Todays walk was originally planned for late summer but circumstances had prevented this so here we are today in the kitchen of 2 Lilac Avenue discussing the forecast. It had rained heavily overnight and had been bitterly cold. Todays forecast was cold northerly winds with a good possibility of showers or even snow. One of our normal group had cancelled at the last minute blaming her imminent departure to hotter climes (Africa). Was this true or had she seen something even worse in the weather forecast?

As we crossed from Macclesfield to Buxton the higher hills were coated with a white frost. Behind us the skies were clear but ahead the clouds were ominous. Bypassing Buxton we crossed Harpur Hill and drove down to Longnor. The market place was virtually empty and we parked only yards from the toilets which are an essential start to all our walks. Longnor is a gem of a place. In 100 yards you could be in open fields yet within 100 yards of us were 4 pubs. A local general provision shop was only 10 yards away and in I went. No Werthers(sweets) in sight but the owner dived behind a pile of goods and proudly emerged clutching a bag.

Boots on finally and we are ready to go. The time is 9.50am and we hope to reach Hartington by 12.30. Up an alley to the right of the Grapes, across the road and into a narrow footpath with a stony bed. At the end of the footpath we cross a stile into a cattle field. No cattle here today but the ground is a mass of holes from their hooves and all these holes are filled with water. We pick our way slowly across this quagmire slowly climbing as we go. At the top of the field the valley of the river Dove opens up in front of us but where is the river. The map says its there but we can not see it. This is typical of limestone areas were the river often cuts a smaller valley in the broader valley. Down a very steep and slippery path, across the fields, and we come to the river. Across the river we make a right turn towards Crowdecote. After passing the Packhorse Inn the route turns left on to a track which goes through a farm and into the open fields leading towards Pilbury Castle. Its lucky for us that the track has a stone bed because the ground on each side of it is drenched and virtually unwalkable. Small flurries of hail remind us of the weather forecast and we are lucky here that the northerly wind is blowing into our backs. The views are beautiful and we agree that we should do this walk again on a warm spring or summers day. Finally we reach the site of Pilsbury Castle and have now completed half the journey to Hartington.

Leaving the site of the old Norman Castle behind us we climb up the hill until we reach a road. At this point we should cross the road and walk along the hillside to Hartington. However one of our party is feeling very cold so instead we walk down the road into the valley. This road is crossed by numerous gates and is only used by the local farms. Without traffic it makes a great footpath and gives you the opportunity of looking at the views without worrying about where to put your feet. There is more birdlife in the valley bottom and in one bush we find Fieldfare, Redwing, and Mistle Thrush. Streams emerge out of the hillside or bubble up in the middle of a field.

We are looking forward to a nice warm pub and lunch but Hartington seems to be getting no nearer. Finally as we turn another corner the first few houses appear and our pace quickens. Into Hartington and straight into the bar at the Devonshire Arms. Maybe it is the thought that we have only completed half the journey but today nobody orders a full meal and we make do with sandwiches and a bowl of chips. All except one who orders a baked potato with bacon and mushroom filling. When the food comes all the meals are good but the baked is exceptional, not only very large but also very well filled. It is hard to move when you have eaten and are sitting in front of a roaring fire but finally after 1-1/2 hours we leave the pub and cross to the Cheese Shop. The selection here is good but anything we buy has to be carried 4-1/2 miles back to Longnor so purchases are small.

Walking down the road at the side of the Cheese Shop we reach Nuttall's Creamery where a right turn leads into the fields towards Sheen. We walk through more particularly wet fields until we climb the hillside and reach Sheen. A lovely church and extremely large vicarage but where are the houses? At this point we should cross over the road and into the fields leading to the river Manifold but we are now facing into the wind which seems to have grown in strength so we change plan and decide to walk back to Longnor along the road. Suggestions that maybe we should have spent a little less time in the pub are quickly refuted. Though we are now tired and facing into a cold northerly wind it is impossible not to be impressed by the views looking down into the valley on our right. Now the pace quickens both to keep warm and to reach the shelter of a nice warm car as quickly as possible. Each time I stop to take a picture the group have moved another 100 yards down the road, absolutely no consideration for the art of photography.

At last Longnor comes into sight and we know tired legs can have a good rest and we can warm up again sheltered from the wind. The picture on the right shows the long shadows cast by the low sun even though it was only half past three. We realised that over the last few weeks our walks had been much shorter and 9 miles over hills with a cold wind had really tested our stamina. We all have had a good day and we will be back again when the weather is warmer.

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