Following the ancient Portway to the Peak.

One of my 2024 challenges is to travel the Derbyshire Portway from the River Trent, past the Hemlock stone near Nottingham and through the Peak District to Mam Tor. The routeway could be as old as 4,000 years and part of my quest is to explore how travellers over this time might have found their way. The first day involved a lot of urban roads on the Nottinghamshire/ Derbyshire border so I used my bike as far as the village of Morley. The rest of the way will be on foot.

The route passes at least three hermitage caves and any number of prehistoric sites. The distinctive ‘holloway’ path bears witness to centuries of use.

Canary Islands in January

A short notice appointment from HF Holidays in January 2024 took me to the volcanic island of Gran Canaria off the coast of Africa. working with two superb local guiding colleagues – Paco and Belinda – we explored some stunning scenery and worked off more than a few calories on the slopes. Thanks to all the walkers for such good company.

In view of the warm weather it was rather strange to be based in ‘the port of snows’. It took some time to figure out but the ‘snow’ comes from the chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Snows.

Jordan at short notice

It was great to get a chance from HF Holidays to go to Jordan in November 2023 as Tour Manager on a walking trip. The landscape was stunning and varied from mountains, to plains and deserts. Some excellent local guides and above all it felt very safe.

The so called ‘monastery’ at Petra was just one of so many edifices , not built at all – but carved from the rock face. It was a great place to share with a great group.

Walking in the desert at Wadi Rum was best finished by late morning as the heat rose.

Walks again when the time is right

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Shropshire Hills with HF Holidays

Just back from a great week of walking with HF Holidays guests. Always a pleasure to lead these groups as everyone has something to add to the appreciation of the walks. (blue sky was quite representative but we did get one rain day) 

Shropshire walking with HF Holidays

Climbing up to the Long Mynd

Hope Bowdler in Stretton HIlls

Derby Walking Festival – paused but not forgotten

This week was due to be the Derby Walking Festival and I was all set to lead a couple of the walks as part of my part time work for Derby Adult Learning Service :

• An intro to Ordnance Survey maps
• A walk in French

Both were to be enjoyable jaunts in the green spaces near to Derby but all the walks had their own theme.

Festival organiser, Katy West from the City Council, had a plan to make this both a walking event but also a celebration of the life of the city. There were walks on geology, for guide dogs, on history and even a Wacky Wig Walk to top it all off.

Walking is so good for our well being as well as our physical health. A good walk combines good conversation as well a quiet times when we can appreciate the sounds, smells and sights around us.

The great news is that the Festival is going ahead but dates still to be confirmed. Keep an eye on  Move More Derby

 

 

 

A friendly walk with a picnic tea 30 June

After plotting meetings with my good friend Ray we decided that it was high time to plan another pleasant walk with pleasant talk.

Sunday 30 June 11.00 am
Meet at Chatworth Park Garden Centre car park Carlton Lees, Post Code DE4 2NX

The walk will be quite gentle – about 5 miles with picnic cuppa and an optional swim in the Derwent at the end.

Let me know if you plan to come please.

Alastair Clark

April Butterfly Month!

It’s April so it’s time to start the butterfly survey along our section from Whatstandwell to Ambergate on the Cromford Canal.

Great fun as I set off with my survey sheet and identification chart. Today was warmest day of the week so far and the thermometer just pushed 12 degrees. Not really warm enough for the butterflies I am afraid. I did see an Orange tip but it was way out of the survey zone!

But…….. there were gorgeous views along the canal as the flowers come into bloom.

Yorkshire in the Spring

Thanks to friends Nic and Andy Pollock for arranging a great weekend of walking (and plenty of talking) with Wirksworth friends in Yorkshire.

This was the latest in a long tradition of, what we cheekily call, ‘Pollocks Frollocks.

Cleveland Way section Helmsley- Rievaulx

We stayed over at Hovingham and walked on the Saturday from Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey along a section of the Cleveland way I had not walked before.