I had the notion a while back of doing a day trip to Castleton that would be a hybrid, in two groups, one of long-walkers doing a hike, another of short-strollers or less energetic types, who could wander round and visit a couple of caverns and the castle (or whatever). Then the hikers would come back and meet the other group for tea and scones, or cake and beer, and discuss happy things.

I don't mind doing all the research into things, and I've no date in mind yet, but I thought I'd flag it up now so people can mentally bookmark the idea. I would especially like newbies, lurkers and shy people who feel apprehensive about taking the first step, to come forward for something that doesn't have to be too much of a challenge. And it's easy to go home if you don't like us! :P

It's been suggested that we go when the Christmas lights are up. Do people have any preference for particular caverns? Are there any favourite shops or spots around town that people want to take in? Who wants to hike, who wants to stroll? Speak up or I'll go away and sulk. :thumbsup:

Brilliant idea, I'd definately be up for it.

if its a week day i'm up for either/both.
lights start November 18th btw.

stupid joke........................

Sounds like a good plan- just bear in mind 2 things.

1 The tea shoppes are heaving when the Christmas lights are up- I took a number of people out there last year when the lights were up.

2 Some of the caverns' opening times are limited by the weather so if there's heavy rain in the couple of weeks before the planned day this part of the plan could be affected.

I could be up for the tea shoppe bit, but I wouldn't make it into any of the caverns and what most people call a stroll I call a whole load of back pain.

The lights get switched on at 4.30 on the 18th. On the website there's a list of lovely things, but doesn't make it clear if they're for the switch-on party, or things that are on over a period of weeks. I've no idea who switches them on. Are people bothered about that? If we were to go on that day, I suspect the caverns will be busier. Too busy? (And there will be loads of kids everywhere, presumably.)

Simul-typing, Medusa. It doesn't have to be strictly two groups - people can take it as easy as they like. Good point about the caverns, by the way.

Not that I'm important enough for people to change plans just to include me.......but, I'm not going to around from Nov 17th to Dec 3rd

stupid joke........................

i'm not joking.
i have to work when everyone else is at home.
i.e evenings & weekends.

A couple of the caverns get flooded in the winter so may be inaccessible. However if I can get there (public transport) and Im not working I'd love to go. Can't beat some dinner in the castle pub and a wander around a cave. :thumbsup:

i'm not joking.
i have to work when everyone else is at home.
i.e evenings & weekends.

No, lol. Sorry. It was an edit - I got rid of a stupid joke, it's not a comment on your post. :)

I'm making a right pig's ear out of this thread. :rolleyes:

Hi Fox! :wave: Come out to play. We have a good time! Plenty of time yet to synchronise watches.

Put me down on the list of people wanting to come :thumbsup:

And me too! :)

PLEASE someone take a camera! Especially if the christmas lights are there! I used to love Castleton at that time of the year!

me and boyf will come - i'd definitely b eone of less energetic ppl, dunno bout him, think he has aspiations to be healthy and fit :hihi:

We'd be up for the walking bit, but is there a possibility of a dog pub to end it? ;) (would settle for a dog caf though)

This sounds entirely marvellous.

I'll be there if I'm here.

Hi sounds good to me just depending what day and time :thumbsup:

yep, i would be up for a good long walk over the tops, then passin out in some cosy watering hole.

Hello... im back on line again,.. yes id be intrested in this .. any further updates ??
Dave

Hello, sorry I went all quiet for a bit. I've been very busy and focused on other things for a while, but I hope to get back in gear and fix dates etc, in the next couple of weeks. :)

Hello, sorry I went all quiet for a bit. I've been very busy and focused on other things for a while, but I hope to get back in gear and fix dates etc, in the next couple of weeks. :)

I'd very much like to come along. Apparently Castleton is lovely! And it's about time you organised something...

And it's about time you organised something...

Ooh, cheeky, blip! You do like to live dangerously around purdyamos, don't you? :hihi: I can remember that it wasn't so long ago that forummers had the pleasure of a guided tour around the General cemetery courtesy of purdy....

