Nick & Geraldine - My Walks (Volume 2)

This is a description of walks I have taken recently complete with reference to the book from which the walk was taken, comments and, where appropriate, photographs.

This page covers walks from 27 April 2008 to 1 December 2009

Biggin Dale & Wolfscote Dale
Book - Peak District Walking on the Level - Norman Buckley - Published by Sigma Leisure		Start Point - Hartington
Page 85		Easy
Landranger Map -119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 6 Miles

Decent easy walk through Biggin & Wolfscote dales, along the Dove in the latter. Route finding and ground underfoot are good. The only significant climb is on a road right at the start of the walk.

Holmfirth

Book - Peak District Walks - Brian Conduit & Kevin Borman - Published by Jarold Publishing

Start Point - Holmfirth

Page 22

Easy

Landranger Map -110 - Sheffield & Huddersfield

Length - 5 Miles

Pleasant enough walk around the Holme valley, starting at Holmfirth. You go straight into a severe climb of which much is steep and worn steps.From then on the walk on the north side of the Holme is very pleasant and very varied. You then descend and cross the Holme. The instructions for the next stage are diabolical. One way or another you reach the road and have a splendid descent back to Holmfirth with great views.

Shining Tor
Book - The AA Pocket Book of Britain's Walks - Published by AA Publishing		Start Point - Errwood Hall
Page 45		Moderate
Landranger Map -119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 6 Miles

Superb walk from Fernwood reservoir to top of Shining Tor. The ascents are reasonably gentle (Geraldine was there and did not struggle). The highlight is the two mile ridge walk from Pym's Chair to Shining Tor, which must be one of the best around with continual 360 degree views. Always good ground underfoot and directions easy to follow. Overall, one of the best.

Derwent & Howden Reservoirs
Book - The AA Pocket Book of Walks Through British History - Published by AA Publishing		Start Point - Fairholmes
Page 94		Hard
Landranger Map -110 - Sheffield & Huddersfield		Length - 6 Miles

Very nice walk between Derwent & Howden reservoirs and Derwent edges. Total ascent was 982 feet, with one steep climb. Not particularly hard as hard walks go. Superb views of Howden dam and reservoir on the descent. To be picky, there was rather too long on tarmac, nearly half of the walk was on the service road to the reservoirs, but it certainly helped the average speed.

Cromford Canal
Book - Peak District Walking on the Level - Norman Buckley - Published by Sigma Leisure		Start Point - Cromford
Page 118		Easy
Landranger Map -119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 3.75 Miles

Nice short walk along and above Cromford canal. We went in spring with moorhen & little grebe breeding to add interest. The walk is varied with great views after you climb from the canal; the climb not being too tough. There is also just about the right amount of woodland walking. Route finding was a little difficult in the later stages but we managed.

Hathersage Moor
Book - Eastern Peak - by Paul Hannon - Published by Hillside Publications, Keighley, West Yorkshire		Start Point - Surprise View
Page 70		Easy
Landranger Map -110 - Sheffield & Huddersfield		Length - 4 Miles

Very nice walk around Hathersage Moor, covering some familiar territory in a different way and adding a few new bits. The views on the last leg were superb. We cannot understand why we were advised to come down the trees rather than the edge of the scarp. The extra couple of hundred yards are compensated in spades. Route finding was surprisingly difficult, with Paul Hannon fancying himself as an artist rather than an informer on several occasions. Not for the first time.

Bakewell & Haddon Hall
40 Short Circular Walks in the Peak District - John N Merrill - Published by Footprint Press Ltd		Start Point - Bakewell
Page 28		Easy
Landranger Map -119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 6 Miles

Not the greatest walk of all time. The climb out of Bakewell was steep and through woods as was the drop towards Haddon Hall. There were some good views over both the Wye and Derwent valleys from the top. However, route finding was very difficult in a couple of places. Right from the start, actuality bore little resemblace to that described in the guide, although this got better after tyhe first climb. At the top, the footpaths were badly signed and maintained (longhand for non existent). We had to walk over two huge pathless hay fields and were glad of a GPS to keep us in the right place. There are no photographs from this walk because I forgot my camera.

