang him at home and he said he enjoyed the walk.

On the way home I detoured to Buxton so John could recover his favourite hat that he thought he had left in the Roseleigh hotel. This capped a great day.

For those who missed it and want to following our footsteps the route was from the lay-by on the A6 three miles east of Buxton at Grid ref 113725 (map OS Explorer OL24). Free parking. The 12 mile stroll follows much of the Monsal trail.

• Chee Dale
• Litton Mill
• Miller's Dale
• Cressbrook Mill ( AKA the Devils' Mill)
• Water cum Jolly
• Lunch at the Monsal Head Hotel ( Muddy boots allowed, Black Hole Mild and very good menu ).
• Taddington village.
• Various options back to cars depending on condition of weather and group.

Sunday Stroll by the Stream

Please join me for a Sunday Stroll by the River Wye . The stroll will start from the lay-by on the A6 three miles east of Buxton at Grid ref 113725 ( map OS Explorer OL24). Free parking. Be there for 9.45 for 10am start.

It will be a 12 mile stroll. The route follows much of the Monsal trail.

• Chee Dale
• Litton Mill
• Miller's Dale
• Cressbrook Mill ( AKA the Devils' Mill)
• Water cum Jolly
• Lunch at the Monsal Head Hotel ( Muddy boots allowed, Black Hole Mild and very good menu )
• Taddington village
• Various options back to cars depending on condition of weather and group.

Please let me know if you are joining me. If I walk by myself my daughters will think I am a very sad person.