Members: Midge and John Castick, Daves Wylie and Shotton, Roger Dyke, James Meakin, Michelle Harvie and Mark Garrod (8)

Good start! Everyone remembered the hour going back – well all those who met on time at Gradbach car park obviously did. The good start didn’t continue that long – 5 minutes into the walk, the third of the meet leader’s 3 options for the first stretch came to a swift conclusion at a river-crossing that looked dodgy at best, distinctly wet at worst. On to option 2, which required us to head back almost to the car park 10 minutes into the walk, fortunately worked, although the super-slippery wooden bridge with the very loose handrail could easily have caused disaster. Sniddles and Adder’s Green were soon behind us, even with the carefully selected and numerous boggy sections despite a dry autumn to date. Elevenses was had in Black Brook Nature reserve, which Roger had perched atop a rocky outcrop; an early indicator as it turned out of Roger’s intent for the day.

A short ascent to Lower Stake Gutter (how does that work?) meant we could then traverse along the top of Ramshaw Rocks, before dropping off the end not the permissive path over to the col between Hen Cloud and the Roaches (thanks for the local knowledge Roger). Lunch was had, of course, under the Sloth, but not before Midge had nipped into a bush for quiet contemplation, only to be “buzzed” by a drone. Conversation at lunch concluded that the KMC had sufficient drones already, and we didn’t need another to follow our antics from the air – hold on though, fell race filming from on high could give us a “how not to navigate” educational film.

Roger felt obliged to “touch the rock” under the Sloth before moving off; fortunately he decided he could do that without leaving the ground, unlike the soloer who worried us by heading up towards the Sloth, fortunately to return down from beneath it without incident. We weren’t allowed to continue on the tourist path – oh no, we had to at least go up the descent route (guess whose idea that was).

Easy walking now along the top of the Roaches, admiring the view north to Shutlingsloe and south-west to the Wrekin, before diving down off the ridge at Back Forest into Forest Wood, and then left to find Lud’s Church. The mosses and ferns in the chasm were as green and slimey as ever, and despite James claiming to have sussed out a belay point half way up the face, we exited as we came in – via the tourist path. All the remained was to drop back down to the Dane, and follow it past Gradbach Mill, enjoying the afternoon sun lighting up the autumn colours in the trees. Ah – it is good to be out.

Members: Midge and John Castick, Daves Wylie and Shotton, Roger Dyke, James Meakin, Michelle Harvie and Mark Garrod.

Good start!  Everyone remembered the hour going back – well all those who met on time at Gradbach car park obviously did.  The good start didn’t continue that long – 5 minutes into the walk, the third of the meet leader’s 3 options for the first stretch came to a swift conclusion at a river-crossing that looked dodgy at best, distinctly wet at worst.  On to option 2, which required us to head back almost to the car park 10 minutes into the walk, fortunately worked, although the super-slippery wooden bridge with the very loose handrail could easily have caused disaster.  Sniddles and Adder’s Green were soon behind us, even with the carefully selected and numerous boggy sections despite a dry autumn to date.  Elevenses was had in Black Brook Nature reserve, which Roger had perched atop a rocky outcrop; an early indicator as it turned out of Roger’s intent for the day.

A short ascent to Lower Stake Gutter (how does that work?) meant we could then traverse along the top of Ramshaw Rocks, before dropping off the end not the permissive path over to the col between Hen Cloud and the Roaches (thanks for the local knowledge Roger).  Lunch was had, of course, under the Sloth, but not before Midge had nipped into a bush for quiet contemplation, only to be “buzzed” by a drone.  Conversation at lunch concluded that the KMC had sufficient drones already, and we didn’t need another to follow our antics from the air – hold on though, fell race filming from on high could give us a “how not to navigate” educational film.

Roger felt obliged to “touch the rock” under the Sloth before moving off; fortunately he decided he could do that without leaving the ground, unlike the soloer who worried us by heading up towards the Sloth, fortunately to return down from beneath it without incident. We weren’t allowed to continue on the tourist path – oh no, we had to at least go up the descent route (guess whose idea that was).

Easy walking now along the top of the Roaches, admiring the view north to Shutlingsloe and south-west to the Wrekin, before diving down off the ridge at Back Forest into Forest Wood, and then left to find Lud’s Church.  The mosses and ferns in the chasm were as green and slimey as ever, and despite James claiming to have sussed out a belay point half way up the face, we exited as we came in – via the tourist path.  All the remained was to drop back down to the Dane, and follow it past Gradbach Mill, enjoying the afternoon sun lighting up the autumn colours in the trees.  Ah – it is good to be out.

This is intended to be around 11 miles of scenic walking, but with the lack of checking some of it out beforehand, and my navigation, it could end up being any length.

Meet for a 9.30am start in the car park at 998663, in the upper Dane Valley off the minor road from Allgreave to Flash. Our route goes takes us to the east of Gradbach Hill, passing Sniddles, Adders Green and Bald Stone, but unfortunately not Flash Bottom, then to Ramshaw Rocks. Round the back of Hen Cloud, and along the Roaches ridge all the way to just short of Hanging Stone. Sharp right, into Forest Wood, and an exploration of Luds Church assuming we can find it. Finally pick the right path downhill to bring us out at the footbridge leading to the Dane-side path which takes us back to the car park.

Hope to see you there.                                       Mark