Seventeen of us set off on Saturday on my walk 'Stile over Substance' from Holmfirth out round Meltham and back via Netherton and Honley. Given the weather we had the day before when 4" of snow fell in an hour, I thought it would be called off, but thankfully it turned out to be a largely lovely day, and no sign of the nithering north wind that was forecast either.

 

A brisk uphill section soon got us elevated, where we could cross the fields over towards Oldfield and then over to Honley Woods, where we followed the path to the riding stables at Wood Nook. We then crossed through the woods down to the old mill pond and followed the path parallel to Meltham golf course.

 

After a quick refreshment stop, a steady uphill section took us halfway up Royd Edge, where we turned off to pick up the Wessenden catchment (this is where the name of the walk came from with some 23 stiles over the various bridges and crossings). It was worth it though to marvel at the Victorian waterways architecture, seemingly for no-ones benefit - what a legacy for us all.

 

Lunch was taken at Blackmoorfoot Reservoir, and this was exactly half way. We then went over more fields and through the woods back towards Honley via the outskirts of Netherton (with one very short sharp climb).

 

From Honley we headed uphill once more through the woods and over the fields towards Thurstonland, then back down a path that had become a stream for the day, into New Mill and back to Holmfirth (this is the point that I was hoping that no one would notice my slight navigation cock up, until we met an older couple walking their dog for the third time, rumbled!)

 

All in all it was a very enjoyable day, and it is always nice when people are introduced to new paths and routes. But if it could be described in one word, then it would have to be....muddy!