South Pennine New Year walk and Meal.

Marsden Moor and the Cross Keys.

Attendees: The South Pennine cast of thousands and special guests from the Ramblers and West Yorks…and two tiny Yorkshire terriers.

Weather: Overcast and very windy but dry.

It was nice to see that all my efforts were not in vain when I was greeted by 26 eager walkers…with several more meeting us at the pub later. Folk had also taken on my suggestion of either using the train or parking at the Pub.

On the dot of nine we were heading on a short section of canal, up onto Lark Hill and Harrop Edge. The wind was on the blustery side but thankfully it wasn’t overly cold. Looking up towards Standedge it did look quite ‘wild’ but I had planned not to stay high for too long.

Rapid progress was made and I did feel the need to rein in some of the whippets at the front but considering the size of the group we did manage to stick together and nobody appeared to be trailing.

Castleshaw was passed and we were soon slipping and sliding on the soft ground up to Standedge. A  short cut was made over to the ‘Willykay’ Bridleway where I called a snack stop at the Pack Horse bridge just outside Marsden. We were making fantastic progress and well ahead of our ETA at the pub. Refreshed and watered we headed towards ‘Tunnel End’ and started the long slog up and onto the Standedge trail….The former route for the Ponies while the ‘Leggers’ pushed their barges through the tunnel. The wind really picked up along this exposed moor. Conversation seamed to cease as we forged headlong into the wind. Thankfully at Brun Clough reservoir we started to descend into the valley where I uttered the immortal words that every fell walker wants to hear ‘Its all downhill to the pub from here’….OK a few little lumps and horrendously boggy fields stood in the way but all to soon we were lining up at the bar and taking advantage of 1 hours extra drinking time before we were ready to eat.

We were given the room with the stone floor so dirty rucksacs were dumped and conversation flowed as well as the beer. All credit to the Cross Keys for providing great service and ensuring everybody was fed and watered. Personally I think the food here is exceptional and once again it did not disappoint. We are not talking ‘fine dining’…but superbly cooked homemade comfort food.

After a few hours folk started to head home…some lucky folk even managed to cadge lifts to the Station….But Andrew, Val and I held onto the moral high ground and staggered down the hill to the station where we caught the train with gangs of ladies and gentlemen(?) in various states of inebriation following the ‘Real Ale trail’

Thanks to everyone who turned up either just for the meal or the walk..it certainly made organising it worthwhile.

 

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