On a fine day 12 of us set out from the top of Hell Bank plantation to walk down into Beeley. The brambles on the way down were compensated for by the abundance of raspberries growing by the path. Entering Smelting Mill wood the leader was confused by the gate into the ‘disused’ Burntwood Quarry being open and blocking the required route. Fortunately the diversion turned out well as a very pleasant chap came across to help and explain what was going on. This is the original quarry used for Chatsworth and permission has been granted to extract stone for repairs working only 2 months in the year. In order to gain this permission the estate was required to build a bat house, to re-home the bats supposedly living in the quarry, at a cost of £80,000. Regaining the path we progressed into Beeley and onward via the Calton Lees path (sorry about the missed ice cream opportunity). The track into the Chatsworth Woods was reached earlier than expected and after about 5 miles, so an executive decision was made to add a loop through estate, this resulted in an overall 8.7 miles OOPS!
Thank you all for your company and support.
Lin