Walk 08/2009 – Bakewell and Wye Valley.

Sunday 22nd March 2009

A Couple of Minor Detours

Today’s Walk took us to the Peak District. Starting in Bakewell we would make a circuit around the Wye and Derwent valleys.

“The Sat Nav is always right” is not going to be a saying you will hear from us anytime soon. From the A1 a Sat Nav took us for a quick trip down the M1 on the way to Chesterfield and landed us in some road works. Fortunately we still arrived in Bakewell in good time.

From the main car park we set off in sunshine and strong cold winds up hill through and into a wood belonging to the Haddon Estate. Despite the best efforts of our duel navigation system (Alan and Moira), a footpath sign drew us off in the wrong direction. It was a nice walk through the woods, just not the walk we intended. A quick diversion up the hill through an old quarry area brought us back towards the correct path. Looking across the wall we could see the path in the distance. Unfortunately we could also see the local farmer working in a field. Not wanting to antagonise the farmer by jumping the wall we made our way back along to pick up the path.

Moving across open grassed fields surrounded by forest we make way around the walk. We saw many other leisure users, both horse riders and cyclists. Definitely there was a big Mothers Day crowd out. We tracked along above the River Derwent.

We stopped for lunch at approximately half distance after leaving Woodhouse road and farm. There was a large collection of farm buildings, some appearing to be abandoned stables.

We sat on the hillside overlooking the valley which included a historic railway marshalling yard. Peak Rail : www.peakrail.co.uk. During the break a steam train came up the track pulling some passenger carriages. Whist we watched, it uncoupled and moved to the other end of the train probably for a return journey. There did not seem to be any passengers.

The walk turned towards Stanton in Peak to bring us back towards Bakewell. Coming onto a back road near an old quarry we were able to get the chance to briefly consider an alternative lifestyle. As the alarm dog sounded we could consider living in a van adjacent to your own wood chopping tent. For journeys into town an ?orange Ford Capri?. The car brought back memories for some.

Coming back into prettier landscapes in a mile or so we could see what looked a bit like a castle. It was Haddon Hall. The route followed a footpath through the estate alongside a river. We followed the meandering river back into Bakewell past the showground.

Dodging the Mothers day crowds we just made into a tea shop before closing time.

Report – Simon

Pictures – Nigel M

Walk rating – Good

We came across some alpacas.

Looking back over Bakewell.

Spring has sprung.

We stop to check the map. And then go in the wrong direction.

An early fire escape.

The River Wye.

Scenery.

In–walk navigation training has commenced – Moira demonstrates the use of the little finger as a pointer.

More scenery.

Haddon Hall.