Peak District Déja Vu, Day 5

Kedleston Park.

Last day then, and it is a short one at only thirteen miles.  Turns out this is no bad thing as the first footpath I try to find from the campsite eludes me totally, and I find myself wandering around the extensive gardens of somebody's house looking for it.  My GPS tells me I should be the other side of a stream, and after the fun I had in a similar situation two years back, I give up and head back to the road, planning to circle around.  Then a 4x4 emerges from the gate behind me and pulls alongside, and I brace myself for a telling off - but instead, the nice chap points me to just where the path was hiding, 'between the two ponds'.  Onwards then, through more farmland, although I do manage to go the wrong way again... not too far though.

The Joiners Arms - good ploughmans lunch.

Some poor route planning means I have a couple of miles along a surprisingly busy road, and it is a real relief to leave it to enter another country estate, this time the National Trust owned Kedleston Park.  I've been here a couple of times before for the Bearded Theory music festival - it is rather quieter now.  From here a little more road and then some welcome footpath takes me to the Joiners Arms for lunch.

I continue to take advantage of past landscaping by the landed gentry, this time walking through Allestree Park which is now maintained by Derby council, and rather charming it is too.  From here I return to the Derwent, grown rather larger since I last saw it a few days ago.  The river takes me all the way into Derby, past the fascinating Darley Abbey Mills, and through numerous parks.  I reach the vicinity of the station, and have the good luck to find a beer festival going at the Brunswick Arms, what better way to finish the walk.  It has been a good one, not a drop of rain, nor a single blister... shame I have to go back to work tomorrow really.

Photos to go with this post can be found here.

Peak District Déja Vu, Day 4

I walk out of the campsite and straight onto the Tissington Trail, also an old railway line, and another childhood memory, this time of me and the family rattling along on ancient bicycles.  The Trail leads to Ashbourne, where I do plan to be later, but my route is a little longer, so I climb away from the Trail to the West.

Cottage in need of restoration on the Okeover estate.

In fact soon I am crossing the Dove into Staffordshire, whose footpaths are as little used as I recall from last time.  Still, it's pleasant walking through the rolling hills - seems a popular area with the landed gentry too, I pass through a couple of estates.  Then back to the Tissington Trail and into Ashbourne, via an impressive tunnel.

I eat my lunch in a field, the stilton I got in Hartington yesterday going nicely with some fresh bread.  Then out of the National Park... actually it makes a nice change, I walk through woods and then wetland, thankfully the path consists of wooden decking here.  Then a few miles of fields, and finally some road to reach the campsite.  Then even more road to the Tiger Inn, worth it though for some excellent sea bream and cheesecake.

Ashbourne tunnel.  Complete with sound effects evoking long gone steam trains.

Photos to go with this post can be found here.

Peak District Déja Vu, Day 3

On the footpath out of Hartington.

I'm breaking new ground this morning, thanks to the minor disaster two years ago I didn't do this bit of the route... turns out to be a pleasant mile or two on the Limestone Way, then I'm back on familiar territory, the High Peak Trail, one of two trails around these parts following old railway lines.

A few miles on and I leave the Trail and road walk a mile or two into Hartington, famous for its stilton, and a well of childhood memories for me.  The footpath I take out of the village is particularly evocative, I can almost see my former self dashing along, with my mother, father and brother following me.

Before long I join the river Dove, which I follow through Wolfcote Dale, Beresford Dale and Milldale.  Then just as Dovedale itself starts at the famous stepping stones I leave the river and take some little used footpaths to the campsite for the night.  I've made excellent time along the river, it is only 5pm, gives me time to have a shower and do a bit of laundry... shame the pub is a mile away though.

Following the Dove.

Photos to go with this post can be found here.

Peak District Déja Vu, Day 2

Back at the Old Nag's Head once again.

Thursday morning and I head north onto the lower slopes of Kinder, from here it's not far to Edale for an early lunch.  I have a pint at the Nag's Head, and a wistful glance at the start of the Pennine Way before heading off
south.

I climb up Mam Tor, or Mother's Hill as the information sign somewhat prudishly has it.  Then I follow the Pennine Bridleway and Limestone Way for quite a few miles, eventually reaching Miller's Dale.  Of course I have to climb down into it, then a steep ascent of the other side brings me to the Waterloo Hotel.

This is where things went wrong two years ago, when I arrived to find the pub shut.  This time I've been organised and phoned in advance, and so am able to enjoy some dinner and a beer or three by the peat fire, before staggering the ten yards to my tent.

Paragliders above Mam Tor.

Photos to go with this post can be found here.

Peak District Déja Vu, Day 1

Sausages in waiting.

Yes, I'm repeating myself again... well, as it happens I've been doing this bloggery for two years, so a good way to celebrate is to revisit the first trip I wrote about.  Nice to get back to Sheffield too, has been too long since I had a pint in the Sheaf View.

So, on a Wednesday morning I set out through the city streets, and walk a couple of miles beside the solid, stone built houses.  Then into parkland alongside Porter Brook, which leads me up past a series of mill ponds, remnants of cottage industry here over two hundred years ago.  Soon enough I reach open moorland, and feel something of a weight lift as I tramp along... think I needed to get away for a bit.  Mind you it is still nice to find some home comfort at the Fox House a few miles later.

Misty moor.

After lunch I strike out over the moors, which seem quite desolate on this misty day.  Warm enough anyway... To my annoyance my camera is struggling with the new SD card I've put in it - well, I suppose I do already have photos of this route.

I dip down into the Derwent Valley and follow the river for a few miles, then face the first proper climb of the trip, Smelting Hill.  It's not too bad, still I feel I've done a proper day's work on reaching Hope.  Time to eat absurd amounts of pork - feel slightly guilty having passed at least four pigs over the course of the day.

Hiking along the Derwent.

Photos to go with this post can be found here.