Peddars Way, Sherringham Park to Weybourne.

July 2011, A wet and windy day.

Start: Sherringham Park.  OS map OS252, Grid ref: TG135420

Distance:  7 miles round trip.  

Time:  3 hrs including lunch at Weybourne station.

We decided to visit Sherringham Park, a National Trust place near the coast with Weybourne on the way round.  Starting at the visitor centre in the park we walked along a wooded path following the markers along the way.  After about two miles we arrived via a short detour at the Weybourne train station.  This is now only used for pleasure trips nearby and when we visited there was a wedding taking place at the station with a meal on the train.  A lovely idea.

Sherringham Park

The train now arriving...

We met Mike, the station guard, who explained that all the staff dress in traditional uniform which adds to the atmosphere of the place along with the coal fired engines and steam.  It was like taking a trip back in time.  

Station guard Mike

Lunch time

The very enthusiastic controller...

We stopped for lunch here as it had started to rain and we didn't fancy the next leg of the walk, along the cliff tops, getting wet.  After lunch we set off into the village of Weybourne and then onto the North Norfolk Coastal path.  The Peddars Way is a 46 mile path starting at Knettishall heath, celebrating it's 25th anniversary this year.  It joins the Norfolk Coast path at Holme-next-the-sea near Hunstanton and carries on for 45 miles until Cromer, home of the Cromer crab.

Cliffs at Weybourne

Once on the cliffs we were afforded dramatic views so didn't mind the torrential downpour that arrived at the same time, so much for avoiding it!  On with the waterproofs and a soggy trek along the cliffs.  After the coastguards cottages you pick up the red markers again for the Sherringham park walk.  No photo's here for obvious reasons!

Once back in the park we decided to climb the many steps of the gazebo, but to be honest we were a little disappointed when we got to the top.  After that, it is a walk through the woods again passing the privately owned Sherringham Hall before reaching the temple where we stopped to contemplate the beauty around us.  Then on for the final climb through the woods. 

The Temple with Sherringham Hall in the distance

Jasper took this moment of distraction to roll face first in a cow pat!  A fresh one at that.  Great!  We ended up borrowing a jug of water from the visitor centre and hand soap from the toilets to try to give him an impromptu bath...lovely.  

'Do I look good in this?'

It was a good walk and we met lots of nice people along the way.  Shame about the weather, but so long as you have the correct clothing, nothing can faze you.

North Norfolk Coast Path

July 2011, A hot sunny day.

Start: Wells-next-the-sea.  OS map OS251, Grid ref: TF 914 430

Distance:  7 miles return walk.  

Time:  3.5 hrs including camera stops.

We started the walk at the beautiful town of Wells on the north Norfolk Coast path.  Wells is a small seaside town with a few arcades and the landmark granary with it's overhanging gantry.  Walking along beach mile we arrived at the lifeboat station where a little further along the beach we found dozens of bright coloured beach huts on the golden sands.  Some of the popular huts can fetch upwards of £64,000!

Beach huts all in a row

Well-next-the-sea, the granary to the left.

Our walk began at the harbour where we parked our car for £4 for the day.  Along the dockside we watched children catching brown crabs while the fishermen were bringing in the catch of the day, usually crab and lobster.  Further along we found some sheds where Billy a local lobster fisherman was making new lobster pots.  He explained that each one lasts about 5 years in the sea.  He has about 1600 of these pots out there and with lobster fetching upto £20 per kilo near Christmas, that's not a bad living, all be it a hard one.

Billy making a lobster pot

Following the path alongside the salt marshes is easy and well sign-posted.  On a hot day it can be quite tiring as there is no shade on the route.  Jasper did manage to find a bush to lie in while we stopped for a quick snack half-way along.  It took a lot of persuasion to get him out again.

One hot dog!

The Salt marshes.

