Bakewell, Rowsley, Calton Lees, Calton Houses, and Edensor.

It turned out to be a lovely day and yet I didn't make the decision to go walking until quite late last night after the weather forecast had been updated; I even told my friend that I'd got nothing planned this weekend when he phoned up earlier.

The 218 bus service runs every thirty minutes on weekdays and Saturdays, alternating between going directly to Bakewell or going the long way round via Chatsworth House. The bus I caught went to Bakewell first and so that's where I started my walk today. The bus went on a diversion though, the road was closed at Owler Bar and so we travelled via Froggatt and Calver; a chance for me to enjoy some different countryside.

Obviously I arrived at Bakewell a few minutes late, but I didn't mind. It was still a bit overcast when I took the first photographs...it didn't take long for it to brighten up though, and stay that way.

I climbed up to, and then walked along, the final few hundred yards of the Monsal Trail until I reached Coombs Viaduct, then continued along the bridleway which goes past Bowling Green Farm to Rowsley; I think it's impassable for horses, but there were tracks where I could see that mountainbikers had been. Like the rest of the walk, it was very muddy in places.

Some very nice countryside along here.

I dropped down into Rowsley, visiting the churchyard, but not venturing much further into the village because my footpath was just at the side of the churchyard. The church is quite picturesque, but not very old; it looks to be Victorian.

Once I'd passed the muddy sections the route towards Calton Lees is very easy, almost flat and walking on grass. I had a pleasant surprise when I got there; there was a vintage car rally taking place.

At Calton Houses the Chatsworth Estate has done a very good job in converting an old barn into a holiday cottage, or maybe even two.

The next cottage is also owned by the estate, but regular tenants live there, most likely estate workers. Properties owned by the Chatsworth Estate are easily identifiable by the blue/green petrol-coloured paint that is used on the buildings, the doors, fences, gates, windows, drainpipes, and eaves,

It was a short climb up to the top of the ridge and then a steady descent, with far-reaching views, down to Edensor.

I lingered at Edensor, taking photographs of all the cottages that were bathed in sunlight...here are a few of the better shots.

When I arrived at the bus stop on the main road I discovered that I had over half an hour to wait until the next scheduled bus was due, but who knows what time that might be because of the road closure? I decided to set off for Chatsworth House where I knew the public toilets would be open. Not long after I'd crossed the road the bus whizzed past me on its way to the House, where it turns round and then continues on its journey to Sheffield, either direct or via Bakewell. So...I had plenty of time to walk the couple of hundred or so yards back and wait at the bus-stop.

Annoyingly I seemed to be spending a lot of time pulling up my trousers today, I must be getting close to having a forty inch waist now...I will certainly have to punch another hole in my belt.

Bakewell, Calton Houses, Calton Lees, and Chatsworth House.

I went to the toilets at Sheffield Railway Station and tripped up over a cone which was put there to cover up a wet and slippery patch: fortunately this was the only time I slipped or tripped today.

The weather forecast was for bright sunshine and the hottest day of the year; when I got to Bakewell it was cool and quite misty, and so I only took close-up photographs. The shots I've selected feature a pot plant next to the sink in the toilets, and an interesting café sign.

I left Bakewell and walked up to the Monsal Trail and headed eastwards for probably less than a mile to its current end at Coombs Viaduct. I continued walking along Coombs Road, which is a farm track at this point. By now the clouds were clearing and the sun was warming me up: there were lovely views back towards Bakewell, although the town can't actually be seen because a hill blocks the view.

I then climbed up through a wood and arrived at Calton Pastures, one of my favourite places in the Peak District. I enjoyed some absolutely stunning panoramas as I walked down towards Calton Houses, and then along the lane to Calton Lees.

Just before reaching Calton Houses I noticed a piece of rubbish at the side of the path: I read the lettering...how ironic.

There are some lovely cottages at Calton Lees, all owned by the Chatsworth Estate.

The toilets at the Chatsworth Garden Centre at Calton Lees were very welcome; as was the pot of tea in the café. From here I had intended to make my way to Baslow, via Pilsley, but as I was walking alongside the river I realised that my bowels were working loose again, and the process of walking was making things worse. I went to the toilets again at Chatsworth House and then just hung about waiting for the bus, taking a few photographs. 

I enjoyed myself today, as I always do when visiting the Peak District; but my bowels let me down - I think I must have eaten too many grapes yesterday.