David's Cruise

At Buxton’s Historic Old Hall Hotel, 20.25 hrs.

Having not walked very far on Monday and Tuesday, just over a mile, on waking up this morning, I decided to “go for it” firstly with my now very familiar walk to Parsley Hay from Hurdlow, and back, and then into Buxton tonight. The plan is to walk home. If my calculations are correct, I shall have hit the Christian Aid challenge of 300,000 steps in May with 5 days to spare.

It was a daunting prospect at the start. But, despite May 2021 being possibly the worst month on record as far as the weather was concerned, with luck, I shall have completed the “sponsored walk” by the time I arrive home later tonight.

Many thanks for reading,

David, 20.51hrs Buxton.

Writing 10.29hrs Tuesday 25th May 2021

Rarely do I take notice of the “Prophets of Doom”, not if I can help it! However, the forbodings of two completely different people, at very different times, of whom I took very little notice did come to fruition exactly as predicted. The first person to pour cold water on an otherwise enjoyable day was a very concerned little old lady I met briefly almost at the start of my South America voyage in January 2020. I was, at that time, vaguely aware of a virus that had been discovered somewhere in China. I was mingling with, and beginning to become acquainted with numerous travelling companions on board Cunard’s Queen Victoria, as we sailed west across a still cold and tempestuous north Atlantic towards Bermuda, which on late arrival would prove as cold as Buxton in the middle of January (which it still was!) I digress!

This little old lady, from somewhere in the United States of America engaged me in conversation, “have you seen this article?” She pointed to a small piece far from the front page, concerning the outbreak of an unheard of virus. “This is going to affect the whole world”, she bleated unconvincingly. The rest, as they say, is history!

The second prophecy was much more recent, and again, for ever the optimist, I shrugged in disbelief and lack of interest. “May is going to be dreadful month, weather-wise”…perhaps not the actual words of another pessimist I encountered, but nonetheless irritatingly accurate. Sure, April was dry and bright, but, bitterly cold, most of the time. May brought nothing but April showers a month late and no apparent rise in temperature.

Nevertheless, I do remain ahead of schedule in my Christian Aid sponsored challenge to walk 300,000 steps by the end of the month. Many people have been generous in their support and encouragement, and I may well do something similar next year, if not before.

Two days ago, Sunday 23rd, I walked to St. John’s where for a second time, I took care of the sound system. There were no complaints! Roger prepared lunch prior to that afternoon’s walk, which would see us return to the Monsal Trail, where once the Midland Railway offered a scenic alternative route from Manchester to London, over which such prestige trains as the Midland Pullman and Palatine would run. There was an hourly service to St. Pancras from the once grand (I try not to use the word iconic) Manchester Central, now repurposed as an exhibition/events centre as well as (during this pandemic) an hospital. Manchester Central Station closed to passengers an alarming 52 years ago, the city being a railway “bottleneck” ever since.

Heavy rain was assured during Sunday afternoon, but I was determined to remain ahead of schedule. We walked from the car park at Topley Pike to the once largest station on the Midland Railway, Millers Dale. (That’s what it says on the information board…forgetting St. Pancras!)

To access the former Midland Railway from the carpark, one walks along the river for perhaps a quarter of a mile, before coming to a cycle hire centre and small cafe. The climb from there to the railway is not too arduous and soon, one is walking on the very well prepared former railway track towards Bakewell, 8.5 miles distant. Serious walkers take this in their stride!

Whereas the Tissington and High Peak Trails are blessed with the green and pleasant rolling hills of the Derbyshire Dales, the landscape from the Monsal Trail is far more dramatic, with steep craggy valley sides; we have our very own Yosemite around 15 minutes’ drive from home!

The rain did hold off for the afternoon, but has fallen increasingly since.

Yesterday, having covered around 8 miles on Sunday, I felt drained, even in the evening when the skies cleared momentarily. I did attempt a short walk however. This morning, precipitation persists like a bank account with never ending interest. The day lies ahead, and, perhaps a drenching.

Many thanks for reading, David, 11.40hrs.

