It was damping slightly when we met across the road from the Grass Hopper Café, which is closed now on a Wednesday, so a few of us had gone to the café at the bottom of Edale Road for breakfast. Setting off along the road towards Castleton to the visitors centre from here we could see the ruins of Pendivel Castle on the hillside.

Passing the entrance to disused mines , one now a new café we traversed up to the broken road over Little Mam Tor. Negotiating the worst of it on foot and crossing the ford at the top onto solid tarmac.

Following up the road to the top of the Winnats Pass. With strong head winds and black clouds following behind, we turned on to the bridleway past Rowter Farm, round Eldon Hill, past Eldon Hill quarries. Here we started to loose height. As we came out into the road at the bottom we met up with a group of lads around a black van making a musical video. Following down the road we turned left along the lovely Perrydale valley. On to Old Dam and up to the Lime Stone Way and crossing the 'A' road onto West Wheston in time to see a newly born calf and its mum, then down into Tideswell.

Entering Tideswell we came across an old Ford car which everyone wanted to look at.

Plenty of bunting around Tideswell the Well Dressing season will be in full swing over the next few weekends. We had spoken to some bikers in the tearoom this morning who suggested *High Nelly's Café, so we had lunch there for the first time, it won't be the last. We had the upstairs to ourselves so we could relax and spread out , everyone seemed to enjoy what was on the varied menu.

We togged up to leave and spent a little time in the History garden to the side of the café .The garden, was full of information boards, and set out nicely with shrubs and flowers.

Leaving Tideswell we travelled up the B6049 crossing at the crossroads onto Lane Head down the left hand side of the pub. This is a country lane passing farm land through Little Hucklow, so onto the bridleway to Bradwell village. Here we picked up the bridleway through Smalldale which meanders around the back and through part of the Cement Works into Pindale. Riding down the road into Hope we stopped at Pindale Camp Site to say our good byes as we were spending the night there. The rest of the group travelled down to Hope centre to find there transport home.

• *Highly Recommend this eating establishment.
• Hope to Tideswell 2018.

And an add on. Edale.

Thursday morning dawned bright but windy, Eric suggested riding up to Edale just a short ride before travelling home. Parking our vehicles on the Edale Road. After breakfast in the Old Oak Café, we set off . It was now a beautiful morning, we rode up the Edale Road. A pleasant meander passing quaint cottages with idyllic gardens full of summer roses and Mock Orange trees. Beautiful high summer blue sky, still cotton wool clouds and sun shining down on the lovely green fields and high hills. Passing the Lady Bower equestrian centre, it was going down memory lane to Eric as the sign for the Edale Valley YHA activity centre came into view. Eric and John decided to ride up the mile long road to have a look around and found the place a heaving with children doing all sorts of activities, and having a great time. Once we reached the Edale Visitors Centre we turned around, it was a lot of free wheeling back to Hope. For a quick cuppa before setting off home. 

Irene Hitchen.