Edwinstowe
Short Circular Walks in the Dukeries - John N Merrill - Published by J.N.M Publications		Start Point - Edwinstowe
Page 54		Easy
Landranger Map - 120 - Mansfield & Worksop		Length - 5 Miles

Nice level walk through Sherwood Forest and around the Maun. Route finding was surprisingly difficult. References to conifer plantations were found to mean birchwoods, etc. And of course GPS was not much use in the forest. I survived. No photographs on this walk as it was familiar territory.

Darley Dale
Short Circular Walks Around Matlock - John N Merrill - Published by J.N.M Publications		Start Point - Darley Dale
Page 10		Easy
Landranger Map - 119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 4.5 Miles

Decent short walk through less popular area of Peak District close to Matlock. Good views throughout and route finding relatively easy. Just a cation about John Merrill - when he discusses a pub it is not necessarily on the route. Avoid all such references unless you are thirsty. Avoid the reference to a pub in Wensley however thirsty you are, it no longer exists!

East Bridgeford and the River Trent
Rambles Around Nottingham & Derby - Keith Taylor - Published by Sigma Leisure		Start Point - East Bridgeford
Page 127		Easy
Landranger Map - 129 - Nottingham & Loughborough		Length - 5.5 Miles

Unusual walk on south bank of Trent. Start above East Bridgford was easy walking and superb views. The descent to the river led surprisingly to a return route that was difficult walking and nothing to see. There were a lot of ups and downs and sparse views of the river. Despite very wordy descriptions, the instructions were difficult to follow.

Foxton Locks
Book - 1000 Walks in Britain - Published by AA Publishing		Start Point - Foxton Locks
Page 601		Easy
Landranger Map - 141 - Kettering & Corby		Length - 5 Miles

Nice easy walk from Foxton Locks. Much is on canal tow paths, the remainder on well signed Leicestershire footpaths. A superb way to spend a sunny July afternoon.

Chee Dale

Book - Short Walks in the Peak Park - William & Vera Parker Published by Derbyshire Countryside Ltd

Start Point - Wormhill

Page 62

Moderate

Landranger Map - 119 - Buxton & Matlock

Length - 5 Miles

The start to the walk is a steep descent to the River Wye followed by a very steep ascent on the other side. As a result you get a negative feeling before you arrive at the far easier part with good views. Nevertheless, overall it was a nice walk in less walked part of the Peak District. Also note that there are only about three parking spaces within about two miles of Wormhill. These are on the road to the church.

Monsal Head and the River Wye
Book - Peak District Walks - Brian Conduit & Kevin Borman - Published by Jarold Publishing		Start Point - Ashford in the Water
Page 32		Moderate
Landranger Map - 119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 6 Miles

One of the best. A walk from Asford to Monsal Head climbs some 600 feet but you barely notice it. The views from Monsal head, much viewed over the years, remain as spectacular as ever. The descent to the Wye was steep but well pathed and then a lovely walk back to the main road along the picturesque valley. The last bit back to Ashford from the picnic area is a bit of a shock. There is a very serious climb up on to Shardlow hill and then a gentle descent to Ashford. Superb but surprisingly muddy even for a wet August.

Peter Dale & Monks Dale
Book - Eastern Peak - by Paul Hannon - Published by Hillside Publications, Keighley, West Yorkshire		Start Point - Millers Dale
Page 52		Moderate
Landranger Map - 119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 6 Miles

Did this with Kate after she returned from Iraq. It was a superb walk but turned out to be much harder than we expected. We did the walk in September after a very wet period. The first part to the head of Peter Dale was as expected, a steady but comfortable climb. Peter Dale was beautiful but very very wet and much walked by cattle. We had to pick our way through most of it stepping on rocks to keep the water below the top of our boots. Monks Dale was superb and different as trailed. It must be the nearest thing in this country to the rain forest. Humidity was very high but once again you have to pick each footfall with care and many of the rocks are slippery because of the humidity. So a hard walk of four hours but nevertheless superb. It is worth noting the remark about the superfluous footbridge at the end of the walk. Here is a picture of it!

Grindsbrook & Kinder
40 Short Circular Walks in the Peak District - John N Merrill - Published by Footprint Press Ltd		Start Point - Edale
Page 10		Hard
Landranger Map - 110 - Sheffield & Huddersfield		Length - 5 Miles

Lovely walk on Kinder completed with Kate on a sunny day in September. The way up Kinder was as easy as any that I have encountered. The walk round the top provided stunning views, enhaced by the clear day, The start of the walk down Grinds Brook is very difficult involving scramblig and rock climbing. The top of the path is virtually invisible and not signed. From half way, the descent becomes a broad easy path. Overall, a highly recommended walk but beware!

