14 March 2022

Circulation

There's a circular walking route that I have plodded countless times. It's on the southern edge of the city and it is where I  go when I need an hour of solid walking - just a seven minute drive away from this keyboard. I have written about this particular walk before, for example here and here.

And I was on it again today. I met a married couple from the Derbyshire village of Holmesfield. The man said that it was the very first time that they had walked in the area. Then he asked me how often I had walked round there.

It was a bit of an exaggeration but I said, "Roughly once a month for the past thirty five years". But it wasn't far from the truth. I have seen many changes even though the walk stays exactly the same and of course, I have followed the route in different seasons and different weather conditions. I think of it as my personal walk for nobody else told me where I should go.

You pass Hallfield Farm, the country retreat of a successful dealer in precious metals. He has used some of his excess wealth to create wooden animal sculptures - both on his property and in the woods by Strawberry Lee Lane. Today I noted the addition of two rutting stags, apparently made from driftwood. They were impressive and are pictured at the top of this blogpost. And here they are from a different viewpoint, still locking horns:-

Over the years, I have taken many pictures on my familiar walking route and I have lost count of the number of times I have pointed my camera at "The Cricket Inn" in Totley Bents. Here it was again today. This time two brothers were kicking a football about after school on the public playing field that is bang next to the pub-restaurant.
I was home by five o'clock, ready to make another chicken curry with basmati rice, roti breads and mango chutney. And just like that familiar curry meal I know that I will repeat my suburban walk before April departs us.

37 comments:

  1. I don't have one favorite walking path but the one i walk on most is the closest to my house. Look up Bower Woods!

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    1. I went to the Bower Woods website and saw a nice video of the area. I think I spotted you in a shady spot with a woman who was not Jean!

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  2. When you have such a pleasant walk so close to your home it's good to repeat and repeat it.

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    1. Sometimes you just don't want a full day's expedition.

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  3. I love the pictures of the countryside. It's like another time with those lovely old buildings.

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    1. England is so rich with history yet many don't value this treasure.

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  4. The sculpture is just wonderful.
    After completing your walk 400+ times, you must have seen the circuit in every weather and know every stone and tree

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    1. Over the years, I have observed many subtle changes.

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  5. I like familiar routes too. I walk on the same beach almost every day when at home. And the thing is, we change even if the scenery moves more slowly... our inner worlds affecting how we see the outer. So in a sense nothing is ever the same.

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    1. That is a good point about the inner landscape Mark.

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  6. A lot of comfort can be had from such familiar walks, I find.
    The sculpture is really good! I wonder whether the antlers are real ones or also made of driftwood.
    How did you know the two kicking the football were brothers?

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    1. I just assumed they were brothers. One was a little taller than the other.

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  7. After so many years it has become your comfort walk.

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    1. Certainly no map required. I could almost walk it with my eyes closed.

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  8. As the route is so close, couldn't you have walked there and back to conserve fuel?

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    1. That would have meant nine miles of walking in total instead of the three I did. Also I would have been out for around four hours, instead of an hour and a half. It was the first time Clint had been out for a spin in three days.

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  9. Anonymous9:12 am

    A pub with a view of sporting lads!

    You English do like to cook your traditional dishes.

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    1. Yes. Chicken curry. As traditional as roast beef with Yorkshire Pudding!

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  10. Those stags, are, indeed impressive - particularly in the second photo. Once again you seemed blessed with perfect weather.

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    1. Interesting that you preferred the second picture Carol.

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    2. Not really a preference, but I thought that they looked impressive silhouetted against the sky. Both photos were interesting.

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  11. It's good to walk where you meet people and chat.

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    1. If I met you I would rather wrestle than chat. Even though I am ten years older I would have you in a full nelson before you could say "German beer and garden centre".

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  12. I think it so important to be where there are pleasant walks from or almost from the doorstep. We have three we do probably more than once a month.

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    1. Not far from you there's Farnley Tyas. Some fine walks to be had round there. Lovely countryside.

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  13. I think doing familiar walks is comforting. Like a hug or a comfort blanket, it helps us feel more relaxed.

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    1. You are right but I must be in the mood for that familiar walk.

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  14. What a lucky man you are to have such beautiful places to walk so nearby. I have said this before and I say it again. I think Yorkshire must be one of the most beautiful places in the world.

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    1. Yorkshire is Shangri-La... but I must point out that I often walk in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Sheffield is at the very south of Yorkshire, just two miles from the Derbyshire border.

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  15. Looks a good walk, and the pub is pretty. The two fighting stags will not of course live for ever as they are made out of driftwood, pleased that the landowner is spreading his money about.

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    1. If I had excess money I would rent a large house for two or three Ukrainian families.

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  16. I have a place where I like to hike and I always enjoy watching for the seasonal changes that I can spot when I visit. You reminded me that I have to get out there again soon with the warmer weather coming. Thanks!

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    1. I don't know where you live Ellen but I agree - time to get off your ass and go for a walk!

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  17. I remember the Cricket Inn, but not those fabulous wooden animals.

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  18. *sigh* So often I leave comments that disappear into the ethernet (or somewhere). I did comment here last evening to request photos of more wooden animal sculptures. (please)

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