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Byways,bacon,boobs and beer what more could a man want and I had some of everything recently when a small band of brothers and one sister invaded the Peak District for a weekend of laning.
Towing the caravan behind Mushy I headed off for the weekend during rush hour on Friday,which is always a pleasure as it holds up loads of traffic,to meet up with my fellow adventurers at the Hardhurst farm camp site at Hope in the Peak District.Although not enough of us to form a wagon train type circle we did have our own little enclave on site which really only needed a flag pole and a bugle call in the morning to set it off nicely,as it happened we didn't need the bugle as one lad,duly christened Richard Cranium and in severe need of a brain cell implant,in a nearby group of tenters used a very large wooden spoon and pan to rouse his fellow companions which after a few beers the night before can become slightly annoying to say the least.
After setting up camp Friday evening we decided to do a short night run(very highly recommended if you've never done one)and return in time to retire to the local hostelry for a few bevvies.As we set off in the bottom of the valley the weather was fair enough and I volunteered to be navigation officer and gate opener for Karl but as we got higher up into the hills the weather turned for the worse and as I got out to open what seemed an endless supply of gates I was getting drenched evey time I left the sanctuary of Karl's Discovery.
Pauls Defender leads the way starting the descent on Roych Clough
On returning to the caravan it was a quick change and off to the pub at the end of the lane to get warmed up and have a few beers.The evening went very nicely until the landlord started dropping hints,like turning off the lights,that it was time to leave.
Back at camp I found some bottles of beer that had somehow found their way into the caravan and as we polished a couple off we where treated to a show by a pyromaniac who was swinging two balls of fire on strings like a cowboy would a lasso.
Mmmmm saturday morning breakfast consisted of just about undiluted cholestorol of bacon,sausage,eggs and beans with plenty of salt and brown sauce,a very satisfying way to start the day and harden up the arteries against the chill Derbyshire winds.Whilst we were driving Stanage edge on sunday morning(SK226844 to SK256852)a young nicely proportioned lady rambler wearing a tight fitting top and no bra showed us just how cold it was outside of the Land Rovers(so I'm told,not that I noticed myself you understand),(memo to self;must remember to see vicar about those chapel hat pegs).
A new lane for me this weekend was the Roych Clough(SK092825 to SK059836)it say's it is a bridleway at the start of the lane but is a dual status road up to SK066843 where we turned off to drop down into Chaple-en-le-frith.
A quick photo call on the Pin Dale green lane
The Roych Clough can be driven by the newer vehicles but a little care is needed on the steep descent as the lanes surface has been washed away and can get slippery in the wet.As we dropped down into the Roych Clough valley we crossed two small fords and found a sheltered spot where we could get the kettle on and infuse some liquid into the system dehydrated by the previous evenings intake of beer and the mornings salty bacon.It is said that lifes little pleasures are the best and a fresh brewed cuppa at the side of a lane in the middle of nowhere takes some beating.
Over the weekend we travelled about thirty miles of lanes and each one is different with it's own character or feature,on one lane there is a Llama farm on another there is an ostrich farm and on our next lane from SK077793 to SK111785 there is a donkey sanctuary.
The donkey sanctuary is run entirely on voluntary contributions, entry is free and is worthy of a visit and a bit of support and as a little aside to your visit you can get a nice little cream tea at the small cafe there.
Travelling south from the donkey sanctuary we picked up several short lanes(using the O.S.Landranger map No 119)To start the Monsal Dale trail from SK134714 to SK177722.
Karl's Discovery on the Roych Clough
Normally I drive this lane from east to west but as you can see from the map references we drove it west to east this time and it is like driving a different lane try it yourself some time on your favourite lane,it is a totaly different driving experience as you might find youself driving up or down an iffy bit and this brings into play another set of driving skills.
Exiting the Monsal Dale trail Paul our leader for the weekend then took us to SK183728 a good lane,but not for the shinier motor,about a mile long,over grown and with a side slope of about 20 degrees which is just about enough to get the old brown spider twitching.Finishing the lane at SK197722 we then headed for the High Rake lane from SK205732 to SK236736 a very easy lane in itself but at SK214735 we turned right to do a short lane down towards Rowland and again the track is not for the newer motor it is over grown very rocky and tight in places with the Discovery just managing to get through with the wing mirrors folded in.
With daylight fading fast it was back to camp for a quick swill and into the pub for something to eat and a few more beers and once again after lights out it was back to camp to await Richard Craniums wake up call on sunday morning for yet another heart attack on a plate breakfast.
A selection of Solihull's finest on top of Monsal Dale
With everything stowed ready for the journey home we left the caravans on site and set off for a couple of hours on some old favourite lanes the first of which was Shatton moor from SK183825 to SK198824,suitable for any motor about 5Km with some splendid views across the dales.
Next we travelled the short washed out tarmac road that crosses the top of Bamford golf course from SK212829 to SK225833 where 4WD low box is a definite asset and then onto my own personal favourite lane Stanage Edge which I drove for the first time from west to east.
To finish the weekend off a treat we drove Houndkirk Moor from SK279834 to SK269805,a very easy lane for any motor but always a pleasure to drive with it's mixture of rough and smooth terrain.
All in all another great meeting with like minded folk and even the beer went down well.
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