SPRING PEAK DISTRICT RUN - SUNDAY 16th APRIL 2006
This years Spring Peak District Run so nearly didn’t
happen, mainly due to my misreading of a hastily downloaded calendar for 2006!
Somehow I got a bit confused and had Easter falling a week earlier than it
actually did. So my apologies to anyone who couldn’t attend a run not normally
done on an Easter weekend, to compound my mistake on the dates I also misjudged
my MOT date leaving me with no car to drive with only three weeks to go. As my
car was getting a bit ropey anyway now was probably a good time to seek a
replacement, the one that caught my eye was identical to mine white E reg. but
had lower mileage the minor point of it having big end failure didn’t seem to
pose much of a problem as I placed my bid on Ebay. To cut a very long story
short on April 1st I collected my new car and only now had to swap the engine
from my old car into the new fit a replacement engine into the old car and
dispose of the dead engine from the new car EASY!!!. Saturday afternoon on the
15th saw me drive the new car with its engine installed for the first time, just
need to plan a route now and off we go.
Attendance:- The Run.
Our usual start point of Tesco Meir Park was used due to its central location
making it very convenient for people coming from all directions, the early
weather didn’t look promising but seven cars at the start was better than I
expected on a holiday weekend so I was happy at this point. I had planned a
coffee/ tea stop early in the route as most if not all members had travelled a
considerable distance just to get to the start point.
So off into the Staffordshire Moorlands for the first 10 mile stretch heading
to the Ramblers Retreat at Dimingsdale taking in some of the narrowest twisty
roads I know of just for Doris and Fred who love this type of driving.
After a short break here we headed off to Dovedale the route taking us up a
very steep incline with hairpin bends from Oakamoor past the quarries a
Moneystone then Whiston and on to Bloor Pastures just into the Peak National
Park, with beautiful views down to the chocolate box village of Ilam. A short
stop to take in the scenery, unfortunately with the cool weather there were no
hang gliders or parasenders up today but on a sunny day the skies are filled
with the daredevils making the descent from the peaks.
As it was now getting to lunch time we moved on to our planned stop at Wetton
Mill in the Manifold Valley just a short drive from Ilam. Luckily we found
enough parking space to get all seven cars on the car park at the café, so with
hot drinks purchased it was picnic by the river time. By now the sun had sort of
got his hat on and I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of people about,
Easter Sunday wasn’t such a bad choice after all! After lunch we headed towards
the highlight of the day the A537 Cat and Fiddle Pass but first had to climb out
of the Manifold Valley first passing through an old railway tunnel just wide
enough for one car. The sound of seven MK1s all with aftermarket exhausts on in
a confined space was music, I wish I had been at the back at this point. Then
through Hulme End (amusing to Bill, glad no one mentioned Upper or Lower
Hulme!), through Onecoat and over Morridge stopping briefly at Thorncliffe again
for the view. This is about as high as you can drive on normal roads in England
and from this point you can see right across Cheshire to the sea at Elsmere
Port, in other directions Shrophire’s The Reakin and the Black Mountains in Mid
Wales are visible as well as most of Staffordshire and parts of several other
counties
At the A537 Mark and Hazel elected to end their run so as we wave them
goodbye we head now towards Cheshire on the infamous Cat and Fiddle road, though
I feel it is now a bit like a lion with no roar with its 40 and 50 mph speed
restriction cameras police video vehicles and enforcement helicopter. Just media
hype gets its title as one of Britain’s most dangerous roads, in truth it’s a
very well surfaced and well sighted piece of tarmac but definitely one to tick
off in your book of places I’ve been to.
Bill headed off home from Macclesfield leaving five cars now to do the bit I
would like to keep a secret, oh go on then the A54 from Bosley back up to the
top of the A537 is the gem of a road on this route, twisty switch backs
unsighted summits and long straight bits this coupled with much less traffic
than the Cat and Fiddle make this one of my most favourite roads.
Next we pass through Buxton and over the moors on the longest single stretch
of the route towards Ashbourne stopping at Tissington for our final break before
everyone heads off in differing directions home.
I would like to thank everyone who attended on the day. Most put in some
considerable mileage to be there, and the comments I have had since seem to
indicate it was a day enjoyed by all, which make the efforts of those who
organise these events worthwhile. I for one am looking forward to some of the
runs planned in other regions. Why not join in this is, after all your it is
your club and it is member’s participation that makes these events so enjoyable.
KEVIN TOOTH
Kevin and Sam Tooth
Fred and Doris Sanderson
Stuart
and Chris Kynoch
Richard Brett
Ian Clements
Bill Hulme
Mark
Dalton and Hazel Porter
