Walking around Hathersage, Derbyshire. DAY TWO
Report by urban75 editor, November 2006

SATURDAY: NINE MILE WALK
Dusting off the hangovers and looking at a darkening sky with a weary eye, the crew assemble for the day's walking.

But we suffer several early retirements after the first 15 minutes are spent wading over a muddy field.


The full crew (well, nearly) pose for an early morning group shot.

Ascending the muddy hill from the Bunkhouse.


Sliding across another muddy field.




Shortly after a few walkers turned back after deciding that a grey day wading through mud wasn't for them, the sun came out!

How ugly is that concrete monstrosity on the hillside?!


Once the Duke of Rutland's shooting estate, Longshaw Estate was purchased by public subscription in 1927 and is now owned by the National Trust.








Water stop.

Climbing the hill out of Hathersage.

Near the top.


At the summit!






The views were spectacular - and there was no sign of the forecasted heavy rain!




Getting across this boggy marsh was a bit of an ordeal, with the deep watery potholes getting the better of my Goretex hiking boots.






The team wobble through the long grass.


The climb ahead.


The master map-readers at work. Well, sort of.


Walking along the top of Stanage Edge.




Climbing along Stanage Edge - things got chuffin' windy about here.


The views were magnificent.




We huddled behind a small stretch of broken wall for lunch.




Coming down from Stanage Edge. With the wind whipping up a storm, we had to hang on to our harbls!




North Lees Hall is a striking Elizabethan manor house and was one of seven halls built by Robert Eyre of Highlow.

The area featured in Charlotte Bronte's famous 'Jane Eyre' novel, with the heroine taking the surname of the local family.

Bronte visited Hathersage in 1845 and North Lees Hall serves as 'Norton' in the book, with Mrs Rochester jumping from the roof to her death.


Looking back at Stanage Edge.


Another view of North Lees Hall. While climbing up a fence to take this photo I came within a badger's nadger of slipping and ending face down in a great big pile of mud. Phew!




St Michael's Church. Reputedly dating back to the 12th century (building work was recorded on the structure from 1381), the church sits above the village with a 'crocketed recessed spire', whatever that is.


Little John, a native of Hathersage and friend of Robin Hood, is believed to be buried in a 10ft long grave under a yew tree to the south of the church.

In 1782, the grave was exhumed and a 30 inch thigh bone was discovered, which would make its owner at least 7 foot tall.


After grabbing a drink in the Little John pub, we headed back to the farm just as the light was fading and the temperature dropping.


Farm view.




Standing on one of the old tracks leading to Sheffield and the Sheffield Manor Castle, the Scotsman's Pack was popular with 'Packman' or 'Travelling Drapers' who visited every farm and village in the area to flog tweeds and goods.



We took over a large part of the pub and enjoyed some good real ales and fine wines and had a (frankly) rather average dinner - the veggie choices were very uninspired.