L2L Day 32 Matlock to Bakewell - 12.5 miles

With a rucksack full of clean washing and fuelled with a perfect breakfast, I was given a lift by David (in his lovely blue car) the 6 miles through Wirksworth, (very attractive town centre), Cromford (amazing downhill terrace) Matlock Baths (apparently full of chip shops and amusement arcades but very photogenic) and then into Matlock. 

My photographs perhaps don't do Matlock sufficient justice but after a coffee to set me up for the day, I set off along the Derwent Valley Heritage Way which follows the banks of the river but below road level.

What!!?!? Another rail preservation Society!!! 

This time the Peak Railway. The timetable didn't suit my walk without waiting for an hour so having watched the stoker fire-up "Waleswood" I carried on my way.

The route followed the meandering Derwent river and very quickly led into very attractive open countryside. 

For most of the time I had the path to myself.

The smell of Wild garlic was wonderful on the shady banks of the river.

With the sound of the train whistle echoing across the valley I stopped to watch the cricket at  Darley Dale and got talking to Alan. 

He used to be an opening batsman and since retirement from the game has been a coach.  At 83, he stopped playing 21 years ago....and has counted each of the the Summers ever since.

He and his wife moved to Truro 8 years ago at the suggestion of his sister but decided that surfing and playing on the beach were the only attractions to Cornwall so had decided last year to head back to the Derbyshire Dales to be closer to their great grandchildren.  

Alan explained that the Derbyshire cricket league consists of 10 divisions each containing 10 village teams so just about every vilage has a ground and a team. Living back in Darley Dale, I sensed that he's a very contented man again.

The route travelled up the valley floor parallel to the line of the Peak Railway passing St. Helens at Churchtown 

and then on to Rowsley where there was a "Miniature Madness" steam event going on in the car park - lots of enthusiastic people in their camper vans with scaled down traction engines.

I stopped at the Grouse and Claret in Rowsley to recharge the phone, a glass of reviver and to surreptitiously munch away at the sandwich David had made for me from their home made bread. Yum yum!

My apparel for the afternoon.

The route crossed the river 

and headed through farm and parkland towards Chatsworth. 

On the way, I stopped to watch a fly fishing lesson

Chatsworth is, for its size alone, magnificent.

Having already walked 10 miles, and impressive as it is, Chatsworth deserves another visit so I turned West, through Edensor 

and climbed the ridiculously steep rough track that seemed to go on for ever, rising 450 feet in just over a mile.

At some.point I was overtaken at speed by 3 jerks in a jeep with a screaming gearbox as they attempted to race up the hill, raising clouds of chippings and dust as they went.

Through the dust, I met running downhill towards me, Beth who was participating in a Rasselbock challenge, a 30hr race from Chapel en le Frith to Lincoln which is 70 miles as the crow flies.

She was in good spirit and was happy to stop for a chat even though she was bracing herself for running through the night. I checked that she was OK for water and blister plasters and off she went. Very very impressive.

Then at long last, 

a steep, steep descent with an unphased pheasant to cross over the bridge 

into Bakewell. I was too tired to have a proper look around the town before checking-in to the Castle Inn. There was a relaxed atmosphere with people sitting out and enjoying the warm evening.

Time for a shower and a beer.