Derwent Valley Heritage Way Day 2

I woke with some minor aches and loosened up with a hot shower. After sampling much of the breakfast buffet I was walking before 8am. Despite the early sun, the air was cool and I was tempted to get gloves from my pack, but instead opted to quicken my pace. The weather was forecast to become cloudy but this didn't happen and so later in the day I was applying sunscreen.

The Cromford Canal is easy rural walking

Today's first section around Cromford was familiar although quieter than when I've visited later in the day. The various attractions were still closed. Walking through industrial Belper and Derbyshire was interesting and looked to be worth a future 'tourist' visit. The DVHW guidebook suggests heritage attractions but I didn't have the time for detours and I don't find it easy to mix stops and hiking in a day.

Historic mill houses on a Belper hillside

South of Derby was a tough 8km for me as the path was clear, level and paved. Great for cycling but tedious for a tired walker. Every hundred metres felt like an eternity.

The River Derwent is regulated by many weirs along its length

After some welcome field paths the way passed through villages on the road, once again a struggle. At Shardlow I was relieved to join a canal again with its colourful boats and portside structures.

The Trent and Mersey Canal was a welcome sight

Derwent Mouth is a picturesque ending defined by an information board. It's worth continuing to the footbridge over the River Trent to see the end the the Derwent more clearly, whatever your destination.

The Derwent Mouth is where the River Derwent flows into the River Trent

However, this bridge was part of my route as I continued a few km into Long Eaton to catch a train home. I was very aware of today's 50km with a mild back ache and the beginning of a rubbed toe.

The DVHW was an enjoyable 90km walk, generally easy underfoot and with only a few minor ascents. To a degree its ease might be seen as a drawback as it didn't provide much variation in pace. 

Derwent Valley Heritage Way Day 1

I walked from home to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital to catch the 257 bus to Yorkshire bridge. Although the bus was a few minutes late it caught up with itself and arrived at the reservoir on time. I know most of the route of the northern half of the Way and readily reached Grindleford Community Cafe for a coffee stop. I dawdled over coffee having unexpectedly met an ex-colleague and this affected my day's average pace!

Near Bamford the river is fairly narrow

The weather was very kind to me, sunny but not hot, and with a light breeze. I wanted to take some exciting photographs but was visually fatigued with green trees, grass and brownish water. I worked to find compositions as I walked but naturally didn't want to explore options.

Watch out for cattle blocking the path in Rowsley

The route passed through, or close to, a range of shops and tearooms so plentiful options to top-up on snacks if they were required. I limited myself, after Grindleford to collecting some items for tomorrow's lunch from Matlock Co-op.

Much of the 'heritage' reflects historic industry and the remnants are widespread

I'd chosen my destination of Matlock Bath as being around halfway and the New Bath Hotel being reasonably priced. It's famous for its spring-fed lido which at 19°C is cool by my standards. I couldn't keep my head in and only managed a 12 minute dip. This was a pleasant chill after a fairly easy-going 40km.

After eating at the hotel I slept soundly, apart from a few minutes when a loud diesel engine was being started in the car park.

Three weeks in Falmouth

After spending a thoroughly enjoyable month in Falmouth last year, we decided to visit a little earlier in the year, for just three weeks. Unfortunately we couldn't stay in the same apartment but found another very comfortable one near Castle Beach. 

ON our drive over Bodmin we stopped off at the Kerdroya labyrinth. It's not much 'exercise' but a very pleasant place to be restful, or, admire the skill of the Cornish hedgers.

The labyrinth isn't fully walled as yet, but enough is to give a clear impression

As before, I ran to Flushing a number of times and we walked towards Helford passage twice and around The Lizard.

The pontoon at Flushing was a popular spot for children to swim

Last year I didn't find a suitable opportunity to visit the Via Ferrata attraction just outside Falmouth. So I made a point of going  there early in the holiday while the weather was favourable.

The site is a reclaimed quarry and offers opportunities for climbing and water activities

I've had an interest in this since 'accidentally' being on an engineered trail in Austria nearly 40 years ago - without a harness. I'd also read about them in Italy when I'd been learning about the mountain forts built in the Alps a hundred years ago. I'd thoroughly recommend this as a half-day activity and was pleasantly surprised how much confidence I had in the engineering, as someone who professes to be afraid of heights!

I also took an evening boat trip which included stories, and history, of the local coastline. The springtide allowed the ferryboat to venture further towards Penrhyn than is usual although it did disrupt some other part of the excursion.

Falmouth harbour was welcome after a few hours exposed to the sea breeze

Once again, I very much enjoyed the extended holiday period and wonder why I never thought it possible whilst working. Conversely, I suspect that I won't want to return to Falmouth next year, mainly because the paths are limited by the many river estuaries and a number of country estates that hinder route planning.