Ilkeston - Always Have A Plan B
Part 02 - When Plan A Became Plan B
w/e 09 July 2023
All of this week's pictures were taken with a Nikon D3300
So far in Plan A, I'd walked
the length of Gallows Inn Playing Fields and now I was into pastures
new.
The playing fields are sandwiched between the River Erewash and
the Erewash Canal and I'd noticed on a map that a track continued
from the end of the playing fields and ran parallel to the towpath
of the canal separated only by a line of trees and bushes.
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I followed the track although there are several places where
the towpath can easily be accessed.
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The track eventually leads to a clearing where there are a number
of metal manhole covers and a small brick building, obviously
nothing more than a site for the maintenance of local utilities.
There were however numerous insects flying round including dragonflies,
moths and butterflies. I spotted several dark blue butterflies
but they were all pretty camera shy so I returned to one of the
access points and crossed to the towpath.
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Plan A still going as expected and I turned left to follow the
towpath along the Erewash Canal.
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In the short distance to Hallam Fields Lock I passed a number
of white swans with their fluffy grey cygnets, mallards and one
particularly vocal moorhen but it was a notice on a fence post
at the lock that brought Plan A to a sudden unexpected conclusion.
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I had intended to turn left at the lock and cross Trowell Boards
to come out near the Festival Inn at Trowell where I would have
caught the bus back into Ilkeston town centre. The notice indicated
that "no person shall proceed on foot" along the footpath
to Trowell from June 28th until December 6th this year and as
I am not blessed with wings, I had to find an alternative route.
The alternatives were, return the way I had come, continue along
the towpath towards Stapleford or cross the canal to Hallam Fields.
I chose the latter which instantly became my Plan B.
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From the canal, Hallam Fields Road rises up through the industrial
area to pass the former St Bartholomew's Church which can be
seen here in the distance.
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After the church building, Hallam Fields Road also passes the
Stanton Institute, commonly known as The Stute.
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A right turn into Corporation Road leads past a fairly new housing
estate which was built a few years ago on the site of the old
Charnos Knitwear and Hosiery factory. Although it looks quiet,
this Plan B route was in complete contrast to the peace and quiet
of Plan A as I was passed by a number of heavy lorries that thundered
along the road in both directions going to and from the industrial
area.
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Corporation Road splits at the bottom to The Triangle on the
left and Thurman Street on the right. To complete the circuit
to the Gallows Inn Playing Fields would involve taking the Thurman
Street option to Nottingham Road and turning right to cross the
Erewash Canal again. As I had walked this far I went left and
instead of catching that bus, I walked back home. Lesson to be
learned for this walk - always have a Plan B!
Route
Map
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