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