It is truly a beautiful place to walk with butterflies fluttering in the hedgerows, and the perfect place for twitchers to watch the vast array of wild birds in the area such as Hen Harriers, Merlin and Peregrine. As you arrive at Blakeney point, where the same two wardens have watched over it for the last 50 years, it is a short walk inland to Stiffkey (pronounced Stookey) turning left at the main road, we found a lovely old pub for lunch and a bowl of fresh water for Jasper.  The meals are huge and home-made and the pub was a definite respite from the days sun.

The Red Lion at Stiffkey

Stiffkey is a lovely village where the houses are all made using the traditional Norfolk method of cladding them using flint stones taken from the shores.  It is also famous for it's blue shelled cockles called 'Stewkey Blues'.  They get their unique colour from the mud and can be found on the best tables around the world, but far better here at home.  On a more spooky note, Stiffkey is said to be the haunt of Black Shuck - a huge black hound reputed to be the inspiration for the 'Hound of the Baskervilles'.  It is supposed to roam the coastline terrorising its victims and is said to appear just before a close relative dies.

Waiting for the tide.

After lunch we headed back the way we had come stopping to pick some fresh samphire on the mud flats at Wells.  This salty veg, also known as poor mans asparagus, has been collected by the locals to sell for hundreds of years.  It is best served boiled with a knob of butter and some fresh crab or lobster.

Samphire

After stopping to see the catch of fresh lobster Billy has brought home, we head back into town for a well deserved cup of tea at one of the small tea shops along the narrow streets of Wells.  Jasper took the opportunity for a quick nap too.  A great walk even though it is only a small part of the North Norfolk Coast path.

Catch of the day.

Time for tea

Well Dressed In Derbyshire

4th June 2011, A beautifully sunny day.

Start: Callow Top Campsite 

Distance:  7 miles return walk.

Time:  3.5 hrs including cafe stop.

What a fantastic day for one of my favourite walks into the historic village of Tissington in Derbyshire.  The walk is an easy one down through the campsite and onto the Tissington Trail, a dis-used railway line.  From here it's a straightish path towards Tissington Village where during summer the annual Well Dressing ceremony takes place.  The village is still managed by the FitzHerbert family who have looked after the cottages and grounds for the last 400 years.  Sir Richard can often be seen around the village helping out with the tourist trade.  Here are some pictures of the event.  I'll let the pics do the talking.

Tissington Trail

Gateway to the village

Norman Church

Hall Well

Tissington Hall

This cottage date back to 865!

Each well dressing takes 300 hours to make

Only petals, leaves and foliage used.

The busy tea rooms in the old coach house

Norman font.

The coffin well

Best butchers on the planet!

I hope you enjoyed the village as much as we did.  Well dressings take place throughout Derbyshire villages during the summer months each year.  For a list of next years events check out http://welldressing.com but they won't be listed until next year.

Scafell Pike - The Final Peak

14th May 2011, A dull cloudy day.

Scafell Pike - 978 mtr (3209')

Start: Wasdale Head Car Park. OS map OL6, Grid ref: NY 187086 

Distance:  7 miles return walk.  

Time:  6.5 hrs including camera stops.

Up with the larks at 5am - had a picnic to pack for the final mountain in my Three Peaks challenge.  Doug had recruited two walking helpers in Gary and Justin, I think it was in case I had to be carried down the mountain, anyway, 7am arrived and we were on our way.

Doug had been happily telling me for weeks that this was the hardest peak yet and how I would struggle, I was determined to prove him wrong.  How hard could it be?  I'd already done Ben Nevis.  After a brief supplies stop in Ambleside we decided to follow the Satnav to Wasdale Head.

Hardknott Pass, scary paths, beautiful views.

You know you should have followed the map instead of the Satnav when you find yourself precariously perched on tiny lanes that are weaving their way merrily over the mountain on Hard Knotts Pass, instead of around the bottom.  There were several comments of 'I thought we were walking the mountain, not driving it!'  We did have to stop at one point to take some pictures though.  After an added hours travel we parked up in the Wasdale Head carpark along with fellow walkers.

