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Landlords Guided Walks
1 May 2006 Walk
What a wonderful walk we had on the first of May - my favourite walk of the year. It was a fine sunny spring day as we set off from the Barley Mow and it remained fine for most of the walk with only the occasional short, sharp shower to keep everything fresh and green.
We stopped after just 2 minutes to inspect the remains of an old cheese press and further into the walk Alan showed us how we could be really wild and eat many of the plants and leaves around us, including nettles. We were encouraged to try them but most of us opted to take his word for it and just watched as he ate them.
Click on images below to enlarge
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Another stopping point was the old Roman road and the lost village of Dunsley and this was followed by the search for wild flowers.
The cold start to the spring meant the wild Orchids were a little late this year and there were few to be seen but we were more than compensated by the abundance of Cowslips, Primroses, Bluebells and Wood Anemones,
The woodland part was particularly beautiful with hillsides carpeted with flowers and fresh green buds and leaves on all the trees. On reaching Dunsley Spring Alan led the hunt for the first sprigs of wild mint at the water’s edge and we smelt the pleasant aroma of the wild garlic all around us.
There were many new and interesting people on the walk, including some visitors from France and Buxton and John who had come with us for the first time. We also had many of the Barley Mow regular enthusiasts, including Chris and William, Ron and Lydia, Pete and his son Alex and of course Al (or Youth as he’s better known). The young ones set up home in the stick house in the woods Steve had a very enthusiastic black Labrador with him who pulled him up all the hills and took much of the effort out of his walking.
Emerging from the woods we found ourselves in a clearing edged by Blackthorn bushes. The branches of the Blackthorn bushes were heavily laden with snowy white blossom and we walked through this beautiful, blossomy bower, into fresh green fields and from there it was just a short walk to Slaley and back to the Barley Mow.
All in all it was a walk of sunshine, flowers, new born lambs, baby ducklings, interesting scenery, good company and a good pint and lunch at the end - a wonderful Bank Holiday walk that was enjoyed by everyone.
Anne Falconer
Easter Monday Walk 2006
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Landlords walks are held every Bank Holiday Monday with an extra one in June and at Christmas (the day after Boxing Day)
There are stops at various points on the way to give interesting information on the history and wildlife of the area and the entertaining landlord, Alan Webster, a born story-teller, weaves his own magic with colourful accounts of crime, passion and just about everything else.
The walks start at 11.00 am and are about 3 - 4 miles of easy walking, taking approximately 2 hours.
Over 3500 people have been on the walks over the last 6 years |
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For a delightful walk, starting and finishing at the Barley Mow, click on the image below. The walk takes you up and down, over hillsides, along tracks and through woodlands. The area is full of interest and there are some splendid views, particularly of Matlock and the Derwent valley, and its famous limestone rockface of High Tor. |
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