Friday 27 September 2024
4.5 miles Leader Gerry W.
Weather 12°C. Dry, breezy.
No. on walk 16
A great day out exploring some of the many interesting points of interest around Tansley, namely it’s streams, ponds and associated former mills, mostly now, converted to accommodation and a few for individual businesses, although not to those of original usage. Top prize of the day was the walk up to Riber and a close-up view of it’s famed. Some say notorious castle, as yet, as we discovered still unfinished, although it looks like some of those frontages facing Matlock below, are inhabited, leastways there were some lights on!
We walked north along Church Street to start and then took the road to The Knoll, turning left on a footpath to follow streams, which flowed into the ponds, to the west of the village. It was here we misplaced one of our number, along the many pondside paths, but with one of us backtracking and the assistance of modern technology, all was soon remedied and we then made our way, to cross over the busy A615, making our way up to Daisy Bank Farm. Many stunning views, as we climbed, looking back over Tansley. From Daisy Bank, we made our way westwards to Riber Hall Farm. Then to walk a grand path to the west of Riber Castle, marked on the map as a hotel, I think not! Arriving at the castle boundary, we were able to place our cameras and noses against the wire security fence, here it still resembled a building site, stalled for the want of a better word. However, as we moved onward to a small field with the castle northwest elevation behind us, it was clear that this part was in fine order with trimmed lawns, smart parking and garden space. It was in this small field, we stopped for our morning break, with grand views of Old Matlock below us. Parish church, playing fields and cemetery, quite recognisable from our lofty position.
Break over it was then to descend, what seemed like an incredibly long steep set of irregular spaced steps, with a very good metal handrail to help us along. We paused at the bottom to take in more fine views over the other part of Matlock. We then made our way north east still descending to eventually re-cross the A615, leaving this almost immediately, to walk along Lumsdale Road. We paused to look at the impressive watermill conversions. Onward now along Lumsdale Road, to turn right onto the footpath just below Arkwright’s Lumsdale Project, perhaps we will view that on another day. Our way was now to walk, field paths and tracks, directly towards Tansley entering the village via Oaksedge Lane, The Knoll and so back to our cars. Great day and very good company, More, more like this please Gerry and thank you.
