Concord RFM Blue Line
The first section of the walk was down towards Firth Park and then up to Longley Park. I like this multicultural area and people in the street of all cultures did respond to my hellos, some with a flourish.
Then it was up to Lane Top a place I have driven through a thousand times. Its a different look at walking pace.
Going down the Ecclesfield Road I could see Grenowoods in the distance and it reminded me of Theo and his bike rides.
It had been a long walk around the streets but now I was in the woods on another branch of the Trans Pennine Trail. The bird song was loud and clear. Chiffs Chaffs sounding but not in abundance yet. That little bird migrates all the way from Africa and is just starting to show in the area.
The path followed the stream crossing the B6082 where the early blossoms brightened my day.
I continued follwing the stream until the busy railway came into view. So far no other walkers but enough footprints, human and canine, to suggest the route was well walked.
Then it was under the railway, don't you just love old railway bridges, and through the meadow at Butterthwaite.
The next stretch to the road was along a very pleasant abandoned railway embankment.
The road under the M1 was not quite as pleasant but at least there was little traffic.
The view towards Rainstorth House was very green but I was heading through the ornate gate posts towards Thundercliffe Grange. What a name it conjured up all sorts of literary associations with me mainly with the Brontes, it just sounds of their time.
There it was through the trees Thundercliffe Hall, now some sort of commercial concern but still very grand. My route went through the woods but I could see the cranes over the fields.
The path through the woods went up a really steep leaf littered slippery slope and then came back down again. If I had looked more closely at the map I could have stayed on the lower path. But then again my legs need the excercise so alls well. The Lake District Hills are going to be much more difficult.
Then it was out of Barber Wood and into the urban area of Blackburn next to the M1.
I could see the motorway bridge I was to cross but first I had to get up several flights of stairs to reach it.
This is a really well known bridge with its distinctive arch and it is the second time I have crossed it. Its a great view up and down the motorway.
This ginnel was hard to spot and finally I came across my first dog walker who chatted to me about the wonderful sunny weather. The cranes in the crane yard look great close up.
I re-joined the Trans Pennine Trail but the path to Woolley Wood was blocked off and a passing runner explained to me that the best way to get across the valley was to go to the bridge back towards Sheffield, so I did. About a mile detour but who cares the weather was great.
I went under the railway at Wincobank and headed back in the right direction.
Just before I headed across the park and up the hill I passed this street of railway cottages, beautiful and substantially original.
The hill through Woolley Wood up to the Golf Course was really steep and I had to stop several times to catch my breath. There were loads of squirrels and I saw my first bluebells of the year.
There were lots of walkers and dog walkers in Concord Park and I can honestly say every single person I passed responded to my good morning greeting, some with a little surprise but all with a smile. I say hello to everyone I pass on my walks and generally everyone responds.
Then it was out through the park gates and back to my car and home. I really enjoyed this walk and it did me good.
A reasonable distance and a sharp 800 plus foot total ascent makes this a good work out. Urban in feature though this walk was there was lots of rural and bundles of interest on the route.
OS Map
https://explore.osmaps.com/route/31055230/concord-rfm-blue-line?lat=53.42433&lon=-1.42423&zoom=14.5604&overlays=os-obstacles-layer&style=TopoAuto&type=2d
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