Light Walks Further Afield: The Big Walk!

Along the River Dove, from Milldale to Thorpe Cloud, Ilam Hall and back via Stanshope.

Starting the day with a good breakfast - including the jam we made on our foraging walks last autumn!

Our walks are never solely about exercise or reaching a destination, they are also about exploration, curiosity and engagement with time, place and history. It is easy to race through a landscape or place in a car, missing everything that makes a place special or unique. A walk gives the opportunity to satisfy all the senses and to take time to notice the small things which make the bigger picture.

The mysterious empty building that Carole longed to explore

The guard dog that growled

guarding the grindstone with a tale.

Crossing a field in the early part of our walk Michael earned himself the title of Sheep Whisperer as these lambs were unable to resist his call! 

This hill led to some deliberation, the sure footed raced ahead, whilst the more cautious worked out how best to get to the bottom of this steep hill. 

Team work and lots of encouragement, plus a few novel descent strategies ensured we all reached the bottom without taking a tumble!

We all enjoyed being out the the fresh air.

Walking along the River Dove.

A wild English orchid growing near the River Dove

Tiny flowers spied amongst the fast flowing water

A dabbling duckling in the shade of the wooden bridge where we stopped for a rest.

The Ilam Rock, where we played pooh-sticks on the bridge.

Mysterious wishing pennies lodged into felled trunks.

Natural caves and arches

Crossing on the Stepping Stones

And finally we reached our rather grand lunch destination, Ilam Hall!

Three Light Walkers after lunch at the halfway point

The second half of the walk was on the road and we had the opportunity to enjoy the warmth of the sun and the delicious spread of the landscape we were walking through.

Three struck out in front, three kept pace in the middle and three kept each other company at the rear.

The rear guard Mick, Michael and Carole swapped stories and stopped frequently to rest and admire the fields; the basking sheep seemed to approve!

They even managed to spy skylarks amongst the buttercups.

and took pleasure in sunlight glowing through vermillion poppies.

It was a long walk but Carole and Jo wanted to to show the group as much as possible in the time available and to create a good, long, interesting walk. There were some tricky moments, times when some walkers almost felt defeated but there was also grit and determination demonstrated. True there were some sore feet, some tired legs, some thirsty walkers and some frayed edges, but the day was spectacular and all walkers, regardless of fitness, successfully completed the whole 9.7 miles.

Light Walks Further Afield: the Night Walk

A Night Walk along the River Dove to Mill Dale.

Not everyone in the group is sure footed and nimble and Carole had particular concerns about walking down a steep, grassy  incline but happily her walking pole gave her more confidence and it was good for others to see her conquering her fears and making the twilight walk. In fact, no one wanted to miss out of the adventure!

Michael trying out his headtorch for size

The path from the hostel to the hill took us through some magical countryside

which was made more atmospheric by the haze of mist

Carolyn striding confidently down the hill

At the bottom we crossed a wooden bridge, pausing to listen to the clear, rushing water. We saw deep pink hawthorn blossom, water snails moved lazily across the  Butterbur leaves edging the path. The leaves had been used to wrap butter being transported by canal in Victorian times. As the light fell we passed through a valley marked by the passage of glaciers, marvelling at the steep ridged sides so evocative of the passage of time and the weight of nature.

Some Lightwalkers need to stretch their legs, walk at a cracking pace, get to wherever we were headed, whist others were happily to stay at the rear, taking time to hang their luminous tape labels on the branches of trees.

Before and after tag at bay!

The reflective tape on the backs of our rucksacks

At the halfway point we stopped on a bridge to create a glowball installation, much to the surprise of passing drivers! We must have looked fairly strange sitting on the bridge with our red head torch lights glowing, but everyone seemed to take our presence in good part. The night was beautiful and strange, walking in darkness made our senses sharper and the beaming head torches picked out small details on the road or in the hedgerows.

The walk home was hilly and a little humid, we made sure we carried our glowballs away with us, especially as they gave us extra visibility. At the Welcome to Staffordshire sign Carole began to dream of Staffordshire oatcakes but contented herself with a good slug of water to help the journey home. As we walked our songs, jokes, shared thoughts and conversations punctuated the inky darkness helping our tired legs carry us home.