Monsal Head (circular) – (Peak District) – Derbyshire – 26/02/12 – 5.25 Miles – Helen, Ally, Grant (Molly)

Our now regular trio of myself, Helen, and Molly, were joined for this trek by youngsters Grant and Ally. One of whom wants to get into walking more, and the other one whom Helen wants to remind of the benefits. So both Helen and myself agreed that this particular route which we last did in May was an ideal short and scenic Peak District promo. For my part I was firing on a lot more cylinders than the previous week, although as usual never quite the full quota.

So after completing the tourist shots overlooking Monsal viaduct, we descended down some steps, over the river, and climbed up this time to join the Monsal trail. As is now usual there was a fair quotient of cyclists about, requiring Molly staying on her lead, however by the time we reached Cressbrook Mill, and come off the trail, we were able to let her run free again.


Descending down to Water cum Jolly, we were able to reminise about the time Molly nearly decided to run with the rapids on the weir there, as well as point out the place where Luther made an unscheduled swim. The first time I ever did this walk with Helen (not last May) there was too much water about to walk along the limestone walls. Not this time however, and we were all able to enjoy the tranquillity of the surroundings, as we were passed by other walkers with the occasional dog. As time was moving on two of our party (myself being one of them) were whinging for lunch, so eventually we had it there alongside the water.

After briefly crossing over the Monsal trail again, we began the day’s steep climb. Myself and Grant pushed each other on in the usual macho male way, whilst the three ladies took a more leisurely approach. One thing I find with walks is that the best views are often behind you, however on this occasion we all took our fill of Millers Dale, whilst taking assorted snaps for posteriety. I then tried to lead us astray whilst following a couple of walkers ahead of us, until the GPS in the grey fleece, put me back on track again.

Further along I looked once more to add some element of tension and uncertainty to proceedings, as I then wondered aloud whether we were still on the correct path with no promised farmyard in sight. However the newer member of our party then produced an app on her mobile, which was able to give us a satellite aerial shot of where we were and where we were heading (which is alright if you like that sort of thing I suppose).

Some of the best views on this walk are when you make the stony descent on the approach to Monsal Head, before eventually crossing over the viaduct. Following which we finished with a steep climb up the steps, where a little girl asked me if I was alright after I stumbled. At the top one is greeted with a choice of ice cream van, pub and tea shop. We chose the latter, having our cake and coffee outside, whilst watching the assorted walkers, cyclists, dog walkers, motorbikers, and hot hatchbacks, that seem to hang around there.

Black Rock (circular) – (Peak District) – Derbyshire – 18/02/12 – 6.64 Miles – Helen (Molly)

The first thing that hit us when we got out of the car park, overlooked by Black Rock, was that it was bloody cold in the breeze (never mind that deceptive winter sunshine). So given that I hadn’t been firing on all cylinders throughout the week, by the end of the walk the cold did eventually take its toll on me.

Still forgetting about me being the ‘old soldier’ for now, the walk began on what is the High Peak trail, which seemed to interlink for some way with the Tissington Trail. As we looked over and below to our left we could see Matlock Bath, the ruins of Riber Castle, and a moonscape of a quarry. Both of us were a little bothered by the cold, in a find an ‘out of sight place’ sort of way. But with that taken care of, we were amazed to see a run off point for engine wagons (called a catch) on the downwards trail, created for its previous incarnation as a railway line. We were then even more amazed to see it is still filled with overturned.

However having then passed some better preserved wagons (in a visitor centre sort of way) we arrived at High Peak junction, where we had lunch on one of the available benches. There we were joined on the table by a small doggie (Helen thinks terrier, I think Scottie) who was either very interested in what we were eating (Salmon roll) or Helen herself (they know a doggie person when they see one). Strangely enough Molly didn’t seem to pay this little scamp any notice at all. However with a group of ramblers having turned up on the other benches, our new doggie friend decided to head in their direction, before the ducks cornered all of their lunch box action.

We continued along the Cromford canal towpath, where it passes over the River Derwent, passing in the process Lea Wood Pump-house (open certain days at the year where you can witness canal and river exchanging fluids). Molly was then spooked by a train running underneath the canal, where it passes over the railway.

