The Heathers on Abney and Offerton Moor

This week we were off to see the heathers on the moors around Abney. We parked up in the hamlet of Abney about 07:10am, got booted up and set off following the marked footpath up the hill. The track went up and over Smelting Hill to Offerton Moor. The heather is in full bloom and showing very well just now and in fact it was giving off a scent that none of us had experienced before. The track lead us down the hill towards Offerton Hall and then another climb up to Shatton Edge. Although the weather was rubbish the views along this track are brilliant. On the uphill tack towards the transmitter station on Shatton Lane we were battered by driving rain and heavy winds, we stopped at the transmitter station and found a sheltered porch to have our breakfast. Leaving the shelter we walked along Shatton Lane and the Hope cement works came into view. Further along we bumped into the local farmer on his quad bike and had a long and very informative chat. He was a lovely guy and chatted as if we had known him all our lives. More drizzle as we headed back to the car, we passed a sheep lying on its back so our Rob climber over a wall and righted it otherwise it would of died.

The elevation profile shows the ups and downs of this walk.

Abney is a tiny hamlet of a few farms lying in a remote valley high up above the Derwent to the south of Hope Valley.

Water trough in the middle of the hamlet

Another view of Abney

Ike and Rob walking up the hill

The first glimpse of heather

Geoff with Abney down below

Heather on Abney Moor

Geoff

Me

Geoff

Geoff, Ike & Rob looking over towards Bamford and Ladybower in the distance.

Gods rays shining through the clouds

A derelict barn needs a bit of TLC

Pano view with the cement works on the left and Win Hill on the right

Geoff

Ike and Rob

Sheep's scull on a wall

Me

The rain's on its way.

Sheltering from the wind and rain

Hope cement works

The lads talking to a farmer

What "EWE" looking at?

Although it was rubbish weather and i had to put the camera away a few times because of the rain this was still a very enjoyable walk. Just over 4 miles and looking at the elevation profile we were up and down a lot. Some of the views in decent conditions would be stunning, so possibly a trip in better weather might be on.
See you next week.