DB auditioning for the next
series of The Great Outdoors.

Justin and his amazing rucksack

Now I had a better view of Scafell a few doubts started to creep in.  Not to worry though, we had our survival expert, Justin, on hand with his trusty rucksack; an Aladdins cave of tinfoil sheets, high energy bars, torches, whistles and shelter.  Surely we didn't need all that.

We started out about 10am and it wasn't long before Gary and me were stopping to take pictures of the valley below and Wast Water.  It was to be the first of many David Bailey moments.

Wast Water

That Kodak moment.

The next photo op., was a small waterfall that we decided would be good for an arty shot.  I waded in - waterproof boots don't you know - and snapped away.

Wet boots and Arty shots

After another climb we stopped for a quick snack and to make the most of the spectacular views.  The climb is worth it just for that.  I thought I could glimpse the top of the mountain but was soon brought down to earth when they told me it was just the cloud line.

Navigating the stream

Top banana.

Wast Water Views

Left or Right?

Onward and upward we went, past Hollow Stones, until we reached a fork in the path.  Left seemed to be for the average Joe, definitely me then, and right was for the more experienced walker as that one involved a scramble.  More photo's and then jackets and waterproofs were put on as the weather had started to take a turn for the worse.  Justin cheered me up though by pointing out what wonderful views I was missing through all the clouds.

After another hours walking we were on the last leg.  The rocks had become very slippery and it was easy to lose your footing so going was quite slow.  Especially for me!  When the final cairns came into view leading a path to the trig point, the hail stones were coming at us horizontally.  Not pleasant.

I was amazed to see so many walkers at the top along with several very wet, tired looking dogs.  I don't think Jasper would have made it, not without doggy walking boots anyway.  I would have ended up carrying him down in my rucksack I think.

Cheers M'dears!

A glass of champagne to toast our achievement and then a quick munch on our picnic.  Justin's rucksack came into it's own when he pulled out a camping stove and made us all lumpy hot chocolate.  Don't think hot chocolate ever tasted so good.  Gary had found himself a little nook to sit in and looked as though he was frozen through.

I'm not cold...no, really, I'm not...

Cooking up a storm.

Had a scary moment at the beginning of the descent when my hands were so cold they were painful and my knees were hurting.  Thought I might not make it down again.  I had visions of having to live on the mountain drinking lumpy hot chocolate and sleeping in Justin's shelter wrapped in tin foil.  But once everyone know I was worried they all took it in turns to walk with me and make sure I was OK.

I have to say, the weather really hadn't been kind to us; it rained most of the way down.  Sore feet, aching knees, wet through and oh, by the way, waterproof boots don't like being immersed in running water for longer than 10 minutes - soggy feet after crossing the stream for the second time!  I realise that Doug may have been right and that this was a proper mountain, but I've done it now and even with all the hard work it was a great experience and I couldn't have done it without the help of Justin, Gary and of course Doug.  Thanks guys.

Now, who's up for Helvellyn?

Broadway Lights!

Another weekend, another show...sorry, I mean site!  This was our first time on a Caravan Club site and I have to say, we loved it!  The site in the Cotswold village of Broadway is beautiful and very convenient to the village itself, being only a ten minute walk away.

We missed the Royal Wedding because we were travelling, which turned out to our advantage; the roads were empty.  When we arrived on the site we met a lovely lady in the office who explained we could pitch up wherever there was a space.  We hadn't encountered this before and were a little taken aback.  But it was great.  We found a wonderful pitch on no. 50 - pitches 49 - 53 are the best ones - south facing and with lots of grass behind to sit out on.

Huge Pitch No. 50

The only downside to the pitches is the fact that you do need a very long extension lead and TV cable to be able to reach the post, at least 25 feet.  We managed to cobble together an extended TV lead with a couple of sandwich bags wrapped around the connections to keep them dry.  Not the most aesthetic piece of kit, but it did the job.

