Ryhall, near Stamford, 28th May 2017

Phil led 14 ramblers on an 8.5 mile walk through rolling Rutland countryside. Starting at Ryhall, the home of Saint Tibba, patron saint of falconers, the walkers took paths and bridleways to Pickworth. This picturesque village was the home of the famous 19th century English poet, John Clare. The weather was hot and many walkers enjoyed a cooling beer in the Green Dragon pub at the finish.

Here are some photos, courtesy of Steve.

Ryhall

Our Leader

Coffee break

Pickworth

Tideswell and eight High Peak dales, 22nd May 2017

Paul led this excellent walk last year (from Taddington) but the three of us decided it was so good we would have to make it compulsory this year.  So ten VBR and four Rushcliffe walkers came on this 11 mile ramble up, down and along eight High Peak dales.  Here are some photographs.

Start - Tideswell Dale car park

Tideswell Dale

Miller's Dale near Litton Mill

Monsal Trail

A breather on the ascent from the Monsal Trail

Coffee break

Descent into High Dale

Looking back at Taddington

Descent towards Taddington Dale and the A6

Cressbrook Mill

Water-cum-Jolly Dale, aka Cressbrook Mill pond

Bridge on the the River Wye

Wild garlic in Cressbrook Dale

Dried out Cressbrook Dale

Top of Cressbrook Dale

Early puple orchids in Tansley Dale

Almost there, overlooking Litton Dale,Tideswell in the distance

Edwinstowe, Sherwood Forest and the Major Oak, 14th May 2017

Elaine led 20 of us on this 8 mile walk ...

 ... starting next to the Youth Hostel in Edwinstowe.

 

The route took us round the outskirts of Sherwood Forest, making good use of the Robin Hood Way and excellent woodland tracks.

Here are more photographs.

Clear felling

Coffee stop at the site of a Chantry chapel and hermitage dedicated to King Edwin of Northumbria

Death to rhododendrons

The Major Oak

Unspoiled view of Major Oak

Southwell, 7th May 2017

We must be doing something right - there were over 40 walkers on Sheila's ramble round Southwell today.  Here are some photographs.

Start in Southwell Cathedral car park

River Greet

Maythorne Mill, 1785: once a cotton mill, then a silk mill

Westhorpe Dumble

Fields approaching Brackenhurst

Ruins of Archbishop's Palace, Southwell

Stragglers