Maps

I always take a paper Ordnance Survey map with me when I go on a walk...except for very local walks. I use the 1:25,000 scale for the Peak District and 1:50,000 for elsewhere. The Peak District maps are very good; in particular there are two features I find very useful, field boundaries are shown and you can usually tell which side of a fence, wall, or hedge a path goes. The only thing they lack for me is the location of bus stops out in the rural areas.

The 1:50,000 maps aren't as detailed, lacking the two features I've already mentioned. Ordnance Survey only produces the larger scale maps covering the areas of the national parks though.

Of course, when planning a walk I use online zoomable maps.

Bakewell and Over Haddon

I didn't quite manage to complete my loop out to the west of Bakewell today, visiting Over Haddon and the lower reaches of Lathkill Dale. My left knee was starting to hurt so I cut the walk short at the bus stop for Haddon Hall and got the bus back to Bakewell.

Grindleford, Froggatt, Calver, Bubnell, and Baslow

I intended to catch the 218 bus to Bakewell but it didn't show up so I caught the 257 to Grindleford instead and followed the Derwent Valley Heritage Way downstream to the bus stop at Devonshire Bridge at Baslow.

Going back to Sheffiield yet again the 218 didn't arrive, but the 257 did - it goes the long way round though, but there's a lot of pretty countryside I could enjoy. 

Retford

A lovely day for a visit to Retford, my favourite local town - to be honest though I spent most of the time in the pub with my friend Justin.

My Village Checklist

 I like to visit pretty villges when I'm walking in the countryside.Here is a list of what I like to see -

An attractive sign as I enter the village. Only a few villges where I live in Doncaster have one however over the boundary in the Bassetlaw district of Nottinghamshire nearly every village has a pretty wrought iron sign featuring something unique to that village...I frequently photograph them. Unfortunately most villages in the Peak District don't have one; Eyam does though, but I've never photographed it because it's in a difficult to get to location, dangerous traffic and poor visability. 

A village pond, ducks are optional.

A red phonebox.

A traditional pub, ideally with a beer garden.

A mediaeval church with a lychgate.

Thatched cottages - these are rare locally and in the Peak District - there is a row of them at Baslow Nether End though.

Flowers everywhere in the summer.

A village green.

Cobbled streets.

If possible, a castle, defernsive walls and gates...and a large country house or hall.