Photograph Gallery Stage 46 Diggle to Glossop
Photograph Gallery Stage 46 Diggle to Glossop, Saturday 9th July 2011
The Story:
Today Strolling Steve and I were joined by Andrew Stone, a colleague of mine from Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions. As Andrew was local to the area and knew lots of the walks I invited him, as I did with Tim Nobes in Lakeland, to determine the route and lead us to Glossop. He did a remarkable job, pointing out the paths and all the local scenery and history around us. One of the first he pointed out was the Pots and Pans Monument on a hilltop as we made our way south from Diggle toward the high moors via Dovecote Reservoir, Indian Head rocks and Chew Reservoir. Andrew also enlightened us on the local textile industry and the water resource networks. At Dovecote Reservoir we met RSPB staff working with United Utilities on a conservation and educational programme who enlightened us on the local fauna. At the dam we stopped for a break at a mobile kitchen which proved most fortunate as the heavens opened and sent down a short Sharp shower. We were lucky to take shelter in an information booth which kept us dry. Apart from light drizzle after the storm during our ascent to Chew it remained dry for the rest of the day. We were blessed for once, thanks Andrew!
The ascent to Chew was stiff but constant on a good access road but once past the reservoir we were on a lonely path over open moor. Unlike yesterday we kept the intended course and the moor crossing was increased in interest by the big planes overhead banking to make their final approach to Manchester Airport. The views on the moor were typical but once we started to descend the views south to Hayfield and Glossop were very impressive. Rather than take my course through the valley bottom Andrew took us to the right and part of the adventure was a wonderful woodland walk before we reached urbanisation at Hollingclough which gave us route to Glossop. The final tarmac section pained me and about half a mile from the end I just had to stop on the roadside verge for a quick Deep Ice freeze. Once applied I was on the move again and soon later we were home at our Glossop Digs.
Andrew was carrying a pedometer as part of a work fitness challenge. He recorded just over 30,000 steps. They were all interesting, well nearly all, all worthwhile and all once again in remarkable company. The journey goes on.
Note – Andrew, please fill in the gaps on locations and historical connections. All the very best to you.
Strolling Steves Daily Statistics:
Scenery: 7/10 – High moors overlooking scenic reservoirs, dales, villages and more reservoirs.
History: 6/10 – Clearly a long aquatic heritage.
Interest: 5/10 – If you are in to water management this walk is for you.
Track: 5/10 – Long tarmac stretches, stony paths and a few bogs.
Comment: Some great views compensated for track.
Andrews Comments:
Hi Mike / Steve, once again, many thanks for letting me join you. Sorry Steve, I’m not a Waterboard man all the way through, we did discuss hospitals as well!
My final step count was over 47,000 at the end of the day. I walked back home via the other side of Arnside Reservoir and Hadfield (Royston Vasey) taking in a rather welcome pint at the Bull at Tintwistle (t’whistle). Slightly less road but a little bit more gradient!
For those who would like to follow in our footsteps (ish) we left Diggle, via Running Hill Head, Pob Green, Pots and Pans, Dovestone, Chew Reservoir, Arnfield Flats, Swallows Wood, Hollingworth, Woolley Bridge and then into Dinting. Unfortunatly we missed the path via the Melandra Castle Roman Fort but next time you are doing your walk, I’ll make sure that I take you that way.
I was back at Dovestone Resorvoir today with work but no sign of the aptly named RSBP warden, John Bird.
I did a couple of searches to back up some of the local tales. Legends of Longendale will bring up at least one website telling the stories of Mottram and the local moors. However, I had not realised just how much history there was in Longendale and in particular Supernatural tales. I’m glad you were not camping out in Longendale, I’d have been scared for you! I could not find anything to back up the haggis harvesting though, you will just have to take my word on that.
The Photographs:
My walking companions get to know each other while walking from Diggle to Running Hill Head
Rye Top below Pots and Pans Stone
Looking to our route past Dove Stone Reservoir to Chew Hurdles and Ormes Moor
Walking down from Aldermans Brow
RSPB Wardens at Dove Stone Reservoir. On the right is Warden John Bird
Walking from Bill O'Jacks Plantation to Dove Stone Reservoir dam
Dove Stone Reservoir and Great Dove Stone Rocks
Dove Stone Reservoir
Climbing to the moor on Chew Road
Looking back down Chew Road
Lunch spot with an extraordinary view at Blindstones Moss near Chew Reservoir
Andrew and Strolling Steve on track again near Chew Hurdles
Aircraft passed us every five minutes as we crossed the moor
Crossing Ormes Moor
Another caterpillar, another unknown species to identify
Looking south from Boar Flat
Straight ahead for us
Looking south toward Glossop
Another one returning from a far distant place
On the Tameside Trail near Lees Hill between Higher Bank and Middle Bank
Woodland in Hollingworth Nature Reserve
An apt description
Andrew and Strolling Steve reach Glossop