Following the Tracks

I wanted to do a decent local walk, so I decided to take Sybil up to Silverwood but also to extend the walk by following the old railway tracks that run from Ravenfield past Thrybergh. I have followed them to Ravenfield before when I visited Ravenfield Park, but this time I was heading in the opposite direction to the end of the tracks.

We got to Silverwood quite quickly, as it is a route we have travelled many times before. Dalton Brook was swollen with water, as it has been on our last two visits. In fact the brook has burst its banks, so to speak, and now runs over the path which is handy to wash your boots in, as the path to Silverwood is very muddy!

Chilling at Silverwood

We joined the tracks after crossing Holling's Lane and were soon passing Thrybergh. Steep banks to either side led up to houses, whose occupants (or other locals!) had unfortunately used the old tracks as a dumping ground for their rubbish. Our way was littered with settees, mattresses and other household debris. The tracks tunnelled under a couple of roads before running alongside the steelworks, where our rambling was accompanied by the sounds of clanging and banging from the huge buildings.

The tracks

The trail suddenly widened, with a view of fields to our right. Eventually passing the steelworks, we emerged onto a grassy tree-lined path with a delightful wetland area full of birds down a small slope. The huge lake was patrolled by a pair of swans with small flocks of waders dancing in the air every now and then. This urban oasis was totally unexpected and I simply stood and watched the birds for a huge amount of time.

Urban oasis

Before reaching the lake I had told myself that I wouldn't be repeating this route, and I very nearly turned back. The covering of ice over nearly half the lake added to its beauty. Electricity pylons were visible in the distance and there was the sound of trains where the old tracks joined onto the main ones, just over the steel bridge next to the lake. These things made the lake seem even more special, somehow.

Heading back via the way we had come, just before reaching Holling's Lane we had a close encounter with a kestrel. I noticed it hovering nearby before it dropped to the ground. Its dinner had obviously gotten away as it soon perched in a tree. It continued to hover but by this time Sybil was growing restless stood about so she ran back the way we had come. Another beautiful moment then happened as the kestrel dropped to her height and flew alongside her, within a foot of her. We then left the kestrel in peace and headed back home, after doing over nine miles on this glorious clear day.