Sunday 16th January (Day 1)
A bright start to the day and by just before 10.00am we left. Our destination is Castleton Caravan and Motorhome Club site in Derbyshire where we are meeting up with Chris, Graham and Maisie. However, our first stop was Furniture Village in Peterborough which, fortunately, was on the way. We had purchased a bed and mattress last week from them and need to check the email that the order is correct. We had not received the email and despite phone calls and emails we still have not received the email from them so a ‘flea in their ear’ was needed. Once sorted we were off to Castleton. We had already experienced one road closure near to home and soon were to encounter the A1 being part closed. We found a work around without any real issue but it added a bit to our journey time. We also needed diesel and missed a couple of ‘cheap’ fuel stops. We tried an Esso station, as we get 4p a litre discount there, but at £1.68.9 a litre we did a formula 1 pit stop drive through. Eventually, just outside Sheffield we filled up at £1.44.9 - much better. We left Wimblington in sunshine but rain on way and then, while dry grey skies greeted us at the site. By 2.00pm we were set up. At 3.15pm the four of us and Maisie left for a walk to ‘The George’ in Castleton where we had booked Sunday lunch. We took a less direct walk into the village as some exercise was needed. The roast was really nice. Back at the site by the more direct route and an evening of ‘Exploding Kittens’ and ‘Mexican Train Game’ followed with drink, chat and laughter until bed.
Monday 17th January (Day 2)
Clear blue skies and sunshine! After breakfast we left the site for a walk up Mam Tor the highest point around and a popular tourist attraction. First a stop at a local shop to augment our filled rolls with a couple of sausage rolls for our lunch. The walk to the top was mixture of paved closed road, footpaths across fields and a challenge of some very muddy places. It took just under two hours to reach the top of Mam Tor which afforded us spectacular views and looking down on the clouds which were rolling in. Mam Tor means ‘Mother Hill’ and 3,000 years ago the celts had a fortress at the top and burial mounds are all around. We then walked along the ridge of the hills stopping to sit and eat lunch in lovely warm sunshine. By now we had reached about halfway of a circular walk. Chris Stephens was struggling a bit with a bad back and, although my knee was ok, I also had back pains. A couple of old crocks! The walk continued and we descended to the village of Hope. We had a pint, or two, in the Old Hall pub. Leaving, and with the sun below the hills, the temperature had dropped quite considerably. We opted for the easy, and shorter, walk back to our motorhomes. A quick stop at a local shop was needed. While waiting outside I noticed a vehicle with dog the size of a small horse. The owner came out of the shop and it would appear that the dog is a Central Asian Shepherd Dog. It was 18 months old and 14 stone (or 90Kg). The owner stated it might well top 20 stone or around 150Kg. It is the oldest breed of dog known in the world around 900 years, albeit not recognised by the UK Kennel Club. Leaving this mammoth of a dog we went by the road and about twenty minutes saw us arrive back at our ‘home’. A total walk of about eight miles but a testing walk indeed, albeit very enjoyable. We had left our slow cooker cooking a beef casserole all day. Chris & Gra came for casserole & dumplings bringing Maisie another night of games , drinks & chatting
Tuesday 18th January (Day 3)
So the day started with a heavy frost. After breakfast we got sorted to go for another walk in the dales. Chris (Stephens) informed us that she would not be coming with us as her back was causing her some trouble. Just before 11.00am Graham Chris and I were off. Despite the bad back Chris and Masie came for walk into the town and there we parted our ways. Cave Dale was our route and then across to Winnat’s Pass back to Castleton, in total about five to six miles. The star of the Cave Dale walk was very stoney and water was coming down it albeit mostly under a sheet of ice. It was necessary to be quite choosey and careful for this part. Steeply up was the order of the day and in the shade but we could see the sunshine on the hill tops in the distance. Gradually the steepness eased off and we came out into the sunshine. We followed the path across the hill top to the Winnat’s Pass. Then it was a steep slippery walk down back into Castelton. We met Chris in The Old Cheshire Cheese for a pint. After an hour or so we returned to our motorhomes where we chilled in our own. Just before 6.00pm we gathered again, Leaving Maisie behind, and walked up to the Old Cheshire Cheese where we were meeting Alan and Sue for a meal. We had a couple of hours pleasantly chatting over what can only be described as average / all right meal. The fish and chips comprised of frozen fish not fresh in a crispy batter which was soggy in parts! The Inn Keepers pie, while tasty could have been hotter. On our next trip to Castleton another hostelry will gain our custom. When we left Alan and Sue went home and we walked back to the site to chat and play more games.
