Sixteen of us did a splendid walk in the upper valleys of Calderdale – the weather was perfect but there were problems at first with Bern and Jane and Michael delayed by roadworks near Burnley and a tricky entrance to the well-hidden car park in the centre of Heptonstall. We set off in glorious sunshine and spirits soon lifted as we descended steeply to the river and then up through beautiful woodland in Crimsworth Dean, picking up Bern and Jane on the way. Open country was reached above the woods with stunning views of the moors and deep valley below. Frank led the exploration of a ruined “hall” type farmhouse, The Nook, with impressive kitchen range and stone staircases more or less intact, before we headed steeply uphill and over the divide between Crimsworth Dean and Walshaw on the edge of the Hebden Water valley. We crossed the deep and fast-flowing stream by some impressive stepping stones before zigzagging very steeply up an ancient pack-horse trail to the hamlet of Slack. From here the walk traced its way back to Heptonstall along the exposed rim of the Colden Water valley, with some quite rough sections over gritstone blocks in the forest, before squeezing past some beautifully positioned houses and gardens and back into the village via the twin churches: one Victorian and the other one ancient and badly in need of a decent roofing contractor! At the car park we finally met up with Michael who had done the walk but in the opposite direction and with a slight variant so that we managed to miss each other all day! thank you Rob and Chris.
Marje
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