Thursday 19 October 2017 – Around Bakewell

I had occasion to pop over to Bakewell to sort a few things for our Christmas Walk on 17 December.

Since I was passing through Stockport, I called in at Alpenstock, the outdoor gear shop where Jose and Hugh are continuing on a month to month basis pending re-letting of the unit and Jose’s retirement. I commend a visit. The weather in Stockport didn’t deter me from continuing on to the Peak District.

By the time I reached Whaley Bridge, the writing was on the wall – ie a huge bank of cloud to the east signalled a fair degree of wetness. I adjusted my walking plans and called in at The Crispin Inn.

Business concluded, I headed off to Bakewell. The town was barely visible through the gloom.

A short walk along the Monsal Trail followed. It was deserted. No walkers. No cyclists.

I stopped under the bridge to shelter from the downpour and dream about days past.

Waking with a shudder, I made my way to the Lime Lounge Coffee House, from where the walk on 17 December will start at 10.00 am. The café opens at 9.30 and will welcome our custom.

It’s very close to the road bridge over the River Wye.

Nearby are two footbridges. The ducks just below the weir were relishing the weather and were using the frothy water to give themselves a good wash.

I continued my wanderings – up past the Parish Church and along some pleasant field paths.

The woodland walk through Endcliff Wood from St Anselm’s school, where they are making a real mess of the surroundings, was pleasant despite the weather. Autumn is still on its way here, with plenty of leaves yet to fall despite recent windy conditions.

Turning back towards the town, I passed an area rich in local history. The picture below was taken from Holme Bridge, a packhorse bridge built in 1664 and used by merchants who wanted to avoid the toll bridge in the centre of Bakewell. In 1777 Richard Arkwright built a cotton mill here, thereby depriving a corn mill that was a little downstream of part of its water supply. ‘Trouble at t’mill!’ as the saying goes…

Returning home via the Cat and Fiddle, I spent some time in thick cloud. But the day was a success, and the Christmas Walk plan is now fixed – details are here. Let me know if you would like to come – you’ll need to choose from the menu.