Greetings from the Royal Oak at Hurdlow.  I have just walked here from Parsley Hay, against a predominantly northern breeze.  It is strange how for some parts of the walk, there seems to be no wind at all.  I’m just having a coffee (no food) before what should be a less arduous walk back to Parsley Hay.  So far, I have not become bored with this now very familiar route; the rolling hills are as lovely as when I first gazed upon them many years ago, referring to them as “my back yard.” 

I did debate walking through to the end of the trail at Dowlow, but the persistent cool breeze discouraged me enough to “think again”.  The decaf latte doesn’t seem to have materialised. Soon, I shall be walking back to where I left my car.  Tonight will be spent quietly at home.  Decades ago, I never envisaged Saturday nights being like this.  What worries me is that I like it this way!

Thanks for reading, David, having enjoyed a complimentary coffee at The Royal Oak. 17.17hrs.

Writing on Thursday 20th May.

I am taking a second much needed break (this week) from charity walking, only because the weather is lousy, and I’m waiting for the Sky Broadband man to call to hopefully, once and for all, fix my internet so that I can have the speed guaranteed in my Sky Fibre deal.  He is due anytime between 1 and 6 pm.  The internet does work far better than previously, but not to the level guaranteed for which I am paying.

While preparing lunch yesterday, I Yesterday, I received a ‘phone call inviting me to join a small party of people for a “Crescent Experience”….immediately.  Actually, this was at about 12.20, and the tour was scheduled for 1 pm.  I rearranged lunch; Roger was joining me, prior to another walk, again in the Chelmorton area.

What should have taken around forty minutes was, in fact, just less than an hour and forty minutes, still not really enough time to absorb all there was to see and do at the now reopened (for a second time) hotel.

Friday 21st May, 14.07hrs, at the Tradesman’s Entrance.

Back to Wednesday.

I arrived home from this fascinating visit to The Crescent at around 3 o’clock, too late to “squeeze in” the planned walk, after what had become an ultra late lunch.  Instead, I set off in the evening on one of my established routes, completing my walking commitment for that day.

Yesterday, the promised lousy weather materialised as if mandated by a nemesis!  I took an unscheduled day off, half promising to myself that should the weather be equally horrible on Friday (today), I might just go out nevertheless. The weather was, and after sibling encouragement, I did.  The cool southerly breeze (which I think originated in the north, but had no time to warm up) was behind me for most of the way into Town. Then, wonder of wonders…small but increasing evidence of blue sky and actual sunshine. No taxi home then! 

Having a letter to deliver, and a cheque to pay in provided further suitable reason to risk a drenching, which, so far, hasn’t happened!  The Tradesman’s Entrance is closing now.  14.49hrs.

18.21 hrs, back at home. Perhaps, I “wrote too soon!” The abundance of blue sky before a light(ish) lunch at the Tradesman’s Entrance was nowhere to be seen when I left the building; indeed, the heavens had opened up again! Of course, I was now committed to walking back in all this. I would return home via the Opera House where I would purchase a ticket for a Buxton Festival event at the Assembly Rooms in The Crescent. Social distancing still applies, and “single” seats are few and (as they should be) far between. At least, now, I will get to see the inside of this magnificent room, where I aspire to hold my 75th birthday celebrations! Posters near by reminded me of the annual Antiques Fair for which I had been issued with a complimentary ticket. I conducted a modest (or, should I say minuscule) amount of business with a couple of dealers. I came away with two antique prints of Buxton churches, annoyingly both colourized, but nevertheless of historical interest. Also, a large(ish) slab of polished Blue John, a favourite stone of mine which I have liked since boyhood. Both dealers very kindly supported my sponsored “walk” on which I am still ahead of schedule. I did hope that the rain would have eased up by the time I was walking home again. No such luck; the drenchings which I had dodged all of last week caught up with me as by the time I had exited the Pavilion Gardens, I was as wet as I going to be.

So far, I have achieved at least 237,000 steps leaving 63,000 to complete in the remaining ten days of May.

I did arrive home needing to put on some fresh clothes, but nonetheless with a feeling of satisfaction of having made it back, comfortably, if not dry. But I have no intention of venturing out again tonight!

Many thanks for reading, David, 19.08 hrs in the comfort of my own bedroom.

Writing on Sunday 16th May.

Although, on Saturday, the sky was “many shades of grey”, the day was far from miserable.  I needed to go on a decent walk in order to remain ahead of schedule in my fundraising challenge of 300,000 steps by May 31st.

