Our Very Own Splinter Group Walk 10th July 2016
Book Inspiration: Peak District Teashop Walks by Charles Wildgoose (Susan's Book)
Walk Chosen by Susan: Walk 16 Hartington (pages 73 to 76)

MapMyWalk App Stats: 5.36 miles for 2H:44M:59S at 30:46 mins per mile
Breaks: Manifold Inn Pub at Hulme End and Coffee/Cake at Hartington

Gee, where do I start and it didn't start off very well after Stonewell Lane as I couldn't understand the instructions in the book, so Sue and I walked on the other side of the the now closed down cheese factory. Anyway, we were both determined to follow the book and eventually wound back onto the path. Then, we had another little doo-dah about this plantation that we were supposed to see and I said to Sue that I only associate plantations to the slavery days and also recalled my time in Barbados where I did actually see some plantation house? Then, I jokingly quizzed Sue about when this book was published, was it in the 1900s sometime and we both had a giggle about it.

Thanks to our British MP William Wilberforce and his buddies who led the anti-slavery movement in the United Kingdom, the Slave Trade Act was passed by the British Parliament on March 25, 1807.

Anyway, we kept going and after an hour into the walk, things were going much better and we we feeling more confident. By now, the views were just simply pulchritudinous. Amazing views, take a look at our photos below:-

The book in all fairness is very detailed, perhaps too detailed and we had to stop several times to consult it as at one point we were supposed to have the wall to our right and it was on our left and I said to Sue, "Tell you what, if we walk backwards, it will be on our right?" We persevered and carried on right down to the River Dove, such a sweet river, more like a brook in reality and we had another stumble there too as the book offered us 2 options, one a difficult one and the latter an easier one. Guess which way we went? More stunning views!

Then, at some point close to the farm near Sheen Hill we came across some very relaxed cows and they were really close to the pathway and you have never seen two tired people walk so fast and we were both relieved when we climbed over the stile. Phew!

There's been nothing but drama on this walk as we were walking back towards Hartington, we heard 4 or 5 gun or dynamite blasts and it was getting louder and louder as we walked on. We tried to peek over the farm to work out what those noises were and soon forgot about them as we carried on chatting about life, dating, men and the rest. We didn't cover any politics today ...

By now, I am looking forward to a cold fresh orange juice and lemonade with a lovely roast. The time flew by after Phase 1 and 2 of the walk. Got back to Hartington and we were both stood by someone else's car and we both didn't notice we were at the wrong car when I noticed the indicators beeped on the car behind, hilarious! Then, I was raving about this pub in Hulme End only to find out the usual chefs were on holiday, so the food was average instead of excellent. Then, we rounded off the whole day at a cafe in Hartington with latte, tea and lemon drizzle cake! Excellent!