16/12/2018
The cavers, on a grotty day and grottier and wetter evening, persevered with their unique candle lit equipment and eventually waded out to the top of the Dale and Layby Pot. Jon has promised one of his lengthy but readable stories.
The walkers arrived on a lovely, but fresh morning, to find the four cavers just finishing their bacon butties. The Leader, Bob, organised the food and after seasonal sloe gin, the walkers embarked on their ramble. Up, over and down to the Derwent and the bridge, then downstream to Calver. The riverside path to Baslow was taken, with some evasive action to avoid a swampy area. Up then to Baslow Edge and the Eagle Stone, where Rob was the only person to climb it. Lunch was taken here. Baslow, Curbar, then Froggatt Edges were traversed, with more bouldering from Rob, Mike and a little apprehensive Ben, whilst the others watched and admired the youthful gymnastics. Mike headed out down to solo the main crag, but soon reappeared finding it running in water. The Grouse was the turning point, and here the President bought all those present a drink, after Bob and Martin headed back to start cooking us all the dinner. On leaving the inn, the weather had deteriorated, and the walk down to Grindelford was colder and damper. The party split, the majority following the river path, with the four cavers later branching out to celebrate in the Miners at Eyam. A smaller party of three wanted a quick route back so followed tarmac using the closed Eyam road. The beef was calmly and magnificently cooked by Bob, with Hugh and Martin contributing. A good evening was had, terminating with the Travis Trophy, where the old and young (J Eastwood & M Peppit) clashed in the final with the senior member winning yet again.
Geoff P
Derbyshire Pennine Club 