Newsletter No.4. A Special Edition
August 2009
August 11th
The Midland Railway Museum north of Ripley featured as the start of our walk of 8 miles around
Derbyshire's Golden Valley.
When Belinda met 23 of us
there, we had little idea of the drama to come. Easy walking on wide tracks through abundant delicious blackberries eventually led to a stile at the edge of a wood. The first group over evidently disturbed a nest of wasps below the stile, provoking an angry attack that left eight or more of us nursing multiple stings.
Particularly badly affected were Diane who is allergic to stings, and her little dog Maisie who collapsed and had to be taken to the nearest vet. Others suffered for s
everal days. All have fortunately now recovered.
Apart from that, it was a wonderful walk in an area around Ironville that we are not familiar with but deserves its descriptive name.
Thankfully, we met other insect wildlife en route that posed perfectly for us before our return to the Museum.
Back home, Alan W. reported the problem and the nest has been destroyed by
the Derbyshire C.C. Many wasps were harmed in this process
August 25th
After that drama we looked forward to a quieter 8-mile ramble around Farnsfield
Edingley and Halam.
Paul met
28 of us at the Southwell Trail car park in Farnsfield on a bright sunny day, perfect for walking. Any route through this farmland inevitably leads to one-sided conversations with cattle, but we avoided anything more serious than knee-high sugar-beet until after lunch at Halam's pretty churchyard. Our first view of the impending trouble was this view of the next field's burly occupant, walking
purposefully in our direction.
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Then, as we watched from our protective hedgerow, his extended family stampeded behind him towards our sole exit from the field. Here they were joined by Alfie Male who assumed a sound defensive position within butting distance of the footbridge. We needed an equally well-built champion. |
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So Diana (who has worked with cattle) walked steadily across to negotiate a safe passage, showing a degree of fearlessness unmatched by the rest of us. 'Shove off!' she cooed to Alfie, gently but firmly (as she does), then left diplomatically to let the instruction slowly percolate down to his massive motor muscles. |
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It worked. They all moved back, allowing us across to the footbridge - where a second problem arose.
A young calf lay motionless on its side several metres up the wide path, surrounded by its immediate family, solicitous and quite unwilling to move. Many of them came over to enquire "Whassup, midduck?"
Even Dad came over to whisper a bullish word of support.
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When eventually he ordered a tactical retreat, mother still wouldn't desert her calf and blocked our way,
gently but decisively.
Impasse.
Then a few minutes later, the calf raised its head and weakly struggled to its feet, to totter unsteadily up the path behind its mother. |
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Most of us followed slowly after, but sudden rushes by the herd held some of us back. Eventually Derek and Paul led them up the path to join our lead group, leaving the herd to settle down behind them. Mother and calf stood together quietly, appearing none the worse for wear.
Our next walk is around Crich, in Derbyshire again. If such dramas occur in threes, watch this page for the illustrated news of a runaway tram from the Museum there – it’s a possibility. Your reporter will be ready.
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SEPTEMBER 8th
Almost from the start at Ambergate Station in Derbyshire our group of 16, led by Derek, found ourselves climbing steeply through sun-dappled woods above river and railtrack to Bullbridge. A stroll through sleepy Fritchley, then another long climb led up to Crich Memorial for lunch with tremendous views.
It's strange how our fearful anticipation brought about the dreaded event. Crossing the end of the track out of the nearby tramway museum, a runaway tram suddenly careered towards us, rocking dangerously from side to side. Most of us just made it across before it hurtled past, scared faces at the windows, to charge down the single escape track to an unknown fate. But Derek may never see his cap again! And whose boot was that?
Quite remarkable how our cameraman was in exactly the right spot to record the event. You could almost believe it was a set-up, couldn't you? But no members, passengers nor tramway staff were hurt in developing this dextrous digital drama.
The final stretch along the Cromford Canal was a peaceful uneventful stroll. Thank goodness for that! |
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If you're not already a member, come on one of our walks - there's no end to the excitement!
Brian Cluff - Chairman
