Footpaths from Tansley.

27/10/2018

Another walk out today with the Doncaster ramblers, billed in the programme as "a gem of a walk, one not to be missed". Lets hope so...It's going to be a great walk with plenty of interest along the way. 17 of us gathered across the road from the Tavern in Tansley...Soon we were off, uphill in the direction of Riber castle..A cold morning, that actually felt quite like winter [im not complaining]..There was talk of the odd snow flurry although we never saw any....A day for wooly hats...Up through fields and along a lane we passed behind Riber castle known as Smedleys folly, it was built in 1862 by local industrialist John Smedley, perched on a hilltop overlooking the town of Matlock, it commands attention...We couldn't actually see the castle from close up but as we climbed and looked back we were treated to some nice views of it.

It was soon downhill, sometimes gently, sometimes steeply, sometimes through woodland, sometimes bracken covered slopes. The beautiful colours of Autumn enhanced the scene. I love this season its just a shame that it doesn't last long...I look up at the trees, the wind blowing the leaves from the branches...slow down.

The first descent of the day over we found a convenient wall for our elevenses break..The wall backed onto Smedleys mill [Lea mills]...founded in 1784 by Peter Nightingale and John Smedley it straddles Lea brook...the brook was used to clean yarn and power the machinery...The Mill/factory is still open today manufacturing the company's range of designer knitwear...It began to drizzle.

From here it was up again...up to another interesting old building, Lea hurst hall near the village of Holloway. The hall is famous for the fact that it was once the home of Florence Nightingale...although born in Florence[Italy] The lady of the lamp has many connections with this area of Derbyshire and it was here that she returned too after the Crimean war..We gingerly crossed a cattle grid, trespassing up a private drive to gain a closer look at the building but we couldn't see much, a huge electric gate barred our way...lets get out of here before they set the dogs on us I thought.

Another drop down and we found ourselves walking along the towpath of the Cromford canal..For me this was the highlight of todays walk..a most attractive little canal that runs for 16 miles between Cromford and the Erewash canal...I could have followed that path all day.

Sadly we had to leave the canal..what came next I can only describe as a bastard, a climb so steep that even as I write this I can still imagine my legs trembling...I exaggerate of course, actually I quite enjoyed it...we stopped a couple of times to catch our breath, mop our brows and take a gulp of water...before we knew it we were free from the bastard, marching purposefully across fields in the direction of the village of Critch...passing the Critch tramway museum where we paused for a group photograph.

Next stop...Critch stand, a regimental war memorial..a place to sit and think...I payed my 20p into the honesty box and climbed the steps that spiralled around to the top of the tower...what a view I was greeted with.

Didn't stay long up there as the wind was whistling around my lug holes...I followed the path down to find a wet seat for a sarnie and a coffee..after which I visited the small cosy tearoom for a glass of coca cola..so this is where everyone was.....Quite literally there was no room to swing a cat although it was nice to get out of the wind and drizzle..

With lunch over and another group photograph at the base of the tower and we set off due north back in the direction of Tansley.

A few more ups and downs followed by a few more ups and downs and we came across a most attractive little church...St John the Baptists church in Dethick is set in a beautiful secluded spot...a place of prayer and stillness..The key was obtained from the property next door..Manor farm [the home of Blue Peters Simon Groom]..A turn of the key and slipped in for a look around..as soon as you walk in you are struck by the beauty of the stained glass windows.

With a couple of miles still to walk we decided to pass on the pub stop today..Didnt matter this had been a cracking walk...I have been walking with the Ramblers now for about 5 months and I reckon that this is one of the best walks that I have been on...a walk I shall return too one day... maybe next spring.

A walk around Grasmere and Rydal.

18/10/2018.

A week off work....You can't waste time off work. With this in mind we set off up to the Lakes for a walk. A treat [its always a treat to visit the lakes]. We have been visiting the Lake district for walks around 25 years now and I still get excited at the prospect of spending time up there. No where else has this effect on me...in short... im in love with the place.After a mainly sleepless night, we were up at 4 and set off up the A1...Destination Heaven.

As we drove over Dunmail raise and down to Grasmere we realised what a corker of a walk this was going to be..Ahead of us lay a fantastic cloud inversion. A sea of cotton wool covering the valley floor..hope it lasts for some photographs..We parked up and booted up in record time..heading off up the Red bank road...slow down for Red Squirrel signs every few yards along here....I wondered if we would be lucky enough to see one...There were occasional glimpses through the mist across the lake to Loughrigg, the hill where we were heading.

Nearing the top of the pass we located the Loughrigg terrace path, a path that crosses the northern flanks of the fell, However before we followed this delightful path we need to walk up to the summit, it shouldn't take long, although listed as a Wainwright fell it doesn't stand much above the 1000 foot mark..With every few steps I turned to take in the show in the valley..The mist was slowly clearing. We passed a couple of lads flying a drone I bet they got some great results this morning.

Before long we were sat/stood on the summit enjoying a sandwich and a coffee..Of all of the little fells this has to be one of the best viewpoints..Spinning round I named the main features..Windermere...Coniston fells..Crinkle crags and Bowfell...The Langdale pikes, Silver howe, Helm crag, Dunmail raise, Seat sandal and most of the Fairfield horseshoe...A perfect view on a perfect day...Time to move on ...Another Wainwright on the wifes list.