Scafell Pike
The National 3 Peaks Walk - Brian Smailes - Challenge Publications		Start Point - Wasdale Head
Page 53		Hard
Landranger Map - 89 - West Cumbria		Length - 5.16 Miles

Ascent of Scafell Pike. Completed with Kate after her posting to Iraq. Walk is first relentlessly up and includes a significant amount of scrambling as you get higher. Path is clearly marked with cairns. Scafell Pike is not a pretty mountain, more a pile of stones. Our brief access to the views looked good but the weather for the last half of our day was not good. A good walk to have done,

Ilam Hall
Book - 1000 Walks in Britain - Published by AA Publishing		Start Point - Ilam Hall
Page 544		Easy
Landranger Map - 119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 4.75 Miles

Bit of a mixed walk. The middle bit was a long slow climb through soggy woodland even at the end of a dry spell in October. Navigation was difficult. We were frequently glad of GPS and several times had to consult Landranger. However, the views from the top across the Manifold valley were imperious and made up for all of the negatives.

Lockerbrook Ridge
Book - Northern Peak - by Paul Hannon - Published by Hillside Publications, Keighley, West Yorkshire		Start Point - Fairholmes
Page 73		Easy
Landranger Map - 110 - Sheffield & Huddersfield		Length - 5 Miles

Did this walk with Kate in slightly dodgy weather. The description as easy is perhaps a slight underestimate. Lovely walk first through woods gaining height rapidly. Then a gorgeous ridge walk with superb views of the Derwent Valley, Edale & the great ridge, Kinder Scout and the Bamford Valley. After a gentle descent, the return is dead flat along the edge of Ladtbower Reservoir.

Chatsworth and the Tower from Baslow
Book - The AA Pocket Book of Britain's Walks - Published by AA Publishing		Start Point - Baslow
Page 124		Easy
Landranger Map - 119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 4.5 Miles

Nice walk from Baslow to Chatsworth, up to the hunting tower and back along the ridge above Dobb Edge. The walk was lovely in autumn, surrounded by beautiful colours. However, despite statements in the report, you will not get round dry shod. I suspect this is true even in the height of summer. The latter part of this walk from Dobb edge onward contains seriously damp and muddy parts. Also, navigation is difficult because of open parkland and the absence of public footpaths. GPS helps little because the concessionary paths are not marked on Landranger. You won't get lost because you start on high ground and descend to an area with lots of identifiable features but equally you are unlikely to follow the paths accurately.

Minninglow
Book - Drive and Stroll in Derbyshire & the Peak District - Charles Wildgoose - Published by Countryside Books, Newbury, Berkshire		Start Point - Minninglow Car Park
Page 63		Easy
Landranger Map - 119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 3.75 Miles

First walk on new hip and this turned out to be ideal. It was good underfoot, had a steady but not too steep climb and had some good views. If you want a relatively undemanding walk that is possible in trainers but gives rewards, this might well be it.

Parsley Hay
Book - Drive and Stroll in Derbyshire & the Peak District - Charles Wildgoose - Published by Countryside Books, Newbury, Berkshire		Start Point - Parsley Hay Car Park
Page 50		Easy
Landranger Map - 119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 4.5Miles

Ideal walk as part of rehabilitation from hip replacement. Most of the walk was flat along disused railway lines. There was a short stretch in the middle across fields and rougher ground with some gradients but it was then back to the flat. We did this walk on a foggy January day so we missed the best of the views. We felt that there were good views to be had, particularly in the last stretch along the Tissington trail. Perhaps we will go back on a clearer day.

Dovestone Reservoir
Book - Drive and Stroll in Derbyshire & the Peak District - Charles Wildgoose - Published by Countryside Books, Newbury, Berkshire		Start Point - Greenfield
Page 11		Easy
Landranger Map - 110 - Sheffield & Huddersfield		Length - 4.25Miles

Nice walk round two reservoirs on the edge of Saddleworth Moor. The drive across the moor is worthy of the trip alone. The walk is relatively easy. There is a disabled friendly walk round Dovestones reservoir so for that half of the walk conditions underfoot are excellent. The remainder is much rougher and wetter. Stout footwear is essential. There are good views throughout this very pleasant walk.

