Setting off across the road into the Longshore Country Park forest we soon met the Burbage Brook; a delightful rocky stream with plenty of mini water falls.
Tikka posing for a photo
The beautiful Burbage Brook
Tikka was having a wonderful time, skipping ahead until something caught her nose, when she'd stop and search it out, before hurtling past us again.
Leaving the path by the stream we headed up to an area that Steve explained was previously used as a quarry. Now the rocks were beautifully covered in moss and surrounded by short comfy looking grass; indeed this area was not visited that often.
Suddenly I noticed Tikka with here legs in the air clearly having a wonderful time in her current finding. Calling her name she hopped back upright with a what I can only describe as the biggest smile on her face. Whatever she'd found, she was mighty happy. It was then that I noticed a bright yellow orange streak down both her sides. Pleasant. She bounded towards us, but the smell reached us first. This clearly wasn't the usual livestock offering; not unless this species used Andrex.
Not wishing to engage in Tikka's obvious delight and come into contact with her, I herded her back to the stream and plonked her in it. Having stripped my jackets off and ensured that zips were done up so that nothing would disappear into the stream, and with the ever useful doggy poo bags I proceeded to wash the mucky pup. It was well stuck... to her coat rather than the proverbial blanket.
Looking mighty better, and smelling slightly less pongy I resided to accept that this was likely the best we'd achieve for now and we pushed on up the craggy quarry to Lawrence Field and deliberately walked through the ferns in the hopes that this would abrade a little more from her coat. We were definitely on a footpath, but it wasn't on any maps just yet.
Walking along the side of Bole Hill we reached another quarry which was now wonderfully covered in Birch Trees set within a wonderful grass forest floor; if I could ever find it again I can see that this would look stunning at sunset, perhaps with some mist too. Wonderful. Steve explained that this quarry was set up by the Victorians when they built the Derwent and Ladybower Reservoirs, where are several miles away.
They transported the large rocks from this elevated position down the steep face of Upper Padley Forest onto the local railway line that runs past in the valley below. We walked down this steep slope, now well grassed over, and passed one of the large stone bases which is assumed to have been to support steam engines to winch up the empty carts and down the full ones laden in stones.
It was on our way here that I noticed a mushroom that previously I'd only ever seen in books.
We were both of the mind that while beautiful, this was one mushroom that we'd not be meddling with; red and white spots shouted dangerous/deadly. A Google search back in the caravan later revealed "Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric or fly amanita, is a poisonous and psychoactive basidiomycete fungus, one of many in the genus Amanita."
Passing the Totley Tunnel, which at 6230yds [approx 3.5 miles] and reportedly one of the longest railway tunnels and dating back to 1893 we had the option of a refreshment at the Grindleford Station Cafe, but turned it down in preference for the National Trust Cafe towards the end of the route.
Crossing the road we then had a nice steep climb up Nether Padley forest back into the Longshaw estate and along a stone wall towards Longshow Lodge.
This complete my set of three guided walks by Steve Elliott; were it not for his experience of the area and passion for the outdoors and walking I'd not have found the the great walks that we've enjoyed.
Steve Elliot - Guide From Peak Walking Adventures
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