May Day Church Walk.
We started the walk from Bents Green Methodist Church in Sheffield. The weather was overcast but ideal for walking. Soon we were out into countryside and looking from the bridleway we could see fields of sheep and newly born lambs.
We continued downhill to the Forge Dam. It is from here the Porters Brook continues its journey to Sheffield, as it drains from Burbage Moor high above. Here people were sitting outside the café and children were playing on the swings, roundabouts and slides as the weather by now had turned out to be quite pleasant.
Continuing our walk we ascended from above the Dam along the Peak District footpath which we followed for part of way. We then followed a steep field walk, known locally as Jacob’s Ladder (not the more famous one on the Pennine Way). Once we were at the brow of the hill we saw fields of horses and some friendly alpacas, who being inquisitive, came up to greet us at the fence probably hoping we had brought them some food.
We crossed the road at the Norfolk Arms Pub (sadly without going in). Nearby is the listed building, the Round house which dates back to the 18th Century and was originally built as a toll house. We then turned back heading downhill towards Ringinglow. Following a stream we had a pleasant long descent into some woods in the Limb Valley. Here the flora and fauna of spring was in abundance with wood anemones, blue bells, cowslips and celandines giving a great floral display.
We continued down into a wood until we got to a lake and were mystified by a large number of tall plants with large yellow flowers, which were growing in the wetland adjacent to the lake. We had not seen these plants before on our walks. We know now these were the American-’Skunk’ -Cabbage (Lysichiton Americanus), brought over from America originally as ornamental plants (not known for their fragrance obviously) which have now become invasive having moved from gardens into the wild.
We exited the wood, walking uphill and skirting Whirlow Farm, a working farm, used for educational purposes, and after a brief uphill section we paused for the panoramic view over part of Sheffield with the Norton water tower on the horizon and wind turbines on the hills in the distance. Nearby there were several sports grounds, rugby, cricket and football pitches, an invigorating place to play sports high above the City. We left the footpath and followed Ringinglow Road back to our starting point .
Eric & Helen
Fellow walker: It was a change for us to discover a completely different area which turned out to be a most enjoyable walk with lots of things to exclaim over. Many thanks to Eric and Helen for taking us there.
Please note that walks for the next three months – the Summer period – start at 4pm outside the church. Trish and Evelyn will be taking us on a 4 ½ mile walk starting from Dethick on Sunday 5th June. Any new members will be most welcome, just turn up with a packed tea and walking boots, and transport will then be arranged.
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