| Some 8 years ago, we combined the Tuesday 4+, Strollers and Amble walking groups for a Christmas walk. Over the years, we have tried several venues, but have now settled on a walk from Shardlow. For this Christmas walk, we dispense with a coffee break and enjoy hot mulled wine and mince pies. |
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| Unpacking the goodies |
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We often joke about the weather for our regular Thursday morning walks. The rain usually starts just as we settle down in the pub. Thus, we set off for the 2009 Christmas walk in glorious sunshine – bitterly cold, but dry. Rucksacks proved to be heavier than usual with the ‘goodies’, so we stopped at St Chad’s Water for our break to lighten the load. |
Enjoying the Mulled Wine |
Mince Pies |
St Chad’s Water is a delightful spot. Between Shardlow and Draycott, it’s an old quarry which has been filled in and is now a beautiful nature reserve.
The Water is named after the local church, where a well known ‘coffin walk’ ends.
Having enjoyed our break, we walked around the water, before heading back to Shardlow. We stopped a couple of times to admire a heron and many other birds and ducks. |
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St Chad's Water |
On our walks, we often stop to look at wildlife or anything that we find interesting. Sometimes, it may be a particularly beautiful view, or something of historical or geographical interest. Our object is not to get from A to B as quickly as possible, but to enjoy ourselves, chat and explore the areas where we walk.
We have few rules, but we all agree that a drink and a bit to eat after the walk are an essential part of it – relax, get warm and enjoy a good chat. We do get funny looks from other customers, though, when we all laugh together. We just say that we won’t stay long because matron wants us back soon! We have become a very friendly and compact group who enjoy each other’s company. |
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Crossing the Derwent |
Heading Back |
| Our pace seemed a little quicker as we looked forward to a Christmas lunch (and the fact that rucksacks were considerably lighter!). The sun continued to shine as we crossed the River Derwent |
| and headed back towards the New Inn at Shardlow.
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New Inn
at Shardlow where we enjoyed an excellent Christmas lunch |
| Surprise, surprise! Just as we were starting our lunch, a look out of the window revealed- |
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Snow in the window |
| So, you see, the sun does shine on the righteous! |