Todays walk in detail

We had perfect weather for a walk that was just under 10 miles.  Fourteen walkers and a dog headed off down Lathkill dale, one of the most stunning valleys in Derbyshire.  The dale part of the walk was all downhill, its starts off in a grassy vale that turns into a rock deep limestone valley.  There isn't any water at the start if the walk but as you head down it emerges from numerous small caves to create a crystal clear stream.  First break was taken at a truly magical waterfall, one of Derbyshire's hidden gems.  It was so stunning I don't think anyone wanted to move on from the sunny bank but we then kept on heading down the valley until we reached Over Haddon, from there it was all uphill for a few miles,  through the village, up across the fields by young cows and lambs, and numerous stiles and gates.  We stopped on a gloriously sunny bank looking across the hills towards the Magpie mine.  After a meal break accompanied by some snoring it was again somewhere you could have stayed all day but we then headed into the mine.  If you haven't been there it is similar looking to a Cornish tin mine but was sunk to access lead and silver, which is why it was called the magpie because they were looking for shiny things. It was almost like a third break here because it was so interesting but we then headed  back downhill across the fields back to Monyash where we rehydrated with about 50 bikers at the village pub. Many thanks to such a wonderful happy bunch of walkers.