Our journey back to the start point was via Cromford Moor with Crich tower constantly in the distance as we made our way through various wooded and open areas. It did briefly rain on us (sleety) but fortunately I had a brolly, which I was prepared to let Helen hold for me. By this time I was seriously flagging (man-flu) and unusually was happy for Helen to be the one in front on the very steep climb towards the end of the walk that overlooked Wirksworth. Having reached (eventually) some of telecomm mast or other, we then began the descent back to the car, whilst having a few snaps of Black Rock. Speaking of which, apologies if the pix are a little grainier than normal, but I forgot my camera and had to use Helen’s.


Walks since last blog entry:
Monsal (circular) – 3 miles

Tideswell (circular) – (Peak District) – (Derbyshire) – 14/01/12 – 8.75 Miles – Helen (Molly)

On the coldest of days we began our winter wonderland trek at the disused station at Millers Dale. Thus the amazing visual thing about this walk was the contrast between bright winter sunshine, and the carpet of white frost in the shaded areas (a contrast that was to last for the whole duration). Anyway this particular point on the Monsal Trail appears to be a very popular start point for both walkers and the cycling fraternity, no doubt in part because the station facilities are still in use. So once two out of the three of us, had made use of available facilities, we were on our way.


Basically we didn’t stay on the trail long enough to be bothered by the cyclists (which seems to be a bit of a problem in walking circles at the moment). Thus once we had passed the lime kilns, we headed off up towards Wormhill. As responsible dog owners/walkers (well most of the time) we followed instructions and kept Molly on her lead. This being just as well as we soon encountered a local farmer (+ working dog) rounding up his flock of sheep. Unsure of what to do, we basically watched proceedings until he said we could move on, whilst he bemoaned that he was one sheep missing. So in our quest to continue to do the right thing, I decided to shut the next open gate we came to, only for a loud voice to bellow “leave it open”. Thus we hurried on, eager not to be trampled by the flock, once the numbers were complete.

Lunch wasn’t too long after, but given the cold one didn’t want to sit still for too long. However Helen (who periodically enjoys making me retrace my steps uphill) tried to pull a ‘lost her glasses gag’ which I refused to fall for (they were of course in her rucksack). So presently we passed through the village of Tunstead, which seemed to consist of two semi-derelict houses and a red phone box with no door. We then had trouble negotiating some fields where the OS trail seemed to be deliberately run down, as if to discourage pesky walker types. Latterly some farm dogs didn’t make us feel all that welcome either, when we passed them by on our way to Dale Head (Molly however maintained an air of nonchalance).

At Dale Head we joined the Limestone Way, passing though Peter Dale, which was waterlogged but frozen (and spectacularly beautiful). However when we came out of that and attempted to continue through Monks Dale, it became too much water and too little ice. Thus we made a strategic withdrawal, and instead headed on up the road to pick up the Limestone Way again.

However after a bit of zigzagging along some dry stone walled fields, the woman in the black woolly hat, misplaced the Limestone Way somewhere (I take no responsibility as I was playing follow the leader). Anyway a check between the GPS and the OS map, confirmed we were a little further over than thought, at a fork called Meadow Lane. So although it was getting late in the afternoon, with the sun setting on our right, it didn’t present a real problem, as following the road took us all the way down (and eventually up some steps) to where the car was parked at Millers Dale. As we reached the car we saw the last of the day’s other walkers packing up to head home, no doubt like us doing a quick mental double check that they had taken all their litter etc’, home with them.

Anyway this was a really good walk (which I think even began to wear the energetic Molly out), so much appreciation to the woman in the brown coat who thought of it. However her suggestion that we then head off dancing before we went home, was appreciated as much as the smell of silage on my boots and gators.

Farningham Road to Otford – (Kent) – 02/01/12 – 9 Miles – IVC

There was a double figure turn out for this bank holiday walk to see in the new year. Thus whilst there was a slight chill in the air, there was no wind to exacerbate it, and it was a very bright day. That said I can’t ever recall doing a walk before, where the Sun was so irritatingly low and in your eyes, the entire day.

Anyway the first half found us walking along the Darent valley path, in the process of which we crossed a set of footbridges over the River Darent, confirming to me that I had done this walk with IVC before. As we headed off towards Eynsford we spotted Eynsford castle (pictured) to our left, which apparently dates back to 1088 (them Normans built things to last).

After crossing the Ford going into Eynsford we stopped for a pub lunch. I had the malt burger (local delicacy) and chips, which seemed a tad underdone, as well as a pint of local cider.

