Today’s Walk: Tuesday 8th August, led by David Blackburn
FIRST AND LAST
After a wet night and a forecast of rain for most of the day, just 6 of us set out on our 5 mile walk around Unstone and Sheepbridge.
Long grass and crops meant we got wet from top and bottom – but we were well prepared. When I planned the walk several months ago , I hoped it would be the first walk around the new network around the Peak Resort, but in the event that still won’t be possible for another couple of weeks or so. So instead we will probably be the last group to be able walk the original bridleway between Ouzle Bank Farm and Sheepbridge before it closes.
Our route gave us glimpses of the new routes – a wide and well surfaced bridleway, suitable for wheelchairs, going down to our left and a still rather indistinct footpath going off to the right. We have made representations about this particular path and hope some improvements will be made before Council officials declare it an acceptable alternative.
At Sheepbridge, my plan was to walk over The Brushes to Old Whittington , but as I had found the paths in very poor condition when checking the route we decided to take a shorter route ( over more overgrown paths as it turned out) , going under the hidden but magnificent railway viaduct past Ramshaw House and back along the Unstone Line trail to our start point.
I have subsequently learned that the Ramblers’ Association footpaths officer submitted no fewer that 10 formal complaints yesterday about various issues relating to the path network in The Brushes area; disappointing that what used to be attractive and useful routes are now neglected and difficult to use
David