The Roaches and Lud’s Church (14th October)

Saturday 14th October, with Harry.

 Lovely sunrise, swallowed rapidly by mist, which then flowed pink from time to time - all in half an hour or so. Temperature rather colder. 

The weather brightened rapidly, so we got ourselves organised and on the road. 

Great walk from Upper Hulme Paddock Farm Tea room (park in lay-by opposite) We arrived just after 9. and and were walking at 9.16.

Over the Roaches via path from the road, below Hen Cloud. 

We reached the trig point just after 10 am.

A convenient bench was a good place to stop for coffee at Roach End. 

then along the ridge following signs to  Swythamley.

Later we turned down into Back Forest to Lud’s Church.  

. 

We followed the path back to Roach End again,

and decided to walk along the ridge once more, rather than take the road.

We paused for lunch with a view.  Soon afterwards came a few drops of rain and a rainbow,

Not long after we reached low ground there was a mighty hailstorm.

Somewhere between 8 and 9 miles,with around 1200 feet of climbing. Great combo walk. We decided to head ‘home’ rather than to the Tea room, as we were soaking. 

 

It has hailed again since we got back, so I’ve rinsed out my soaking socks, and stuffed my boots with old newspapers. Tomorrow we head for ‘home home’. Reluctantly. 

The Roaches 2021

Saturday 15th October 2021.

With Harry, 7.5 miles, but it felt rather longer. This is the walk we have done a couple of times before. This time we gave Hen Cloud a miss.

The start of the walk is the tricky part - we missed the turning, and ended up heading across country to where we could see the path on the other side of Black Brook. 

After that it was straightforward enough though boggy in places. 

This was the view of the Roaches as we drove up on Friday. 

Unfortunately Saturday was not sunny, but it was pleasant enough, though the wind was brisk.

Gib Torr, one of the many monster shaped rocks in the area.

We walked down the entrance track from Anroach Farm where we stayed. A right turn took us along the quiet road past GibTorr Rocks, and Moss Top farm. We continued after the cross roads and a junction from the left. Where the road bends to the right we took the track straight ahead - we should have turned left towards Moss End Farm.

The sound of a helicopter accompanied us for most of the walk - delivering rocks for path improvements and erosion control.

However once back on track we headed for the Roaches School building at Roach End. Lots of people around, and even a coffee and ice-cream van.

We crossed over to the Roaches path. 

Instead of going ahead to Hen Cloud we turned left along the path which joins the track from Summerhill Farm, before joining the road climbing up past Hazel Barrow Farm and Newstone Farm. 

Strange heads?

The path leads through more boggy bits and downhill towards Gib Tor Farm, where we met the road, and turned left to return to base.

Just over 1000 feet of ascent and descent.

Anroach Farm to the Roaches and Hen Cloud

Sunday 7th May with Harry.

A circular walk of around 8 miles with around 1000 feet of ascent, on a fine sunny day, with a strong wind. It was warm enough to cast a few clouts in sheltered spots warmed by the sun.  The recent dry weather has left the sometimes boggy ground dry and springy, and very pleasant to walk on.
We followed the same route as on Saturday 19 November 2016, with one difference. Half way through instead of going down to the road we climbed Hen Cloud instead. 

Anroach Farm 

Gib Tor

Water Avens

On the way we saw and heard a stonechat, a chiffchaff, lapwings, and several green hairstreak butterflies.  A cuckoo or two were vocal all day. 

Higher up on the ridge

Pano from the ridge

Hen Cloud

Looking back over Tittesworth Reservoir, near Leek