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!
.jpg "Near Bamford the river is fairly narrow") |
| 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.
_01.jpg "Watch out for cattle blocking the path in Rowsley") |
| 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.
_03.jpg "Much of the 'heritage' reflects historic industry and the remnants are widespread") |
| 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.
