Baslow, Curbar, Froggatt, Grindleford, and Hathersage

I caught the Bakewell bus to Baslow Nether End and took the low level path heading north to Curbar; this still required me to climb over 150 ft in altitude up Gorsebank Lane in the village. I continued walking north going through Curbar, and then made my way down to the eastern bank of the River Derwent using a short path that I don't remember using before, something rare for me in the Peak District. By now I had joined the Derwent Valley Heritage Way and continued to Grindleford Bridge, and then Hathersage.

 

Unfortunately these apples at Curbar were cooking apples; the woman who had just pushed them up a steep hill in the wheelbarrow tried to persuade me they were still sweet enough to eat and insisted I take one. I didn't want to disappoint her - it wasn't sweet though. 

There were plenty of autumn colours on display, but the lighting conditions were poor.

Just beyond Froggatt the conditions brightened up for a few minutes, maybe it had something to do with the electric fence.

I reached Hathersage and had half an hour to wait for the bus, not long enough to go somewhere for a pot of tea and so I went to the garage shop for an ice cream or lolly, but didn't bother...they all looked more like fireworks then something cool and refreshing.

A Walk Along The Canal Towpath From Thorne To Stainforth

A significantly better weather forecast for Doncaster than the Peak District today and so I caught the Scunthorpe train to Thorne South railway station this morning. I haven't used this station before, neither have I used the recently built platform 0 at Doncaster Station from where it departs...it's quite a distance from the other platforms. I've been to Thorne plenty of times before but whenever I've caught the train I've always got off at Thorne North.

I walked into the town centre going via the church and the earthworks remains of the castle.

 

I popped in to one of the bakery shops and got a really good bargain, a dozen of yesterday's cakes for only 90p - I didn't eat any of them though since I'd already eaten my sandwiches on the train. I then walked along the canal towpath to Stainforth and caught the bus back to Doncaster. My foot was starting to hurt me, I'm convinced that it's a residual sixth toe I've got; I've never had the doctor look at it though.

Hooton Roberts, Old Denaby, and Mexborough

I caught the Sheffield bus to Hooton Roberts, the next village after Conisbrough, and headed north along the lane and then the footpath that goes up and then down to Old Denaby.

When I reached Old Denaby I went down Ferry Boat Lane to the lock; I had to cross over the railway line and the river first though. I couldn't access the lock, it appears to be fenced off and only users of the canal are able to reach it, so I wasn't able to take any photographs

I walked along the towpath for a few hundred yards until I reached a point to get off near to Mexborough Railway Station.

I went into Mexborough town centre and spotted a bargain, a large, 1 kg, pack of bacon offcuts for £1.

I had nearly half an hour to wait for my train back to Doncaster and so did a bit of trainspotting at the station..

Circular Walk From Castleton

I travelled to Castleton this morning and started my walk by heading out northwest along Hollowford Road and then a path that goes over to Mam Farm and comes out onto the broken road, about half way up.

There were no home baked treats in Millie's Honesty Box. Just beyond this point I had to do my only bit of serious climbing but I found a spot to have a rest and watch several cyclists struggle to get by a fallen tree which was blocking the path. Some carried their bikes. others pushed their bikes, and a couple tried to jump over the obstacle whilst riding...and failed miserably. I didn't say anything.

I walked up the rest of the broken road and then across a grassy area to the top of Winnats Pass and then descended to Castleton with plenty of time to catch the bus.

 

Bamford Clough - Walking Up The Steepest Street in the World

I was watching a video online last night when it was claimed that Leesdale Road, the paved road that goes up Bamford Clough is the steepest street in the world. So, I decided to incorporate it into my walk today.

I woke up late and so had to catch a later train to Sheffield; I'd still be able to get the same bus out to the Peak District though but I'd only have a few minutes to get to the bus staion...it's not far though. I needed to pee and so used the toilet on the train; it looked like it might be blocked and so I flushed first...and got hit in the face with a spray of high pressure water. Wow, super-efficient!

I got off the bus at Bamford Station bus turnaround and walked up the road to the village and then started my climb up the clough, a climb of about 500ft.

 

After having watched the video I knew that there was a seat half way up; I'd already had three or four rests by the time I reached it. There's a nice view though.

There's another seat further up, which wasn't featured on the video, there are views of Win Hill from there.

When I reached the top I got chatting to a young couple and an older man - being out of breath certainly helps me to correctly pronounce my aitches. I turned to the right and walked along the road for a mile before finding a route down into Hathersage and finishing the walk there.