Hayton RFM Blue Line
Hayton
RFM Blue Line
22/11/24
A cold and frosty start to this walk. A flat start with a hill in the second half of the figure of 8 walk around Hayton and Clarborough.
Starting at Townend Bridge the walk followed the road to the path crossing the flat marshy land close to the nature reserves.
I was happy thinking that I had photographed Bearded Tits but was surprised when I looked at the photos at home and they were Reed Buntings. Its very hard to see the photos on the camera in the bright daylight. No worries though as Reed Buntings are a new species for me.
Across the flat fields towards Hayton the light was bright but the air cold. I was very much on my own in the landscape.
Following the rough lane towards the bridge at Church Lane the small birds were darting here and there, all the normal characters. I really like this area, I was happy in my own thoughts trudging over the flat lanes.
On to the tow path heading south along the Chesterfield Canal also part of the Cuckoo Way route. At the next bridge I was off the tow path and on to Smeath lane heading into Clarborough.
Not much to see in the urban area, didn't even see any shops. Turning off the main road I was greeted by a barking dog as a lady was leaving her house to take it for a walk. Dave the dog soon settled down a small ginger wire haired terrier who was very friendly. The lady was interested in my walk route and said it would be a good walk but too far for Dave. What a cool name for a dog.
The path towards Clarborough church was well walked and quite pleasant. I met an elderly lady at the church gate taking 2 dogs for a walk, medium sized American Staffordshire Bull Terriers. They were called Cheeky and George and were very friendly though Cheeky still a puppy was jumping up too much. We chatted a while and then I set off across the field and the trio followed at their pace.
It was nice to get up the hill and get a few longer views.
From the walks crossing point of the figure of eight at the junction of How Beck Lane and Red Flats Lane, the highest point of the walk, the snow covered Pennines could be seen in the distance and the wetland nature reserves in the valley below. Quite a nice view actually.
Passing Clarborough Grange on Red Flats Lane I could see West Burton Power Station to the east plus the village of North Wheatley to the north east plus loads of sheep to the south.
Leaving Red Flats Lane onto Blue Stocking Lane I headed along the narrow very slippery track towards Howbeck Lane when I met the lady with the 2 dogs heading in the opposite direction, same route opposite way round. The dogs recognised me so the meeting was friendly. See dogs do like me, they just prefer Lacey. Blue Stocking Lane intrigues me as to its derivation. I always thought blue stocking referred negatively to educated women so maybe there was a budding female intellectual living in these parts in the feudal past, who knows.
Back to the crossing point of the figure of eight. I saw a kestrel taking off beautiful.
On the hill down into Clarborough I met a couple of blokes trying to catch rabbits with this ferret called Chopper. He didn't seem to be winning but they were pleasant to talk to and I passed a few minutes chatting to them. In the field behind them a small egret was hunting.
Lovers Walk tracks along the back side of the village and again the derivation of the name peeked my curiosity. The sign posts said Byways not footpath. Not sure why. I saw a sparrow hawk in the trees but failed to get a photo. The thing kept moving.
A couple of eagles flew over me mewing as they went.
I really enjoyed this walk, There was plenty of wildlife and even some hills. It was very quiet and I only saw a couple of people. 8 miles on a cold wintery morning was good going. I really must get these winter walks down to 5 miles.
Comments