Spring is afoot

The weather here in the Peak District is starting to show signs of spring. Last weekend I spent the days out at Millers Dale and Parsley Hay ranger training. Had two great days out with some good training from the rangers I was attached too.

Navigation training on saturday around Ecton Hill was wonderful, with a little micro navigation and map reading. Sunday was a patrol and talking about countryside safety which was very useful.

Dogs are starting to become more of a focus now in the National Parks as we get nearer to lambing time. I never realised that its not just the lambs but also ground nesting birds that we have to watch out for. Personally we always keep Tilly on a lead so its not a problem.

Activity at Wapentac is well underway now for The Outdoors Show. With lost of new products on show like the Snowdon and Ben Nevis Wapenmap and the framed Wapenbox themed Wapenmap there will be lots to see. you can see more at www.wapentac.com

I've just started my first twitter account, you can find me at findonnorth. I have no idea where this will lead so its exciting.

Tomorrow is my last ranger training day before the first residential training weekend. I had to get 10 in before then, which was tough, but a good thing I guess as it shows committment. I have enjoyed all the training days and the rangers have been great looking after me. Tomorrow I am on a guided walk from Fairholmes Ranger Station. The walk goes along the Derwent Valley and talks about Tintown, the temporary town built to house the construction workers who built the dams. I may try and take some photos if the weather is fine. I like to take photos, but haven't felt it was right whilst training with other rangers. Its one of the reasons I am looking forward to passing my training and being able to go out on my own.

Deep snow at Stanage Edge

Had a great walk this weekend starting from the ranger centre below Stanage edge. We climbed to the top of the ridge and walked along until we reached Burbage Bridge, then across to Higger Tor and back round below the edge to the centre. There were quite a few people out depsite the mist and limited visibility. There were some mountain bikers crashing through the fog along the top of the edge, which is a footpath only. This is really irritating for some walkers and gives the responsible bikers a bad name. Shame but like any portion of society there are always those who dont think that the rules, or laws apply to them. Same with the car parking. There are two large car parks along the bottom road, yet some still park on the grass verge. It onlyy costs £3.50 for the day and all that money goes back in to providing amenities for the public. Anyway, none of this spoilt a good day walking. There were some climbers out on the ridge and I am always impressed by the youth of today who get involved in the great outdoors. Walking up to the top of the ridge we had to cut steps in the snow which was still 6ft deep in places. The area reminds me a little of Scotland, with the ridge and pine tree plantations.

We are starting to get ready for the Outdoor Show in which we have a trade stand. If you are going come and see us. You can find details at www.wapentac.com or http://www.outdoorsshowextra.co.uk/the_show_2010/Outdoorshomepage/

A Monochrome Day in the Peak District

The first foray out this year brought me in to contact with crisp snow in the Hope Valley in the Peak District.

I had decided to take a walk along the Longshaw Estate towards Hathersage, doubling back along the line of the Sheffield to Manchester Rail Line.

First though I stoked up on a full breakfast at the Grindleford Cafe, still in full spirit after the untimely death of its famous owner. I can remember Philip when he had a small shed on the Snake Pass, before he bought the station. Its sad to see him not there, but he lives on through the signs he put up around the place, especially the one about not asking for mushrooms, and his sons work.

Brunts Barn is the local Ranger centre and sits at the side of Padley Chapel, the remnants of a 14th century Manor House. Two priests were caught here in Henrys day and suffered the consequences.

I followed the track down towards Hathersage, at one point doing a very good impression of a tortoise on his back, as I lay felled by the ice and snow. There were plenty of people around so the humiliation was total which brought a smile to most, including me.

The track passes Greenhow Farm, a well looked after farmstead that looks down the Hope and Grindleford valleys. I could not belive that gorse that was still clinging on to some yellow buds in the snow. A welcome splash of colour in a very monochromatic world.

All in all a good day out. The weather changed just as I reached the car and within minutes Fox House and the road to Sheffield was almost impassable. I only just made it through. There were some idiots overtaking and pulling out, causing traffic to skid to a halt and then become stuck in the snow. Amazingly once Dore Pub was reached the snow disappeared and Sheffield was in dryness.

It was good to get out and about, as this last few weeks has meant looking after ill relatives, which effectively put walking on a hold.

I have been officially accepted on to the Peak District Ranger training course, which begins immediatley. So this will keep me out of trouble for a little while.


The Wapentac website had a good Christmas with excellent sales, the Wapenmaps catching the imagination of many people. Alison has been updating the site and started a new competition, FIND TILLEY. Have a look, you never know you might win a Wapenmap. Alison is also getting ready for the Outdoorshow at the NEC between March 26th - 28th which Wapentac have a stand. Wapentac has also started a Facebook site, we have no idea where it will go, so it will be interesting to see how it develops. So its all systems go, now that Christmas is over.