Isn't it about time that YOU organised something?! ;)

Isn't it about time that YOU organised something?! ;)

Well some people have organisational and leadership abilities, others just follow:hihi:

I can remember that it wasn't so long ago that forummers had the pleasure of a guided tour around the General cemetery courtesy of purdy....

Isn't it about time that YOU organised something?! ;)

Yes, fair point. After all Purdy is busy organising this walk, and going to the theatre every other day, and then there's all the work he puts into the Fathers For Justice demonstrations. Busy busy busy!

I'll give it some thought.

Hello again. You thought I'd forgotten, eh?

I've got to fix a date for a trip to Dovedale, due to car dependancy. Once that's done, I'll fix a date for Castleton and suggest a walking route/ festive frolics. After consulting with some of SF's limited-mobility members, my initial plan for a short-walk group incorporating a cavern have been knocked on the head. It may be, due to pressure of feeliung responsible for everybody's separate happiness and welfare, that I may just have to say 'we'll all go to Castleton and do...whatever.' I can't please everyone in every case, so I'll have a think and just cobble some ideas together ad hoc, if that's alright with folks. I'm supposed to be avoiding stress, by the way!!! :)

Will be subscribed to this thread to hear the final result! :thumbsup:

Awww I'd love to, but I'm busy that day.

When is it again?

:hihi:

I might be up for this. Keep us posted :)

x

I'm going to say Saturday 9th December. It's a lot later than I originally planned, but life keeps getting in the way. I'll post more precise details the week after we've been to Dovedale.

I think doing the two group thing is too much hassle (in terms of me being the 'leader' - I'm supposed to be avoiding too much stress) so I'll just make it a shortish walk, probably up cave dale and down Winnats Pass or to the top of Mam Tor and back, a visit to a cavern, a meal, stroll around town, beer.

If people want to come and prefer to stay in the town while we walk, that's fine (we could keep in touch by mobile) but I would not want to be held responsible if people got bored or dissatisfied waiting for us to come back (or impatient if we then looked around places that the stayers had already looked at).

Does that sound alright?

:)

(we could keep in touch by mobile)

In Castleton???!!!!!!! :huh:

We might be up for this

I'm going to say Saturday 9th December. It's a lot later than I originally planned, but life keeps getting in the way. I'll post more precise details the week after we've been to Dovedale.

I think doing the two group thing is too much hassle (in terms of me being the 'leader' - I'm supposed to be avoiding too much stress) so I'll just make it a shortish walk, probably up cave dale and down Winnats Pass or to the top of Mam Tor and back, a visit to a cavern, a meal, stroll around town, beer.

If people want to come and prefer to stay in the town while we walk, that's fine (we could keep in touch by mobile) but I would not want to be held responsible if people got bored or dissatisfied waiting for us to come back (or impatient if we then looked around places that the stayers had already looked at).

Does that sound alright?

:)

That sounds like a good plan Purdyamos:thumbsup:

Well some people have organisational and leadership abilities, others just follow:hihi:
Why don't we have a whistling smilie??

No comment :D

Hi guys,
I would def be up for this and i think i will be free on that day (although that could easily change!) I have been away in America and doing other stuff and it sounds like i have missed some great walks! I hope to join in more in the future. :)

Never on a Sunday, a Sunday, a Sunday ... :(

Never on a Sunday, a Sunday, a Sunday ... :(


Oh, sorry Ruby. :( We tend to veer from saturdays to sundays and back without a thought. If you really want to come to stop in town, I might change it. What do other people think?

No, no, she said, blushing, it might rain or something and then I wouldn't come, being rather catlike in my dislike of the cold wet stuff ... and you'd have changed it for nothing then.

Stick with your orginal plan and maybe in the Spring .... :D

Oh, sorry Ruby. :( We tend to veer from saturdays to sundays and back without a thought. If you really want to come to stop in town, I might change it. What do other people think?
sunday would be better for me purdy, but if everyone`s expecting saturday, then you`ll have to stick with that

sunday would be better for me purdy, but if everyone`s expecting saturday, then you`ll have to stick with that

Well there's plenty of time for people to notice the date's changed. You're a hardcore turner-upper, scubz, so I'll change it to sunday, then Ruby needn't feel guilty about not turning up if it looks drizzly! :)

OKAY THEN - EXECUTIVE DECISION - IT'S NOW SUNDAY 10TH DECEMBER.

