The Roaches

I found one car park space on the roadside by the Roaches Tearoom and walked along the road ...

I found another of those poetry benches. I do dislike poetry that rhymes 'map' with 'hat'. I know I know, I'm a pedant.



I walked north from Rockhall. Me and the couple ahead of me were the only ones taking the path less walked.



Once I got to the lane I tried to keep my feet on the icy lane that leads to Roach End. 



 The higher I got the icier the road became. I stood well clear when any cars came past me. In the distance snow capped Shutlingsloe stood out ...

Once I'd got to Roach End I started to climb the very slippery and icy path onto the Roaches ...



It was just as bad as I got nearer to Doxey Pool ...



Then I came to Doxey Pool. I didn't see the mermaid that apparently lives in the pool.





   The mermaid's name [or so I have read somewhere] is Jenny Greenteeth.

Past Doxey Pool I could see Hen Cloud. In the photo below it's the outrop at the far end ~ the third one. 







After all that I retired to the Roaches Tearoom and had a meal. For the life of me I can't remember what. Still, I can recommend it. 

Date of walk ~ 28th December 2009

Length of walk ~ 5 1/4 miles

Total since 1st September 2009 ~ 117 3/4 miles

Cold and dull ...

No ... not me, though you might have thought it was according to a comment elsewhere from 'Anonymous' who said I should make it more personal ...

Now, where was I ... ah, yes, Hassop Station on the Monsal Trail. Again I was on mi tod, Natasha having stayed at home.

I went out to do another walk for the revamp of Teashop Walks in the Peak District.

The first part was along the Trail towards Great Longstone. I say 'along' it was more a case of walking at the side of the trail, where the dog muck was ...

 I nearly got as far as Great Longstone but swung back along the road towards Hassop Station and Toll Bar House. I passed Rowdale House ...



   Just beyond Cracknowl Wood is Cracknowl House. There's no drive to it but it seems to be lived in. It's a strange place ...



 In the field wall next to Cracknowl House there's a metal kissing gate with an interesting weight to keep the swing gate shut.



I reached the bridleway that leads into Bakewell. The slope running down to Holme Hall is fun ... basically a sheet of ice. Holme Hall looked good though ...



I wonder who lives in a house like that ?

Just beyond Holme Hall is Holme Bridge, a 17th century packhorse bridge leading towards the A6.



Walking alongside the A6 I passed Victoria Mill before following the stream at Brookside.



Down at Bakewell Bridge, astride the Wye, I watched the wildfowl being fed. It had started to rain by this time and a drop of water must have got into my dictating device as it just stopped recording or playing back. It has since recovered.



After walking up to Bakewell Station I turned left to follow the Monsal Trail back to Hassop, passing under the road between Bakewell and Hassop as I went.



The sky actually seemed a bit bluer as I got nearer to Hassop Station.



Since then the Country Bookstore and the tearoom has closed ~ just as I was about to use it in my revamped teashop walks book.

Date of walk ~ 27th December 2009

Length of walk ~ 4 1/4 miles

Total since 1st September 2009 ~ 112 1/2 miles