Scones to Die For (19/03/2017)

The South Manchester Goup have had a heavy injury list of late; knees, ankles, backs DVT, dicky hearts and etc have given us plenty of trouble. I was reminded of a quote from 'All Quiet on the Western Front' by E.M. Remarque 'If they shoot your leg ff they give you a wooden leg and send you back to the front. If they shoot your arm off they give you a wooden arm and send you back to the front. If they shoot your head off they give you a wooden head and make you a General'. Todays general was Quentin. Quentin has recently had two major heart operations and this was his first attempt at a full day walk (albeit a short one). 'Slow and steady' he promised, the best he can do. Also joining us were John (Staffs group - knee op 3 weeks ago), Mohammed, Dave Gosling (recent achilles tendon trouble) and myself.

From Topley Pike we ascended up through Churn Hole and across to Chelmorton. We inspected its water supply; a spring delightfully known as the 'Illy Willy Water'. Five Wells Farm was littered with rusty old vehicles (why do farmers do that) followed by very muddy paths. The paths dried out last week but Quentin had arranged it with Carol Kirkwood for it to rain all Friday and Saturday to stir up the mud again. Passing Priestcliffe we descended very steeply down steps to the River Wye then up to Millars Dale station for our elevenses. We followed the Monsal trail for a bit (I had to bite my tongue here as another couple overtook us; no one is allowed to overtake me; on my own I would not have let them; but Quentin said a slow walk). We crossed the River Wye again then ascended the pretty Tideswell Dale. Conservationists from Lincoln were making it even prettier. In Tideswell we had a long stop at the Vanilla Cafe for soup, cake (a huge piece), coffee and that jam scone that we had to die for (it was good). We left Tideswell, now in pouring rain, onto the Limestone Way and aimed for the head of Monks Dale. From here the climb up to Wormhill is steep and very muddy to boot. This got Quentins dicky ticker racing at full throttle forcing him to take it steady with frequent rest stops. At Wormhill we explained to Mohammed how village Stocks were used, but as they were padlocked, we could not demonstrate. Down to Flag Dale then another steep, muddy,climb out got Quentins heart struggling again. We rounded Meadow Farm and descended steeply to Rocks Dale. Quentin slipped on the mud. We had another tea stop at the Bike Hire centre then an easy stroll back to Topley Pike.

Johns knee and Quentins heart survived the walk though Quentin was at his limit. Dave and I had to get him round OK or Dottie (his wife) who is very keen on reading murder stories, would ensure that our lives would be short!

14.4 miles and 1900 ft ascent in 7 hours. Rated time (dryer conditions) 4hrs 40 min. 

Duncan Smith