In reception there are books at 50p and dvd's for hire at £1 each.  A good idea as the TV reception can be a little patchy apparently, not that ours was, it must have been our excellent cabling skills.

After a quick set-up we walked into Broadway and enjoyed a good pint (Doug) and a glass of wine (me) in the Broadway Hotel.  Dogs are very welcome inside the bar, so this makes a difference.  Jasper settled down to sleep after all the excitement of the day.  They had the Royal wedding highlights on the large television in the corner so I got to see the wedding after all.  A couple of glasses of wine and a bowl of chips and we were good to go.

A walk through the village brought us to a large flag bedecked double decker bus.  One of the original old London buses.  As we were looking around it the lady conductor asked if we fancied a ride around town, 'It's free.' she said.  We couldn't resist a trip down memory lane as it was just like the buses that used to drive up and down Morecambe promenade when we were kids.

Fares Please!

As we drove around the village, we saw lots of people having their own Royal wedding garden parties, all dressed up and champagne flowing, helping to celebrate William and Kate's big day.  It made us proud to be British.  Jasper seemed to take it all in his stride, settling down on one of the side steps for a doze.

Back at the site we found the toilet/shower block to be very clean and well attended.  The gravel pitches are huge and everyone is so friendly on a CL site.  It's like we are all members of one big club - wait a minute, we are.

A Walk Around England's Coast

Work is continuing in Weymouth Bay, Dorset, on the first stretch of the new England Coastal Path.  Natural England, who have implemented the scheme, are hoping to have this new pathway open for July 2012 and the start of the Olympic and Paralympics sailing events taking place there.

This is part of a much bigger plan to provide a new National Trail around England’s open coast, providing access for walkers to admire coastal views previously unseen on foot.  This is possible because of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

Coastal erosion has led to many paths being destroyed, but this legislation allows for paths to be replaced should they become damaged, and new routes to be made, making sure everyone can forever enjoy these coastal paths.

Natural England is due to begin the next phase of work in Durham, Norfolk, Kent, Somerset and Cumbria soon, but don’t get your boots on just yet as the paths will not be open until 2015.

The Start of The Cleveland Way.

23rd April 2011, A beautifully sunny day.

Start: The cross in the square at Helmsley village, OS map OL26, Grid ref: SE61272

Distance:  7 miles return walk.

Time:  3.5 hrs including cafe stop.

The cross in the bustling town square at Helmsley is the starting point for the Cleveland Way, which stretches for 110 miles in a horseshoe shape before finishing at Filey Brigg just south of Scarborough.

Setting off from the car park you head towards Helmsley castle and the long stay car park, it’s from here that you follow the path leading up a hill between fields filled with vibrant yellow rapeseed.  At the top pass through the gate and continue on the path through another gate pausing here to look back towards Helmsley and the historic ruins of the castle.

The beginning of the Cleveland Way is clearly marked and easy to follow.  Eventually you descend down stone steps and then climb back up again to open fields.  Keep going straight ahead past a lone house on the hill and continue to follow the well sign-posted path that starts its descent towards Rivaulx.

At the bottom of this path, turn left following the signs to Rivaulx and walk along the road, which runs parallel to the stream; a good place for small paws to have a paddle.  As you round the bend you will get your first proper glimpse of the Rivaulx Abbey.

The Abbey itself is just a little further along where you can purchase a ticket to go round this enchanting ruin from the British Heritage shop.  There is a café serving excellent sandwiches and cakes or you can always eat your picnic if you have one.

Do take time to absorb the peace and tranquility this place holds.  You will leave it feeling refreshed I can assure you.  From here you can continue along the Cleveland Way by following the path, or retrace your steps back to Helmsley for a round trip of seven miles, finishing at The Feathers Hotel for a well earned drink.