31st March 2013

31^st March 2013.

Dear All,

Well for ice and snow forget Norway and Sweden – they can’t hold a candle to Derbyshire in the spring!

We had to abandon the proposed walk round Wirksworth last Sunday as it was cut off and we were advised not to attempt it so we drove straight to Hathersage and Grindleford which were our bases for the week (half the party in each). Kate and I arrived at lunchtime and walked up the hill towards Stannage Edge, the road at the top of the hill was blocked by a 10ft drift so we spent quite some time pushing cars out that were stuck.

Above Grindleford

On Monday we met at the public car park in Hathersage but had to clear snow and ice before we could park. Our leader modified all the proposed walks to keep to lower land but this was the toughest route as we were still experimenting to see how the “land lies”. The answer was that it was lying under quite a lot of snow. The slower walkers gave up after an hour or so but the rest of us battled up towards Stannage Edge. The snow was too deep to reach the top of the ridge but we got within 100 yards and although hard work was absolutely beautiful. We had lunch in a pub at Bamford.

 Below Stannage Edge

On Tuesday we started from our hotel: “The Maynard at Grindleford” and walked up the hill towards Froggartt Edge and White Moor. The going was easier apart from a 200 yard stretch of knee deep drift just before the pub. Some of us walked back and I managed to lose a gripper from my boot so when we got back Kate and I went to search for it. This took until 5 pm so it was a long day.

 White Moor

Near Grindleford

On Wednesday we started from the other hotel in Hathersage and climbed over 1000ft over Abney Moor which was rather bleak. On the route back we encountered Offerton Lane which was completely blocked with snow and I was sent ahead to scout a route which involved this party of elderly hikers walking on top of the stone wall to get through!

 Abney Moor

                                                                  Offerton Lane

Thursday was a gentler affair walking from Heath to Hardwick Hall. Kate and I then called in at Bolehill where there was still a considerable amount of snow.

All in all a memorable and exciting trip.

Wirkworth Moor

Love

Mike & Kate

A few shots of Norway and Sweden 5th to 17th March

Tromso

Vesterman & Lofoten Islands

Abisko

Lulea

Stockholm

3^rd March 2013.

Dear All,

It has been a busy day with a reunion for ex Covenanters. For the benefit of my family those attending were:

Present

Sally Bostock

Sue Bridgeman (Hart)

Stephen Bridgeman

Jane Whitfield (Bridgeman)

Tracy Corbyn (Haskins)

Kiren Darashah

Anita Darashah (Boorman)

Brian Firth

Glynn Firth

Hilary Foster

Kathy Grange (Hebblethwaite)

Anna Grange (Mac?)

Cathy Johnson (Wright)

Rob Kean

Melanie Law

Emma Medlock (Donaldson)

Message

Stephen Adams

Dan Colquhoun

Ian Couper

Keith Couper

Esther Day

Mary-Ann Day

Malcolm Firth

Gillian Ryder (Nunn)

Juliette Sutton(Burgess)

Steven Wilderspin

It was a very good turnout considering another 9 are living or working abroad. Anita, Kiren, Kathy and Rob are in full time Christian work and talked about what they are doing and Malcolm Firth sent a clip from Latvia where he is a missionary.

   

A selection of Attendees

Kate was IC food again and nearly 70 stayed for lunch so much for Sunday being a day of rest. What we need is a holiday, which is fortunate because we travel to London tomorrow night for an early start on Tuesday.

I have chance my arm and planted onion sets, garlic, shallots and early potatoes before going and pricked out 280 tomatoes for Moggerhanger.

Love

Mike & Kate