Walk 20/2009 – Millerdale

Sunday 9th August 2009

We started this walk from the picnic area to the south of Tideswell. There were a number of wood carvings in and around the area and that of a beaver caused a bit of amusement.

When we got down to Miller’s Dale and crossed the river, we paused for a while to look at some trout that were basking in the sun.

As we walked along the Monsal Trail, Owen explained to new walker Rob, that when he started walking about four years ago he knew nothing and now ... at this point Steve interjected with ”he still knows nothing!”

Progress up Monk’s Dale was quite slow as it was rocky and very slippery. After passing through Peter Dale, we walked part way along Hay Dale before cutting back on ourselves to head towards Tideswell. It was at this point we saw a Little Owl sitting in a tree not far from us. New walker Rob was very pleased as his friends had told him that he would see a hole, an owl and some cloud.

After completing our walk, we set off in search of a pub, and were rewarded very quickly when we came across one in the village of Litton. There was a green outside the pub on which people were sitting drinking. We were able to grab a table around which we managed to sit 8 people. This left one to sit on the grass who happened to be Rob, our new walker. It was explained to him that you had to come on a few more walks before you could be elevated to top table!

This was an enjoyable day and, for us beer drinkers, the pint of Abbeydale Absolution at the end was the cherry on the cake.

Ah, I nearly forgot the slight saga getting home. The Absolution was so good, we actually stopped for a second pint. This resulted in mother nature calling on our trip back and we needed to make a stop. We tried a petrol station but with no success and eventually came across a Harvester type place on the outskirts of Mansfield. We piled through the door and into the loos, receiving some black looks from the waitress behind the bar. We then all piled back into the car and carried on our way. About 10 miles down the road, someone (who shall remain nameless but it’s a short name beginning with ‘S’) says “Oh, I’ve left my purse and phone in the disabled toilet of that place we stopped at”. Alan has déja vu – recalling the saga with a purse in Brecon earlier in the year. Ok, we had better turn round and go back. Rob, who is on his first walk and volunteered to drive, must be regretting that decision. Fortunately, when we got back to the establishment, the purse and phone were still where Sue (oops, that’s a bit of a give away) had left them.

So all was well in the end but I think it was getting on for nine by the time we got back to Peterborough.

Report – Alan

Pictures – Alan

Walk rating – excellent

Karen poses for a beaver shot! And what a lovely picture a well cut beaver can make (or so I’ve heard).

Not often you see a fish, let alone get a picture of one.

The disused viaduct at Miller’s Dale.

We stop for coffee at Miller’s Dale station. Jackie and Rosemarie decide that they are not talking.

Monk’s Dale.

Monk’s Dale.

Nettle–leaved Bellflower or Bats–in–the–belfry.

The end of Peter Dale.

Hay Dale.

Hey, this looks a bit professional as we walk through Tideswell.