Balmerino
Book - Country Walking Magazine - November2005 - Published by Emap Magazines		Start Point - Balmerino
Page 81		Easy
Landranger Map - 59 - St Andrews		Length - 4.Miles

Superb walk completed at end of St Andrews trip. Steady climb through woodland along the banks of the Tay is followed by a short steep climb. Don't worry about the rickity stile; it is seriously rickity but you dont have to cross it. You then walk fairly level through woods, aching to get an uninterrupted view of the Tay, which you see tantalisingly through the trees for some 1.5 miles. Be patient and you will be rewarded. The final descent has those uninterrupted views and they are to die for.

Rolleston
Book - Newark & Sherwood Rambles - Malcolm Mckenzie - Published by Sigma Leisure		Start Point - Rolleston
Page 99		Easy
Landranger Map - 120 - Mansfield & Worksop		Length - 4.7 Miles

Pleasant enough flat walk in the Trent valley. The Peak District this is not but it was near home and made good use of a day disrupted by a dental appointment. It included three very attractive Nottingamshire villages and a mile stretch of the river Trent.

Elton & Robin Hood's Stride
Book - Short Walks in the Peak Park - William & Vera Parker Published by Derbyshire Countryside Ltd		Start Point - Elton
Page 30		Moderate
Landranger Map - 119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 5 Miles

Lovely walk with outstanding views throughout. Very little of the walk is level but the inclines are not too arduous. The walk runs close to Robin Hood's stride, which is in view from various angles for most of the walk. The downside is that too much of the walk (probably over half) is on tarmac. Nevertheless, the views alone make it well worth doing.

Bakewell & Haddon Hall
Book - Central Peak - by Paul Hannon - Published by Hillside Publications, Keighley, West Yorkshire		Start Point - Bakewell
Page 90		Easy
Landranger Map - 119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 5 Miles

Nice walk on the west side of Bakewell. Height gained immediately to give great views of Wye valley and Haddon Hall on first part of walk. Second part is dead flat following the Wye from Haddon Hall to Bakewell. We have done this bit before but it bears repeating

Wincle & the Dane Valley
Book - Drive and Stroll in Derbyshire & the Peak District - Charles Wildgoose - Published by Countryside Books, Newbury, Berkshire		Start Point - Wincle
Page 45		Moderate
Landranger Map - 118 - Stoke on Trent & Macclesfield		Length - 4.5 Miles

Very nice varied walk in the Dane valley. It starts with a stair aided climb through ground surprisingly muddy after a fairly dry early spring. Then follows a high level walk with superb views first of the roaches and then the Cheshire hills towards Shuttlingsloe. Then there is a visit to Lud's church before descending to the Dane for the walk home. This latter walk was surprisingly hilly and varied for what appeared to be a riverside return.

Over Haddon and Lathkill Dale
Book - 40 Short Circular Walks in the Peak District - John N Merrill - Published by Footprint Press Ltd		Start Point - Over Haddon
Page 29		Easy
Landranger Map - 119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 3 Miles

Very easy short but beautiful walk in Lathkill Dale

Miller's Dale & Wormhill
Book - Drive and Stroll in Derbyshire & the Peak District - Charles Wildgoose - Published by Countryside Books, Newbury, Berkshire		Start Point - Miller's Dale
Page 36		Easy
Landranger Map - 119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 4.75 Miles

Not the greatest ever walk. The first bit to Wormhill from Millers Dale had nice views across the Wye Valley but was surprisingly hard work through fields of growing crops with poorly marked and undefined footpaths. Wormhill is nice, The walk from there to the quarries is dominated by the scars of the quarries and it is difficult to agree that there is anything about them other than as an eyesore. The walk back was ok and the final mile along the river is delightful. Overall though, not amongst the best of many walks available from Miller's Dale.

Whatstandwell & the Derwent Valley
Book - Country Walking Magazine - April 2009- Published by Emap Magazines		Start Point - Whatstandwell
Page 14		Moderate
Landranger Map - 119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 9 Miles

Excellent walk completed with Kate on a glorious day. There is a good variety of scenery and good views from several places. The ascents are well separated and the climax of the Sherwood Foresters war memorial tower is suitably late on the longish walks. Instructions were generally good but diabolical in section 4. It should read....... To a lake on your right. Bear left climbing to join another track. I have carried a compass walking for several years. This was the first time I have needed to use it in anger. GPS did not work as the problem area was in woodland.

