Todays walk in detail

The weather prospects for the walk from Baslow were gloomy to say the least. As it turned out, however, it remained dry throughout the walk and it was much appreciated that so many made the effort (19 of us in total) to enjoy the benefits of beautiful Chatsworth and the surrounding area. Setting out from Baslow car park we headed past the house itself passing the garden centre before reaching the hamlet of Calton Lees. The first part of the walk was over quite flat terrain but of course this was followed by the climb from Rowsley and a lesser incline through Manners Wood. The hill was taken at quite an admirable pace and perhaps this was due to the efforts of Peter Miller to get some members in shape for the Three Peaks Challenge. As we started the downward terrain from Manners Wood we could see the Russian Cottage in the distance. Lunch was taken at the end of the path through New Piece Wood and from here the scenery was magnificent even on a cloudy day like this. Brief discussion then took place about someone who was buried in Edensor churchyard (Kathleen Kennedy, JFK's sister killed in an air crash in France in 1948) but much more interest was shown in Shep the sheepdog (I just made that name up!) who performed great aerobatics in retrieving the ball thrown by members of the walking group. It was then on through the delightful village of Edensor and back to our original starting point in Baslow. Many thanks to all of you who came on the walk and to Roy for carrying out duties as backmarker. We stopped at the "Robin Hood" for well deserved refreshments.