Barton Turns to Longford
After a lovely stay with Michelle, I set back off from Barton Turns, where thankfully, the weather was a lot better than last night!
I set off along the canal (initially in the wrong direction, because I wasn’t concentrating)! After a quick turn around, I was on my way.
The National Forest Way took me off the canal and over Battlestead Hill. It was a lovely mix of fields and woodland.
I then left the National Forest Way and took a collection of footpaths around Burton and to Rolleston on Dove. The footpaths were nice. It was nice to be back in the green fields, they felt like home. Along the way, I chatted to my sister. The signal was a bit patchy, which made for some funny conversations!
Along the way, I saw more bluebells. I really liked the different colours in this little patch.
Just as I walked into Rolleston on Dove, the farmer was much spreading through his field. I was unfortunately slightly too late and he’d already covered the footpath, which made for an “interesting” walk into the village.
In Rolleston on Dove, I stopped at the local cafe at the snooker club and had a lemonade and some chips. The chips were really good. It was also very nice, because my mummy came and surprised me. She was working in Burton in the morning, so tracked me down on her way home!
I then left Rolleston on Dove and took a collection of footpaths towards Hilton. There was a very fancy metal gate in one of the fields. I’ve not seen one like it before, but I couldn’t help feeling that it felt a little out of place amongst the green fields.
On my way out of Hilton, I experienced the first footpath where I have turned back along my trip. It started with a rather thin gap through a hedge. I was stood looking at it and a local drove past. He said the footpath does go through there, but wished me luck. I managed to squeeze my way through and made it into the field on the other side.
I then crossed the field to find a stile that had a nest of brambles on the other side! Amongst that was also a little bridge that I needed to use to cross a dyke. I fought my way through the brambles and along the bridge, largely unscathed, to then find an electric fence. Most electric fences have a method for walkers to cross, however this one was missing, so I laid my walking poles on top, so that I could step over.
I then took the path under the A road, to be greeted by almost 30 cows, stood in a very muddy field. At this point I decided to turn back! So it was back under the bridge, over the electric fence, through the brambles, across the field of squishy grass and through the gap in the hedge! I felt like I should have been on a bear hunt!
I then re-routed along the roads to Sutton on the Hill. In hind sight, I probably should have re-routed as soon as the entrance to the footpath was narrow. I’d wanted to avoid walking on the roads and it was definitely an experience! I had originally wondered why the local had wished me luck crossing the footpath, but after my experience, I could see why!
I soon made it to Sutton on the Hill and took my final few footpaths to Longford. The fields were peaceful and quiet, which was lovely. I think I’d had enough footpath excitement for one day!
I crossed over the river, into the village where I finished for the day.
I was then picked up by Rachel (a brownie leader in Hilton and Assistant County Commissioner for Girlguiding Derbyshire). It was lovely to visit her Brownies and tell them about my walk. We then did some garden themed activities before some of the Brownies made their promise. It was really lovely to watch. I joined Girlguiding as a Guide, so I’d heard about the brownie mushroom but never seen it for myself. It was great to see how excited these girls were to make their promise.
This evening I’m staying with Frances. Frances is an amazing lady. Frances has been a leader in Girlguiding for many years and has had lots of involvement in walking and DofE. I first met Frances when she assessed my silver DofE expedition, when I was a Ranger. Since then we’ve supervised and assessed expeditions alongside each other. Frances supported me on my supported walk to gain my Girlguiding Level 2 walking qualification, and on the first DofE group that I assessed. At over 80, Frances still goes walking and enjoys the outdoors. She is one inspirational lady, I hope that I can keep as active as she is!
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