Members:  Christine Beeston, Joe Dugdale, Lorna Marsland (and Margaret Baldock, thanks for the tea!)

A poor weather forecast and an early start possibly put off the crowds, but Lorna was visiting from her new sunny home down south, and Joe lives a short walk from the bus stop, three is plenty so off we went!

Having planned this meet in detail and taken great care over the timings, I forgot them, and realised we’d missed the bus when Joe phoned to find out why he was sailing past the bus stop alone… not a great start, but Lorna and I jogged back to the car, drove to Upper Hulme and met Joe, patiently waiting at the Rock Inn.

We set off in the promised rain, heading towards Dains Mill, and then behind Hen Cloud and past Wells Farm to get up onto the Roaches ridge.  Despite the light rain, it was a treat to have the Roaches to ourselves, though sad to see the extent of the fire this summer. 

From the end of the ridge we walked down through the lovely Gradbach Wood, and stopped at the Outdoor Café at Gradbach Mill for coffee and cake.  After a welcome break to dry off and warm up, we were delighted to find the rain had stopped, and the rest of the day was dry and even briefly sunny!

 The walk continued past an old mill and over farmland to Turn Edge, over the moor to Knotbury and then joined the Dane Valley Way over Axe Edge Moor.  We crossed the A537 and headed down the last bit of moorland towards Buxton, winding through some entertaining paths on the outskirts of town, following a stream tucked in between the housing, until we reached the path back to the carpark.  At this point Joe took over and led us an extra (and really enjoyable) mile back through the woods to his house, where Margaret made us tea.

We had a great day out, with a lot less mud and rain than expected, good views and we talked, in KMC style, all day.  Thanks to Joe and Lorna for their good company and to Joe for a welcome lift back to Upper Hulme.

Unfortunately Dave S couldn’t lead his meet this weekend, but happily this gives me the chance to run the meet I had planned for February but had to cancel.

PLEASE NOTE this walk is on SATURDAY 6^th October, NOT Sunday.  This is due to limited bus times on the Sunday.

Upper Hulme - Buxton walk

Meet 09:15 at the bus stop at the junction of Grin Low Road and the A53 Buxton-Leek, (SK 042717 White Peak map)

We will take the number 16 bus south to the Upper Hulme stop, then walk back via the Roaches, Gradbach, Turn Edge, Knotbury and Axe Edge Moor.

There are various ways to get to and from the start and end of the walk, I will probably drive, and park at the carpark just off Grin Low Road (SK048718, £2 for the day, allow a good 15 (I said 10, but that is a bit optimistic)  minutes to walk to the bus stop)  Alternatively you could get the train to Buxton, then the number 16 from the centre.  If you do this, I guarantee a lift back to the station at the end of the walk!

I planned this walk as I have often looked north from the top of the Roaches and wondered where I could get to.  It's a varied walk with some good views, the possibility of a teashop, some mud and a couple of scrappy bits.  Overall I thought it was an interesting wander.

I hope to see you there, despite the early start!

Please let me know if you need/want to offer a lift.