Cromford & Black Rock
Book - 1000 Walks in Britain - Published by AA Publishing		Start Point - Cromford
Page 738		Moderate
Landranger Map - 119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 5 Miles

Very nice walk through Cromford. Steep climb to High Peak Trail early in walk is quite manageable. From there it is very easy walking along High Peak trail and canal footpath. We followed the high peak trail down to the canal rather than take the higher route recommended. We did look out for the point to leave the trail but did not find it. The walk along the trail is interesting and spectacular in its own right.

Well
Book - Country Walks & Scenic Drives- Published by Readers Digest		Start Point - Well
Page 242		Easy
Landranger Map - 122 - Skegness & Horncastle		Length - 4.5 Miles

Very nice rural walk in the Lincolnshire Wolds.Route finding generally easy as are the gradients. Outlook is varied and always pleasant. The final views of Well Vale house from the church are an outstanding climax to a nice walk.

Tolpuddle
Book - Walk Dorset & Hardy's Wessex - David Perrott & Laurence Main - Published by John Bartholomew & Son Ltd, Edinburgh		Start Point - Tolpuddle
Page 46		Easy
Landranger Map - 194 - Dorchester & Weymouth		Length - 5 Miles

Completed this walk on a gloriously sunny day. It was fairly disappointing in that, after a long climb through the woods, the views over the Frome valley were in sight for less that half a mile before another descent through the woods. The final stretch through the water meadows of the Piddle was equally disappointing. It was on a tarmac track and through back gardens with very rare views of the river. Some in our party claimed it was the most disappointing walk ever!

Scarcliffe
Book - Short Circular Walks in the Dukeries - John N Merrill - Published by J.N.M Publications		Start Point - Scarcliffe
Page 40		Easy
Landranger Map - 120 - Mansfield & Worksop		Length - 4Miles

Very pleasant short walk through farm and woodland on the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire border. There were good views early in the walk and some pleasant woodland walking. Route finding was easy and walking generally so, although the "defined path on the field boundary to your left" towards the end of the first paragraph was anything but. It was through oil seed rape that had been planted to the edge of the field. Also worthy of note was that a lot of the walk was through fields of rape, which could make it unpleasant in spring and early summer.

Derwent Edges and Cutthroat Bridge
Book - The Peak District - Jarrold Short Walks - Compiled by Kevin Borman - Published by Jarrold Publishing		Start Point - Ladybower Reservoir
Page 57		Moderate
Landranger Map - 110 - Sheffield & Huddersfield		Length - 4Miles

Lovely short walk on edge of Derwent edges. First mile or so to summit of Whinstone Lee Tor was steep and hard work. However, fantastic views start half way up and continue for most of the walk. The 360 degree views from the summit are outstanding and the gentle downhill to Cutthroat bridge is superb. Route finding was very easy.

Back Forest
Book - 40 Short Circular Walks in the Peak District - John N Merrill - Published by Footprint Press Ltd		Start Point - Roach End
Page 40		Easy
Landranger Map - 118 - Stoke on Trent & Macclesfield		Length - 3 Miles

Lovely walk along Back Forest from Roach End with outstanding views all round starts this walk. We did it in August when the heather was in bloom, to add to the beauty. The snag, hundreds of insects, even visible in the photographs. Then onward and downward to a good picnic spot and the amazing Lud Church. Then it all goes horribly wrong. The path through the woods from here on is very muddy and difficult walking. The final climb back to the start point is harder than you would like. Still a good walk but much need of path maintenance. Walk cannot be reversed as you would have your back the the best views on the high stretch.

Hartcliff Hill
Book - Country Walking Magazine - April 2009- Published by Emap Magazines		Start Point - Penistone
Page19		Moderate
Landranger Map - 110 - Sheffield & Huddersfield		Length - 5.25 Miles

Very nice walk. First bit along Pennine Bridleway is a little closed in. Where you get views they are good but there is a lot of tree cover. After that there is a long gentle ascent with increasingly good views before the final ascent of Hartcliff hill. Here we leave rights of way so GPS plotting is difficult. The fainter path up the hill is about 20 yards inside the access area. The summit cairn and the path to it seem mythical. Views are good, however and turning left at the top soon brings the instructions back into play.