The road to Hurdlow was closed, and I missed the turning for Parsley Hay!  No problem; I would join the Tissington Trail at Hartington, and walk against a southerly breeze towards Tissington.

Writing Monday 17th May.

I probably walked for just under three miles, admiring the rolling countryside until I reached a huge arched over-bridge, a wonderful relic in well maintained condition from the time trains would pass underneath. This was a suitable point to turn around and retrace my steps back to Hartington.

Writing Monday 17th May…continued…

I don’t recall any blue sky on this walk, and I fully expected to be drenched in one of the promised downpours during that afternoon. Apart from a few spots of rain, the showers didn’t materialise, and for a fifth consecutive day, despite ominous weather reports, I remained dry.

I was surprised how quickly I seemed to return back to where I had left the car, and drove home to spend Saturday evening quietly.

On Sunday, I was on duty at church, my first “commitment” there since April 30th 2017 when, while preparing the church for Sung Eucharist, I “came over all weird” and ended up being in hospital for three weeks! My duty, yesterday, was not an onerous one, and I rather enjoyed operating the sound system, reminding me of “past glories” as a DJ, but not treating the congregation to Soul and Motown! I had walked to church, eventually through the ever lovely Pavilion Gardens. However, knowing that I was walking again in the afternoon, I took a taxi home. I was treated to an al fresco lunch by my neighbour who had devised another fascinating exploration of around four miles in the Taddington/Chelmorton area, another vastness of gorgeous countryside.

Today, former colleague Carl Evans joined me for the now routine but nonetheless attractive walk from Hurdlow to the former junction at Parsley Hay where the Cromford and High Peak Railway would branch off in a south easterly direction to Cromford. It had rained heavily all morning and it really did look as if I might take a day off from walking. We enjoyed an indoor lunch at the Royal Oak at Hurdlow, the first day establishments could reopen fully as the Covid lockdown restrictions were eased further. The weather dried up, as in previous days, and we walked as originally intended. Today, I passed the 200,000 steps mark of my 300,000, steps challenge by the end of May, in aid of Christian Aid Week 2021. I feel a little bit pleased with myself!

Many thanks for reading, David, 21.41 hrs 17th May.

I woke up earlier than usual this morning. That is usually a harbinger of a lacklustre day ahead, and indeed, no matter how hard I tried, I seemed incapable of venturing out on my walks.  After getting up, I had a few things to take care of around the house.  The main telephone had been out of action for almost two weeks, and this morning, the internet “crashed”.  Thus, I was tens of minutes “on hold” as I tried in vain to reach Sky Customer Services on my mobile. “All the information you need is on our website, the recorded voice kept reassuring me.  I would have to go somebody’s house to get on line, and this is not allowed at the moment!  That was a big load of time wasted. 

The inclination to set off walking had left me today.  Not even the thought of returning to the lovely places I had explored this week could entice me out of the house.  Eventually, at around 4pm, I did don the walking shoes with the intention of walking locally for around 3-4 miles if only to keep ahead of schedule.  Then came a knock at the door.  “I’ve come to fix your phone and internet connection,” explained the gentleman from Openreach.  Around five houses on our Lane had been affected by an external technical malfunction.  It was the repair man’s last port of call.

At around 6 o’clock I set off again on my travels, only to be summoned by a neighbour who had acquired a number of gorgeous plants for my garden, which I purchased and carried home. Eventually, at around 8.30, I set off on, and completed a two mile circuit of the estate, taking around 52 minutes, including stopping to take photographs.

All of a sudden, it’s the weekend and on Sunday, I have my first task to perform at St. John’s Church since being Churchwarden, i.e. operate the sound system. For some reason, I’m a little nervous about this!

Thanks for reading, David 00.23hrs Sat 15th May 2021.

It’s like being on one long holiday. Almost every day, I can get to walk in the unspoiled countryside, the green hills, and dales as far as the eye can see. Archaeological treasures abound, human endeavour dating back 6,000 years. I was assured that today’s four mile walk would be one of great interest. I would see a “new section” of the former Cromford and High Peak Railway and some spectacular stone built embankments which appear in as good a condition as when constructed in the mid 1820s. I was thrilled.

