Dovestones 14th February 2005

To those who didn’t go, you missed the Pennines in all their glory, for much of the walk was high level along the moor edges surrounding Dovestones and the Chew Valley.

After the torrential downpour which accompanied the Monsal Dale walk, three of the New Mill ‘Great-Washed’ walking fraternity gathered half expecting to encounter water in it pre-precipitate form (mist). As it turned out, the peculiarities of the local weather systems saw a lightening of the cloud cover as we crossed the Isle of Skye road and visibility was good throughout the walk.

The route meandered about the Greenfield side before taking a no-nonsense, ‘lets-get-it-out-of-the-way’ approach by going directly up the hillside by Wimberry Rocks, a very impressive outcrop. Having got the climbing out of the way we continued to the Chew Reservoir (England’s highest) for lunch and then on towards Dovestones Crag.

Although the reservoirs were full the ground was very dry. Peat, which should have made the walking very awkward, not to mention messy, hardly gave way. We will need a great deal more rain to return the moors to their normal soggy state.

Magnificent views, relatively good weather and a comfortable temperature for walking all combined to make this one of the best of the Parish Walks so far.

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