Robin Hood Way
Book - The Robin Hood Walks - Nottingham Wayfarers Rambling Club - Published by Cordee, Leicester		Start Point - Nottingham Castle
		Moderate
Landranger Map - 120 - Mansfield & Worksop		Length - 105 Miles

We completed the Robin Hood Way on 29 September 2009. It was the work of some four years, although we did not walk alll that time. It was my second long distance footpath after the West Highland Way. This was very different. The West Highland Way is a direct route from Glasgow to Fort William through spectacular country. The Robin Hood Way is a meandering route between Nottingham and Edwinstowe through flat unspectacular countyside. It was nevertheless good fun and worthwhile. We have lived in Nottingham for some 20 years and this walk introduced us to much of the county that we did not know and to the links between the parts that we did know. It is generally undemanding walking. Waymarking is patchy: it seems that the Way waymarks particularly attract vandals. I would not want to walk it in one go, as the West Highland Way but I am very glad to have walked it in 18 stages using my and my wife's car at the ends of the route.

Hathersage Moor
Book - Short Walks in the Peak Park - William & Vera Parker Published by Derbyshire Countryside Ltd		Start Point - Surprise View car park
		Easy
Landranger Map - 110 - Sheffield & Huddersfield		Length - 4Miles

First walked on 12 November 2005. Outstanding walk with great views over Hathersage and the Hope valley. Ideal for visitors although waterproof footwear necessary. Route finding not easy, particularly from Carl Wark to Burbage Brook. Walk repeated on 25 September 2009. Similar route finding difficulties but similarly impressed with walk. Second time was disrupted a little by a large party of schoolchildren descending on us just as we sat down for lunch by the packhorse bridge.

Lathkill Dale
Book - Country Walking Magazine - Spring 2009 - Published by Emap Magazines		Start Point - Over Haddon
		Moderate
Landranger Map - 119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 6 Miles

Very nice walk through less trodden part of Lathkill Dale. The way out of Lathkill Dale is described as "climb flight of stone steps beyond." It is a serious flight of steps, which takes you up perhaps 800 of the 1200 feet total climb of the walk. The remainder of the walk is through farmland, much of it on the Limestone way, with periodic excellent views of or over Lathkill Dale.

Hartington & the Dove
Book - 40 Short Circular Walks in the Peak District - John N Merrill - Published by Footprint Press Ltd		Start Point - Hartington
		Moderate
Landranger Map - 119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 5 Miles

Lovely walk from Hartington to the Dove at Beresford dale, then the contrasting walks of Beresford and Wolfscote dales before the long gentle climb through Biggin dale and a high level scenic return to Hartington. We have done the walk before in reverse but it well bears repeating.

Haystacks
Book - Country Walking Magazine - September 2008 - Published by Emap Magazines		Start Point - Buttermere
		Hard
Landranger Map - 90 - Penrith, Keswick & Ambleside		Length - 4.5 Miles

Ascent of Haystacks. Completed with Kate as my first mountain with the new hip. We were lucky enough to have a perfect day in October with unbroken sunshine and bareley a breath of wind. The views were fantastic, starting with mirror still Buttermere in early morning, through extensive views of Buttermere and Crummock Water reflecting nearby hills, to the high peaks of the central lakes, dominated by the closeness of Great Gable. Once the summit had been achieved, with not a little scrambling, it was onward past three perfect tarns before a slow descent on steep tracks lined with loose stones. It was perfect on the day, although I suppose horizontal rain would have changed our opinion somewhat!

Calver & The Derwent
Book - Short Walks in the Peak Park - William & Vera Parker Published by Derbyshire Countryside Ltd		Start Point - Calver
		Easy
Landranger Map - 119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 3 Miles

Very pleasant short and undemanding walk mostly along the banks of the Derwent, but also taking in interesting stretches through Calver & Frogatt

Empingham & Rutland Water
Book - Country Walking Magazine - February 2006 - Published by Emap Magazines		Start Point - Empingham
		Moderate
Landranger Map - 141 - Kettering & Corby		Length - 7.5 Miles

Very nice easy walk round the edges of Rutland Water. The scenery is varied, including two lakes and two pretty Rutland villages. Presumably the classification of moderate is simply because of the distance as there was no significant gradients or difficult walking. It seems perverse to start at Empingham, where parking is difficult and intrusive to neighbours when the walk passes through two Rutland Water car parks. I started at Whitwell. Sykes Lane would probably be even better because the walk passes about 200 yards from Whitwell car park, whilst it passes through the middle of the one at Sykes Lane. The other advantage of the two Rutland water starts is that you arrive at Fort Henry Lake just over the half way mark as an ideal lunch spot.

