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.

Ashford in the Water, Sheldon, Magpie Mine, Over Haddon, and Bakewell

I caught the local bus from Bakewell to Ashford in the Water and started the walk by climbing up to Sheldon and then going across to Magpie Mine. The climb up to Sheldon is quite steep at the beginning.

I then headed southwest across the fields to Monyash where I stopped for a pot of tea at the Old Smithy Café; the only place to sit down was on the base of the village cross - the proprietor suggested I sit there.

I walked through the village to reach the head of Monsal Dale.

I walked along Lathkill Dale until I could climb out at Over Haddon. I continued through the village and it was then a gentle descent going across grassy fields to Bakewell.

I was expecting to only wait five minutes for the bus in Bakewell, it was half an hour late though.

A Circular Walk From Bakewell

My plan this morning was to catch the TransPeak bus at Bakewell and travel to Taddington...but it didn't show up - so after waiting at the bus stop until twenty minutes after it was due to depart I gave up and walked to Ashford in the Water.

Earlier I took some photographs of the Christmas decorations at Bakewell.

There are usually a couple of alpacas in this field.

I went inside the church at Ashford in the Water.

I climbed up the hill and then walked along the road and across the fields to Magpie Mine; the sun briefly punched a hole in the clouds and so I took some photographs.

I always enjoy taking pictures at Magpie Mine.

I left the ruins heading south and east and made my way down into Lathkill Dale via Mill Farm.

I didn't use this footpath, and anyhow it's now over two months since the closure date, but I've never come across this reason for an emergency closure -  'to protect public safety due to management of livestock.' What on Earth has the farmer been keeping in these fields, and what was he doing with them that's so dangerous?

A decent sized chunk of the dictionary is included in the locations on this sign; ash, bake, flag, ford, and well.

There was a section of the footpath closed in Lathkill Dale but there was a well used unofficial diversion in place...which I used.

As I was approaching Bakewell at the end of the walk, an unaccompanied dog ran by me carrying a large frisbee in its mouth.  Quite a few seconds later, just as I was beginning to wonder how the dog could manage to throw, and then catch, the frisbee all on its own its owner appeared, somewhat out of breath.

As I waited for the bus at Bakewell we were entertained by a group of carol singers just across the road - they were dressed as characters from The Nativity...the bus was fifteen minutes late.


UPDATE: I've been informed by a local resident that the alpacas are in fact llamas. I always thought llamas were much larger...so now I don't know how to tell the two species apart.