For some reason I thought it would be less busy on a saturday, but then it would be less busy because more people couldn't come in our group, which isn't right.

:D <<<<<< smiling happy person now ...


*goes off to find some proper walking shoes .... and a waterproof

OKAY THEN - EXECUTIVE DECISION - IT'S NOW SUNDAY 10TH DECEMBER.


:banana: Hurrah!!!! :banana:
Can we have pop and chips? Can we? Canwecanwecanwe????

:banana: Hurrah!!!! :banana:
Can we have pop and chips? Can we? Canwecanwecanwe????

Only if you promise to calm down and be good!

I think I'm just showing off because I'm overtired. :rolleyes:

Anyone know what the public transport is like to Castleton? We want to stay and have a look at the lights, but someone has just told me the buses are rubbish on Sundays, and stop about 3pm! :confused:

Hang about... I've answered my own question!

It looks like the buses are every hour and take about an hour; the last one leaves Castleton at around 7.30 pm. The trains to Hope are every 2 hours, and take about 30 mins. :thumbsup:

I had the notion a while back of doing a day trip to Castleton that would be a hybrid, in two groups, one of long-walkers doing a hike, another of short-strollers or less energetic types, who could wander round and visit a couple of caverns and the castle (or whatever). Then the hikers would come back and meet the other group for tea and scones, or cake and beer, and discuss happy things.

I don't mind doing all the research into things, and I've no date in mind yet, but I thought I'd flag it up now so people can mentally bookmark the idea. I would especially like newbies, lurkers and shy people who feel apprehensive about taking the first step, to come forward for something that doesn't have to be too much of a challenge. And it's easy to go home if you don't like us! :P

It's been suggested that we go when the Christmas lights are up. Do people have any preference for particular caverns? Are there any favourite shops or spots around town that people want to take in? Who wants to hike, who wants to stroll? Speak up or I'll go away and sulk. :thumbsup:

Hi there.

New to Sheffield Forum as of this morning lol. I do a bit of walking out in Derbyshire and Rubydazzler recommended this walking group on here. This Castleton idea sounds really great but I would certainly be one of those 'shy people' lol. However Im keen for a stroll/long-ish walk/not quite hike etc or even do a visit to the caverns maybe as Ive been to Castleton loads of times but never been in the caverns. What sort of age range is there in the group and how many could turn up one these sorts of events?

Regards...Mark

You could have a quick look at our older threads - there's usually a roll call in there :thumbsup:

Age is a huge non issue - and there's no need to be shy, we're a pretty friendly bunch :) (and the group is usually large enough for you to 'mingle' ;) )

Hi there.

New to Sheffield Forum as of this morning lol. I do a bit of walking out in Derbyshire and Rubydazzler recommended this walking group on here. This Castleton idea sounds really great but I would certainly be one of those 'shy people' lol. However Im keen for a stroll/long-ish walk/not quite hike etc or even do a visit to the caverns maybe as Ive been to Castleton loads of times but never been in the caverns. What sort of age range is there in the group and how many could turn up one these sorts of events?

Regards...Mark

Hi Mark! Don't worry about being new. We always like new people to come along. The number of people on a walk is usually between five and eightish, plus a dog or two, but you can never predict how many will turn up. Sometimes we've done special themed shorter walks that have attracted many more.

I think the walk will only be four or five miles but will include at least one of Cave Dale, Winnats Pass and Mam Tor in an uphill direction, so it will be a little more strenuous than a simple stroll. I'll check nearer the time which caverns are likely to be open if there's been rain. Treak Cliff has the best reviews so we may as well aim for that one. I hope you can come. :)

:banana: Hurrah!!!! :banana:
Can we have pop and chips? Can we? Canwecanwecanwe????


If you're very very patient, you might even get a butterfly bun. :hihi:

Hi Mark! Don't worry about being new. We always like new people to come along. The number of people on a walk is usually between five and eightish, plus a dog or two, but you can never predict how many will turn up. Sometimes we've done special themed shorter walks that have attracted many more.

