Thanks to a great tip-off from the runners in the family, I headed down to do my long run on the Erewash Valley Trail. It’s a circular walking and cycling route that runs along waterways and countryside on the Nottinghamshire-Derbyshire border. There are plenty of cut throughs, so it’s easy create a course that fits the preferred distance and terrain for the day.
My trail headed south on the Derbyshire side, along the Erewash Canal. There were many locks and the occasional canal boat along the way… a peaceful way to travel. It was a misty morning, and so nice to breathe in some fresh air, listen to the birds and enjoy watching the Mallards swim along.
Turning at Stapleford, and heading up to Trowell brought a change in landscape to fields with views across the Amber Valley over Ilkeston. The Nottingham canal is no longer a working canal, so is filled with reeds, and edged with flowers and hedges.
As I ventured across a field I was stopped by a lady and her Retrievers – River and Fudge. They recommended I retrace my steps due to a large bull at the next gate which River had opted not to take on. Thankfully, by the time I got to the gate the cows had moved on and were happy for me to pass. Not your everyday Brisbane run!
In places the Nottingham Canal has been turned to a space for anglers. Little wooden platforms are set up, ready for game fishing, and as the morning warmed up people set up their chairs and rods for the day. As I ran along a guy caught a small carp, and then sent it on its merry way again. Swans and horses also featured along the route… never seen an official horse crossing, complete with a corral and horse shaped lights!
My final turn was back towards Derbyshire and the Bennerley Viaduct – ‘the Iron Giant’. The viaduct was constructed by the Great Northern Railway from locally sourced iron in the late 1800s. It provided a rail line across the Erewash Valley and coal mines, opening up Derby and providing another route to transport coal.
Run complete, it was a day with the Heaths – my Aunt Kate’s family on my Dad’s side. My cousin Lucy has had two children since we were last here, and it’s so good to watch them play and hear all about their passion for animals and dinosaurs (Toby) and all things dance and art (Abigail). Matt and his wife Annie are in the throes of setting up life together – new houses, establishing careers, enjoying sport and adventures. It’s these everyday family get-togethers that we miss the most… along with ‘stuffing pies’ and the first ever shared birthday cake for me and Lucy!
After a couple of days forgetting to capture times with people, I handed the remote control to the kids to get the job done right! One serious, one as a frill necked lizard in honour of Toby’s pet ‘Delta’.
Another day enjoying the best of Derbyshire complete 🙂
Love M & BBx
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