Today, hubby and I decided to walk from the newly refurbished lock keepers cottage at Hollingwood - just over the border in Derbyshire. Dawn who had the gorgeous little cafe in Shireoakes called Nona's has moved here, so we thought we would pop in and see how things were going. Its much busier than her little kitchen cafe in Shireoakes, and it has lost a little of its atmosphere, but the cakes and coffee are still homemade and delicious, and she still gets the customers to help out. Hubby and I ended up washing the pots for her!!! Pop along if you are local and tell her I sent you. She is open Wednesday to Sunday - 9am to 4.30pm
We are aiming to walk the whole length of the Chesterfield Canal (not in one go!) and today our walk took us from Hollingwood to the start of the canal in the town of Chesterfield - about 3.5 miles each way. The walk along the canal is called the Cuckoo Way named after the little boats that used to work this canal.
Its a lovely little stretch with plenty of Anglers making full use of the waterway.
From Tapton Lock (near the Chesterfield end) you can catch a boat trip. You can also hire this boat for private charter.
I loved the flowers along the way.
These sweet peas were in the garden at Tapton Lock visitor centre. We picked up loads of leaflets for local walks here.
One of my favourite things along the way were the many families of ducklings, some teeny tiny,
others looking like gawky teenagers.
We could tell we were getting near the end as this is the 1st bridge on the canal.
And finally the crooked spire of the church in Chesterfield. I heard once that it will straighten back up when a virgin gets married in it!
It was a fab little walk. We started with coffee and cake at Nona's, stopped off for a swift half of lager at The Mill at Brimmington, and had an ice cream from the visitor centre at Tapton Lock!!!
20 comments:
Hiya Diane I was in Chesterfield on Thursday and tried unsuccessfully to find Nona's she said it was somewhere near Morrisons but I couldn't find it. Probably be at bag workshop.
I was wondering if you would ever swap your green surroundings for a jungle of concrete, you do have such lovely surroundings!
xxx
I mean to walk the full length: I've done it all from Chesterfield to Clayworth. Only the last few miles to do. It's rather depressing from Norwood to Staveley where it's been built on and generally got in to disrepair. Join the Canal Trust, it's only £16 a year for the two of you (am I too late, have you joined already?) Nice to hear Nona's doing OK, I'm sure she's missed by passers by and the locals at Shireoaks. Pictures are up on my blog including the neon proposal. Am I on your Blogroll? All the best
R
Hee hee, we'll have to get synchronised. Posting on each other's blogs at the same time.
R
great walk Diane, I have never been to Chesterfield. I love the ducklings and the flowers too!
xxx
Great post, Diane. As you know, my sister lives in Chesterfield and she has said that she wants to walk along some of the canal probably from Tapton Lock so I'm pleeased to see photos of what it is like. We may walk along there next time we visit:)
Another great walk .... the ducklings are so cute. Like Lyn, I've never been to Chesterfield either. We had a lovely walk a few weeks ago, along the canal at Chester, and we ended up helping a narrow boat go through the locks. Well, Mr B was helping to push the gates and I was just chatting. It was fascinating. Didn't get a chance to post my photos though.
xxx
Don't you just love that spire? Great flowers along the way too....
Lovely walk Diane.
Is it me, or are there loads of Dog Daisies this year? Lovely to see them though.
Sandie xx
Sounds like a beautiful day out walking Diane - the terrain looks flat and very pretty with little clumps of wildflowers along the way. I look forward to reading the next leg!
Love the story about the church spire! Looks like a great walk.
Liz
Looks lovely, have your been watching the tv programme 'Canal Walks' with Julia Bradbury? x
Probably not much chance of the spire ever straightening up then ..
Look at those ducklings, aaaaah
Hello you...
Now you really are walking my patch - if I'd known, I could have offered to meet you for coffee, I am literaly 5minutes away from the canal...
You can go up the Crooked Spire, it is open at the weekends, & yes, that saying is well known, and I think the Spire is what puts Chesterfield on the map.
We also have a Nonna's on Chatsworth Road - big expensive Italian eatery, like the one in Sheffield - I think this is what may be confused with your much nicer sounding Nonna's at Tapton Lock - which I will now have to visit!
Its lovely to see Chesterfield through the eyes of a visitor!
Lx
What a great idea to walk the canal.
Looks like you had better weather than us yesterday.
I'm very excited about all the new leaflets you picked up, lots more walks to take us all on!
Lisa x
That looks like a lovely walk - I'm pretty sure I have some leaflets about that area in my 'tourist info' box!
The spire used to fascinate me when I was little and I was always told the same tale about it untwisting when a 'true maid' marries there.
I was on the Chestterfield Canal a couple of weeks ago when my WI did a trip on the 'John Varley' from Tapton Lock. We went through three locks and that was an interesting experience. I thought at the time that the Cuckoo Way looked as though it would be worth walking along.
Beautiful flower photos Diane :o)
you have inspired me to walk and meet my hubby from work along the canal, just hope the cafe iis open!!
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