Snowdrops

• Walked: 17th Feb 2007.
• Distance: 9m
• Walking time 4 hrs
• Terrain: some inclines
• Summary: Hartshorne to Dimminsdale Nature Reserve and back.
• map: Explorer 245

Snowdrops are among the first flowers to emerge from the ground when the Winter starts to recede and the days start to grow longer. Dimminsdale is a nature reserve at the southern point of Staunton Harold Reservoir, on the Derbyshire / Leicestershire border, and at this time every year you can see a spectacular display of snowdrops there heralding Spring.

This walk starts from Hartshorne. We joined the footpath just opposite the Admiral Rodney pub; it crosses a couple of fields and a road before joining part of the the National Forest. This is what the National Forest looks like in the winter:


A bit uninspiring today, but The National Forest is a fantastic idea: "plant lots of trees". It's a shame that they're not being planted at the same rate we're cutting down forests in other parts of the world, but hey. Even the more mature parts of the Forest are still very young in tree years, and I felt sorry for these fairly new trees in their winter plumage on this bleak foggy day.

I've mentioned Daniel Hayes before; it provides the best views of South Derbyshire. This time we skirted around the hill, but well worth the climb to the top.

Another one of these tumbledown houses - this was very creepy - we gingerly explored inside and found ivy starting to take over - nature quickly reclaims her land!



This is the more mature South Wood - even this one is a bit bleak at this time of the year.


You emerge to join the Ivanhoe Way (a 36-mile walk around Leicestershire) which leads to Dimminsdale, and this is the wonderful carpet of snowdrops.




On the way back I found out what it feels like to touch an electric fence. I don't know how many volts they give, but it made me shout. I don't remember touching one before, and it'll be a long time before I do the same again! The horses in the field seemed to be laughing in a knowing way.

The route and distance statistics above were generated using Meander.

Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Map image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

Sorta big and sorta round

• Walked: 4th Feb 2007.
• Distance: 13m
• Walking time 5 hrs
• Terrain: flattish
• Summary: From Tutbury, circular walk taking in the Fauld crater.
• map: Explorer 245

"Hole in the ground... Sorta big and sorta round it was"

One of the earlier walks came close to the large crater at Hanbury but we didn't manage to see it then. This walk starts in the beautiful village of Tutbury with its commanding ruined castle.

We walk along the river Dove at first; on this particular day the water was as smooth as a millpond and we had a clear view back to the castle.



You often walk past cows when walking, and they tend to mind their business as long as you mind yours. When you realise that the cattle in the field are boystrous males rather than females, it gives more cause for concern!


Some minor roads and footpaths take you to Banktop wood - a beautiful spot for lunch. We could hear a woodpecker having his lunch too.


After passing through Draycott and Hanbury, you can't miss the crater of the Fauld explosion, or at least signs telling you not to go any further or be blown up. You'll see from the map that the public footpath follows the circumference of the crater. A high fence protects you from the unexploded bombs.


This is the best picture that I managed to take of the crater. It really doesn't show the hugeness of the hole, but you can see the tops of very tall trees which are growing in the bottom of the crater. The sign tells the story better than I can.

The route and distance statistics above were generated using Meander.

Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Map image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.