I think the walk will only be four or five miles but will include at least one of Cave Dale, Winnats Pass and Mam Tor in an uphill direction, so it will be a little more strenuous than a simple stroll. I'll check nearer the time which caverns are likely to be open if there's been rain. Treak Cliff has the best reviews so we may as well aim for that one. I hope you can come. :)

Hi purdy.

A big thanks to you and everyone else for all the welcomes and info.

Four or five miles sounds fine for me. Ive done the Mam Tor walk (to summit and down) previously so no probs there.

Looking forward to it unless it buckets down lol.

Regards...Mark

I now have walking boots .... just need some socks now :D

I now have walking boots .... just need some socks now :D
Ruby......6.15 a.m. for a posting? Was you just getting in?

Ruby......6.15 a.m. for a posting? Was you just getting in?

I was lol, I'd just come back from unloading the car ... and even at 5.45 there was some *£$%# parked right outside ... :rolleyes:

sounds good fun, but am using public transport so this might pose a problem for getting to the caverns, and for returning after the lights are switched on. Could someone look intot he bus situation?

oops, jsut read the post about buses and trains, so now have the info. Look forward to getting some more concrete meet details. Have never been up Mam Tor, should be good, if cold!

On Sunday, the 272 goes from Sheffield Interchange on the hour throught the day. The journey takes just under an hour. I suggest people get the 10am bus, so that we meet at

11 am by the visitor centre and new toilet block.

That's a car park too, for anyone who's coming by car.

There are return buses at 1600, 1707, 1800, 1930, 2030 and 2230, so we really don't have to panic about being stranded! We want to hang around long enough to see the lights and the village at night anyone cos its priddy, but we'll play the day by ear, seeing what people want to do in what order etc.

Looking forward to this now, even though the weather forecast isn't great. :( Still, what do the met office know? They've been wrong for most of the other walks we've done! :D

Looking forward to this now, even though the weather forecast isn't great. :( Still, what do the met office know? They've been wrong for most of the other walks we've done! :D
Agree totally with you Feargal, we ought to just ignore the met. office forecast and go for it!
The weather forecast for last weeks walk was terrible, heavy rain all day was promised at one point, but in fact apart from being windy it was sunny and mild for the most part, as can be seen from the pics.
See ye Sunday!

I hope lots of people come along to this one - even if it rains there are plenty of indoor things to take shelter in!

To summarise my plan, the walk will go up cave dale, across the hill, down Winnat's Pass and over to Treak Cliff for a visit, back to the town for a meal and beer until it gets dark, stroll around going 'ooh!', perhaps more beer. We can pop in shops and such like too if people wish.

I've found some (recent) reviews of the pubs in Castleton, and The George was voted the best for food, drink and ambience. Dogs and children allowed, disabled access.

:cool:

:(

wish I didn't have to do my radio nonsense so I could join in with Castleton fun

hope you all have an ace time

It could be the ideal opportunity for an outside broadcast Blankfrack! :D

Lovely idea Feargal but I'd never fit the record decks in my rucksack

This thread rather lost momentum when the same plan was done on an impromptu basis, then we waited for Xmas etc.

It will be interesting to see how many of the enthusiastic posters on this thread actually sacrifice their sunday lie in... :)

I'd like to see some of the new faces. I hope it's not just the hardcore.

Well I was going to come along, I even bought some walking boots, specially :)

But now I am sacrificing a lovely day out in excellent company, for the mercenary toils of opening the shop instead :(

I hope you get good weather for your walk and no tornadoes :D
x

I'm sorry to say that after doing the Lincoln Christmas market today, my back probably won't be up to anything more than the stagger from bed to sofa tomorrow.

I hope you all have fun- and take in a lovely view (ideally from somewhere Mam Tor-ish) and a good meal for me.

No dount the exiled Taxman will put in an appearance - well that was his excuse for missing the Barnsley match..

Are they playing so badly he needs excuses? :hihi:

We're having to give tomorrow ( :suspect: today! ) a miss due to having a visitor who isn't up to it :(
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

sorry, too cold, hangover, rain, what more do I need to say? Well done to those who went.

