WALKS WITH NELLIE IN 2025

by Sally Mosley

Another year has whizzed by! Nellie and I have had some fabulous walks with highs and lows, hills and thrills, but thankfully no trips or spills, exploring into all corners of our beloved Peak District.

As we all know, the weather has been a very mixed bag in the last twelve months, but then it wouldn’t be our green and pleasant land if it wasn’t. At times our walks have been a struggle through persistent rain and mud but there have also been occasions when it has been too hot to venture out for very long.

Our first Peak Advertiser walk of 2025 was around Wetton on an unseasonably warm January day when the mercury hit double digits and I didn’t have to wear a coat. Our White Peak wandering continued for the next issue when we ventured into Deep Dale from Chelmorton on a challenge to see the entrance of Thirst House Cave that involved a very steep descent which made my knees wobble. I can’t see myself going down there again!

Once or twice a year I like to go out of area to visit pastures new and to tread unknown footpaths. Having parked up beside Rumbling Street, one such walk turned into an adventurous amble around Holmesfield and the Cordwell Valley, taking us past some very splendid properties for a bit of house envy and a right good nosey! Later in the year I headed off to Brabyn’s Park near Marple Bridge with one of my granddaughters to follow a delightful Discovery Trail that incorporated a canal path, historic bridges and aqueduct, riverside walk and parkland with snippets of interest along the way. We ended our trip out together with an obligatory visit to a tearoom.

In late spring Nellie and I headed west to Macclesfield Forest for a woodland wander, followed a couple of weeks later by a drive north to high ground around Hayfield to explore old tracks around this lovely village in the foothills of Kinder.

We love to walk beside water, especially when blue sky above is reflected on its surface and our lap of Tittesworth Reservoir did not disappoint. By now we were into summer with temperatures rising so it was deliciously cool and not hot in Hell Bank Plantation near Beeley.

There are many locations in the Peak District that never disappoint for a visit no matter what the weather or length of walk. There is so much to see around Eyam and so many differing paths to explore that I have to head in that direction at least once a year.

A village ramble is always nice but once in a while I crave high ground and some distant views. Lead Hill beside Ladybower went above and beyond when we trudged over Dark Peak moors, culminating in dramatic views down to the reservoir which at the time was struggling in drought conditions, appearing to be little more than a giant puddle.

After what seemed like weeks without rain my dry boots were once again christened with mud when I splodged ankle deep on a circular around Baslow from Chatsworth. Autumn was by then approaching and it was so nice to see leaves beginning to change colour from various shades of green to gold.

I’m always up for a quick word in passing with practically anyone I meet, especially fellow dog owners with an opportunity to compare notes about our canine companions. However, when Nellie and I headed out from Flash on a pilgrimage to Three Shires Head it was quite some time before we returned to the car, having stopped for lovely chats with a couple of locals. Flash is famous for its curious teapot festival set up by the village Friendly Society many years ago, and their ethos of being amicable would appear to continue to this day.

Nellie and I ended our Peak Advertiser walks for the year with a couple of classics. Quintessential Tissington is like going back in time. For me it is a place of very happy memories, peace and unspoilt charm. Cromford is another of my favourite villages. You all know how much I love my local history and this village and its surroundings are jam packed! Little wonder that it is part of a 15-mile Unesco World Heritage Site that stretches all the way to Derby. It just oozes history!

I feel so lucky to live in such a wonderful walking area. As long as my old joints and knees hold out I hope to keep going a bit longer. I’m sure Nellie would be disappointed and have something to say if we didn’t head out on adventures together.

Thank you to anyone who actually enjoys reading our wanderings and best wishes, good health and much happiness to you all in 2026. Nellie sends her love too as well as a big slurpy kiss to ‘number one fan’ Beryl for her lovely Christmas card.

Sally Mosley xx