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.

Edale to Bamford

Here is Sunday's walk from Edale to Hope Bamford. Yes that's right, it should have ended at Hope but we took a wrong turn (our speciality) and ended up at Bamford instead. Never mind. We got most of the walk right.

Our route

We headed away from Edale just after the Moorland Centre where I nipped in quickly to use their loo, hoping Sybil wouldn't do her Houdini act with her harness again. She hates being left alone; when we were in Horton after climbing Pen-y-ghent, she escaped from her harness before I even set foot in the cafe.

The Great Ridge

This time, however, she was still present and correct so we crossed the Grindsbrook stream and set off towards the moors. First we climbed through a series of fields with the Great Ridge to our right. Fields tend to mean sheep, so Sybil was fastened to my fantastic new walking belt to avoid any catastrophes. Being propelled in such a way, I soon passed several fell runners who appeared rather flabbergasted...no, not really. I still had to stop every five minutes to "admire the scenery", especially when going uphill, but she does help with my pace a little.

Soon we reached access land, and with it being winter and no sheep in sight I could now slow down a little as Sybil was given some freedom. We skirted around a hill and crossed a couple of streams before reaching Edale Youth Hostel. It's a rather lovely-looking building, and they are heavy on the outdoor activities. It's a shame they don't allow dogs as I wouldn't mind staying there sometime.

Edale Youth Hostel

We joined a bridleway and soon had to ford a stream. I found out a couple of weeks ago that the shop lied to me about my boots being waterproof, so I tiptoed my way across while Sybil just ploughed on through.

Shortly after crossing the stream we met three horses coming towards us. The first one Sybil could handle, but the next two elicited a series of squeals from her. I mumbled a couple of apologies in their general direction and hurried along by.

Sybil in Jagger's Clough

We soon reached a crossroads where we turned right and, the directions told us, headed towards Hope Cross. My eyesight must be failing me as I completely missed it, although the route was very busy with people and I was keeping an eye on Sybil. I trusted that we had passed it and kept on the track next to a conifer plantation, which was pretty boggy going at times. Eventually we left the hordes behind and had the path to ourselves again.

Onwards to Hope (and beyond)

Hmm, perhaps being on our own wasn't such a good idea. We trundled along the path next to the conifers and over a stile for a good while, before I whipped out my trusty directions again and realised we should have left the path back where the stile was. No matter, we had good views over Ladybower Reservoir now so I knew where we were. We had a quick lunch break while I took out my map, deciding that we should carry on down the path we were on to the top of Parkin Clough and head into Bamford for the train.  

The stile where we went wrong

Views over Ladybower

Rather worryingly, I could see up ahead several trees cordoned off by tape along with a couple of signs. Upon reaching them I read that apparently forestry operations were underway, and that we should cut through the wood to reach Parkin Clough.

Tape in our way

Relieved that we didn't have to turn back we joined the procession of people heading down the steep slippery slope to the shores of Ladybower, all of us clinging on for dear life as we descended. Once back on terra firma Sybil and I loitered around the reservoir for a while, killing time before our train was due.

Ladybower Reservoir

A fantastic day out. My New Year's resolution is to learn how to follow directions properly. Not sure how that will turn out...

Kiveton Park to Kiveton Bridge via the Cuckoo Way

The Cuckoo Way

This morning, Sybil and I boarded a train to Kiveton Park station. We immediately turned right onto a small section of the Chesterfield Canal towpath, known as the Cuckoo Way. I always enjoy a nice bit of canal-walking, so I do.

The towpath and canal

We bumped into (not literally) two men walking a Labrador Retriever. Both dogs had a quick dash about after realising that neither one was going to rip the other's throat out. When the three of them had disappeared, Sybil decided she was thirsty and walked down the bank to the canal. Before I could call her away, there was a sudden SPLASH: my dear dog had fallen in the canal.

I quickly dumped backpack and camera on the towpath and ran down to help her out. I hoped to escape a dip myself; luckily she was frantically paddling away at the edge. I grabbed her collar and lifted her up onto the bank, where she gave me several good soakings shaking all the water from her fur.

No words, no words at all

Now she was safely on the towpath again, the next ten minutes passed with me laughing, and then laughing some more. I giggled on the train home when the incident popped into my mind again, much to the bemusement of the other passengers, and I'm giggling again now typing it up. Sorry Sybil.

