29 August to 1 September 2024 - Richard's Birthday Weekend

Richard's Birthday Weekend actually started on Thursday, when he and about ten of his mates made their way to Old Trafford cricket ground to watch a rather boring day's play in the County Championship. 

Hampshire set themselves up to thrash Lancashire in a rather one sided contest. I suspect that most of Lancashire's better players were either injured or on duty for their country.

Anyway, it was a nice day out in warm weather.

On Friday, celebrations resumed at Roger and Heather's house in Wirksworth. After an excellent meal provided by various participants, there was time for 18 of us to relax in front of a roaring fire.

Saturday's walk started from Cromford and headed past some wooden sculptures that drew my attention but nobody else's.

By the time we reached St Mary's church, the subject of many alterations and enhancements over the years, I had to rush past to catch up.

The Derwent valley offers lush green views at this time of year.

The Matlock Bath cablecar was clearly visible across the valley from our path, which had risen steeply up towards Riber Castle.

L-R: Richard, Roger, Tove, Roland, Heather, David, Jenny, Tom, Jessica,
Graham, Julie, Sue B, Carol, Phil, Keith, Martin (photo: Sue W)

A grassy patch was found for elevenses.

On we continued, eventually reaching the Jug & Glass.

A brief encounter with a magnificent sunken lane drew us to a pleasant location for lunch in a well cropped field.

Duke's Quarries offered a technical escape route, but everyone wimped out on the excuse that "it looks a bit steep", and made their way down to a disused canal.

We were soon passing some of Cromford's industrial relics as we strolled along the Derwent Valley Heritage Way.

Then we walked over half way up the incline taken by the High Peak Trail, before dropping back down to end the day's outing in Cromford.

Here's our route (click on this or any other image for a better version): 16km with 450 metres ascent, taking us about 6.5 hours including lots of stops.

Later, the Le Mistral restaurant in Wirksworth proved an excellent venue for all 17 who had been on the walk to enjoy a delicious meal, culminating in a tasty sponge cake with lots of candles, and a memorable speech from Sue B recalling some of Richard's many 'achievements'.

 

Sunday's walk started from Bonsall, and just to maintain form, it headed uphill for quite some time.

Sue found a Tea Junction ('Give Way to Biscuits'), but it was too early to stop.

Relentlessly uphill took us under the cablecars we had viewed the previous day from the other side of the valley, and today we could look across to where we had been yesterday.

Richard's second birthday 'cake' was laid out on a tea towel at our elevenses break.

It was soon demolished...

The next section of the walk afforded long views along the Derwent Valley on a hazy, but thankfully dry, day.

Uphill as usual, eventually pausing for lunch on some grassy lumps of rock. Just 16 of us today - one gained (GS) and two lost (Roland and Heather).

Soon afterwards, several folk trespassed down a private lane to have a look at Blakelow Hill, whilst the rest of us strolled down Moor Lane and Bonsall Dale to reach the fleshpots of Clatterway, where Sue and Phil plied everyone with tea and cake, and apples from their tree, before waving us all off into the sunset after a most enjoyable birthday weekend.

Today's route from Bonsall: 11km with 350 metres ascent, taking us 4.5 hours including many stops.

Meanwhile, it would have been good to be in two places at once and take part in the Altrincham 10km race, in which last year I met Bianca, supported by her Sale Shark husband, Ernst. It was a shame not to be there again this year, but Bianca sent me a few pictures, including this one with her finisher's medal. Well done Bianca, I don't think I'd have been able to keep up with you.

Monday morning involved a bike ride to Didsbury to spend a bit of time with Millie, whilst Mike and Sarah and Isabella are in Scarborough making sandcastles.

Millie isn't very good at selfies!