Foxtwood & The Six Dales

Last weekend we were back at Foxtwood holiday cottages www.foxtwood.co.uk/index.php?id=51 , somewhere we have stayed twice before to compete in the LDWA 6 Dales Challenge. Andy didn't feel he was well enough to compete as he has been struggling with a headache for the past few weeks so it was decided he would look after Bess & Karen would take Crag with her. Karen was therefore walking with 5 male friends who are incredibly competitive & were certainly not going to wait for her if she fell behind so Karen decided the battle was on! The pictures aren't great as they were all taken on the move (as you can't waste time stopping to take photos) This is shortly after the 8am start at Biggin, heading towards Newhaven This in the first of 6 Dales we pass through - Long Dale

The first checkpoint was reached at 9:40, & then we are following the River Bradford in Bradford Dale. Terry had gone ahead by now so Karen was walking with Barry, Garth, Gerry & Peter.

Approaching Youlgreave, notice Peter & Barry are ahead of Karen

And to the most beautiful dale Lathkill Dale, Peter making a break for it ahead of Gerry.

Waterfalls on the River Lathkill

The second checkpoint was as Monyash where Karen & Crag made a break for it. The weather also turned which meant we had rain & wind directly in our faces & took no more pictures.

Karen completed her 4th Six Dales challenge & finished in her best ever time of 7hr 22min (previous best 7hr 45min), to discover she was only 8mins behind Terry, Gerry was next to arrive in 7hr 41min with Barry, Garth & Peter rolling in after 7hr 53min. The GPS recorded a distance 0f 26.2miles which means she walked at an average of 3.59mph for over 7hrs & boy did her legs know it the next day. Crag however was fresh as a daisy & wanted sticks thrown whenever he had the opportunity on the walk including upto the last mile. The certificate (they don't do doggy ones on this event) The next day after all the lads left we took the dogs out for a walk along the Caldon Canal (built in 1776) as it was flat & a good surface for Karen's aching legs. Just as we started though there was some shooting & Bess decided she wanted to go back, we put her in the car & the two of us & Crag continued. This is Foxtwood house where were we staying, a very impressive building & surroundings.

The towpath & canal

Froghall tunnel, we have to walk around not through this.

A derelict house near Froghall

Posing for the camera again!

This (as we discovered later) is Sid who used to be the resident swan on the lake at Foxtwood, but has decided to move to the canal

We had taken some left over bread & he was happy for a snack

Sitting waiting for the stick to be thrown, yesterday obviously didn't tire him out

We then met another border collie "Jake" & his owner. Crag & Jake had a good chase around together.

We then came across some ducks

Running parallel to the canal is the Churnet Valley Railway which runs a mix of steam & diesel trains. This is engine no 5197 which is an S160 class, built in 1944 in Lima (Ohio), USA. Bridge no .53. on the canal

Bridge no .52. known as changeover bridge as the towpath swaps sides of the canal

The same train approaching Consall station

The rail & canal bridge at Consall

That's cheating, a diesel engine pushes the Great Western Large Prairie 2-6-2-T engine no 5199 (built in Swindon in 1934)

And we turn and return back along the towpath

Some reflections in the canal

A much nicer day weather wise than Saturday

Despite us having done 6miles (& Crag a lot more) he still wants to play

And pose!

Please note all engine data from the Churnet Valley Railway website, we haven't become secret train spotters - honest

A really good weekend, great to see the lads again as it has been over a year & to meet Gerry. Crag proved that 7+ hours walking is not enough & Karen proved she is no pushover eh BARRY?