Anyway, moving on. We were soon at the end of the towpath where my still-damp Sybil posed for a quick picture. We then crossed the road into a long field; soon reaching her usual 100 mph, fur-face quickly dried off. Unfortunately then it was back on the lead as we met the residents of the field:

Whatchu lookin' at?

Finally we reached Kiveton Community Woodland which, like my beloved Silverwood, is a former colliery site.

The site has a large number of footpaths running through and around it with plenty of long grass, which obviously Sybil enjoyed! We passed the waters, where several fishermen were enjoying, um, fishing, and paused to read this touching memorial noting the names of the men and boys whose lives were lost working in the colliery:

Memorial

We then came to the foot of the interesting zig-zag path. I suppose it does make the ascent somewhat easier. There is another, not so steep, path to the left but of course Sybil headed straight for the most energy-draining. Well, I suppose we have climbed Pen-y-ghent...

Summit, here we come!

 Some artwork at the top of the hill paid tribute to the days of the working colliery:

We wandered around, rather aimlessly, for the next hour and a half. Sybil occasionally looked up to see which way I was going, but other than that had her nose constantly snuffling through the long grass, picking up fox, small mammal and other dog scents, I should imagine. A few more doggy friends were made, but most of the time she was content to go it alone, doing her own thing.


Three and a half hours off-lead made for one happy dog, so we caught the half-past-two train home; that is, after I wiped down my mud-splattered trousers. No need to worry about Sybil: Teflon-dog looked as though she had come straight from the groomers, as usual. Even after her earlier mishap. Sorry, still giggling.

A few pictures from Silverwood

Regular visitors to my blog are probably bored of my walks to Silverwood by now, so I'll spare you the details and leave you to enjoy some of the photos I took today. Hopefully this week Sybil and I will be visiting more exotic climes :o)

A frosty start

Autumn colours

A tree

Icy puddles

More golden trees

And again

Approach to Silverwood

Frost again

Another icy puddle

Swan family

Pure fun

The sun was shining so we made the most of it. Hope everyone else does too, before the white stuff comes!

Cleethorpes

Sybil and I weren't quite rambling in Yorkshire today, as I felt it was time for a beach visit - and what better beach to visit than Cleethorpes? Well, when the summer season is over anyway. Dogs are allowed on the main beach from the 30th September, and the rest of it past the leisure centre - the best bit - all year round.

Queen of the Beach

The first part of the beach usually has several dogs running free, especially on a fine weather day like today was, and today was no exception as Sybil instantly found a friend in a fellow collie-cross who just happened to have the latest ball launcher. Luckily both dog and owner were very friendly and both dogs enjoyed a good game of fetch before we eventually parted ways, with a kind gift from the collie/lab's owner of a rubber ball for Sybil to play with.

"Thank you very much!" :o)

A good half-hour was passed playing with her new toy as we headed round to the dunes. This part seems to run for miles, and probably does, with plenty of plants and interesting "smells" for the dogs to enjoy.

Grassy paths

Pure fun

Mmm, that fresh estuary air!

We finally sat down on a piece of driftwood, Sybil already having had a two hour-long run. But with plenty of energy left (Sybil, of course, not me), we scoffed down our sandwiches and headed over to the country park across the road.

Cleethorpes Country Park

I thought it would give us both chance to get the sand out of our fur, but before long we found ourselves missing the beach and quickly headed back. Sybil found a piece of driftwood she desperately wanted to play with:

So desperately in fact, that she ended up digging it into a hole.

 

Cleethorpes beach is good for dogs, but it is also excellent for birds. Whilst keeping one eye on my errant dog, my other eye was keenly watching the birds. I had, of course, forgotten my binoculars again (I don't even know why I bothered buying them!) but I did notice an oystercatcher and an egret. To be honest I'm not that good at identifying waders anyway, but it is nice to have a good look at them.

Some birds I can identify: Starlings.

A walk back through the dunes resulted in us meeting up with yet another collie-cross, this time with a German shepherd. He was a handsome beast of a dog, name of Max, and was quite taken with Sybil. She certainly prefers to play with her own kind of dog, and they raced each other back and forth all the way to the train station. With this being our stop, we bid them goodbye and enjoyed a tray of chips and gravy before returning on the train home.

But, of course, we had another game of fetch first.