My spirits hovered around zero when I opened the curtains and saw rain. Happier souls were at the meeting place, waterproofs already on. ‘Oh, Wimpey’s offices have gone’, observed one as we drove through Stoney Middleton. Not the most gripping of openings but the tale that followed was. One Friday night of yesteryear a visit to a club in Sheffield was arranged. Parental advice to take a coat was ignored, as was the local in the George who warned that the minibus wouldn’t get back to the village due to the
forecast of heavy snow. This came to pass and on the return trip a kindly night watchman gave shelter in the offices. Breakfast was in Lovers Leap cafe and a friend in Stoney provided the following night’s haven. The narrator remembered how cold she’d been and finally, the hope on Sunday afternoon that her stilettos would get her to the top of Parke Road. I’d forgotten the weather by the time we got to Chatsworth. One of us had seen part of Jane Eyre being filmed near Swiss Cottage and, at a farm, a wrought iron wheel made an unusual gate. It sometimes take time but walking does improve well being, especially when in the company of a first class storyteller.
Everyone was cheerful on the next occasion as we set off up Cave Dale in bright sunshine. From a distance walkers ascending Mam Tor were like toy town figures against a backdrop of brilliant blue sky. Though picturesque there was a biting wind when we eventually got onto the ridge so the lunch stop was brief as gloveless fingers soon become numb. All afternoon changing light patterns enhanced the spectacular views. We passed the ‘lonely tree’ so called by a young scout we’d chatted to on a previous
occasion. An unforgettable memory will be the sight of a steam train wending its way through the Hope Valley.
Helen Royle. 872507.