The Western Arm Of Ladybower Reservoir

I did a circuit of the western arm of Ladybower Reservoir, staying away from the busy Snake Pass road on the return leg though. I got off the bus at Heatherdene; there are toilets at the car park there. I headed down to the 'Plugholes' and then took the track that goes along the southern shore.

I crossed the road and then climbed up to Bridge-end Pasture, going past Hagg Farm.

I descended to Ashopton Viaduct and continued on to the bus stop outside the Ladybower Inn. Unfortunately, despite hurrying, I missed the bus by two minutes and I couldn't then spend the best part of an hour in the pub waiting for the next bus because it wasn't open - there was at least somewhere comfortable to sit down...at some picnic tables.

Thirsk

A drive up the A1 of about an hour with Siobhan, my support worker today, to Thirsk. We chose to have a pub meal, and then, if the weather improved, call back at a pretty village and have tea and cakes. The weather didn't improve, it stayed rather cloudy all day, and so when we spotted a cafe in town serving afternoon tea that didn't have to be booked in advance, we decided to indulge ourselves there.

  

I spotted some unusual hanging baskets.

The cafe had won an award for its afternoon teas yet we didn't think they were anything special. The lemon curd was delicious though, probably the best I've ever had and the Wensleydale cheese was really soft, like cottage cheese - when we commented the waitress told us that's how it comes from the creamery...a local creamery. She didn't know if it came from the actual Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes though.

Rivelin to Whirlow Bridge

I travelled to Rivelin, right on the boundary of the Peak District National Park, and headed south up Lodge Lane to the path that leads to the car park for Wyming Brook Nature Reserve. Surprisingly there was a lot of traffic using the steep, narrow, winding lane; maybe there's a local road closure and people are using it as a diversionary route.

I continued going south, sometimes across the moors and at other times having to use the road until I reached Ringinglow Road. I briefly strayed into Derbyshire by not sticking to the exact route across the moors.

Because of my minor navigation error I was able to pick up a path going over to the Ox Stones.

I walked alongside the edge of Lady Canning's Plantation and then turned down into the Limb Valley  and finished the walk at Whirlow Bridge.

Pilsley, Hassop, Calver, Curbar, and Curbar Crossroads

I caught the bus that goes to Bakewell via Chatsworth House and got off at Pilsley. I walked down the path to the Bakewell road and then along the bridleway to Hassop. 

I love the Catholic Church at Hassop; it's in an awkward location though and it's difficult to find the angles to photograph it.

After passing through the village I headed to the east, going uphill along a narrow country road until I reached the footpath that goes to Calver.

I managed to avoid walking along the busy road to Curbar but then needed to use a  much quieter road, climbing up to Curbar Gap and then continuing to Curbar Crossroads where I caught the bus going back to Sheffield.

The weather was lovely today, but I probably spent too much time walking on tarmac...it was easy on my knee though.