OVER HADDON TO CONKSBURY CIRCUIT

Well we've managed it, the only wet (very wet!) day in a week of clear skies. Nice to see we haven't lost the knack.

Mollie is back with us today as we meet in the comparatively large car park at Over Haddon. We've only ever parked in the upper section as there have never been many cars when we've walked, but we can imagine it gets pretty full at the weekend. Of course it is a Pay and Display but it also has the benefit of toilets that are open.

Once we've togged up - waterproofs from the start today - we set off down the steep road to Lathkill Dale with the rain running in rivulets by our feet.

At the foot of the road we come to the River Lathkill which, no surprises, is flowing swiftly. It looks lovely despite the starkness of the winter landscape, and with the added addition of snowdrops on its scrubby banks. In fact, today turns out to be a very snowdroppy walk as we see them everywhere.



After some photos we cross over the clapper bridge and head upwards through the trees on the distinct track. This turns a sharp right then takes us higher still until we go through a gate and into a field which, thankfully, is devoid of cattle!

We cross the field and head towards the farm of Meadow Place Grange, once a monastic holding (see previous blog post) where we go through another gate and through a muddy yard. We then head for the track on our left which is relatively dry, unlike the muddy field path ahead. Glad we aren't going that way today.




As we walk along the farmer approaches with his tractor so we step aside out of his way. He waves his thanks as he passes and as I turn to see what PC is up to I see, for the first time despite looking for years, the distinctive outlines of Conksbury Medieval Village on the opposite hillside. Trees have obscured our view before though it is probably more obvious if walking from the opposite direction.

The link below gives the English Heritage listing for the site with more information.http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1014589
I have tried to find an aerial photo of the site but sadly had no success.

We continue along the track to the road, which tends to be quite busy for a small rural road, and go down it a little way before hopping onto a track on our right. We walk along a little way through some trees to a gate but decide to turn back as this clearly leads towards Alport and that isn't in our plan for the day.

Back at the road we walk downhill towards the impressive Conksbury Bridge and once at the far side we make a bee-line for the benches. They are wet but slightly sheltered from behind, and I have brought a large umbrella with just this scenario in mind. So, beneath the brolly we have a nip from PC's secret flask (the last of the Cointreau), a cup of coffee and two of today's buns (which are quite small, honest).

Sadly, despite appearances to the contrary, they are not up to the standard expected. They are quite dry and in need of a quick zap in the microwave. Not that it stops us eating them.

So with us set up and Mollie having had some biscuits we put down the brolly and take the path at the side of the Lathkill. There are a few walkers about now, but this is a lovely path which opens up to lovely views up the river. There are a pair of swans in the distance and moorhens bobbing around.



We scramble up the slippery slope on our right to find a makeshift seat on a fallen tree (been here before) and up comes the brolly again as we settle down for lunch proper. And it's a good job we have the brolly too as the heavens open and it absolutely pours down.

Salad, sandwiches, coffee and the last two buns which leave us with a sense of disappointment. Ah well, we'll know for next time.

By the time we have finished eating the rain does ease a little so we carefully step down the slope and back onto the path. Now we follow the river and as the path climbs up I avoid looking at the young cows, then we take care on the downward stretch and the limestone underfoot can be very slippery when wet.
We aren't far from the clapper bridge now but we still have the delights of huge clumps of snowdrops to enjoy. Then it is just the steady trudge up the steep hill and back to the car park.
Naturally, as soon as we are ready to leave the rain stops, and by the time I am half way home the sun even starts to shine. A fairly typical day's walk for us!

FOGGY DERWENT VALLEY

We have been terribly remiss lately and this, early in February, is our first walk of the year. Family and weather have been against us whenever we have hoped to get out so despite the murkiness of the day we are quite determined.

The fog is blanketing a huge area today and both of us find the driving conditions quite a challenge. Eventually we manage to find each other and park at the side of the A57 next to Ladybower. Because of the weather we are realistic enough to rule out anything more adventurous than a stroll around the reservoir, but it is still good to be out.

The walk is too familiar and too well documented on our blog to make it necessary to record it in detail, but suffice to say that the path on the side of the reservoir is still under snow and ice which makes walking quite tricky in places. The fog makes the landscape seem very Arthurian and you could half imagine a hand grasping Excalibur sinking beneath the water.

Such imaginings keep us amused, along with an almost constant dialogue as so much has been happening since we last saw each other.

It is a relief to reach Fairholmes where the ducks cluster around the café and the ground isn't frozen sheets of ice. We decide not to stop here for lunch (although we are tempted) but carry on around the reservoir. By now the fog is clearing and on the other 'sunny' side of the water it is hard to believe that the morning has been so murky.

We see the first snowdrops pushing their way up to the light, and a number of Canada geese. There are a few walkers, but not many.

Eventually we find a bench to sit on, much further than we had intended, and prepare for a late lunch accompanied by two hopeful ducks. We have a nip of Ramblers to warm us up, then some spiced vanilla coffee before our sandwiches. The female duck takes exception to our not feeding her and actually flies up to try to grab food as we eat. She is shooed off but returns and keeps eyeing us hopefully.

Bun today is the wonderful spice apple fresh cream muffins. They are a winter speciality so it makes sense to have them while they are available. Suitably fed we drink a second coffee and linger, despite the chill, as we don't have far to go now.

At last, though, it becomes too cold to sit for much longer so we set off for the last stretch to the cars. It is surprising how clear the skies are now, although there are some darker clouds hovering on the horizon and we still have time to have a chat in our cars before heading home.