Hucknall. Linby, Papplewick and Newstead Abbey, 28th January 2018

 



Brenda's walk started in the centre of Hucknall in the car park overlooked by George Gordon Byron, aka Lord Byron (1788 - 1824).
We then went over The Ranges, created from an old spoil heap of the Hucknall and Linby mines.

This 4m sculpture on the top was added six years ago to symbolise the area's new use - dog walking.

Then it was through the attractive village of Linby with its distinctive Top and Bottom Crosses ...
... and its streams known as the Linby Docks which flow down each side of the main street to the River Leen and which were used to supply water to nearby mills.
Lunch was taken at Newstead Abbey ...
... before we walked back past the source of the River Leen at its outlet from Newstead Lakes ...
... and on to the Linby Trail, a cutting which was the route of the Great Northern Railway.  Shown hereare outcrops of the beds of magnesian limestone beds in the side of the cutting.
 Then the best bit, cream tea at Morton's Farm Tearooms, Papplewick.

Wirksworth and Alport Height, 21st January 2018

This walk was cancelled on Saturday 20th due to the yellow weather warning for Derbyshire of snow and ice, 90% chance of precipitation, 23mph wind speeds and low temperatures.  Starting in Wirksworth, the target was Alport Height (314m) from which The Wrekin, Long Mynd, Clee Hill and the Malvern Hills are visible on a good day (allegedly).
  

Two brave VBR souls, one with very long arms, did venture out, however, on a 12½ mile walk in the snowy Vale.
Here is the route though and some photographs taken on the recce.
Crossing the line of the Ecclesbourne Railway before the climb up to Bolehill
The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway is a 9-mile heritage railway between Wirksworth and Duffield. There is also a separate half-mile branch from Wirksworth Station up a 1 in 27 gradient incline to Ravenstor (for the National Stone Centre and the High Peak Trail).
Wirksworth Station
Bolehill - first climb of the day

Generally good undefoot - but not always

Four of the eight radio masts on Alport Height
Alport Stone, a nearby 6m pillar of quarried gritstone - looking SW from Alport Height
Back towards Wirksworth on part of the the Ecclesbourne Way.  This is a new 11 mile walking route following the course of the River Ecclesbourne from Duffield to Wirksworth

Providence Mill, Gorseybank where narrow red tape to bind legal documents used to made by John Bowmer and Sons from 1883 and was in use until the mid 1970s
Gorseybank - Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady and St Teresa of Lisieux

Ab Kettleby, Saxelbye, Grimston and Wartnaby, 17th January 2018

Nine ramblers set off in brilliant sunshine from Ab Kettleby on Glen and Maggie's 7 mile walk from Ab Kettleby to Saxelbye, Grimston and Wartnaby.
The clear, wintry weather meant it was very good for photography so here are lots of Glen's and Rogers's pics, not necessarily in the right order.
The start in Ab Kettleby

St James' Church, Ab Kettleby

St James' Church, Ab Kettleby

St James' Church, Ab Kettleby
Heading in to Saxleby, slippery underfoot
Brookside Cottage
Miniature railway in garden

Test track, famous for the nearby nuclear flask crash test in 1984
 

Exposed bells at Wartnaby owned by the Knights of Jerusalem (Templars from1251-1510)

St John the Baptist Grimston - lunch
 

Bottesford and Allington, 14th January 2018

Gail's walk today took twenty six of us from Bottesford Station via Beacon Hill, across fields and part of the Viking Way to watch a football match in Allington.
Gail describing the route at the station
Beacon Hill - outbound
The Vikings probably turned back at this point and went home

A much better route
Beacon Hill  - inbound

West Leake Hills, 7th January 2018

A good turnout (23) of regular ramblers for Sue's 6-mile morning walk ...
... starting at St Helena's Church, West Leake.
Climbing West Leake Hills
Excellent panoramic views to the north
Return to St Helena's Church ...

... soon to be surrounded by snowdrops.

Caythorpe, Hough on the Hill and Carlton Scroop, 31st December 2017

Mike led twenty seven ramblers on this 8 mile walk in a figure of eight? circuit ...
 ... from Caythorpe to Hough on the Hill and (almost) Carlton Scroop on field paths with views to the west across the Trent Valley.

The start in Caythorpe
Caythorpe was the base for the First Airborne Signals who fought in the battle for the Arnhem bridges in WW2.  An annual ceremony and parade is held to maintain the links with Arnhem.

The weather was good with clear blue skies and the ground conditions were only slightly muddy after recent snow and melt water.
 
Above Frieston Road
Beacon at Carlton Ashes
Our leader
The Church of All Saints at Hough on the Hill dates from the 11th century and is notable for its Saxon Tower with unusual circular staircase and lumpy stonework
Renovated Ransommes and Rapier Crane, machine number 1340 made at the Waterside works in Ipswich.  Well it beats trainspotting!
Large aerator alongside lots of other agricultural machinery
If you can't decide where to go, just have a rest and wait for someone else to decide
Saint Vincent's Church, Caythorpe,
only one of four churches in England dedicated to Vincent of Saragossa
After the walk some ramblers enjoyed a pint of Lancaster Bomber beer at the Caythorpe Red Lion pub to wish everyone a Happy New Year.
 
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