SPRING PEAK DISTRICT RUN - SUNDAY 22nd MAY 2005
Cat and Fiddle Pass
Cat and Fiddle pub
Lauren Blighton with Jacqui and Mac Sheavills
Macclesfield
Mike Sheavills and Lauren Blighton
Stuart Kynoch checks up on the grand prix
Kevin Tooth, Fred Sanderson and Wayne Duncan
Fred and Doris Sanderson
Japanese cartoon tee shirt
afternoon tea at Tissington
Six cars made the spring run this year, two making the
considerable journey from Durham to the start point at Meir Park just outside
Stoke on Trent. From the start we headed off out into the Staffordshire
Moorlands to Leek then on towards Macclesfield at the real start of the run the
A54/A537 Cat and Fiddle Pass. For those who don’t know this road it is regarded
as one of if not the best driver’s routes in the country, it’s certainly one of
my favourites. At this point Lauren Blighton took the lead as we were in her
territory so to speak! As she proceeded to disappear up the hill Sam my son and
navigator for the day remarked that “Lauren was a much better driver than you
Dad” He’s now grounded until further notice pocket money withheld for the
duration. That’ll teach him to be right! As we reached to top of the A54 it was
then on to the A537 past the Cat and Fiddle Pub and down hill to Macclesfield.
At Macclesfield it was a turn round then back up the A537 and a short stop at
the Cat and Fiddle as some members wanted to watch the start of the Monaco Grand
Prix. The Cat and Fiddle road can be taken on several levels if you want a
steady drive the scenery is breathtaking but if you want an exhilarating drive
then its there for the taking. I tried to plan for everyone’s needs so fast
drivers can do their thing and sight seers aren’t disappointed. I hope I got it
right no one was forced to drive in a manner to which they were unaccustomed and
the fast ones waited at the turn around point we were all happy I hope! From the
Cat and Fiddle it was then on through Buxton then Dove Holes and over the moors
through a spectacular gorge to Castleton, Hope and to the first scheduled stop
for lunch at Ladybower reservoir. Unfortunately at this point two cars missed
the turn off for Ladybower an in an area with no mobile phone coverage the only
thing to do was to go looking for them, they’d taken the A57 Snake Pass so I got
the bonus of driving this road which wasn’t on the plan, it will be included in
a future run as it was loads of fun driving fast looking for my lost sheep! I
eventually found them on the way back up they’d been all the way to Glossop
adding about 40 extra miles to the route I enjoyed every one. (I won’t name
names here but this bit may be called the Sheavills detour in future!) After a
short stop for lunch over looking the reservoir at Ladybower it was onwards to
Hathersage, Grindleford Bridge, Eyam, Ashford then a very pleasant run through
Chatsworth Park, not an official through route but well worth it as the scenery
is quite impressive. Then out the other side at Rowsley, we should have then
gone right towards Bakewell but I’m hopeless at reading and driving so must
apologise for turning left here. At Bakewell it was on over Lathkill Dale to
Monyash then for a last stop at Tissington for a well earned coffee. As the
weather which had been pleasant for the most part now took a turn for the worse
we all headed towards Ashbourne before dispersing to our individual directions
home. Thanks to everyone who attended on the day particularly Mac, Jacqui and
Mike Sheavills who covered over 500 miles in each car on the day, impressive!!.
So if you feel you’ve missed out then check out the events diary for the year
Peak District 2 is in October not the same run but the best roads I can find.
“Will we see you there?”
Kevin Tooth
Members attending run;-
Kevin Tooth - run organiser and his son.
Fred
and Doris Sanderson.
Mac and Jacqui Sheavills.
Mike Sheavills.
Wyne
Duncan ( passenger with Mike Sheavills) Lauren Blighton.
Mark Nias (
passenger with Lauren )
Stuart Kynoch and his son.