The stepping stones across the Dove.
Looking for Long-tailed tits or so they said!
The Lion rock in Dovedale.
Walk stats: Distance: 10.6 miles; Climb:1249'. Time:5 hours 5 minutes; Walking average:2.7 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:2.1m.p.h.
Group:Martyn, Richard and Dave J.
This walk was destined to be a wet one, and it lived up to its name. Light and persistent rain accompanied us throughout the morning and only stopped about 1-00 p.m. Nevertheless it is always enjoyable to walk from Thorpe Cloud to Milldale along the Dove and today we had the added interest of the river being in spate. We were expecting the usual Derbyshire mud but we experienced very little, but it was very wet underfoot, and one path on the flanks of Bunster Hill was quite difficult to negotiate as the main path seemed to disappeared in a minor land slip and the wet grass slope made progress not too easy!
Birds seen or heard today included: Starling, Common gull, Robin, Blue tit, Great tit, Long-tailed tit, Goosander, Mallard, Kestrel, Carrion crow, Blackbird, Wren, Grey heron, Dunnock and Dipper (Richard's bird of the day).
As usual when we come to this part of the country we were, after walk drink were enjoyed at the Wilkes Head in Leek. this time we managed to to get seats next to the fire, even though the pub was busy. everyone else seemed to be clustered around the bar, perhaps enticed by the free bread and cheese available! We had a long chat with the landlord who has been in charge for 8 years and despite our memories to the contrary Dolly the resident Staffy has only been there that long too! The landlord only gave us taster of the Whim Ales, Black Christmas, a dark winter brew running in at 6.5%. Only one member of the group could fully enjoy more that a mouthful as he was the only one that wasn't driving at all.
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