Hike report - 2007

About a week before this year’s hike we were all shocked and saddened to learn of John Schmitt’s death. With his funeral having been arranged for Friday 2nd February, we decided to delay the hike for 24 hours and joined members of his family and friends at Hendon Crematorium. There was a very good turn out, and included Malcolm Duff, Alan (Curly) Durrant and Martin Hime who had known him from his time with the 22nd Finchley as well as having been on a number of Winter Hikes.

After the service we drove to Drew’s home and changed before setting off, via Graham’s place, for the Old Manse, our B&B in Buxton, Derbyshire. We arrived early evening to find that Peter Cox had already arrived from Cheshire – he was paying his usual visit.

No sooner had we arrived than we set off for something to eat. After an excellent Chinese meal we crossed the road to the pub, where we spent the remainder of the evening drinking and playing cards.

Saturday

Before we were allowed to set off for the Goyt Valley, Peter insisted that, before his departure, there should be a group photo. We duly obliged and then left for our day’s hike.

We parked in an official car park located on the minor road east of the two reservoirs.

From there we took the footpath south-west contouring round the hillside before dropping to Goyt’s Clough footbridge where we crossed the River, before heading west towards the wood.

When we did actually reach the wood we found the path officially closed, due to fallen trees. This however, did not deter us as we continued on our way, climbing over the numerous obstructions we encountered.

After exiting the woods we followed the path a bit further west before heading north to Shining Tor.

Here we stopped for a moment to reflect on the good times we had had with John. At the funeral service John’s mother gave a eulogy where she described how he had a strange sort of intelligence, with far-reaching and sometimes esoteric interests – and an ability to talk endlessly about them, even when his audience obviously didn’t share his fascination. Although he went on a bit on some hikes, we found we missed his expertise to explain some of the geological features we came across. Her words “he had a unique sense of humour and loved jokes, but some of the ones he told were excruciating” certainly described the John that we knew on the winter hikes.

As a small tribute we left a copy of the memorial card under some rocks. At 559 meters we were at the highest point in Cheshire and also within sight of the Cat and Fiddle pub – it seemed quite appropriate.

We continued north along the ridge to Cats Tor where we stopped for lunch.

It was then further north to Windgather Rocks, a popular spot for tourists as well as rock climbers. It was a nice day and there were a lot of people about.

Here we turned east and followed the path down the hill back into the Goyt Valley. We crossed the River Goyt again and went south on the path to Fernilee Reservoir.

We followed the path down the east side of the reservoir and stopped at the dam on the north edge of Errwood Reservoir.

We completed our 17.5km (11mile) hike with a healthy stroll up the road to the cars.

We had a curry at the Taj Mahal before ending the day with a few beers in the Cheshire Cheese.

Sunday

After breakfast we packed up, paid the bill and made our way Monyash.

We parked behind the church, walked through the churchyard to the south-east and join the Limestone Way. It was a nice winter’s day and there were a lot of other walkers out for a stroll.

We kept to the path all the way, past One Ash Grange Farm and then down to Cales Dale, before turning north to Lathkill Dale.

There was still a lot of frost about which provided the opportunity for some nice photos.

We crossed the river and followed the path west along the north bank and then into Monyash beside the pub.

We had lunch in the Bulls Head where we met Drew’s wife Debi and Rob Petty, both leaders with the 6th Friern Barnet. They were looking at prospective campsites for their Summer Camp.

After lunch it was time for the journey home. Malcolm and Drew though joined Debi and Rob in tracking down a couple more prospective sites, which were in fact rather difficult to locate. In the end they actually settled on a site at Drum Hill near Belper that was seen by Debi and Rob on their way up. Apparently it was an excellent site and they had a great Summer Camp.