Walk day
After a reasonable breakfast, Wheres Brolly left us and drove home. At least my dad’s paid for the hotel he declared.
The rest of us caught the train to Bamford, meeting up with Ali G and DT. It was a steady walk up Stannage Edge with the weather remaining dry throughout. ‘How did those rocks get there?’, DT asked. ‘Did someone push them there?’
The views from the edge were superb. Ali G braved standing on a ledge, unnerving Yuppers who had to look away.
Leaping across gritstone boulders was fun but not easy with dodgy knees. Yup felt like the rusty tin man from the Wizard of Oz in need of wd40.
Coming off the eastern end we somehow took the wrong path from the car park and had to take a small detour to return to the correct route. Jacko had already forged ahead and had to retrace half a mile to return to us. A phone call by Ali G deferred the pub lunches by half an hour.
Yup and JayCee held synchronised toilet visits throughout the night, but for different reasons. Yup then had to get up half an hour early to allow time for making Jaycees drinks and stirring in 5 satchels of sugar.
It was the best breakfast ever the next morning although JayCee was only allowed a round of toast with butter, in preparation for his procedure at the hospital on Monday. He was allowed a boiled egg but as the scrambled eggs came premixed and they had no fresh eggs they couldn’t oblige. After a coffee and water, he was done. Everywhere he looked there were posters advertising breakfasts and 100% orange juice. Sadly the orange juice actually tasted more like 10% so nothing lost there.
A replacement coach service was provided to Stockport as trains weren’t running for several days due to engineering works. We passed through some beautiful countryside giving Yuppy ideas for future walks.
It had been a superb couple of days and an excellent walk with a great group, clocking up around 11.7miles on the walk. (13.6 after evening). A couple more than expected. 😂😂
Thanks chaps.
(enjoy yer twixes)
Where’s Brolly discovered another pub on his phone, Salt, and suggested we try it as it wasn’t too far away. It was another dash in the rain. The Salt Beer Factory provides a range of Salt beers and other guest ales with a tap room and a bbq ran by Bao?? Who is he, what does it stand for? [Aaaah, Bao Buns (pronounced “bow”), but also known as 'steamed buns' or 'baozi', are a delicious, warm, fluffy treat of stuffing wrapped inside a sweet, white dough.] The Yorkshire Blonds didn’t live up to its name but was passable.
Where’s Brolly organised an Uber at just over £7 for the six of us. Nails was over the moon, not having to walk back. The taxi must have been in need of a long run as he seemed to complete around 20miles to return to the hotel less than a mile away.
Evening
It was only a 13 minute walk to Bulters Balti but it was all uphill.
It was packed when we arrived but half empty later as we left. The noise was quite deafening with everyone shouting and trying to be heard.
We opted for cobras, except for Keithee who had Black Sheep, water and poppodoms. Keithee and Jacko opted for fish curries. Nails went for the usual king prawn biriani but he couldn’t manage it all. There was enough left for a doggy bag. The chicken tikka jalfrezi and korahi were the best ever.
The final bill was around £96 for the 5 of us. JayCee asked how long it would take to detour from the forthcoming Manchester trip to this restaurant as he’d enjoyed it so much.
The waiter asked if we wanted him to order a taxi for us. Nails eyes lit up again but dropped as we opted to walk back instead. It was all downhill after all.
So, 6 in all began the trip. Despite Matts appearance his stay with us was doomed as he had broken his big toe a couple of weeks previous and there was no chance of completing tomorrows walk.
After dropping our bags off at the Travelodge (central) we set off to catch the bus to The Rising Sun, as recommended by Anytime.
After being sent to the main bus station by the receptionist we ended up at the original bus stop just up the road that Yup had previously suggested. The bus pulled off 5 seconds too soon so we had to wait 15 minutes for the next one. (The receptionist had cost us valuable drinking time).
The Rising Sun was this years regional CAMRA pub of the year. There were no complaints from any of us as an excellent choice was available. Deception, (or Inception as we called it after the first pint) was one of the favourites chosen. Lunch was served outside in the rear garden area.
After checking in JayCee asked if any others had been left complimentary twixes with their coffee and tea provisions. Was it true, or was it a lie? It was in fact.......
Yup led the way through the most salubrious areas (not) of the city to the Harlequin. Not the prettiest route, but the shortest. This pub was missed out last time due to time constraints.
Their cider menu was huge but there was also a fair choice of beers to satisfy us. Format, and Yorkshire Bitter for Nails, were chosen. The building itself was in need of restoration and had seen better days.
We reluctantly set off in the pouring rain to the Fat Cat. Jaycees jacket appearing wetter on the inside than the outside. I think some of us chose a Thornbridge ale but I’ve lost my memory.
Food was available until 8pm so we ordered without delay. It wasn’t the best but satisfied our hunger pangs. Puddings were out of the question as the blackboard menu was removed.
Their cider menu was huge but there was also a fair choice of beers to satisfy us.
Format, and Yorkshire Bitter for Nails, were chosen.
The building itself was in need of restoration and had seen better days. Pretty drab really.
To save time we followed the road down to Hathersage and fell into seats at a couple of tables. The first pints didn’t touch the sides.
The meals took a while to be served despite having preordered. No complaints though as we just needed drinks initially.
Yup was served a chicken pie despite ordering a steak and ale pie. A shrug of the shoulders was the only response when it was mentioned later. The owners were very polite so they were forgiven. JayCee abstained lunch to save room for the evening’s curry. His bowels were hinting that action may be forthcoming.
After lunch we headed to Hathersage station to catch the 4 minute train back to Bamford. The train timetable appeared to have changed and we had to wait half an hour. Would our tickets be valid for this stretch? Strangely the alarm went off on our journey just as the conductress was about to ask us for our tickets.
At Bamford we tried to jump off the train but the step was too deep. With knees seized up we gingerly clambered down.
It was a long haul up to the Anglers Rest, winding our ways around the trees obstructing the footway , but it was worth the trek. Well Yup thought so. The Anglers is a community pub, come cafe and post office.
There was a bus we could have caught to return to the station but it didn’t show, much to Nails disappointment.
SUMMER SQWALK 2022 (See end of notes for plan)
Thurs 30th June
Friday 1st July Sqwalk
Return home on 2nd July.
There were late cancellations from Anytime Tone (nose check up) and Austin (work commitments) and a very late cancellation from Brolly after catching Covid.
Where’s Brolly (Matt) honourably stepped in and picked up Keithee and Jacko on route.
JayCee, Nails and Yup arrived by train and after a quick pint at the Sheffield Tap in the sunshine they headed to the Travelodge to meet the others.
