Todays walk in detail

On a pleasant Autumn morning, 18 walkers and 2 dogs set off from Harthill car park initially going through the village before taking a left turn onto a bridleway which skirted Kiveton Waters Country Park. The paths led to Woodall village where there was a section of road walking along virtually traffic free lanes. After an impromptu elevenses break, we finally reached Harthill reservoir and carefully traversed a path which was partly eroded. The path opened out onto the lakeside and we returned to the car park. Total distance 5.25 miles. The refreshment stop at the Beehive was well supported. Thanks to John for backmarking.

On Thursday a whippet and 27 humans set forth from Washfield Lane in good walking weather. We walked over the railway line and the river Rother and along the shoreline around the Waverley Lakes. On reaching the far side we climbed up the hill to view the impressive miners’ memorial. Owing to the ongoing flood alleviation works we then walked back down the same way - or we would have done if our leader hadn’t taken a wrong turn! We then walked across the recreation ground to the A57. Two left turns saw us heading back towards Treeton and tea was taken in the local playground. Thanks for the delicious birthday cake. On reaching Treeton Dyke we mountaineered our way through Hail Mary Woods and then back to Washfield Lane and the Royal Oak pub. My thanks to Bash for back marking and to Julia for spotting the playing field for our lunch stop.

After some light early morning rain, the skies cleared as twenty-three walkers set off from Cawthorne Village Green. We passed the parish church and followed the steep lane down into the village before heading towards the park. In the formal gardens, we diverted briefly through Fairyland to see the recently renovated plunge pool. Continuing uphill, we reached Cannon Hall for a group photograph, then completed our circuit of the park, passing the Deer Shelter and descending to the lakeside for another photograph on the footbridge. We continued along to Cawthorne Cricket Ground for our first refreshment break. The route then followed the River Dearne across the fields, passing Cinder Hill Farm, before a further drinks break and a gradual climb along a bridleway to the busy A635. Turning left, we followed the road to Barnby Basin, once the terminus of the Silkstone Branch of the former Barnsley Canal and part of the area's coal transport network. After carefully crossing the A635, we joined the Silkstone Waggonway, constructed in 1809. Here we saw evidence of the concrete sleepers that supported the iron rails used by horse-drawn wagons to carry coal between the local collieries and the canal basin. A final bridleway brought us back to the A635. After another careful crossing, we returned to Cawthorne and the Spencer Arms, where welcome refreshments were enjoyed outside in the afternoon sunshine. A varied and enjoyable walk, combining attractive parkland and open countryside with reminders of the area's fascinating industrial history.My thanks to everybody who supported my walk today and, in particular, Andrew Wright for back marking and Steve Harrison for doing the walk recce with me last month.

On a very damp and drizzly morning, 12 of us set off from Langsett Barn car park. When walking across the dam wall it started raining, but then stopped as we reached the hamlet of Upper Midhope. It was dull and cloudy climbing Thickwoods Lane to North America Farm (used for tank target paractice during the second world war). We turned left at this point, heading straight up on the open moors. That's when the rain started gertting heavier, and there was no going back now!

We arrived at Cut Gate path junction, where we would usually stop for a drink and a snack, but it was raining heavily so we continued on to get back as quick as possible. On the path down to the weir we spotted two frogs which had survived the drought and were  hopping happily in the rain. After crossing the bridge over the weir we headed back to the car park along the path under the giant conifers at the water's edge. Thanks to everyone who came along, hope the weather's better next time. Thanks to John for back marking.