In September a few Globies `took over’ a youth hostel and explored the delights of Dovedale for a weekend. With beautiful scenery and a pub that also served food only five minutes walk away it was a perfect location. In true English fashion the weather was the usual sunny periods, scattered torrential rain.
On Saturday, daunted by nothing, we went off in 3 groups, the scramblers (very keen), ramblers (enthusiastic) and amblers (laid back). No sooner had we (the ramblers) set off when the heavens opened and we dashed for shelter and this is when it all began. Whilst struggling into wet weather trousers a mobile phone got dislodged and buried in the undergrowth. The loss was discovered some time later during a food stop (and shelter from another downpour). No worries. It was near the start of our walk and we knew roughly were it would be if it hadn’t been stolen. We’d look for it on our return.
The scenery is spectacular in this part of the world and we went about the business of walking and chatting, so much so that we took an unscheduled detour by turning left turn too soon resulting in a very arduous climb up a slippery hill. With no signs or stiles in view and a valley between us and the direction we should be heading we decided on the safest bet and went back down again. Our original 8 mile circular walk was changed into a six miler because of the weather but finished up as 8 miles due to unforeseeable circumstances!
When we got back to the hostel the phone hunt began. The owner and a friend went off armed with another phone so they could make the lost one ring. Clever eh! Close to the spot they rang the missing phone only to get a shock as someone answered it. ” Have you lost your mobile? It’s here at police station”. They closed in 10 minutes but when we explained that we were only in the area for the weekend they agreed to wait for us to pick it up. We jumped in the car and shot off to Bakewell, about 25 minutes away (if you put your foot down).
Something good always comes out of something bad. Just round the corner from the police station was a bakery selling Bakewell puddings and it was still open!!! For anyone who hasn’t tasted this culinary delight, a thick spongey almond topping on a base, it is absolutely yummee, but only available in this town. It is nothing like the heavily iced Mr Kipling’s variety. We left the shop armed with bulging bags and salivating mouths.
Time flies when you’re having fun and the weekend was over too quickly. This is the first weekend away to be organized by a Globetrotter and those who went are game for another trip, possibly near Easter next year. So if your free come and join us.
Oversees readers – This is a very scenic area to visit with good hostels offering inexpensive accommodation. Its good walking and cycling country with picturesque villages and Manchester is not that far away for shopping sprees and a bit of culture.
To get in touch with Gill, please contact the Beetle