Today was a day that we had been waiting for, for a long time. Colin hasn't been able to walk with us since the first Covid lockdown, so around 15 months, the reason being that he doesn't drive so always relies on being picked up. And for obvious reasons that hasn't been possible. However, as he has had his first jab and Darrell has had both of his, Darrell was prepared to pick him up.
None of the others were available today, so just the three of us and we met at Monsal Head. The plan was to head in the direction of Buxton and then loop back down along the river, a journey of over 10 miles. However, Darrell pointed out that he had read that due to all the May rain, that parts of the path near the river were flooded so best that we choose another route.
So off down Monsal Dale we went. After walking down through the peace and quiet of the Dale, we crossed the busy A6 and then had a short but steep uphill section to pick up the path through Great Shacklow Wood and onwards to Ashford-in-the-Water This section of the walk was wonderful for the smell of wild garlic, the shadows were swathed in it which gave the impression of a snow covered landscape.
After stopping for a quick break in Ashford, and to give Colin the birthday Rocky Road that Donna had made for him, we continued on towards Bakewell. We passed Lumford Mill on the outskirts of Bakwell then took the steep path uphill and across the fields until we met the Monsal Trail, where we joined the crowds for about 15 minutes of our walk. Thankfully only 15 minutes as I never enjoy walking when surrounded by other walkers and cyclists all jostling for position.
The last part of the walk took us across some more fields then up through the beautiful hamlet of Little Longstone and back to Monsal Head. By now it was quite warm and to be honest after 8.5 miles and 3hrs 40 minutes walking we had all had enough.
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