Group News

Grin Low cottage is two former quarry worker’s cottages merged into one large cottage, now owned by Derbyshire County Council. The original Grin Low quarry is now a caravan park, though at this time of year the site is absent of caravans. So it was on a rain soaked windy afternoon we arrived on what was our 5th visit to Grin Low in 7 years and our 4th as a new year weekend.

We wisely decided not to walk to the nearest pub, about a mile away. Instead we clambered into 2 cars and drove to the Traveller’s Rest on the outskirts of Flash, the highest village in England. The weather was so fierce, we were battered and soaked just struggling to get from car door to pub door. But inside we found a warm welcome, it was particularly pleasing to eat a hearty meal beside a real old coal fire.

On Saturday morning, the weather had improved, the wind had dropped and the sun struggled to reveal itself. We drove to the western fringe of the Peak district and parked in Macclesfield Forest over the border in Cheshire. I used to think that all Cheshire was flat, but this western side of the county was decidedly hilly and Macclesfield Forest was very much moorlandlike in appearance.

From Nessit Hill, an high clearing in the forest, we enjoyed a lovely vista, looking over Ridgegate and Trentabank reservoirs and above the tree lined slopes on the east side of the reservoirs, Toot Hill drove a high wedge between the trees.

Leaving the forest, we crossed moorland to climb up Shutlingsloe hill. We found shelter down below the eastern crag of the hill and had our elevenses.

We then made our way down to Wildboarclough, this gentle green pastoral valley doesn’t live up to it’s fearsome name. Heading along Oakenclough we encountered a prolonged rain shower, whereupon Alice pointed out to me that John King, Alison’s son, was looking rather wet as his jacket didn’t look very waterproof. I offered him my spare cagoule, he gratefully accepted.

We arrived at the Hanging Gate Inn to dry out and to purchase some refreshments. This Inn dates back to 1621 and virtually sits at the conjunction of the borders of Cheshire, Derbyshire and North Staffordshire.

We followed a short section of the Gritstone trail back into Macclesfield Forest, whereupon I spotted a large wooden carving of an owl, I pointed this out to Alison Raven, who promptly took a photo of the scene. Our walk leader, Chris, was anxiously waiting for us to finish admiring the owl and catch up with the rest of the group before the rain, which had almost stopped, came back with a vengeance. But we were soon back at the cars after what I guess was a 8 mile walk and finished about 3pm.

Macclesfield Forest is worth a revisit some time, with its many ascents and descents there is much more variety of landscapes and high viewpoints than you could ever hope to find in flat forests like Sherwood or Charnwood, it’s also large and compact, not split up into a few small woods.

Back at Grin Low, Brenda was suffering from a swollen ankle, she needed something to give support and asked me if I had any bandages. Fortunately I did have a large bandage pack in my toiletry bag which had been waiting for ages for just such an emergency. Anne, a retired nurse, took over and did what came naturally with Alison King to assist and ready with a tube of Ibuprofen, if needed.

Not all my party of 13 people could stay all 3 nights, some combined the Grin Low weekend with new year celebrations elsewhere. The Grin Low weekend was made purposely flexible to accommodate their various schedules, rigidity would have meant a low turnout and a rather expensive weekend. So it was on the Saturday night we saw a few comings and goings. Anne had arrived with her brother John Chalmers a few hours earlier, Andy arrived early evening, but John King set off for home the same evening.

Saturday night saw the first of our buffets with more of an emphasis on hot food. Alison Raven did a lovely vegetable hot pot. The onion bhajis and samosas, provided by Dave were good too. There was also veggy vol au vents, spring rolls, cheesecake, fruit flan and Chris’s world famous chocolate “Polish cake” amongst many other goodies. I’m sorry I can’t remember all of what was contributed and by whom and I hope I haven’t offended anybody by not giving them an individual mention but I’m very grateful to all on the weekend for providing a good feast.

I must mention Alice however for organising the buffet and the timing of the hot food, what to cook and in what order. She did a sterling job. It was amusing that beforehand she declared that she didn’t want to get involved with the catering but somehow she just couldn’t help herself and did what came naturally. Alice seems to have such an exuberant appeal with a dash of eccentricity that everyone seems quite pleased to follow her lead.

Grin Low is a lovely warm and cosy place, its storage radiators would have been inadequate to warm Grin Low’s larger rooms were it not for Grin Low’s 3 foot thick walls. With such thickness acting as a solid insulation, you don’t need very large heaters. But with the heaters switched off in cool weather and with a window open, especially if your bunk is close to it, you can wake up freezing. This is what I experienced on the Sunday morning, as the curtains were drawn I didn’t notice that the window was open till much later. The person opening the window, though very stealthful may have acted with good intentions but he should have made clear his intentions. I was going to say something but decided to keep a diplomatic silence as I didn’t want to spoil what was turning out to be a marvelous new year weekend. But the person concerned may have been aware of my grumbles, because the following day a window at the far end of the room, in a position unlikely to disturb anyone, was open instead. I hope the person concerned reads this write up and will consider others before taking unilateral decisions in future. Anyway enough of my grouses, I’m such a bad tempered old cuss, time to move on.

