WALKING GROUP
We parked outside the church at Wormhill and as the weather was mild and bright, the leader announced that we would be eating our sandwiches in the open air. At 1pm we set off down the road before turning off beside a cottage and walking down a rocky, narrow path bordered by nettles. Eventually we reached a wooden foot bridge over an exceptionally clear river where fish could easily be seen. Nearby was a grassy bank overlooking the river where we sat for our picnic. We were immediately approached by a duck, waddling between our legs asking to be fed. One of our party willingly obliged, but the duck was exceedingly greedy, in the end eating scrambled egg which got stuck in its beak. As no one wanted to give “mouth to beak” resuscitation it flew onto the water for a drink and returned for even more!
The next part of our route involved walking beside the river in the valley, before climbing 66 steps and over the now overgrown former railway tracks of Miller’s Dale station to the ice cream van. After negotiating a busy main road we had a short uphill struggle then a straight path, where we were delighted to see a rabbit running in front of us and scampering up the bank on our right.
As we were walking down a winding, walled track a young cow, which had somehow escaped from a nearby field, was spotted running towards us. Steve, masterfully, moved to the front of our group and began herding it back the way it had come only to discover that 8 more beasts had also absconded and were blocking our way. Without further ado, he vaulted over a dry-stone wall and opened a gate to a field and encouraged the cattle to join the herd. We were instructed to hold up our sticks to the obstinate ones and herd them towards him, and between us the operation was successful. The animals moved straight to the water trough, so had probably been out of the field for some time. Whether they were in the correct field was another question but the incident made for an exciting episode during our walk.
We finished the walk by going through a smelly, muddy farmyard then past the James Brindley memorial, near to the church. Wormhill is the birthplace of James Brindley (1716), the builder of much of England’s canal system.
Cleaning smelly, slimy boots later on wasn’t pleasant.
The next walk on Sunday 6th November will be led by Bob Cable from Cresswell Crags Visitor Centre via Holbeck and Welbeck Estate, 4 ½ miles.
Anyone wishing to join our small group will be made very welcome. We meet at the church gates at 12 noon with our packed lunches and walking boots. Transport is then arranged.
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had somehow escaped from a nearby field, was spotted running towards us. Steve, masterfully, moved to the front of our group and began herding it back the way it had come only to discover that 8 more beasts had also absconded and were blocking our way. Without further ado, he vaulted over a dry-stone wall and opened a gate and encouraged the cattle to join the herd. We were instructed to hold up our sticks to the obstinate ones and between us the operation was successful. The animals moved straight to the water trough, so had probably been out of the field for some time. Whether they were in the correct field was another question but the incident provided us with an exciting experience for the day.
We finished our walk by going through a smelly, muddy farmyard then past the James Brindley memorial, near to the church.
I didn’t enjoy cleaning my boots later on.
The next walk on Sunday 6th November will be led by who will lead us from