The forecast hadn’t been great for the second Wednesday of March. The weekend had been
beautiful. However, 15 members of the group left Ravenshead at 9.15am and not defeated by
the road works on Main Road, headed for Middleton. The A38 motorway junction was congested, with the motorway heading north at a standstill. That challenge overcome, we all met at the allotted car parking area and set off for an eight-mile walk. It had been advertised as a bit challenging in parts!

We found the start and walked uphill to Middleton Top where we used the facilities and then crossed over some fields which were quite exposed, especially as it just started to hail. Again, we were undefeated and a few minutes later the hail stopped, and we continued round Middleton and down a distance to follow a path around the edge of Dene Quarry. This brought back memories of his Dad for one of our members. The coffee stop was further along than the youngest member of the group would have liked, but it was before the lunch stop! We had a short break and continued past the quarry entrance, avoiding the water sprays which were cleaning the passing lorries!

The route took us down to Cromford and we sat by the water to have our lunch which we managed just before another short shower. A further visit to the facilities at the Cromford Mills and then a pleasant, flat walk along the Derwent Valley Heritage Way to the High Peak junction. We then followed the High Peak Trail back up, up, up to the start of the walk, passing some interesting points on the way.

Some members did find it ‘challenging’ in parts, but we all enjoyed it and were ready to have a drink at the end. Unfortunately, this didn’t quite go to plan, but we made it home.