Winter is here, if darkness at 5pm and low temperatures of 0⁰ or less, are a sign of its arrival, and, of course, the wide variety of warm clothes, seven sets, gathered at Dennis Knoll. What was missing was the gloveless Andy who was testing his hands in the higher hills above Glenridding.
Bob had planned a route including a climb to warm us up quickly so the obvious line was up to Stanage Edge via part of the “Roman Road” which we soon left, to scramble through the bracken and the rocks to the edge. The fast group had gone well ahead and had reached the trig, not where we going which was to the ancient (?) “bus shelter”. (As far as I know, no buses have ever stopped there which is very much like the state of buses in Sheffield.) Much shouting and waving of lights brought the fast group to heel so we could continue on a path by the grouse butts to the stump of a small isolated tree which had stood there for some time, being battered by wind, rain, sun and snow. Despite all the weather, this proud stunted wind-bent tree had survived and it was also a useful perch for crows and, possibly, birds of prey but, sadly, it was cut down leaving the remains of a substantial trunk, the only evidence of its brave hardiness. A sort of memorial of a pile of stones has been built around the stump so, if you’re ever up there, please doff your cap or balaclava to show respect to this plucky little tree.
Having indulged ourselves on paths, it was time have a dose of heather bashing back towards Stanage End, bypassing the delightfully called Foul Hole to arrive at another “bus shelter” and then the Edge where we indulged ourselves again on a good track past more shooting butts to Jarvis Clough, omitting the temptation to call in at its hut. Having enjoyed so much track, we wanted yet more and followed another line of grouse butts at speed (for Slow Warts) up to the Glory Stones and beyond. The challenge after this trackfest was to find the really ancient stone circle near Dennis Knoll. A bearing from the end of a ruined wall with some assistance from the technology and our wide spreading out got us to the circle. To finish off, we took to the heather and the car park for a quick change into some warm gear ready for the welcome further warming of the Yorkshire Bridge Inn where we were recognised again. I think we can now be described as regulars.
A splendid cold winter’s outing with some historical notes.
Graham
Track thanks to Chris and his technology