Sunday started overcast, breezy but quite mild. We drove over to Cheshire again, this time to Tegg’s Nose country park, slightly to the north of Macclesfield Forest Our walk would be in a northerly direction, led again by Chris and ably assisted by Alice.

Tegg’s nose is a norse word as Tegge was an early viking settler, though the word “teg” also meant sheep in ancient language, as the hill may have originally looked sheeplike. “Nose” or “naze” referred to a promontory.

From the car park at Tegg’s Nose we headed north along the Gritstone Trail for the saddle backed Kerridge Hill, described as a narrow ridge in pamphlets, the path along the ridge was at least 6 foot. wide but with a steep slope either side. The views were contrasting, looking down to the west: the industrial sprawl of Macclesfield, looking over to the east: the rolling open foothills of the Peak District. Over to the north, famous for its rain, Manchester was actually gleaming in the sunshine. But soon despite the wind everything was gleaming in the sunshine. At the northern tip of the hill we reached a white cone shaped monument named White Nancy, built in 1820 to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo. It originally had a shelter but for some reason it’s been filled in. But at least we were able to sit around it and have a tea-break. We looked down at the attractive small town of Bollington with its impressive church spire. Instead of dropping down to Bollington, we turned down a lower path on the east side of Kerridge Hill and headed into the village of Rainow, which we had previously seen from many high angles. We found the Gritstone Trail again as we carried on along the Tower Hill ridge. At about 1:00pm, we were rapidly losing the sunny weather. The wind was picking up speed and there was drizzle in the air. Chris spotted a small wood partially surrounded by a brick wall The wood, full of thick heavy conifers, was ideal protection from the elements where we could sit and devour our lunch in peace, or so we thought. Finishing our sandwiches and about to sip our teas and coffees, complacency had really set in. The weather could do what it liked, we were safe and snug in this glorious little wood, perhaps time for a gentle snooze, but we were rudely disturbed by a very athletic and energetic young Springer Spaniel called Tess. Where the weather failed she succeeded causing great mayhem. Tess leaped and bounded around us, dive bombing with the persistency of a wasp. We desperately tried to protect our drinks, just as she seemed to be stopping, she started again. It was time for the white flag to be hoisted. Finally her owner managed to bring her to heel, it was the tensest tea break I’ve ever endured. Andy remarked that now he knew why their called Springers!

Such a shame, I used to like Springers.

We reached the cars about 2:00pm and headed for the Cat and Fiddle inn on the road home, just as the mist and rain started to close in. As we looked out from a cosy interior, the visibility was rapidly disappearing with frightening speed. Back at Grin Low, we realised we’d walked just 5 miles. But the temperamental conditions wouldn’t allow us to do much more.

On the Sunday evening (New Year’s Eve) our numbers fell down to 9, as Andy left to meet some friends elsewhere, Alison King went home with Elsie, who was off to do some babysitting.

The second of our buffets was dished out and just as good as the first, after which we had a few quizzes. But nobody seemed interested in charades, singing or dancing, which I felt was a pity. However we did have fun going outside to see Chris let off his 4 in 1 firework display and we did see in the new year in the traditional way and the only time we did sing, especially Dave, he was in good voice and knew more of the verses than the rest of us.

On New Year’s Day we embarked on a mile round walk to Solomon’s Temple, every time we’ve been to Grin Low we’ve visited Solomon’s Temple on the last morning, something of a tradition with our group. Typically on the morning of our departure the weather was at it’s best, breezy but sunny blue sky.

As always, we had excellent views of Buxton and the hills beyond from the tower. The tower, a victorian folly, was built in 1896. The name “Solomon’s Temple”, was named after Solomon Mylock, who rented the land for his grazing livestock.

Everyone mucked in and gave Grin Low a good clean out, especially Dorothy who gave the kitchen a damn good clean and got a bit mumsy.

My thanks to everyone on this weekend for making it a success, all of whom have been mentioned in this write up, special thanks to the drivers and walk leaders and special thanks to the Treasurer for his figures. I was very pleased that the 2 buffets worked out well. In the past we’ve had large meals laid on by some good cooks but this time we needed to save money. My idea of 2 buffets was a gamble but it paid off well.

So farewell Grin Low until next time, whenever that may be.