Baslow Edge, White Edge, Froggat Edge , Curbar Edge 29/12/2025

 Last hike of the year. Anti-clockwise from the NT car park. 

Lovely crisp, dry winters day with Ben and Rowan.

Turkey sandwich and mince oie for lunch !!

Great to get out with Ben and Rowan.  About 8 miles

Matlock High Tor 11/12/2025

 I had planned to drive out to Baslow but on the spur of the moment decided to stop at Matlock /and do the section of the Derwent Valley trail along the cliffs. I did this a few years ago as part of the Rowsley to Belper leg. I parked at the pay and display next to the Derwent halfway between Matlock and Matlock Bath. 

I headed along the road back to the centre of Matlock, and then headed through tthe park following signs to Pic Tor / War Memorial. The trail from there was straightforward with a spur of the track to visit the war memorial.

Riber Castle

War Memorial with fantastic view of Matlock

I stopped at High Tor for a bite to eat and then went to have a look at the start of Giddy Edge - a narrow ledge along the cliffs with a 2 - 3 hundred foot drop. It has a hand rail but I took one look and didn't fancy it !!!. However, I am compelled to go back and attempt it.

After High Tor the track starts to descend down to the cable car terminus and the A6. It was just a short walk back to the car park from there.

A modest , but enjoyable 3 miles. I think next time I do this I'll add a loop back along the cliffs on the other side of the A6.

North Norfolk Coast 29 30 31 October 2025

 we had a couple of days stay at a nice hotel in old Hunstanton (Le Strange Arms). No actual hikes but some lovely walks along beaches and wildlife reserves.

We walked along the beaches at Hunstanton, Brancaster, and Wells by the Sea. At Titchwell there was a RSPB reserve which we visited with some brilliant hides with views across the wetlands. No pics from here - we just took the binoculars.

On the journey back we stopped at another RSPB site - Snettisham near Kings Lynn. When we got to the coast the mud flats were so expansive that we couldn't see the sea. On many of these walks we came across the Norfolk coastal path which is part of the national coastal path. I quite fancy trying this - 80+ flat miles , quite often through nature reserves.

A brilliant couple of days. We have decided to definitely visit this area again.

Monsall Head Ashford in the water 5th November 2025

 It is a few years since I have done this walk , so it was nice to get out to this part of Derbyshire again. Unfortunately, I got lost in Great Shacklow Wood. Because the floor was covered in leaves I lost the track. By the time I realised this I checked the map and found I was higher up the hill than the track. I thought if I headed downhill I would eventually meet the track. It was very steep and slippery and there was a lot of bramble to fight through. Anyway, I didn't find the track and ended up back down to the A6 where I had about half a mile of road walking before OI hit a footpath sign which got me back onto the trail on the edge of the woods.

view from bridge at Ashford on the water

Wier on the River Wye 

Lovely walk, apart from losing the trail and ending up on the A6 !!. About 6.5 miles. OS OL24.

Shining Cliff Woods Oct 22 2025

 This walk is becoming a favorite one when I don't want to drive to far, but I need a change for the relatively flat local walks from home.

Ambergate - Shining Cliff Woods - A6 bridge over the Derwent - Cromford Canal - Ambergate

Loverly walk with some fine views from the South side of the valley looking over to Crich Stand.

About 7 miles.

Horsley Castle October 11th 2025

I have done this walk quite a few times now but this is the first clockwise circuit,

Smalley - Woodside - Clove Hill - Brackley Gate - Horsley Castle - Coxbench - Horsley - Woodside - Smalley

About 8 miles. A great workout with no car driving involved