The Melbourne Walk

MELBOURNE WALK

Thursday 29^th September 2011

The walk was described as ‘A lovely relaxing walk through the rolling South Derbyshire countryside ..’

The weather was spectacular, for any time of year, with totally blue skies and the temperature that would reach 28 C. But, it was especially out of character for late September.

Not being very far away and not much of a detour to stop off at Willowcroft Care Home to pick up the last of Margaret Cornish’s mail, we set off along the A52 towards Spondon. It was also a good opportunity to pick up some bits at B & Q. In the car park at the DIY store was parked a very pretty pink car and so this was the first subject of the photographic journey. The reason for this was that Zoe, our oldest NZ granddaughter likes pink cars. (They are unusual.)

Pink Car for Zoe

Following directions from there on the SATNav we parked on a street in Melbourne within site of the church. Our walk direction said that the walk would start between the Parish Church of St. Michael’s and Melbourne Hall; both described as ‘two of the counties gems’. We were in the right place to start the walk. Unfortunately, one of the county’s gems was surrounded by scaffolding and thoroughly tented in.

Garden shop

The yard with its craft shops and toilets was open and this was our first stop. I inadvertently gave Irene the idea that we would not start with our usual refreshments. So, through the gateway into the beginning of the Melbourne Parks. This was a nice gentle start around ‘Melbourne Pool’. It was infested with its usual gaggle of Canada Geese. 

Melbourne Pool

The first field, or so, was quite gentle and the paths well marked. On we plodded looking for the six steps down to take us to a stile.

At this point I became aware of a veritable army of brightly coloured army in procession behind us.

The Colourful Army

It was time to give them the slip. This I did by continuing to walk the path at the edge of the field until it came to a dead end. By the time we got back to the six, well disguised steps, leading to the, clearly marked post by style, the army had already found the correct path and were well ahead of us.

They Weren't Able See Us

Here the walk began to go up hill; at first along a grassy lane. (Did I say that it was now 28 C and there was no shade, even on this lane?) It was not long before it was time to leave the lane. The post came in site, but where was the path? The guide said to go left. The yellow arrow pointed left. But where was the path. A little bit of scouting showed evidence of trainer print in the dust. I believe the dust is what we call soil. And so, in the way of ‘Good King Wencelas’, we did trot. This was to be the first of number of fields lacking a clear path and going steeply up hill. It became obvious that the farmers had recently ploughed their fields and seeded them. But the lack of water meant that the path way was not being trodden out and that rapidly shoe prints had dusted over.

Mark My Footsteps

We plodded on though a small wood, but swarming in insects. And, becoming quite weary we needed shade and a place to sit. Having gotten over the top of another dusty hill, with a good view of Breedon church our only option was a shade-less path of grass on which to sit and consume our picnic. With hindsight and knowledge that farmers generally do not put out shady picnic tables in their fields, we knew that the logs in the wood would have been a better option. But hindsight does not inspire anyone to back track up and over a dusty, sun baked hill.

The Plough

On we plodded along an easier walk, along a lane with some shade, past Breedon Golf Club and into the village of Wilson. Carefully hidden was the entrance to the next section of uphill sun-baked trackless waste. In this field we trod on pea seedlings trying to sprout out of the dry earth. How they are growing is a miracle. The only shady log to sit on was a waterless oasis fifteen yards off the path. Re-finding the path proved more difficult than finding it by looking along it at the start.

The Pea Path

From the top was a clear view of Melbourne and the path downhill was like a grassy piece of park land and, it seemed unexpectedly, we were back by the pond. Refreshments were desperately needed, but shade was still denied us.

Finally it was a visit to the ‘Tree Tops Hospice’ charity shop. Mum though she might find something useful. But it was me who bought a Cussler book for 50p before to the car and home we went.

There was a little time to spare and so we went to visit the gem that is St Michael's church. We had a good conversation with a lady attending to the flower arrangements and I took one or two photos.

We had not intended to do the walk. It was worth doing. It could not be any stretch of the imagination be described as relaxing. Certainly, it was lovely.

Our next sortie is to be to simply go somewhere and without an assault course map.