Sunday, 1 January 2012

A Walk Along Lathkill Dale and Cales Dale

We joined a walk organised by Paul Chandler including some of the “Wombles” mid-week walking group and also some members of Masson Caving Group on New Year Day's walk.
Karen and I met the others at the car park near Long Rake Mine outside Youlgerave and we first had a quick look at the large Rake which forms an entrance to the Long Rake Mine.
After this we followed the route of the Limestone Way eventually arriving at the bridge over the River Bradford. By now the weather had taken a turn for the worse with the rain starting – at least it wasn't cold!
After following the river for a while, we turned off at the steeply-ascending Holywell Lane, passing Youlgreave Village Hall then along Main Street passing the old Co-op, which is now a Youth Hostel and the old stone-built water tank belonging to Youlgreave's water company (the village has its own private Water Company).
After following a lane, we arrived at Conksbury Bridge where we all had a lunch stop. Those who arrived first had the choice of three wooden benches to sit on while the rest of us had to perch on short wooden posts!
After lunch, we progress along the River Lathkill, which like other local rivers and streams, was flowing quite high after all the recent rainfall.
We tramped along in the rain trying to avoid flooded sections of path with occasional stops at sites of mining interest such as Bateman's House and various mine entrances until we reached the footbridge crossing the river at Cales Dale.
We had a second break sitting on the rocks on the other side of the bridge. Continuing up Cales Dale, we had a look at the very wet Lower Cales Dale Cave.
Further along Cales Dale, we climbed he steep stone steps leading out of the dale to reach pasture land and then after crossing a number of muddy fields, we arrived back at out starting point.
Long Rake Mine

Long Rake Mine

Flying Pig Weather Vane, Youlgreave Village Hall

River Bradford

Old Engine House next to Bateman's House, Lathkill Dale

Tufa Falls, Lathkill Dale

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