Autumn Footprints 2018 - Week Two
w/e 30 September 2018
All of this week's pictures were
taken with a Kodak DX6490
After the downpour on the middle Saturday of the Festival and
the cancellation of Sunday's walks, week two turned out for the
most part to be perfect weather for walking. I started on Monday
with the Erewash Ramblers at Bluebell's Ice Cream Parlour at
Spondon for a seven mile walk through Bartlewood, Dale Abbey
and Locko Grange - a route that took us through Locko Park (above)
near both the start and the end of the walk.
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We had a brief "Coffee Break" at Bartlewood and sat
on the grass at the Dale Abbey Arch to eat our picnic lunches
before returning over the fields to Locko.
Route Map
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Tuesday morning was taken up with other commitments but I did
make it to Langley Mill just in time for the 2pm start of the
five mile "Two Canals and Turbine" walk with the Heanor
Walking For Health group. We followed the line of the former
Nottingham Canal before crossing the Erewash Valley close to
the wind turbine at Newthorpe to pick up the Erewash Canal for
the return.
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This route was an amalgamation of two shorter walks usually undertaken
by the Walking For Health group that had been devised to create
the longer route especially for the Festival. This view on the
towpath of the Erewash Canal was near the end of the walk at
Langley Mill.
Route Map
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Other commitments prevented me from taking part in any of Wednesday's
walks but I was back by the Erewash Canal again (further south
this time) on Thursday when I walked with the Long Eaton Rambling
Club. Under clear skies this was another perfect day for walking
and perfect for some reflective shots in the still waters of
the canal.
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Part of this walk was along a section of the canal that the Sandiacre
Strollers had walked on the previous Friday but on this walk
we crossed the canal to climb up Stoney Clouds before heading
off across the Erewash Valley Golf Course for another picnic
lunch in Stanton By Dale. The return to Breaston was via Risley
to complete the eight mile circuit.
Route Map
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  A long standing 9:15am appointment on Friday
morning meant that I couldn't make the 10am start for either
of the walks on offer. Later in the day we made our way to Shipley
Country Park to investigate another aspect of the Festival called
"Awesome Autumn!" This self-led activity primarily
aimed at children was available every day throughout the Festival.
From a range of activity sheets available at the Visitor Centre
I selected two and we set off through the Cinderhill Coppice
looking for autumn leaves and fruits. One item to tick off on
one of the sheets was "cones with thick woody scales."
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One of the sheets involved looking for a variety of leaves and
we didn't fare too well finding items to mark off although we
did identify a number of leaves and fruits
We found several other items but were surprised that in our wanderings
we didn't come across any conkers, acorns or hazelnuts. We did
however see these willow leaves by Osborne's Pond. - but then
again as I said, the activity was aimed at children and children
would no doubt have done far better than us!
Shipley Country
Park Map
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  Saturday and Sunday morning were taken up
up by other things so the only walk we were able to participate
in was around the "Listed Buildings in Risley." We
were familiar with most of the buildings like the Latin House
(left) on the main road and All Saints Church but on this occasion
we were able to enter the church to see some of the internal
features like the colourful stained glass (right).
We were also on this walk able to enter the grounds of Risley
Hall which is now a hotel and hear some of its history. The Sunday
afternoon route included a walk along the original terrace which
runs alongside Risley Brook. It is thought that the brook was
diverted from its original route to form a canal or moat in the
Hall grounds.
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After walking round the Hall part of which is now a Nursing Home
and residential area we passed through the former Rose Garden
and saw many original architectural features of the Hall before
exiting the grounds and taking the final steps to Church Cottage
behind the church for refreshments courtesy of the Parish Council.
Route Map
This final walk was listed as being 2 miles but in reality it
was only about a mile. In fact it was more talk than walk but
nonetheless enjoyable for that. It just goes to show the variety
the Festival offers - from easy short strolls to 10 mile strenuous
rambles and everything in between. Well that wraps up this year's
Autumn Footprints Walking Festival but I suspect that routes
are already being planned for next year so to paraphrase the
final words of a popular dancing programme on TV, until then
"Keep Walking!"
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