Emerging from a long and often challenging winter, our expectations for gentle conditions for Slow Warts’ Wednesday weather had become low to the point when disappointment was sometimes perversely expressed on the lack of wind, rain, snow, flood, pestilence, etc. The weather for our eleven strong outing from Cutthroat Bridge, however, was light, bright, clear with a gentle breeze just right for Bob’s fine spring tour of Grainfoot. With the Cap’n away in the Lakes, we anticipated there maybe a reduced dose of the Harmerian heather we had experienced last Wednesday on Candlerush, (meaning source of wicks for candles, thanks to Chris for the information) and we were not to be disappointed.
We left the main track, from Cutthroat towards the Ladybower Inn, near the gate to cross the moor which was pleasantly free of too much heather and provided soft gentle running, and some walking (we are the Slow Warts after all) to the multi junction of paths on the edge.
Path junction and descent to Grainfoot thanks to Michael
Our interest, or maybe obsession, continues, with a visit to yet another ruin, this time near a wall corner at Lodge Cote. Following last week’s ruin hunt, will we be able to keep up this rate of ruin visits? The hidden valley of Grainfoot is steep and, if so inclined, is a great place for a bit of hill interval training but we were only inclined to make one interval, which was to climb out and then rest (we are the Slow Warts……).
Grainfoot from the end of the climb and resting there. Thanks to Michael
The club vicar, Alan Yates (remember him?) once set Bob the challenge of climbing to the top of Salt Cellar, our next check point, to find a mysterious carving which was also on a few other rocks in the Dark Peak. Whilst Bob was successful in reaching the top then, the carving was apparently not found. Arriving today from the south west, however, a small carving was found on one of the lower shelves of Salt Cellar. Success!
Carving on Salt Cellar. Thanks to Michael
Bob examining the carving. Thanks to Chris
Our outing so far had been in the lee of the edge but once over the edge we faced a forceful easterly wind so comments on appropriate clothing became a key conversation topic, suddenly shorts were no longer “de rigeur” and hats and Buffalo tops were very welcome. Despite the lower feels like temperature, the overall effect was invigorating and even joyous. To add to this, we followed the curiosity of the line of old boundary stones across Raddlepit Rushes to Strines Edge where a touch of youthfulness, even joie de vivre, emerged as we sprinted (?) down the track. In high spirits we left the track to cross Rising Clough to then make a pleasant moor crossing directly to the car park, thus completing am almost circular track and a glorious outing.
Our circular track for the night. Thanks to Chris
In our satisfied mood, there was a suggestion to change our planned visit from the usual Yorkshire Bridge Inn to the recently reopened and refurbished Ladybower Inn where discussions ranged from Ryanair experiences to the pros and cons of various Sheffield tips, truly important stuff. However, in contrast, the possibility of devising a long-distance route to visit the wide-ranging rocks bearing the carving seen on Salt Cellar was suggested, something to think about?
Next week’s outing is to King’s Tree where there may be a return to the fearsome and challenging Mosley Bank. Will we be brave enough to face it now that the bracken is down? There will of course be the reward of a return to the welcoming Yorkshire Bridge Inn.
But tonight, didn’t we have a glorious outing?
Graham