Saturday 5 April 2025 - TGO Challenge reunion walk from Hayfield

After completing the Lyme Park parkrun, Sue and I went to park outside the Sportsman Inn, near Hayfield, and set off on Graham Brookes TGO Challenge Reunion walk at about 10:30, half an hour after others had started.

It was a lovely blue sky day with a cool breeze and good views across to Kinder Scout.

We followed the Pennine Bridleway around Mount Famine and were surprised to catch up with Graham's group near spot height 431.

The group had been decimated by a stiff breeze on Mount Famine. Some had returned to Hayfield, others had chosen a lower level route to Whitehough. Spectacles had been blown away, hats and buffs also. Sue and I were happy to pause with the rag tag band in the shelter of a dry stone wall.

After the welcome coffee and cake break (Sue and I hadn't stopped since leaving home at 8:15) we strolled on towards the splendid viaduct near Chinley.

After that, nice paths led to the Paper Mill Inn, outside which David and Martin, who had taken a short cut route, were tucking into their beers.

Water power was needed to operate the mill, hence this weir on Black Brook.

After our lengthy lunch break, there being no time pressure, we headed steadily up Chinley Churn The ubiquitous Primroses were joined by Butterbur, Lesser Celandine, Lady's Mantle, Buttercups, Dandelions, Dog Violets, Wild Garlic, Garlic Mustard and more.. It was breezy on top.

At this point most of the party disappeared, probably finding a direct route back, whilst Graham led his remaining few followers over rough ground to view some fossils.

There were a number of resting places, to which our party took full advantage whilst Graham rummaged for more fossils.

David enjoyed a snooze. The sheep were curious.

Those last few pictures are in a sort of random order. After that we wound our way down to Peep-O-Day Farm and some nice paths featuring lovely sunken lanes, back to the Sportsman Inn.

We got back in plenty of time for the 7:30 meal for 23 reunioners, Sue and I having followed the 19km route with 600 metres ascent shown below.

Alistair reappeared from a bus for the tasty meal, and after most people had adjourned to the campsite we took ourselves home. Luckily for Alistair, our route passed his house.

Thanks go to David Hardy for organising the reunion, and to Graham for arranging the walk, albeit he failed completely to keep all but a few of his followers in order!