Six members set off at 4.30pm on a warm day from Coombs Lane, Bakewell down the tarmacked road towards the Monsal Trail. A family at Adelaide House were holding a barbeque, the smoke wafting over towards us as we passed, and a light aircraft flew above. As residential properties were left behind, we walked a path between fields of sheep and woods on either side of us.
On a rocky path of boulders, a man and woman jogged past us with a dog running between them; lambs were calling to their mothers and being answered, and two pheasants were standing on the field to our left. The path changed to a gravel surface and moved uphill to a farm where, in a large barn stood a tractor and a Morris Minor, looking in good condition. In the next field two sheep were resting near to railings showing no signs of running away, so Steve bent down and stroked the chin of one of them. It loved it. As this moment was being enjoyed by humans and animal alike, a heron circled above, then disappeared.
At a junction we turned right with fields and trees all around us and thistles, nettles and long grasses in the hedgerows. We found a felled tree in a clearing and sat on the trunk to eat our sandwiches just as a light rain shower fell. Continuing past Bowling Green Farm where there was a beautiful garden with an immaculate lawn, we noticed the wall had been partly demolished by a fallen tree. Doubtless this will be expensive to repair.
We ambled through a field where yellow ragwort grew profusely (poisonous to horses) and down a hill with shrubs all around us to arrive at a river where we passed two fishermen and negotiated a plank bridge onto a narrow path, avoiding tree roots and ruts. Into the open, we saw Bakewell Church steeple before us, and a caravan park with flags flying above some of the vans. On speaking to a couple sitting outside their caravan, we learnt that they were there for a rally with the Motor Caravanners’ Club, East Midlands Group.
As we finished the walk, we were delighted to spot six pairs of ears sticking up above the grass and counted half a dozen rabbits which seemed quite content to continue to laze away in the quietness of the evening.
Steve and Julie led this enjoyable walk made even better by the animals we had encountered. Many congratulations to Julie for being awarded the Bishop’s Badge. It is well deserved.
For our next walk on Sunday 1st September we will be meeting outside the church gates at 12pm.
New members will be made welcome.
Evelyn Lowe