April - Part 1

I can say that there were odd times to work on the allotment and get potato planting underway. But the weather continued to be generally grim.

Despite this we were determined to continue with our weekly walks. On the second of the month we chanced our arm with a visit to another section of the Monsall Trail. Earlier our next door neighbours, the Luckcocks, had given us a book showing walks starting at various railway stations in the Peak District. Walk number one was to start at Bakewell Station, head east and then turn left over some fields in the direction of Chatsworth House.

Two things went wrong. The first was that we turned left too soon in Bakewell and found ourselves in the car park at the Bakewell Showground. In someways this was fortunate; not the least being that the car park payment machine was out of order so we had FREE PARKING. The cafe at the showground was open with tasty, affordable food and drink. There was also a convenient convenience at the start of the walk.

The Monsall Trail was well sign posted and this led to the final plus being that we would be start at an end of the trail. I will explain this later.

To get to the end of the trail meant a walk down Coombs road for about 1/3 of mile parallel to the trail. The picture shows the murkiness that we would experience throughout the walk.

From the relatively level road there was a slight incline up to the trail which was suitably sign posted.

We would later find that this was not the only end of the trail. The beauty of Derbyshire trails is that they are level as they were originally railway tracks. They also, pretty much, all weather trails, which is more could be said about the path across the field. The original walk was abandoned and we plodded on further.

Quite soon we reached the old Bakewell station.

Our reading told us that the stations were so ornate because they needed to placate the duke over whose land the railway passed. This also explained some of the unnecessary cutting which were designed as a screen.

As we walked I became aware that there seemed to be a lack of places to sit and have lunch. But around the next corner was a grassy space with picnic tables. From where we sat having lunch we could see what appeared to be industrial buildings and so had to find out what they were. Lo and behold we had arrived at Old Hassop Station which certainly is a magnificent building.

For us this became significant as we recalled that last year we had walked from this station to Monsall Head and later on walked from Monsall Head to Millers Dale. A look at the map showed us that we had now completed all but a mile and a half of the whole trail. A plan formed.

Instead of going back to the end of the trail we left it at the old Bakewell station and walked down into the town. This walk took us to the river which is a lovely place and has two interesting bridges.

The first is the old stone bridge.

This second is the steel girder bridge which is interesting because it has become repository of padlocks attacked to the wires running across.

Sadly, on the 8th April, our friend Alan died.

On the 9th we could not immediately carry out our Monsall Trail plan and so we made the best of the time we had by visiting quite a little known pond. Strangely this was only about 10 minutes from us and it turned out to be lovely place to be. Martin's Pond is to be found by driving along the A609 towards Wollaton Hall. The road becomes Russell Road and to the left is Russell Drive. The pond entrance is where the drive turns sharp right. As always, I look for reflections and colour. The blossoms are quite splendid.

A path leads off the main pond. Having walked around Martin's Pond following the path leads to another pond. The walk becomes a figure of eight.

The following Tuesday was our tea and talk with the ladies of Leicester House. Irene's theme was 'The Two Easter Gardens'. The first being Gethsemene and the second Jesus' tomb.

We all enjoyed the tasty Easter cakes.

At last came the chance to finish off the Monsall Trail. We followed the A6 out of Bakewell until we came to the car park at Wye Dale. The sun was shining, it was holiday time and the car park was full, but we managed. It was a lovely walk along the river to the start of the trail; which was also called 'The End of the Trail'. So where is the beginning?

The route took us through two quite short tunnels and then in to the main Chee Tor tunnel which had to be lit.

Passing by the fantastic lime kilns which used to worked by a man and a boy we eventually came to Millers Dale. Our trek along the Monsall Trail was complete.

Jenny told me that earlier in the week they had done the whole trail in one go. Good for them.