Todays walk in detail

Twenty-eight people, including five new walkers met up for this Thursday's short walk. We set off for our first ascent; the slopes of the once black Kiveton Colliery slag heap - now transformed into a beautiful Country Park, with stunning views towards Sheffield and The Peak District. After descending, we headed west, through fields of barley, towards the outskirts of Woodall. Here we turned north to tunnel beneath the M1. Following the narrowing track, we descended into Norwood and unknowingly passed Woodall Pond (hidden by the dense summer foliage of deciduous woodland). Continuing through woodland the steep, stony ground gave way to level earthen/mud track to pass Killamarsh Pond, a privately owned fishing lake. A refreshment break was taken near the tiny 'surprise' cemetery and chapel - with lovely views over the River Rother's valley, Norwood and the valley below. Our 'after-snacks' ramble tracked a short, steep downhill section past two pretty, gypsy vardos, then a short, steep uphill section through Norwood. After a gentle, up-hill traverse east through mown meadow-land, we tunnelled our way back under the M1 to join The Cuckoo Way back to Kiveton Community Woodland /Country Park. Well deserved liquid refreshments (outdoors) were imbibed at The Red Lion, Todwick.