Walk: 11:45am to 2pm - 4 miles
Today was my last holiday day of the year - no days off at Christmas for the first time in a few years, however as I'll be working some weekend days I get some lieu days off in the week for the odd walk. This works great for us as my wife also has some days off in the week, so we can go walking when it's quiet.
We didn't have plans for a long walk today, initially thinking about heading for the outskirts of Rotherham and taking in Keppels Column, Wentworth Woodhouse and then Hoober Stand and back via Greasborough Dam. However, that was about 10 miles and due to our start time and the early onset of dusk we might not have had the time.
So instead we chose to pay another visit to the Longshaw Estate in Derbyshire. The first thing I noticed when we started the walk was the biting wind - thankfully my soft-shell had a hood that I could tie up tightly around my head! We spent a couple of hours walking around the grounds, then exited the estate down into Grindleford before heading back uphill towards the estate. And again I 'braved' some cows - we could have taken a route away from them but passed by fairly close - I still wouldn't say that my phobia has gone, but it is easing a little. Time to take off the outer jacket as the climb up the hill took it's toll - a lovely section up through trees alongside a small stream snaking down the rocks towards the road at the bottom.
As we exited the woods we saw a path across the field that just seemed to end as we hit some walled paddocks, leaving us having to climb a gate to exit the field. Much of the mix of autumn colours had now gone, with little other than green and brown scenery - and as much of the walk was in cloud is did look a little drab. The few glimpses of the sun brought it to life a little - just a pity that the sun hadn't broken through earlier as it did so as we finished the walk.
We ventured around the small lake (more of a large pond) in the grounds before heading back over to the estate house - unfortunately this time of the year the cafe only opens weekends so no refreshments available. We didn't mind so much as the Fox House Inn is only about 1/2 mile away, so we stopped off there - Donna having Garlic Mushroom for her starter, followed by Crispy Chicken Breasts - for me it was just the one course of Wild Mushroom & Spinach Lasagne with a Side Salad and Garlic Bread - Very nice. Then the hour back home and completely out of character for me - I went to sleep at 5pm and didn't rise until 6:30am the next morning - I didn't realise it had taken so much out of me...
Today was my last holiday day of the year - no days off at Christmas for the first time in a few years, however as I'll be working some weekend days I get some lieu days off in the week for the odd walk. This works great for us as my wife also has some days off in the week, so we can go walking when it's quiet.
We didn't have plans for a long walk today, initially thinking about heading for the outskirts of Rotherham and taking in Keppels Column, Wentworth Woodhouse and then Hoober Stand and back via Greasborough Dam. However, that was about 10 miles and due to our start time and the early onset of dusk we might not have had the time.
So instead we chose to pay another visit to the Longshaw Estate in Derbyshire. The first thing I noticed when we started the walk was the biting wind - thankfully my soft-shell had a hood that I could tie up tightly around my head! We spent a couple of hours walking around the grounds, then exited the estate down into Grindleford before heading back uphill towards the estate. And again I 'braved' some cows - we could have taken a route away from them but passed by fairly close - I still wouldn't say that my phobia has gone, but it is easing a little. Time to take off the outer jacket as the climb up the hill took it's toll - a lovely section up through trees alongside a small stream snaking down the rocks towards the road at the bottom.
As we exited the woods we saw a path across the field that just seemed to end as we hit some walled paddocks, leaving us having to climb a gate to exit the field. Much of the mix of autumn colours had now gone, with little other than green and brown scenery - and as much of the walk was in cloud is did look a little drab. The few glimpses of the sun brought it to life a little - just a pity that the sun hadn't broken through earlier as it did so as we finished the walk.
We ventured around the small lake (more of a large pond) in the grounds before heading back over to the estate house - unfortunately this time of the year the cafe only opens weekends so no refreshments available. We didn't mind so much as the Fox House Inn is only about 1/2 mile away, so we stopped off there - Donna having Garlic Mushroom for her starter, followed by Crispy Chicken Breasts - for me it was just the one course of Wild Mushroom & Spinach Lasagne with a Side Salad and Garlic Bread - Very nice. Then the hour back home and completely out of character for me - I went to sleep at 5pm and didn't rise until 6:30am the next morning - I didn't realise it had taken so much out of me...
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