THE RESERVOIRS AND ALPORT CASTLES

A bit of a trek this week because the road beyond Fairholmes is closed (with a big enough sign to see) so we can't do a 2 car walk (cuts out a good 2 or 3 miles of road walking) but we are psyched up for Alport Castles and nothing will stop us.

What is surprising - no, shocking - is the level of the reservoirs. We cannot recall ever seeing them so low with the Derwent branch of Ladybower reduced to a small meandering river. The muddy reservoir bottom is green with new growth. Worrying.

It's a lovely day so there are a lot of people about, but once we get past the dam we start to lose people. Soon it is, more or less, just us and a few lumber lorries.

Despite it being a bit of trudge along the road it is still lovely to be out, enjoying the views and catching up.

We are closing in to the western tip of Howden reservoir when a couple walking towards us announce that we can't carry on because the road is closed! Yes, we know, but we're going over the top we tell them. The couple carry on back along the road towards Fairholmes, clearly not interested in an alternative.

We check the lumber maps fastened to the gate just to make sure we will be away from the logging operations, then set off again off-road. The path up to Alport Castles starts off pretty steeply - time to remove a jacket or two.

We come out on the moors and the views are superb, and get better as we climb. We (or rather I) spend a bit of time getting overenthusiastic with the geology, but PC is hungry so we head on uphill. We don't like stopping to eat until the climb is over - it always seems harder walking uphill after lunch!

Then we make it, the superb views of the Castles in front of us. We settle down where the ground has conveniently slipped and made us a 'bench' and we enjoy lunch and coffee and wonderful chocolate cream scones (yes, sound awful, taste scrumptious) and an amazing view. A couple more walkers are about, but not enough to disturb the peace.

We spend a while here, it is worth staying as long as possible, then we set off again over the gently undulating hill top and heading back towards the reservoirs.

It is a long walk, but an easy one, and once we reach the Hollowford track we know we don't have far to go. 

Oft trod ground under our feet we take the familiar route alongside the woods then down the bridleway that brings us out next to the cattlegrid. Only a short amble at the side of the much diminished reservoir and we are back at the cars. A lot of others have gone but it is still a beautiful late afternoon, and the last before the clocks change. We are so pleased to have made the most of day.