The second half found us following the crowded path beside the River Darent. Before long Lullingstone Roman Villa (which apparently is all enclosed within the visitor centre), but which was shut for the Bank Holiday. A little further on and we came across Lullingstone Castle and its restored 16th century gatehouse. From there on it was a case of glooping along in the mud (with the crowds having thinned out) alongside the river. A couple of the group dropped out at Shoreham, but the rest of us continued on to Otford. There we saw the local church covered in various types of cladding. However in a sign of the times a notice read: ‘if you see workman on our roof between 6pm and 8am, phone the police as they are probably stealing it’.

So overall a good walk, save for the Sun constantly in ones eyes, given that we always heading South. I can’t tell you the exact distance as the pound shop batteries in the GPS, gave up in the pub but our leader assured us it was around nine miles.

The Best Walk Awards - 2011

For the third year running I hand out awards (of the purely ceremonial kind) to my favourite walks of the year (now in four categories).


BEST WALK WITH IVC

This one was a beautiful Summer's walk, on the second sunday in April (?) Billericay-to-Brentwood-essex


BEST WALK ON MY OWN

Given that most waking on my own was over my usual haunts of Osterly Park/Grand Union Canal, Thames Towpath, and Richmond Park, there wasn't a lot of stand out candidates. However this walk from January was a very good day, as I recceed out this one from Country Walking magazine, to later lead IVC on. Dudswell-circular-Hertfordshire


BEST WALK WITH HELEN

As usual too many to pick from. However this one was a very good one, if for no other reason than the extraordinary carpeting of pink heather that we encountered. Win Hill (Circular)


BEST HOLIDAY WALK

A new category, but as it has featured strongly in previous awards, it is only right that it now comes into its own. With three holidays this year to: Isle of Wight, West Sussex, and finally Bath, there was a lot to choose from. However this for me was the stand out candidate. Freshwater Bay-circular-via-Yarmouth-and the Needles


As mentioned the three holiday's were the Highlights, and I am pleased I am still hanging in there with IVC (although probably not for much longer). The Lowlights however were a sense that walking has had to take a back seat for the latter part of the year, due to the whole flat purchasing/moving thing, and also that Luther is no longer fit enough to come out on long walks with me and Helen.

So to all my readers/followers and walking partners, have a great 2012.

Ashover (circular) – (Derbyshire) – 27/12/11 – 5 Miles – Helen (Molly)

Following the usual Christmas Day indulgence, and something of a Boxing Day Sales extravagence, a walk was definitely in order for the Bank Holiday Tuesday. Helen chose a walk that was very familiar to her, and also one that I had done on at least a couple of occasions.

So having parked at Ashover village hall, we made our way along the village before having a look inside the ‘Parish Church of All Saints’ (perhaps where we should do midnight mass next year), before beginning a fairly steep series of climbs. This took us up to Cocking Tor and along to Ashover Hay, encountering some mountain bikers along the way, as well as some stunning views on this unseasonally bright and warm(ish) day.


After finding a nice seat to have our provisions we made our way back via Four Hill Quarry. We eventually looked in at The Crispen pub for a swift half, with Helen meeting some familiar faces, before the day concluded with an encounter with some manic little dogs. The GPS said 4.87 miles, but I am rounding it up to 5 (so there).

Oxted (circular) – (Surrey) – 18/12/11 – 9 Miles – IVC

Well if I thought the process of buying a flat was time consuming, that is as nothing compared to the time required to get said flat up to the required standard. So with just about every minute of every free day currently being spent on that, walking (and everything else) has had to take something of a back seat. Therefore the last walk walk worth mentioning (short of the occasional circuit of the park with Helen’s dogs) was actually six weeks ago. That walk was with IVC, and by some strange coincidence it also began/ended at Oxted railway station. Suffice to say of course, that this one was a different (figure of eight) route, compared to the previous circular one.

Anyway as a fourteen strong group set off outside the railway station, I just about managed to get my gators on before being left behind. It was certainly worth the effort though as this was a muddy squelch fest for much of the proceedings. It was also a crisp and frosty winter’s day, but was not particularly cold due to the still air. Thus most of the walk was through a variety of countryside below the North Downs, with us at various times picking up and leaving the Greensand Way.

Lunch was at the Hare and Hounds at Godstone, who didn’t seem at all bothered by our muddy boots. They certainly took their time serving up our grub, but the other side of that was it was good value, with my gammon baquette and chips coming in at £4.95 (washed down with a pint of cider of course).

The second half was pretty much of the same ilk as the first, although it did rain for a brief period (which wasn’t on the script), before we made it back to Oxted for the 1628 back to London Victoria. So overall a good Winter’s walk, which was just what I needed.