Martin arranged this walk and some superb weather to the dales near Chatsworth. 17 members attended.

START POINT: Devonshire Arms, Pilsley nr Chatsworth, Derbyshire tel: 01629 583258.

*The Bulls Head in Ashford is very crowded at lunchtime in May and was unable to cater for us this time.  So we to started at our old favourite the Devonshire Arms in Pilsley then take a 5 minute drive to Ashford where we parked opposite the Church.

TIME: 10.00am Assemble for tea/coffee at the Devonshire Arms then drive to Ashford with walk to start at 10.45am.   Please don’t be late as time is of the essence this time in order to get to Ashford and then back in time for lunch!!!

DIRECTIONS TO PILSLEY:  Coming from Chesterfield - take the A619 to Baslow and then the B6012 and B6048 to Pilsley.  Coming from Matlock - take A6 to Rowsley then the B6012 through Chatsworth Park and the B6048 to Pilsley.

FROM PILSLEY TO ASHFORD: Take the B6048 and then the A6020 (approx. 3 miles in total).

WALK:  (Click on the image, left, to see a larger map) Some of the walk we did on a cold winter’s day in early 2003.  This time we reversed the direction and changed stretches and were accompanied all morning by May sunshine.  Starting at Ashford we walked by the River Wye via Great Shacklow Wood and Monsal Dale to Monsal Head viaduct and returned via field paths to Ashford. The walk was six miles.  There were a couple of gradual climbs and one steep descent and potentially a few muddy spots (but none as bad as Talbert’s Leicestershire field walks).

We then to returned to the Devonshire Arms where our host Rod served lots of food for hungry men.

This was the scene of Gerry v Low Ceiling in 2004 when despite Gerry losing the contest and being horizontal, the beer was unspilt. (see photo)

Photos of the day - thanks to Gerry for the first few & to David Knight for the last few.

Martin

PS - A date for the diaries: Xmas lunch is on Tuesday 12th December at Nottingham.