I didn't want too but it time to leave the summit and head back down to the Terrace path..The last of the mist had fizzled away leaving great views of the lake..crystal clear.The views were so good..i got to thinking about the best views in the Lake district..its hard to decided but I would plump for the view of Borrowdale from Great end...a view to die for

We trotted along the path..I felt happy...I almost whistled..I looked around in all directions, everywhere looked perfect..some great Autumn colour around these parts...suddenly peace was shattered as a Staffy bolted out of the bracken heading for Alfie [ our placid laidback Springer]..A women shouted for him to come back but he was on a mission to sniff Alfies parts...After sniffing where Alfies parts used to be he wandered off...his owner shouting VINCE...GET BACK HERE !!..
what a great name for a dog I thought.

Next came Rydal water, one of the most beautiful of the Lakelands lakes,situated in the Rothay valley between Ambleside and Grasmere...I took some photos, Alfie took a swim..I didn't want the shoreline path to end.

I had wanted to visit the caves along here but somehow or other we found ourselves on the wrong path...never mind ...We crossed Pelter bridge and walked along the road to the Hamlet of Rydal..a few houses and a church line the one street..a place significant in the history of English romantic literature as William wordsworth lived here at Rydal mount. Wordworth was not only one of our best poets but he was also a great walker..and here we are following in his very footsteps...we headed off along the coffin route..some of the views along here wouldn't have changed much since the days of the Romantic poet.

We passed many lovely houses along here with equally lovely gardens..an elderly man was taking a photograph of a Silver birch tree..In gods name what sort of tree is that he shouted out in a soft Irish accent..when I told him he looked a bit disappointed..it looks different he said..it didn't....I like trees.All day we had kept our eyes peeled for Red Squirrels, we knew they were often seen around these parts but we never seem to be lucky enough to see them..we looked up the pines...below the oaks..under the Beeches..never mind...better luck next time..we eventually made it to the end of the coffin route where coffins were carried between Ambleside and Grasmere..hard to imagine that..we passed a rock where it is said that coffins were laid on while those carrying them rested.

The walk nearly over we reached the now busy village of Grasmere...We passed Dove cottage pushing our way through groups of Schoolchildren and Chinese tourists....Shops selling sheep with googly eyes...20p toilets..The wordsworth graves..the line of people queueing outside the gingerbread shop..Tweedies bar...all of the things that Grasmere is famous for...And then Hey.!! a Red squirrel running down the road towards us...At last when you least expect it

Back at the car...only 7 miles walked, but one to remember.

A dander from Darfield [A Ramblers ramble]

06/10/2018.

I could hear the gentle patter on my bedroom window, a patter that went on for hours, most of the night in fact...couldn't sleep, i am normally working during the night so my body clock is shot to bits..I might as well get up...Theres a walk today with the Ramblers but what with all the rain I couldn't decide,should I go or not..i ummed and arred over a couple of crumpets..What was I thinking? of course I should go out, after all its only rain...Rain never killed anyone...So I drove the short distance to Darfield, Pulling into the layby near Middlewood hall, the rain stopped and the sky began to brighten.
Im guessing im not the only one that ummed and arred this morning, However 8 of us hardy ramblers had turned up for the walk...Todays leader [Trevor] thanked us for turning up,and we were off..following cross field paths and field edge paths we were soon caked in mud.i didn't mind, in fact it made a change, cant remember the last time I had mud on my boots...We made it down to the River Dearne, where it was decided it was time for our elevenses break...I was enjoying the walk..

We stood/sat on the bridge...Coffee was quaffed, the odd butty and Banana munched..We even had entertainment as a couple of our group gave a rousing rendition of "Its a long way to Tipperary". Feeling refreshed we set off following the course of the Dearne..Ahead lies Barnsley..

We passed several Giant hogweed plants along this stretch, we gave them a wide berth, for these plants can be dangerous, especially if one comes into contact with their sap..just brushing against them can result in blistering skin or scars...We carried on..me with a song [The return of the giant Hogweed by Genesis]bouncing around in my head.

Before long we had made it to the outskirts of Barnsley [stairfoot] where we picked up the Trans Pennine trail..There was once a railway station here at Stairfoot, this would have been the main line between Mexborough and Barnsley..A terrible accident happened on this spot in 1870 when a goods train divided, the rear section rolling back to collide with a passenger train that was sat in the station killing 15 people. I wondered if their ghosts haunted the Mcdonalds that now sits on the site.

We were to follow the Trans Pennine trail for several miles now as far as Wombwell, but first we enjoyed a pint in the Ash, a lovely old pub situated right beside the trail...I say enjoy a pint...but I enjoyed two..The hand pulled Old speckled hen tasted awesome.

Back to the trail we built up quite a head of steam, soon reaching Wombwell ings, a RSPB wetland site beside the River Dearne. We followed the footpath that circles the reserve. Lots of horses graze the pastures around here.We watched and enjoyed the equine show as 50 or so Horses and ponies charged around like lunatics..quite a stampede.It was funny to watch the little Shetland ponies trying to keep up with the bigger horses.

A steep climb now back up to Darfield ..we detoured to visit the church and churchyard..its a nice place..i kept an eye peeled for local lad [Poet] Ian Mcmillan..one of Barnsleys famous sons...no sign of him though.....Back to the car...did it rain earlier?..forgot all about that.!!