A delightful green lane running along the top of the limestone plateau above the dales. 
Entering Hay Dale for the first time.
Entering Peter Dale.
Entering Monk's Dale.Walk stats: Distance:11.0 miles; Climb:1640'.
Time:5 hours 33 minutes; On the move walking average:2.5 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:2.0 m.p.h.
Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Mike D., Sylvia and Dave J.
Once again the weather was kind to us, in the main quite warm with sunny spells and only few spots of rain, never enough to come anyway near wetting us!
We started the walk along the Limestone Way, a delightful green lane across the limestone plateau, an area that is the home territory of the Skylark whose wonderful song entertained us and reminded us that Spring is here! Walking through Hay Dale reminded us of how beautiful some of these Derbyshire dales can be.
Lunch was taken using the picnic tables and seats in the children's play area at Peak Forest.
The route from Peak Forest was literally down dale, all five of them, Dam Dale, Hay Dale, Peter Dale, Monk's Dale and Miller's Dale, all delightful except one! When can a 1 miles seem like 10? When you happen to be walking down Monk's Dale! Having fallen over on one of the slippy sections of the path, it upheld my earlier belief that Monk's Dale is my least favourite dale in the world, and one to be avoided!
Birds seen or heard today included:Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Mallard, Chaffinch, Meadow pipit, Blue tit, Great tit, Magpie, Blackbird, Mistle thrush, Fieldfare and Skylark.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the wonderfully friendly Wilkes Head in Leek. the Hartington Bitter was in good form and some of the group enjoyed the free pork pies on offer at the bar.
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