Trans Pennine Trail: Bolton-upon-Dearne to Conisbrough

Today's walk started from Bolton-upon-Dearne and ended roughly 10 miles later at Conisbrough station, after a quick visit to Sprotbrough Flash nature reserve.

Today's route

After a false start from the train station (that'll teach me to ask a four-year-old for directions!) we did a hasty U-turn and picked the trail up just outside the village. The first bit of the trail was rather busy with cyclists and dog walkers (but thankfully no horses) as it was turning out to be a fine day.

Easy to follow - my kind of trail

Sybil was happy, as much of the trail was bordered by a strip of scrubby grassland where she could sniff to her heart's content.  We soon reached the village of Harlington, where I amused a couple of cyclists coming up behind me by explaining to Sybil why she hasn't been in a pub yet. Of course I didn't know the cyclists were there, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who passes a bit of time by talking to my dog.

The River Dearne

Some of the trail ran along the banks of the River Dearne. There's something about walking along a riverbank that makes me feel so relaxed and happy. Except for when I'm walking Sybil of course, who promptly went down to get a drink and emerged soaking wet. Luckily this time I didn't have to rescue her.

At this point we reached a particularly pleasant wooded section where Sybil kept out of trouble by looking for squirrels. Many of the trees were heavy with catkins and birdsong filled the air. I heard a nearby skylark burst into song, a sure sign that spring is on its way.

Spring is coming

We passed the Earth Centre, which rather sadly is closed now to the public. Conisbrough Castle was also in full view now, but rather than heading straight down to the train station we continued on the path towards Sprotbrough Flash.

Conisbrough Castle

Several of the trees we passed were covered in lichen, possibly of the Xanthoria family. It was yellow, anyway. We passed the Conisbrough Viaduct and ended up alongside the River Don. I kept a close eye out for kingfishers or any signs of otters, but I only saw mallards and dog footprints.

Conisbrough Viaduct, with a distant Sybil

Chilling by the River Don

Then it was a short walk to the nature reserve. We didn't stay long, as dogs had to be kept on lead and that is no fun for either me or Sybil. Apparently it's a fantastic nature reserve with loads of species; I may have to visit it one day without my beloved dog.

Sprotbrough Flash

We retraced our steps back to Conisbrough. On the way, we heard several huge bangs which possibly came from a nearby quarry. Sybil wasn't impressed and hurried whimpering back to my side. Other than that, the journey was pretty much incident-free, which must be a new record for us. 

Trans Pennine Trail: Rotherham to Sheffield

Today Sybil and I walked around 10 miles; from our house and down along the canal, then onward along the Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) into Sheffield.

Our route

The TPT runs from Southport near Liverpool, to Hornsea on the east coast. We weren't going quite that far however; today was merely a taster. Given our (or rather my, can't blame Sybil) track record for getting lost I had a copy of the TPT map in my rucksack, along with several days' worth of food and water, a survival blanket and flares.

55 minutes? They lied

We passed through Rotherham centre, where all was silent on this glorious Sunday morning. The trail passes the new council buildings and football stadium before quietly heading past two nature reserves: Centenary Riverside and Blackburn Meadows. There were a fair few people enjoying a stroll alongside the canal, no doubt making the most of the weather after the almost constant rain we've had this week. It was a good opportunity to practise Sybil's sit-stays whenever a cyclist came into view, and I have to say she did me proud.

On squirrel patrol

The M1 motorway soon came into view as we arrived in Tinsley. We walked under the viaduct and I read an interesting noticeboard about the wildlife of the waterways. It confirmed that otters were back on Sheffield's rivers, and I kept an eye out for any signs but I would probably have had better luck on the River Don rather than the canal itself. I did see a flock of Goosander on the canal back in Rotherham, though.

Chilling by the canal

As we neared Meadowhall, the route branched into two. The official TPT passes Meadowhall and continues into Sheffield via the Five Weirs Walk, but we stayed on the towpath as I figured Sybil would be able to stay off-lead for longer. I swear this is the truth, I actually chose to deviate from the route for once rather than it happening by accident.

You're going the wrong way, Sybil!

The path ran parallel to the tramlines for a while as it continued towards the city centre - or so I was hoping anyway, as I noticed that the traffic noise that had accompanied us so far had died off. We carried on regardless, and sure enough not long later the towpath spat us out at Victoria Quays.

Victoria Quays

It was back on the lead for Sybil as we headed for the railway station. I was fine now I had gotten my bearings, but the signposts certainly helped.