Members Present:  Christine Beeston, Laura Collier, Trish Cranston, Mark Garrod, Sandy and Jim Gregson, Michelle Harvie, Al Metelko, Dave Shotton, Andy Stratford, Jim Symon.

Merrion was close to joining the meet, but having got a lift with Dave, he didn’t feel too well and got a train back home – good effort and half a meet tick. Not quite a tick for Jo; last seen by Andy with wine in hand at midnight at a party the previous evening – hope she got home OK.

Excellent turn-out for the 1^st walking meet of the New Year, especially given the forecast, which was for heavy rain from approx. midday. As it turned out, we only got a bit wet in the last half hour. Slightly late on our 9.30am start, and dodgy route choice by me left us a bit behind schedule on the medium-level route round to Alphin from Whimberry boulders. No problem – joint meet-leader Jim took over the route-setting with his short cut through serious tussocks, then heather, to give us a direct ascent to pull back time. The route discriminated against the shorter members of the party who moaned about the problem of having short legs in such territory – leastways I think it was them complaining from behind the tallest tussock. If you ever get offered a route by Jim where he describes it as more than just “a bit rough”, make your excuses and leave in the opposite direction! Elevenses on Alphin saw Jim head home for another engagement, whilst the rest sheltered from the wind, and took in the view.

Next leg was following the skyline all the way past Chew Reservoir to above Dovestones Reservoir, where lunch was taken in the ruined hut on the edge – useful shelter from the wind. Still no real rain and a good view north, although Oldham was slowly disappearing into the clag to the west (no loss there then). Trish and Al took the path back down to the dam on Yeoman Hey Reservoir, whilst the remaining 8 carried on round the edges to Ravenstones and Birchens Clough, down which we descended. There was general agreement on the decision to not try to complete the skyline in the rain (which had arrived), and the darkness (which would soon arrive), so back to Binn Green via the valley track.

How is it that the while the rest of the party came back mud-spattered (especially Michelle and I), Jim G always looks like he is just setting out – he should patent whatever mud-repellent he has developed.   

Thanks for those who came and enjoyed a good leg stretch to kick off the New Year.

Chew Valley Skyline Walk - Mark Garrod and Jim Symon

Can’t quite fit into your outdoor gear after an over-indulgent festive season? We have just the answer – fresh air, exercise, fine company, and some honest pennine scenery to boot.

Leave 9.30am from Binn Green carpark  (park on the roadside for free if you are early enough), and head over to Alphin to start the skyline. Whimberry Rocks and Chew Valley reservoir follow. Following the edge we pass Dovestones, and on to the memorial cross above Yeoman Hey reservoir. The beauty of this walk is that you/we can do as much as you/we want, with the optimistic plan being going on to Ravenstones, then Standing Stones, across the Holmfirth Road and finishing at Alderman’s Hill and Rocks. However, shortening the route by dropping back down into Chew Valley is possible at various points, should conditions, fitness, darkness or too much excitement require it.

Final leg could be to find a tea shop or pub, just in case the excesses of Christmas still need a bit a tapering down.      

Mark’s telephone nos: 0161-654-7705 and 07887-696003