Brailsford, Derbyshire

Sunday, October 17, 2010
Another beautiful day, although frosty when we got up. We thought we couldn't waste it and so rather tan sitting and getting stiff after yesterdays walk we set out for another walk – but a bit shorter this time.
We drove to Brailsford in Derbyshire and parked near Hazlehurst. There were several large dogs caged in the house opposite where we parked the car and so as we were getting ready and putting our boots on we had to put up with barking dogs disturbing the peace.
We headed down towards Kings Grove where we stopped to find a cache and then walked across the fields towards Commonside. We had to walk down a narrow lane and passed a small Market garden shop which had a lovely display of Autumn vegetables.


Then back up the field at Commonside but as the path was not marked we were at the wrong place to exit onto the A52. After a short diversion we found the way out and after a short walk down the main road and through a short bit of woodland we headed towards Brailsford Green. We left the footpath by going through a primary school playground and then headed across fields to a lane. We again had problems finding the footpath but got there in the end. More unmarked footpaths followed but we managed to stay on route and later passed through a field where sheep dog trials were being carried out.
We exited on a lane and again couldn't find the footpath but I finally noticed the footpath sign, covered by ivy on a post next to a tied up gate.
We went through the gate and struggled through a field of sugar beet, eventually reaching the other side of the field and our way onto the road where the car was parked. We had done a mere 8.75 km today but despite the difficulty finding footpaths was a pleasant walk.

Eastwood, Nottingham

Saturday, October 16, 2010
It seemed like the first weekend we had had for ages when we hadn't had things to do, and as it was forecast to be fine we took advantage to go for a walk. We headed to Eastwood in Nottinghamshire and after a bit of a navigation problem around the town we manged to find a carpark next to an old coal mine.
We walked along the road and then headed along a footpath beside Moorgreen Reservoir. Eastwood was the home of D H Lawrence and there were notice boards along the way telling us about the area and his life.


When we reached the end of the reservoir we followed the edge of Morning Springs woods heading towards the M1. As we passed under the motorway we stopped to hunt for a cache called “Whistle for it”. We started whistling in the underpass and soon the cache replyed to us by beeping – a very clever cache. Having passed under the motorway we headed into a forest along some wide tracks. We diverted into the pine trees to find a cache and then continued along the track. As we sat on a concrete block having a cup of coffee the gamekeeper came along and told us we were on private property and politely pointed us to the footpath. As we left we noticed the sign saying “Forestry Commission land” - open to all! However, as they were apparently shooting today we decided to head back towards the footpath. This took us on quite a long detour and we ended up near to Hucknall. We finally found a bridleway pointing back towards our planned route, but were surprised to see notices proclaiming that there were guard dogs, security cameras and toxic herbicide and chemicals, right next to the bridleway sign! Very welcoming landowners in these parts.
We followed the footpath around Wythburn House farm where we stopped to find a cache. We were a bit wary about hunting around some farm equipment and when I saw we were being watched we decided to abandon the hunt. However, as we left the man said “You're very close”. It turned out to be the farmer and he knew about the cache so we were free to continue our hunt.
Our next part of the walk took us over Misk hills, across the motorway again and then back into Morning Springs woods. The walk was pleasant until the bridleway disappeared again and the path was blocked off. We managed to divert and head back to the path we had walked on at the beginning of the walk, but as we got to the path we realised it was fenced off. We managed to clamber through the fence and retrace our steps back beside the reservoir.
It had been a walk of many diversions and blocked paths but had been a very pleasant Autumn walk. Our planned walk had been 13km but we ended up having walked 19.5km!

Thank You Judith and Derek

They are lovely.