The Long Way Round from Allgreave

Steve Murray and Shotgun took us on a long circular tour from the Rose and Crown at Allgreave. The pub was under new management and they made us feel very welcome from the outset, showing us the pool room where we could prepare for the expected exertions. The hares had circulated the rumour that the run would be 10.4 miles of hard work, so a good number of us started at a ridiculously early time. It was just 1 o’clock when a few of the elder members, accompanied by a slower runner, awaited Whitworth completing his toilet. Shortly after they set off.
Snow had blanketed the ground nearby, the hills showing a dusting of white. Buxton had a good covering and caused some to start out for the run early, anticipating problems. They had a nice wait in the pub for their start time.
Ridings had already set off walking, and the sextet of Park, Shippers, Walley, Wells, Whitworth and Blackshaw headed off along the road and down into the valley, across the Clough Brook and up past Hammerton Knowl Farm. The ground was sodden, but the company good and progress was made, albeit at a moderate pace. Past Hazels and onto Cessbank Common,  then along Withenshaw Lane before turning north and heading for the Hanging Gate pub at Pot Lords. Ridings had been passed over Cessbank Common, looking for alternative routes. The trail was laid in places, with many more places in between, so following it could be difficult, and Ridings was proving the point. He eventually turned back at the Hanging Gate, to meet the Greater Ruddock, and eventually return to the pub, where he generously, if foolishly, kept his driver supplied with beer.
At the Hanging Gate we joined the Gritstone Way and headed towards Lowerhouse, beside the Rossendale Brook. The rumour was that we were to visit Bosely Cloud, but this was still miles in the distance, and even more miles from the finish. The trail led us along the Gritstone Trail, over Fox Bank and along to Hill of Rossenclowes, and on up past the telecoms tower on Croker Hill. It was down hill time again, having passed the highest point on the trail, although they hadn’t told us and we still anticipated more ups to come, and it now became apparent that the trail would not lead to Bosley as we now headed with some relief back towards the pub. Across the main road, and keeping straight on downhill at Golden Slack while the Gritstone trail veered right along Golden Hill, we bypassed Butterlands and headed down into Greasley Hollow. Then past Lower Greasley, Bennettshill , across the road to Lanehead where we turned right down the road towards Lanehouse. A little way up the road we cut right to drop down and the run along the slope above the Dane Valley, bearing left at back Dane towards Allmeadows, and the run along the track to the main road a short uphill pull from the pub. The sight was very welcome, even the fast boys had found it hard.
Murray was at the pub to welcome the runners back, and they turned up in small groups. Dawson and Norman looked pretty fresh, Lesser Ruddock had had a hard time of it, Jocys had jogged a little and Early Taylor, for once late (due to work?), had performed a sub-section of the run. John Potter kept his own company, and had to leave early to get to work. Hope he stayed awake there after his exertions. Skint Wilson, Old Markham and Biker Eastwood all made good time, while Bloodless Whitehead and Jacko Jackson had cruised round, enjoying the short time that they were out.
The New Management were very welcoming, and soon were busy providing liquid refreshment for the runners. They were a little surprised as members strolled through the bar from the pool room to the toilet and the tin bath, scantily clad, but stuck to their task with good humour. It also transpired that if they had known we could have used the showers upstairs. Something to look forward to next year. Luckily, for us at least, there were no other customers in to offend.
The tea was supplied in good sized mugs and accompanied by a penguin. The chocolate variety of course. The beer, I had Battering Ram, a seasonal product from Robinsons, was very pleasant.  Eventually the parade stopped and we all sat down for the meal. Huge plates of pie, chips and peas where produced, and emptied in good time. Pudding was Apple pie and custard, again of excellent quality and good size. Even so Blackshaw took advantage of others lack of appetite to consume a second portion.
So it was a good natured group that struggled up the hill to the car park to go on their separate ways, reading for the next outing, a trip into the unknown from Ripponden.