A small hardcore group today. I salute the Dunkirk spirit of Scubz, Feargal, Grissom and man-of-the-jungle Taxman (remember him?) We weren't scared of a bit of wet. ;)

The walk was wet and windy. We might have turned back but going down Cave Dale in the wet is treacherous so onward we marched. There were a surprising number of ramblers determined to have a good time. We decided that Treak Cavern was closed because it was flooded - no evidence for this fact, rather a disinclination to stand in a cold dank space when there were hearty pubs calling us down the hill!

We had an attack of Britishness and ate packed lunch goods in the cold and damp with brown water from the outdoor coffee machine of Speedwell Cavern, which was also flooded! (Joke.) A big kiss to The George, it's great food and perfect beer, its unchanged interior, cheerful character and its gorgeous barstaff. :love:

we went on another wander round town so scubz could add trinkets to his jewellery collection, to see the Devil's Arse and to visit the museum with its enragingly, hilariously pointless interactive toys (I'll discuss the vital merits of byrites in a later post). Then The George drew us back into its lovely arms for more beer until it got dark, when we again strolled the streets to see the lights.

I have to say a lot of the lights are damn ugly. They could be so much more tastefully done. Unfortunately, my photos are a bit crap today. Firstly because I couldn't take my camera out until it stopped drizzling, then because of the low light and the beer in my veins loads of my shots were ruined by blurring, especially the night ones.

I hope these are not unsuitable. (http://s94.photobucket.com/albums/l115/purdyamos/Castleton/?action=view&current=DSCN0795.jpg)

Lovely shots as usual Purdy

Thanks to Purdy for the fab day out and scubz for the lift home !

Cant add much to Purdy's post but it was hellishly wet ! Finally decided what to get for Xmas - waterproof trousers !

Unfortunately the gale force rain meant that many of my pics were ruined but have put about half of them up - see the Castleton link on www.rtapper.plus.com and look for the images with 'new' under them :)

A most excellent walk as usual! The only downer was the weather - my white stilletos are ruined. :shakes:

The George is definitely my favourite Castleton pub... the mixture of traditional tasteful Christmas decorations and hideous tat was excellent! :hihi: Great beer and food to make up for the neon though.

(and marvellous company, of course)

Grissom, those pictures in the misty murk are amazing! How did you make the landscape look so atmospheric? :thumbsup:

It was a bit on the dark side so set camera at ISO 400, 1/100th second. Then ramped up the saturation and/or raised the green levels on computer to get grass looking nice and sky staying not-so-nice :)

Got lucky with the moss on the wall. Modern Sheep art installation doesnt look so good though :( And lots of rain on lens for the road sign :suspect:

If you're of a nervous disposition look away now....

I've added 2 pics to the bottom of the Castleton page - go directly using :

http://www.rtapper.plus.com/Castleton/slides/OR3U5556.html

and

http://www.rtapper.plus.com/Castleton/slides/OR3U5557.html

Caption competition entries on a postcard please to the usual address :P

If you're of a nervous disposition look away now....

I've added 2 pics to the bottom of the Castleton page - go directly using :

http://www.rtapper.plus.com/Castleton/slides/OR3U5556.html

and

http://www.rtapper.plus.com/Castleton/slides/OR3U5557.html

Caption competition entries on a postcard please to the usual address :P


Are you sure it's legal to post photos of him on here? :suspect:


Did Godzilla knit them for him? And are they on a piece of elastic down his sleeves? :hihi:

If you're of a nervous disposition look away now....

I've added 2 pics to the bottom of the Castleton page - go directly using :

http://www.rtapper.plus.com/Castleton/slides/OR3U5556.html

and

http://www.rtapper.plus.com/Castleton/slides/OR3U5557.html

Caption competition entries on a postcard please to the usual address :P
Not my handiwork! This is what happens when you have a friend in the Knitting Group!

Not my handiwork! This is what happens when you have a friend in the Knitting Group!


Ah, but he'll have inherited his instinctive sense of style from somewhere. ;) :D