Those Present: Chris Thickett, Lester Payne, Peter Walker, Alan L Jones, Alan Peck, Andrew Croughton, Roger Dyke, Dave Dillon, Lorna Marsland, Jim Gregson, Sandy Gregson, Bob Anderson, Derek Seddon, Frank Williams and Paula Williams.

Firstly I would like to thank Linda Crossley for the work she had put in before hand to organise the route. This left me with very little to do other than turn up and guide people around! I think we pretty much kept to the route described by Linda which was an excellent day out.

With Mr Fish promising the worst we got away with a fabulous day. Walking across Stanage gave us all wonderful views of the entire Peak District (even if there was a divine attempt to blow us off the top).

The day passed without any major incidents, five of the starting 15 departed half way along Stanage to head back to the car. This attempt to avoid the wind and later rain failed as they were later seen from Andy's car appearing from off the wrong footpath into Grindleford as we raced through the rain to Outside to claim our Tea (after completing the full length of Stanage).

There was also a slight mutiny as people's stomachs rumbled and lunch was held before the designated lunching zone. We finally got back to the Buckstone to rejoin Dave Dillon who had sneaked off to attempt of few of the Buckstone's problems (allegedly this included the dyno). I also had a play and completed my duty as leader by slipping of a few times.

With the final team reunited we headed back to the cars and Mr Fish's evil prophecy finally came true as the showers started. A wet team then headed to Outside for Tea where our dear President was hiding with Kevin Anderson and Sabina after climbing at Lawrence Field, so Tea was moved to the Whalley Bridge Café.

Finally if Duncan and Sabina get mentioned for making me coffee then so should John Evans for the excellent Rat-a-toui he cooked me for dinner.

Linda is unable to attend her meet but James has kindly offered to lead this meet.

A walk of about 13 miles that could be shortened should the weather be atrocious.

Meet at Grindleford Station (GR: SK 251788, OS 1:50 000 sheets 119 and 110) at 9.30 am for a prompt 9.45 am start. There's a fair amount of free parking, but, as always, sharing cars is a good idea.

We'll head up the path by Burbage Brook, through some ancient woods and out at Lawrence Field. Up Hollow Gate and cross the A625 opposite Surprise View car park. Now across the plateau heading past Carl Wark, the remains of a hill fortification dating back possibly to pre-Roman times, to Higger Tor with a 45ft high tower of gritstone boulders at its summit. From Higger Tor we'll aim N-E to the trig point at the southern end of Stanage Edge. Now there's nearly 4 miles along the edge passing the tops of all those routes you did (or didn't) climb last summer. If the weather's good, there are great views and exhilarating walking to blow all the Manchester gunk away from your lungs. At Stanage End, we'll return along the bottom of the Edge, past discarded millstones, for you to look at and dream about all the routes that you will do next summer... Now down Jacob's Ladder, a paved causeway, through some woods and past North Lees Hall built in the late 1500's by the Eyre family. It is thought that Charlotte Bronte may have used this hall as inspiration for Thornfield Manor when she wrote Jane Eyre. We come out at Hathersage (wait until the walk's over before you go shopping!). There's a short bit of road walking before we take the path along the River Derwent and up through the woods back to Grindleford.

The café should be open now for anyone who wants a chip butty and pint pot of tea. Alternatively, return to Outside for a shopfest and the more wholesome offerings of Longlands Café!

Catch me in the pub beforehand or contact me if you want to share lifts. Hopefully see you there.