Wednesday 19th January (Day 4)
During the night the wind blew and it rained cats and dogs. It was still raining in the morning but by around 9.30am it had stopped and the sun made a show. We slowly got sorted to leave and by 10.30am said our goodbyes, well actually ‘au revoir’ as we are meeting up again in just over a week. We had booked Todmorden Cricket Club for two nights. Putting it in the satnav we opted for no motorways which increased our journey time by about twenty minutes but reduced the total distance. We were in no rush and wanted, hopefully, a nicer journey for views. It worked to a degree. Rolling hills with sheep dotted around, Ladybower Dam, Snake Pass (great views), and trees of varying hues was our reward, at least to begin with. Then everything got more built up as we skirted Manchester, Moss, Stamford and Oldham. Then the built up area evened and we got the rolling hills back. By the time we reached Todmorden (pronounced ‘todmunden’) the Rochdale Canal was one side of us and the hills had closed in. We quickly set up and had a bite to eat. I had planned a circular walk of around three miles so off we went. Well the first part was more strenuous than the previous two days, steeper and longer in the climb. It did afford us great views and we even saw a muntjac deer. What goes up must come down and we had a gentle long descent back into Todmorden. A brief stop for a coffee before returning and settling down for a rest. Tomorrow I have promised will be a walk on the level. We settled down all toasty with a spaghetti bolognaise and just slopped around until around 11.00pm.
Thursday 20th January (Day 5)
We woke up to probably the hardest frost so far but for mid-January the weather has been very kind to us. We tried the showers in the adjacent block and, although it took an age for the hot water to come through, the showers were excellent. Lots of power and blistering hot. Then breakfast after which we togged up for a walk. I promised a ‘level’ walk and along the Rochdale canal. It opened in 1804 and the engineering feat without mechanical assistance was staggering. When opened one canal boat took the equivalent of 450 pack horses so the change was monumental. For a short period there was a steady climb but nothing like the Caen Hill flight (29 locks) or Foxton Flight (10 locks). The Rochdale canal was, in places, sheet ice with ducks and geese walking on it. Parts of the towpath were slippy and care was needed. Apart from the aforementioned birds we also saw Alpacas and sheep - several breeds. It was an exceptionally pleasant walk. To explain how level the walk was we got to the highest broad lock in England at, the appropriately named, Summit. Here the pub had just opened so a coffee was acquired. Then on we went stopping at another lock for our packed lunch before reaching our destination, Littleborough. Apologies to those who live there but it was not a very inspiring place. We had now walked about six plus miles so we agreed that a bus to return to Todmorden was our best option. Arriving back we then checked out a few pubs for an evening meal and have opted for the Hare and Hounds. We shall see how good it is later. We both had a doze and at 6.30pm returned to the Hare and Hounds. The food was very good. Chris had fish and chips and while it should not be something to note, the chips were delicious, crisp and fluffy. It should not be of note as it is not difficult to do this, but so many pubs, cafes and restaurants serve average or poor chips. In my case I had a pizza which was also very good. We left just before 8.00pm when the pub was to have a quiz night, but there were only four or so persons present. It was quite cold for the return walk and the motorhome was covered in a hoar frost. Having left the heating on we were nice and warm once inside
Friday 21st January (Day 6)
So off today to see Matt and Liv at Mawdesley, only about an hour away. As they are working today we do not have to be there until around 4.00pm. After breakfast and a slow pack to move off we drove to Bolton to a DFS store to see if we could find a replacement sofa bed and footstool to replace the ones they delivered that were both damaged! (They do not make the model we bought any more.) On walking onto the store there was our replacement. Exactly the same but with a different name! So we left content we could attend our local DFS in a few days time and get the problem sorted. We then drove to Wigan and went to the Go Outdoors shop where we spent some money of wicking clothing as over the last few days I had soaked my jacket through sweat. We then visited a lighting shop and the young woman there said we could park our motorhome in their car park and walk into the town centre. Into Wigan we went and had a late lunch - around 2.00pm - and then into the centre itself. A pleasant enough shopping area. We then drove the 30 minutes to Matt & Liv’s. We then viewed their new house which was lovely before a short stroll to the The Red Lion. On return to their house we had fajitas and then played games. Sleeping in the house tonight and tomorrow.
Saturday 22nd January (Day 7)
Nice cooked breakfast and then a long walk (over 12 miles). Dinner at the Child and Eagle.
Sunday 23rd January (Day 8)
After breakfast we went for a short walk around the village and by 1.45pm said our goodbyes. The intention was to drive the four hours home but having identified a few pub options if we get held up in bad traffic. Home about 5.30pm less than four hours.
Comments