Walking around Hathersage, Derbyshire. DAY THREE
Report by urban75 editor, November 2006

SUNDAY: AN AMBLE AROUND HATHERSAGE
With a train to catch at 5 o'clock, sore heads from the night before and a depleted set of walkers, a more leisurely hike was planned for the day, but things didn't go quite to plan...



Leaving the farm. Our part of the bunkhouse was on the ground floor (sleeping underneath what sounded like a herd of amphetamine-fuelled elephants.)


Looking across the valley.


Walking across open countryside in glorious late autumn weather.




Looking back at the farm.


I grew to quite like this building, despite its supreme ugliness!


Crossing the line to Hathersage.


The plan was to ford the River Derwent and walk towards Offerton Moor.



Oops! Eek! Somewhere under this raging torrent of water are the stepping stones we were supposed to be walking over!


A change of plan was needed, so we elected to head east, back towards Hathersage.


I've no idea why we thought this would make a good pose. And it was my idea too.


Looking at Stanage Edge in the distance, towering over Hathersage.




Built on an old gasworks, the David Mellor Cutlery round factory building was designed by Sir Michael Hopkins and has won numerous architectural awards.


The Sheffield-born David Mellor also designed traffic lights, road signage and lighting systems.


Cool tractor outside the factory. It's for children to play on.


There's a nice cafe inside the factory.




We took lunch by the banks of the River Derwent. Here a passing dog tries to get a sniff of the sandwich action.


Fortified by Bee's fine cakes, the team get ready for the off.


River Derwent in full flow.


The extremely tight gates along the route ensured that only slim people could get through!


Attractive scene by Goose Nest Wood.




As the sun went down, the temperature started to plummet.


The welcoming lights of The Plough sent spirits soaring, but sadly we discovered it's more of a restaurant for car drivers than a local pub.

With no seating allowed for anyone daring to just want to drink (in a pub! what a crazy idea!), we slunk off.


Walking back into Hathersage.


Rather unexpectedly, Hathersage sports a massive great outdoor swimming pool, open to the public during the summer months.

Happily, its cafe stays open all the year around, so we grabbed a warming coffee before heading off to the station.




Hathersage station is served by one train every two hours to Sheffield and Manchester Piccadilly and there was quite a crowd waiting on the Sheffield platform.


Ready to head home after a fabulous break. Thanks to Toni and Eme for the planning and organising!