Walking with Simon

Simon, a fellow full timer and friend comes to stay the night in our humble field

The plan is to go walking next day if the weather permits and catch up on all the Goss as we've tried to RV several times in the past year or so but been separated by at least one country each time

A few beers later and we are tucking in to Nina's fayre amid frantic conversation

This is mainly due to Simon's tales of travel to Oz and Morocco recently and we are thoroughly absorbed…

We don the boots next day and set off but don't get far…

These guys at Maycock Butchers in Holloway have become a regular haunt of ours recently. The produce is more than first class and I challenge anyone to walk by without going in for sausage rolls!

The weather is good and we are off down that canal again

Simon has a thing called an Ordnance Survey map which bemuses me, surely everyone can navigate like me with 'in built sense of direction'..

(Two near death experiences lost up Kinder soon spring to my mind)

We leave the canal and head up in to the hills behind Cromford

Another 'Des Res'

Its not for sale friend...

We touch on the last stretch of the High Peak Trail back down to the canal and Simon treats us all to coffee & ice creams at the tea rooms, good man...

Just as well as 'Sherpa Jarrett' takes us uphill again on a jungle adventure following his trusted map.

The path is there, but just not used very often

By the time we three had thrashed through it beating it with sticks and relieving the nettles of their sting it was fit for further use by other walkers

Back at the vans, and after 16km of pure enjoyment, we settle in the sun and quench our thirsts…

Bon Voyage Simon

Till we meet again...

Weekend with the Elliotts

Just as Hank and I return to the van we are greeted by the sight of Chris & Keith positioning their van next to ours.

Its not long before everyones bored with my blister story so we break out the BBQ and our new 'burner ring' and the five of us have a jolly old time downing sausages and booze.

After Hank's departure home we have a good old catch up and plan the next day's walking activities. 

How I intend to make the course I'm not sure and bitterly regret my choice of socks today

Today is flower shoot day as there's so many to choose from on our route

Our route broadly follows what we did yesterday although not as long and we pass through some well tended allotments

How tempting to leap the fence and steal some of these beauties…

The Troops inspecting what remains of a very old quarry

We are soon on the Cromford Canal and passing that stunning house, this time minus the Westie

A few refreshers at the Jug & Glass after a nice walk sees me examining my feet yet again. Aching and sore but a different sock strategy and some sympathy sees me through to live another day…

Next morning Chris serves up the perfect walkers' breakfast which is quite apt as we are about to set off again on another scenic route

"Keith, I don't see a 'Golden Eagle'"

"Yes its there Pete, see, it opens at 11.30am"

A horse…of course

'Ray' explaining all things stile related

Nice puffers

The 'Dirty Dogs' rest up at the Tavern at Tansley

After this weekend we feel like sleeping for a week or so, so good to catch up and the weather was kind to us too

Thanks Chums for your excellent company

Hank & Blisters

On a fine friday morning fellow retiree Hank turns up with his walking boots and off we go to burn leather on the footpaths around Dethick

Armed with sandwiches we spend the next few hours engrossed in conversation and catch up on the events of the year since we last met

Some obligatory flower shots...

This pooch spends his days by the canal watching the ducks

Just mention 'moobs' once more Hank..

The canal to Cromford, or more precisely a very nice pub we had to try in the village

We decide to hit the hilltops in the direction of 'The Tavern at Tansley', taking in the view of Matlock Bath

All because this gaff was shut on a friday lunchtime in summer…bizarre!

I just have to take my boots off at the pub and inspect my 'plates of meat'

New thick walking socks have done their worst and I'm hobbling around with six blisters. What joy then when I realise its still two miles back to the van, and uphill too

A great day out Hank, nonetheless...