Edale

In November, the GUCH walking club, comprising of 11 GUCH’s, two ‘other halves’ and a son, ventured to the peak district for a weekend of walking and socialising.

This was my first outing with the club and so I was a little apprehensive as to what I could expect and more importantly whether or not I could manage the walks that had been lined up.

As there were different levels of fitness and ability within the group, we split up into two groups to tackle Mam Tor. I was in the group who were driven to a car park near the top and walked with them the short distance to the top. The other group started at the bottom and both groups met up to walk downhill into Castleton for a well-earned pub lunch. The walk, for me, was very challenging but with the encouragement of all the others (plus half of Vicki’s chocolate!) succeeded in achieving something I really didn’t think I’d be able to do.

After a long nap, a meal and a further sleep, I awoke to another beautiful day in the high peaks and joined everyone for a long gentle walk along the Derwent reservoir, famous for the training of the Dambusters.  The reflections of the autumn leaves on the water were truly stunning and thanks must go to the GWC for introducing me to such a beautiful part of the country.

Kieran Sandwell