We left the car near the hamlet of Pike Hall, around 12 miles south of Buxton, and within a few steps, we were on the High Peak trail which we would follow as far as Minninglow Quarry, where an unrestored hand operated crane rusts where it was abandoned many decades ago.

09.43hrs, Friday 14th May, 2021

Surely, I can find out more about this rusting relic, which still stands on a tiny piece of narrow gauge quarry railway at Minninglow. There’s a debate here; should it be restored to museum condition, or treated with some kind of corrosion retardant, or, merely left as is, to disintegrate eventually to something unrecognisable? It is certainly worthy of appropriate conservation.

Before arriving at Minninglow Quarry, looking to the right, one sees what might at first to appear to be a typical, but unremarkable Derbyshire farm. Thus it was, until 1978, when the proprietor wished to construct an additional barn. The diggers arrived, and skeletal human remains were unearthed. The Police were called, and a pathologist determined that the bones were some 2,000 years old, of Roman origin. I believe the publication, “Roystone Grange – 6,000 years of a Peakland Landscape”, by Richard Hodges, unravels this ancient mystery. Close by, atop a not too challenging climb, trees circle a significant Neolithic burial site, which dates to around 2,000 years before God revealed Himself to Abraham c2100 B.C. (The Bible, N.I.V.). When standing there, surrounded by a circle of mature trees, looking at stone grave coverings fashioned by humans six millennia previously, I find no words adequate to describe such an experience.

In the first approximately two miles, we had walked the re-purposed track bed of one of the first railways in the world (opened 1831), gazed upon what had become a Roman settlement, established because of the plenteous reserves of lead to be exploited, and, evidence of a civilisation 4,000 years older than that. We had left the old railway line to venture up to the Neolithic site, rejoining it later after descending the hill by an alternative route. The remaining two miles were along the former railway for a short while, a well established farm track, and narrow country lanes. This was rather like being on a family holiday in the 1950s.

In the evening, I attended a celebration of Holy Communion for Ascension Day, I think, for the first time. This was at St. Mary’s on Dale Road, an attractive church built during the early reign of George V, replacing one built earlier which I assume had fallen into disrepair.

In the first 14 days of May, I had achieved half my challenge of 300,000 steps in aid of Christian Aid, by the end of the month. And, according to the scales, I have not lost any further weight yet!

With all good wishes, and many thanks for reading, David, 1051hrs, 14/5/21.

It’s difficult to imagine a finer place for a good holiday.  For the first time since the 1980s, I ventured (this time on foot) to Hartington from Parsley Hay.  What an astonishingly lovely walk!  Was it part of God’s plan that some railways would have a short existence so that later generations could enjoy a plethora of off-road walking and cycling routes?  If trains still ran between Buxton and Ashbourne, as well as many other places, I’m sure what many of us wish still existed, would merely be taken for granted and even maligned by the general public with much media encouragement.  And, there would be no opportunity to spend so much time in such wonderful countryside.

Unbelievably, it is 4 o’clock and already the warmth is giving way to a cool breeze.  I was at Hartington last year as part of a different but equally lovely walk.

Like yesterday, the walk back to the car felt as if it would be “never-ending”, but of course, there was just two miles to complete.  And the still magnificent landscapes I enjoyed earlier appeared equally lovely on the return walk.

Again, the A515 seemed unusually quiet as I drove home, this time in dry conditions, although I still didn’t deem it appropriate to fold the roof back. It was still unseasonably cool. Tomorrow, I shall have company on my walk, again in the afternoon.

My evening was spent quietly, with simple food and YouTube videos.

Thanks for reading. David 00.06hrs 13/5/21.

Although I hadn’t forgotten completely, I did receive a WhatsApp message reminding me that 4 years ago, on 10th May 2017, I was “under the knife” at Wythenshawe Hospital wondering if I was going to have to negotiate, prematurely, with St. Peter!  Many of the nightmares which occurred under anaesthetic still haunt me a little, especially the one when I really did think I had “karked it!”  But that was then, and, this is now as I revere my “second chance” and try to make every day count. 

