A text message from my mate Vinny suggested we might go for a bit of a walk, he quite fancied Lyme Park to Buxton. It promised to be a nice day, so why not?
Vinny was transport manager for the day, he picked me up in his latest car, a rather cute and surprisingly spacious Fiat 500 – one of the new ones, not a Topolino.
Our plans for a coffee in Lyme Park’s café were thwarted, the place was closed. Oh well. A quick scan of my map that was flapping in the breeze gave us half an idea of a route – up to Bowstones, and turn right.
GB3MN, and others
A shorn sheep, Windgather Rocks in the background.
There was a bit of a haze, but we still enjoyed lovely views from the ridge – Jodrell Bank, an enormous A380 landing at Manchester Airport, White Nancy etc.
We hit some tarmac to pass Jenkin Chapel, and then the slog up to Pym Chair where we stopped for a butty and a brew – well I had a butty and a brew, Vinny hadn’t brought anything, he refused my offer of food and drink.
We headed south over Cats Tor and Shining Tor, and then called in to the Cat & Fiddle for a cuppa….no luck. The place was open but didn’t serve tea or coffee. Neither of us wanted an alcholic drink, it really was far to warm for that.
Shining Tor trig point
Turning left off the main road, at the sign to Derbyshire Bridge, we followed the yellow road for a mile or so, and continued ahead on the very wide and uncomfortably very stony track that eventually delivered us to the outskirts of Buxton.
Buxton’s Pavillion was busy, it was the Buxton Fringe Festival – there was lots going on. I spotted the familiar face of morris dancing Linda, not in kit, but just soaking up the lovely atmosphere – she has a place in Buxton.
Linda
Next stop was Greggs for a fast cuppa, and a bite to eat for Vinny – he must have been ravenous!
We made it to Buxton train station with minutes to spare for our train to Disley, where we still had a couple of miles to walk to get to the car in Lyme Park’s car park.
The Cage, Lyme Park
It
was a good day out – thanks to Vinny for suggesting it, and being such good company!
A word of warning for those using apps such as Trainline.
Trainline’s fare from Buxton to Disley was £3.60, buying it at the station it was £9.20.
At the station I tried to order tickets online but I couldn’t – such tickets and prices were only available up to 10 minutes prior to departure.
Where we went, around 16 miles / 2,200' ascent.
I slept like a cat on a window sill when I got home, albeit on the couch! Telly still on and brew gone cold. Next time, I'm hiding JJs maps and restricting the walk to 8 -10 miles. I was looking forward to a sit down brunch and a coffee, not late chasing a train and a two mile speed walk at journey's end so as not to get locked in on Lyme Park. But a fabulous day was had and will be fondly remembered. Top bloke, JJ.
ReplyDeleteA good walk but much further than I can tackle these days. I liked your shorn sheep photo.
ReplyDeleteVinny's comment reminds me of a day with my late climbing partner Pete well before I started climbing with Tony, also no longer with us, and more recently with Bowland Climber. Pete had frightened me almost to death on various climbs but I got my revenge by taking him round the Ennerdale Horseshoe when he ended up “knackered” and not quite as brave as Witherington in this excerpt from The Ballad of Chevy Chase, a very long folk poem of oral tradition and without any attribution
For Witherington I needs muſt wail,
as one in doleful dumps,
For, when his legs were ſmitten off,
he fought upon his ſtumps
That excerpt brings to mind a Monty Python sketch, I'm sure you know the one!
DeleteVinny didn't realise the walk from Lyme Park to Buxton was such a long one, he was expecting around 3 hours, it was a bit of a shock for the lad! However he's a powerful trail runner (he's a member of the Cheshire Hare & Hounds Tally-Ho! club) with huge stamina, he was ahead of me for 90% of the walk.