Robin Hood Stride (Circular) – (White Peak District) - (Derbyshire) – 07/05/12 – 7.23 Miles – Helen, Ally & Grant

Whilst our numbers were swelled for this bank holiday jaunt by young people Ally and Grant, we also had to leave behind Molly currently nursing a dodgy paw. Now as May day bank holiday weather goes this one was distinctly below average, with a sharp chill in the air and a constant mizzly threat of rain.

So having parked in a layby we made our way up a short incline to pick up the Limestone way with Robin Hoods Stride (mock Beggars Hall) ahead of us (see pic). Our first stop being the hermits cave (not much to see there then) before carrying on over the hills towards Bradford Dale. Here we found ourselves running the gauntlet of one field after another of killer cattle, before eventually having lunch under a rocky incline outside Youlgrave. During the course of the day I became something of a quartermaster, handing around assorted: hats, gloves, plasters and binoculars. Unfortunately I had run out of forks for the consumption of tuna.

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Following an inconclusive post lunch diversion for coffee and cakes (never happened), we then found ourselves negotiating some boggy ground. This was every man (woman) for themselves, best illustrated when I put my foot down on a ‘dry’ part only to sink straight down to my knees. My frantic cries for help, as I then fell forward sinking both arms in as well, went unheeded as the others fell around laughing. Realising I was on my own in this survival situation, I heroically managed to get myself out. However the laughter around me soon began to die out, when I pointed out that two of our party were going to have to eventually take me home in their cars.

We continued on with me scraping bits of mud off as I went, whilst the two people with maps faffed around so much, I felt like jumping back into the mud to relieve the boredom. Anyway we did find some Lama’s and young lambs to gawp at, all the while keeping a wary eye out for more of the killer cattle.

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Eventually we came out by a series of troughs on Cliff Lane on the way to Elton. Here we were greatly amused by some passer by’s chocolate lab who thought he could swim from one trough to the other. We later came across this group again by a churchyard in Elton having negotiated another climb up to that point. Our descent down again from the church yard found the two youngest members taking their turns at falling over. Eventually however we made our way back to the car, before making our way home for lashings of cake and ginger beer. Alright I made that bit up as given the state of my boots/trousers, invites for tea were a bit in short supply. Anyway a fun day, although given how long it took us to do, we should have completed seventeen miles not seven.

Pleasley (Circular)– (Derbyshire) – 14/04/12 – 8.5 Miles – Helen (Molly)

After a certain amount of confusion over the location of our parking spot in Pleasley (Medan Square), we were off walking in this former industrial area of Derbyshire. After traversing a path beside the infant River Medan, we made a short climb to get up onto a former railway track. This was the Medan Trail, which is special due to the magnesium limestone under ones feet and along the embankments. Apparently this thin broken strip stretching between West Nottinghamshire and Durham, is the only place in the world (along with a small area of Poland) where this is visible above the ground.


As we came to the end of the trail we decided this was as good a place as any to have our sandwiches (handy rocks to sit on), however we didn’t dwell too long given the chill in the air, and the imminent rainfall. So moving on we passed a row of handsome cottages (Pleasely Vale Village – 1854) before passing St. Chads Church, and beginning a loop that would take us back to the church from another direction. During the course of said loop we walked alongside a steep escarpment known as Little Matlock, named due to its similarity (albeit in smaller form) to its much bigger sibling.


Our next site of interest was a large complex of former industrial mills in Pleasely Vale, which nowadays seem to be occupied by the occasional small trader, but in the main by site security. Thoughtfully the powers that be who run the area, have cut down the speed limit to 20mph, so that the migratory toads who also use these roads, have at least a sporting chance of survival.

As we left there we then picked up the Archaeological Way (although we both need to look further into why it is called that), before eventually making a hard left at an electricity sub-station. As we followed a tiny stream on a path approaching Stony Houghton, Helen decided to stop by some old unoccupied farm buildings for a coffee. I must say these buildings really creeped me out (think the ending of The Blair Witch Project) and I was half expecting someone to come running out at us with a chainsaw at any moment.

Anyway having reached Stony Houghton, there didn’t seem to be a lot there (save for cars coming at us in all directions), so we carried on before eventually crossing the A617, to continue on the bridleway (longhedge Lane). To the far left of us was Pleasely Country Park, as designated by my route cut out from Country Walking magazine (which is where this walk came from). Helen’s slightly older OS map (Explorer 269) referred to it as ‘slag heap’.

