Members present. Bob Anderson, Ken Beetham, Bowden Black, Virginia Castick, Roger Dyke, John Dwyer, Bob Haynes, Sheena Hendrie, Tony Marsh, Iain McCallum, Lester Payne, Alan Peck, Nigel Rosenbaum, Derek Seddon, Chris Thickett, Peter Walker, Frank Walker, Frank and Margaret Williams, Keith Williams, Dave Wylie. (20) Guests present. *Mike Graves, *Sylvia Haynes, *Joan Green, Pam McCallum, Zoe Rosenbaum, Neil Whittaker, Alan Wylie. (8) *Ex members.

Contrary to the dismal weather forecast of heavy rain Sunday dawned bright and sunny but with a very strong wind blowing from the West. Everyone eventually managed to find the car park behind Longshawe Lodge. (The Lodge was erected by the Duke of Rutland as a shooting lodge. At one time it had its own chapel - so our Hut has still some way to go! [Wot a blessing. ED])

From Longshawe Lodge our route took us through the estate and then along the track below Burbage Rocks, giving a fine view of Carl Wark, an Iron Age hill fort, before turning right over the edge and across the moor onto the Houndkirk Road.

This old turnpike dating from about 1760 is now clearly suffering from erosion due to its use by trail riders and 4 wheel drive vehicles. After passing the Ox Stones we stopped to refuel, sheltering in the lee of Brown Edge Quarries. From here we headed North before turning West across the moor along a new concessionary path (very wet) in the teeth of a gale force wind to Stanedge Pole which was erected in 1550 to mark the packhorse route over Stanage Edge to Sheffield. A short stop was called at the Pole to give everyone time to catch up and admire the fine panoramic view of the hills. From the Pole we continued along the track towards the Edge passing "rain" from the stream being blown back over the rocks by the wind. After descending the Edge we stopped for lunch in a sunny but sheltered spot close to the main path selected for us by Alan Peck. While lunching someone had the temerity to ask a passing French couple why they were carrying a mattress to the crag (well it wasn't very warm) and were told that it was to provide a soft landing in the event of a fall "to protect zee 'eels'"!

From Stanage our route took us down the valley past North Lees (allegedly the model for Mr. Rochester's house in Jane Eyre) and onto Hathersage by way of the church with Little John's grave. After a welcome stop at the Hathersage Inn for drinks we left the town and followed the river Derwent to Grindleford before turning up through the woods and past the Grouse Inn, then back through the Longshawe Estate to the Lodge and the car park.

It was good to see so many members and their guests on the hill, especially Nigel and Zoe from the rural idyll. Thank you all for supporting my meet.