In pouring rain, I drove out to Parsley Hay, where I lunched on a sausage and bacon granary roll…I forgot to put on the ketchup! This, with a decaffeinated latte set me up for a traipse in the rain.  I was rejuvenated from a good sleep the night before, and also from not having ventured far yesterday. Not long into the walk, the grey sky brightened, became blue, and the weather turned surprisingly warm. 

The day before, Sunday, I didn’t quite break my record of 24,267 steps one day ⁹in April. I did get close, however, at 22,981, at least seven miles. Eleven days in, and there is still a very long way to achieving my 300,000 steps target.

I am profoundly grateful for the generous support and encouragement I have received.

To date, my walks are a mix of 1) around the estate, 2) along the railway track-bed, part of which you can see from where I live, 3) along various local trails which were once rail routes, e.g. The Tissington and High Peak Trails, and 4, numerous established footpaths across fields and elsewhere.  I plan to be more adventurous as the month progresses.

It’s cooling off again now.  I don’t believe it is gone 5pm already!  Now to walk back to Parsley Hay!  (17.06hrs) The warm weather did not last very long; soon the sun was behind a recent build-up of clouds, some in the distance resembling smoke from a bombed oil refinery.

Thunder started to rumble in the distance and it did “try to rain”. There were faint hints of lightning, as the walk back to Parsley Hay seemed to take forever.

The car, the Parsley Hay Cycle Centre and the by now closed cafe were a welcome sight. The torrential downpour held off until I was in my car….then the heavens opened! The A515 back to Buxton was eerily quiet. Why was there so little traffic? I arrived home with the rain falling, and the sun shining simultaneously, creating a magnificent double rainbow.

Back in the house, I prepared a healthy meal of marinated chicken with mixed vegetables but no potatoes. There was little of interest on T.V. so I watched YouTube videos of steam locomotives at Liverpool Edge Hill depot in 1968, when I, too, visited that depot, one or two vintage mystery programmes which I enjoyed, and a documentary on Manchester trolley buses. I saw some amazing footage.

I remain on target for 300,000 steps by the end of the month. All continues to go well. Many thanks for reading, David, May 12th, 00.05 hrs. Time for some sleep.

Yesterday, Day 408, the eighth day of my “sponsored walk” was certainly an integral part of a wet weekend! The bright but cool with showers climate had warmed up, but it rained all day. I did venture out, but not very far. Nevertheless, two miles was better than nothing. I felt fatigued after not having slept too well, and thus, slightly light headed when I ventured out into the rain. But, it was no longer cold, and if I had slept well during the night, I might have been able to walk a respectable distance. I feel as if I made up for it today, however, possibly covering eight miles.

This morning, it was beautifully warm, and a fine afternoon had been forecast. I walked to Church, but returned home by taxi as a walk had been planned for this afternoon. At Church, I found myself allocated the task of operating the sound system, one of my former duties as Churchwarden.

The now regular Sunday walk this week, would precede lunch, booked for 4.30pm. We drove to the Royal Oak where the car was left. It was decided to walk to Dowlow as this part of the Trail would be far less busy than the popular route to Parsley Hay and beyond. Roger joined me for this, my second foray along the old Buxton to Ashbourne line, which last saw regular (if not too frequent) passenger services in 1954. The weather suddenly became cool as clouds obscured the sun. We were in plenty of time for Sunday lunch in the marquee. And as Roger tucked into “Posh Fish and Chips, and I, a magnificent turkey roast, the heavens opened and a very cool wind blew. Nevertheless, Sunday lunch under a well heated canvas was, still, a splendid experience. Although we concluded the meal with coffee, I made a quick pot of tea at home, and after Roger ventured back across the road, I felt inspired to go on another quick walk, one which I had done numerous times, which although is close to home, it still offers spectacular views, particularly when the sun is going down.

I never saw so many sheep with their lambs. The sheep looked statesmanly and disapproving of my presence. The little lambs skipped around quite excitedly, oblivious to their questionable future.

Clever fencing meant that the sheep could not venture on to the long since closed railway, now a walking/cycling route…unlike Network Rail! Soon, I was alone, and heading down towards the Parks Inn. Before making my way home finally, I walked a little way towards Buxton. The view, west, of the glacial valley is one I never tire of.

Many thanks for reading. David, 23.29hrs Sunday May 9th.