Having continued along there for 2km we spotted the former ‘pit head’ (photo’s too rubbish to show here), but got somewhat distracted by this, and thus ignored the final section of the walk where we were meant to pick up a bridleway leading onto another disused railway. However it was too near the end of the walk to cause a real problem, except to divert the last half mile back to the car through a housing estate.

Overall this was a coldish grey and drizzly day, which was probably appropriate for this ramble through the darker industry of Derbyshires past. This was certainly no Peak District, but we both agreed it was a walk well worth doing, on just the one occasion only.

Walks since last blog entry:

Osterley Park (circular) – 2.5 Miles (Helen)
Putney to Osterley – 9.25 Miles
Grand Union / Osterley Park – 7 Miles

Shepley to Stocksmoor – Yorkshire – 21/03/12 – 10 Miles – R’mblers

My second outing with Ramblers in 4 days and I was very surprised to see the numbers for a midweek outing, exceeding those on a Sunday, with the total somewhere around the 25 mark. The weather had cooled slightly but it was still a more than acceptable Spring day.

Anyway to quickly run through this one we started at Shepley, and continued en route through: Upper Cumberworth, High Flatts, Cheese Gate Nab, Hole Bottom, Stone Wood Dike, before finishing at Stocksmoor.

This was one of those walks where I did more chin wagging than looking around. However what I did notice were: the fine views from the high vantage points, a series of wind turbines that didn’t seem to be turning, and at the end a turkey that was already carrying his full Christmas weight.

Still chatting about football as we neared Stocksmoor station the leader had to remind us to get a move on, as the hourly train went at 1629 back to Sheffield, and it was already 1621. Once on the train though I was a bit concerned that I should have bought a one stop extension back to Shepley. However the cute train guard seemed keen to check everyone elses tickets whilst giving all of us ramblers a wide berth.

Walks since last blog entry:
Somersall (circular) – 3.5 miles – Helen (Molly)

Bakewell to Rowsley – (Peak District) – Derbyshire – 18/03/12 – 12 Miles – R’mblers

My first outing with Ramblers nearly didn’t take place given how hard it was raining at seven in the morning. However after some reassurance from Sky News I decided to give it a go anyway, which was just as well as it turned out to be a really pleasant Spring day. Yet having arrived on my own in Bakewell I nearly missed out a second time, as I waited on one side of the road for the main group’s bus to arrive, whilst they were quietly getting off a little further down on the other side.

That resolved a group of about 19 of us set off, initially through the back streets of Bakewell, but soon were passing through Over Haddon, and then onto Youlgreave, where we stopped in due course for some elevenses.

Continuing on along the Limestone Way, we passed a sign post for Lathkill Dale, but instead of going along that we made our way up some steep rock face. This ascent being the second point on the walk where I managed to make myself look a pratt by slipping over. However by the time the group decided to stop for lunch I assumed I had put all that behind me. So having found a nice little rock inside a small cove to sit on, I was surprised to hear the ‘ready in one minute’ call a mere 20 minutes in (I was still on my mini-cheddars). So leaping up to attention I managed to bang my head on the rocky stone above me (ho hum).

We then began a very steep ascent on some very slippery mud/grass (still sopping from the mornings rain) where to my surprise I managed to stay on my feet. At this point however a few of the stragglers obviously became disorientated and took a wrong turn, leaving the rest of the group waiting for them at the bottom by a small bridge over a stream (still on the Limestone Way). There then followed a lively debate over whether we were going to make the 1656 hourly bus at Rowsley or not, if people didn’t get a move on.

We continued on what I assume was the second of the advertised Dales on this walk, where we began to warm nicely in the afternoon sunshine. As we passed Robin Hoods Stride on our right we passed a large group of red helmeted school children, preparing to make their way up it.

As the walk neared its conclusion we made our way through Stanton Moor, passing nine ladies, before eventually beginning a long descent down towards Rowsley, in the course of which there was more debate over whether we had misplaced someone. However with them located some way ahead of us, we touched down in Rowsley where it turned out there was sufficient time after all for some of the group to get a drink, and others to look into a garden centre.

Having been with IVC so long there are a few differences I will have to get used to, but it was a good day and a nice first outing with the group.

Chatsworth Circular - 16/03/12 - Helen (Molly) - 3.92 miles

A short few notes for a short walk. That said this was an attractive little ramble initially along the high ground overlooking the Chatsworth estate, before finishing along the river on the far banks of it. In the course of our wanderings we stodged up on the hardest of baguette's, and came across a wedding party in the estate church, with bell ringing accompanyment.

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