Tissington
Book - Peak District Walks - Compliled by Brian Conduit & Kevin Borman - Published by Jarrold Publishing		Start Point - Tissington
		Moderate
Landranger Map - 119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 6 Miles

Very pleasant walk on and around the Tissington trail & taking in Alsop en le Dale. Route finding very easy. Conditions underfoot exteme in early November; perfect on the Tissington Trail and the bits and pieces of tarmac to appalling around the crossing of Bletch Brook and the climb back to the trail. Varied walk with lots of good views.

Cordwell Valley
Book - Country Walking Magazine - August 2009 - Published by Emap Magazines		Start Point - Barlow
		Moderate
Landranger Map - 119 - Buxton & Matlock		Length - 7.5Miles

Fairly unexciting walk through an area which is interesting because of the frequency with which we drive through this valley. The walk itself was surprisingly hard. I have done "challenging" walks that were easier. Route finding should have been easy but was not. Not for the first time, I got lost on a walk designed for "Country Walking" by Derek Spiers. I did contact the magazine on the previous occasion but Mr Spiers in response stated that he could not be clearer, ignoring my suggestion of how to be so. The two areas of difficulty on this walk: Section 3: Having crossed the footbridge to path junction, follow path to Unthank rather than that to Horsley Gate (they are similar directions, Horsley gate is more level, and the map indicates walking through Horsley Gate). Section 6: "Just over stream, take stile into field" is not specific. I went wrong here and never did find the correct path. Some indication of distance from the stream (I took the first path) and which side of the road would have helped. As the pages of Notthorntons.com clearly show, I frequently use guided routes. Only Mr Spiers has the capacity to get me comprehensively lost.

Castleton & Hollins Cross
Book - The AA Pocket Book of Britain's Walks - Published by AA Publishing		Start Point - Castleton
		Moderate
Landranger Map -110 - Sheffield & Huddersfield		Length - 5Miles

Lovely walk from Castleton up on to the great ridge at Hollins Cross and then on to Mam Tor. The descent is beside several of the show caves in the Castleton area. The ascent is good underfoot and easy to follow. I was glad of the GPS for the descent. Some of the choices of path between Mam Nick and Blue John mine were not obvious. Views were splended throughout. I had the misfortune to do the great ridge section in heavy rain and wind on an otherwise sunny November day.

River Nene Country Park
Book - Weekend Walks in Britain - Published by AA Publishing		Start Point - Peterborough
		Easy
Landranger Map -142 - Peterborough		Length - 2.5 Miles

Very gentle stroll through country park on outskirts of Peterborough. Nevertheless, very interesting with assortment of lakes with good wildfowl presence and long section along River Nene. Ground conditions underfoot always good (even at end of November).

Stanage Edge
Book - Central Peak - by Paul Hannon - Published by Hillside Publications, Keighley, West Yorkshire		Start Point - Stanage Edge
		Easy
Landranger Map -110 - Sheffield & Huddersfield		Length - 5.25 Miles

Lovely walk on north section of Stanage Edge. I did it on a wet day and cut out the most northerly section of the edge. I have designed my own route along this section for completion on a better day. Nevertheless, returning to Stanage for the first time this year reminds me of why this is the greatest of all of the edges. The views show the very best of all Peak District moorland scenery. Shame about the rain though, weather forecast was dry.

Bradgate Park
Book - Short Circular Walks in Charnwood Forest - John N Merrill - Published by Trail Crest Publications Ltd		Start Point - Bradgate Park
		Easy
Landranger Map - 129 - Nottingham & Loughborough		Length - 4 Miles

Very nice, relatively undemanding walk in Bradgate Park. Scenery consistently good and varied. Generally good underfoot after a very wet November, although the last climb was fairly muddy. The area can be used for a variety of walks with copious picnic places.