A person new to the area joined last month so we wanted an interesting local route. We began along Litton Edge, then through Tansley Dale, eventually emerging on the village green in Cressbrook. Monsal Head was the next destination and made an ideal lunch stop. Almost everyone knows the path from the viewpoint down to the viaduct but we managed to take the wrong one. Fortunately the detour was scenic. We heard that in the country from where the newcomer is relocating, walking is only permitted in designated areas and the consequence of straying can be dire if spotted by the landowner. Black bears are not uncommon either.
Near Brushfield it was most unusual to see someone approaching with shopping. She’d come by bus from Nottingham to the farm shop at Chatsworth and planned to return by the same means when she’d carried her purchases a little further. She’s mid-way through writing a book about her unorthodox travels.
We were still a distance from home. Next day a friend who’d witnessed our arrival in the village said we’d staggered past her house. A walk of twelve miles is certainly a record for the group. At least we’d encountered no hazards.
Helen Royle.