Walk 15/2008 – Cromford Heights

Sunday 29th June 2008

After various pre-walk deliberations over how many cars we would need, we ended up with two cars each with five in and we decided to do a circular walk rather than the proposed linear one.

We parked at the High Peak Junction car park where after walking past the smelly sewage works, we could make use of the loos before starting the level walk along the canal towards Cromford. Along here we spotted a family of “Dabchicks” and we paused for a while to watch mummy Dabchick diving for food. With the clear shallow water it was possible to see her little legs going ten to the dozen as she paddled under water. As this was one of the most entertaining sightings of the day and we all stopped in a group to watch, it was somewhat surprising then to find that Chris had missed the whole diving episode. [Ed – So it was a case of “Dumbchick” was it! Ha, Ha. Sorry, only joking, Chris.]

As we passed through Cromford, the first pub we came to had a beer festival sign at the doorway. Then as we passed around the side of the building we saw a marquee with people singing merrily. However, things did not seem all they ought. And as we took in our surroundings we realised we had come across a religious gathering, it being Sunday and all. If we had had Cathy with us, she could have offered a bit of a blow job on the old flute, but as nobody showed an interest in joining in, we quickly moved on.

After passing through Cromford, it is always difficult navigating through the woods as you head north towards Matlock Bath. The path passes above Gulliver’s Kingdom theme park and we could hear the shrieks from the nearby rides. We then passed under the cable car as we proceeded northwards amongst the trees.

Lunch was taken in a field of golden buttercups.

Upon reaching the most northerly point of the walk, we doubled back on ourselves and continued the climb up the the Heights of Abraham. From there we fortunately took the correct route down to Bonsall. The route then took us down the road to the Via Gellia Mill where after crossing the road we stopped for a while under a tree for the rain to stop.

As we climbed up towards Middleton, the rain started again. But there seemed a reluctance to don the wet weather gear as previously the rain had not persisted. However on this occasion it poured down for sometime as a result of which, the group were in various states of wetness. On arriving at Middleton, it was still raining and we decided to cut off the last loop on the route and we proceded straight down to the High Peak trail which took us back along a wooded trail with fine views in places, to the starting point. Here we were able to have a cup of tea before making our way home.

Also, Bryn got his I spy birds book out to look up the Dumbchick only to find it wasn’t listed. Nigel M said that another name was the Little Grebe, which was in the book. Then as we left the sitting area, we saw an information board confirming that Dumbchick was another name for a Little Grebe.

In reviewing the walk, Trevor decided that he couldn’t see the wood for the trees, in that he thought that too much of the walk was in the woods. But Trevor you must remember:

“If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise. If you go down to the woods today, you’d better go in disguise. For every bear that ever there was, will gather there for certain because, today’s the day the teddy bears have their picnic”.

Report – Alan

Pictures – Alan

Walk rating – Good

Owen has a look around this old guard’s van as the bottom of the incline.

The end of the canal – spot any Dabchicks?

We spot the odd view from our position deep inside the woods.

We pass under the cable car.

Barabara clicks in time with her ipod; Chris gets her hair ready for the photo; Oops, too late.

There were views over our industrial heritage, in this case Matlock.

Not sure what Graham is doing. We stopped here to shelter from the rain.

More views.

Look it’s sunny.

The final incline down the High Peak trail.