Gridleford Froggatt RFM Blue Line Walking with Lacey

 Gridleford Froggatt 

RFM Blue Line 

Walking with Lacey

04/11/2024

For this short but steep and rugged walk we were blessed with cool, calm, murky autumnal weather.

Starting at the church at Grindleford was part of a cunning plan as we really like the community shop and cafe for a coffee and bun at the end of the walk. We passed a couple of walkers coming down as we went up the lane towards Hay Wood.

The autumn colours in the hedgerow and in the woods in the distance were a taste of things to come on this magical walk.

It was a steep path up through the woods but the colours were just wonderful and the carpet of leaves a treat.

A red deer crossed our path quite close. We both commented upon how we were gutted our cameras were not in hand so imagine our suprise when along the trail to our left we saw him and a doe just stood there looking at us. Normally they just disappear. 

We left the young buck and to our amazement on our right there were more deer in the woods. Several doe and this magnificent male. Photo courtesy of Lacey. She had to spend some time to get the shots through the trees but again the deer did not run but simply kept their distance. I love this photo and remember this is a big, wild animal. What an incredible start to this walk.

Towards the top the hill turned craggy and the wonderful mature trees were all hues of red and yellow'

I am not sure what Pooh was doing in Derbyshire perhaps a visit. The height was starting to give us some longer views through the trees as we headed south along the ridge.

This stream just before we crossed the A625 is treacherous and it is the second walk we have crossed it.

Leaving the road we climbed the lane into the woods above the Edge. We passed a couple of cyclists and a few walkers.

Looking up the Valley towards Hathersage we could see more crags and the beautiful autumnal forest below.

As we got to Froggatt Edge there was a large flock of thrush like birds foraging on red berries and making a distinctive noise. I could not identify them at the time but these long distance shots show they are redwings. Another fantastic aspect to this walk.

The views across the valley were muted in the murky air but we recognised our routes from previous walks. The blue line system is great for this always linking walks together gives it more context.

The redwings were back noisily filling the sky around us .

This is the second time this year we have experienced these views from Froggatt Edge and the changing season just adds to it.

Actually it was Lacey's first time as the previous walk was with Peter. She and I were exhilerated by the views the colours and the wildlife.

Dropping of the edge towards Froggatt Bridge started easy enough but soon changed.

The path was steep, slippy and treacherous. The places to put your foot were generally slippy stones or stone edges. We passed an oldish couple coming up this difficult route, hats off to them. We had a couple of slips but nothing serious so onwards and downwards.

Above us the crags tower giving some idea of the steepness of the hillside. I'm impressed with the way this tree has landed on the point of this rock. Little things.

Finally we reached Froggatt Bridge a familar landmark as 3 of my walks have passed this spot. We briefly chatted with a friendly local girl waiting for a bus to Baslow.

Froggatt is a pretty little village with some interesting looking older buildings. I am sure there are some stories here to be told. As we left the village we passed a trio of ladies with an enrobed poodle who were seemingly all chatting at once. We exchanged pleasantries and a la Peter I said hello to the dog at which point one of the ladies responded with Wuff Wuff which was, bizarrely, quite funny.

On towards Froggatt Wood through a sea of leaves.

 This is a magical wood full of trolls and goblins, fairies and nymphs or maybe its just the branches rattling. I wonder if Robin Hood and Little John who also hale from here knew them. We discussed in general the woodland magical creatures we knew about from books and films, Harry Potter being one of Lacey's favourites. And we decided that the atmosphere of this kind of mature woodland with its large trees, dark nooks and crannies, streams and pools and moss covered rocks made the ideas of a hidden world much more believable. You have to be there to experience it.

 

The final stretch back to the church took us past a house on a pole for some bird or other not sure what.

The generous portion of cake was delicious, flavours of cherry bakewell in a slice. Lacey's lemon drizzle apparently was delightful.

This was only a short walk less than 5 miles but the ascent and decent were brutal, the wild life mesmerising and the views most welcome so it took nearly 21/2 hours to complete. One of the best walks of the year.