Ilkeston/Kirk Hallam Walk - 5th December

With light being an issue in December but we still wanted to get another walk in to keep us gooing we did a local walk. We aimed to link a few local walks into one with a little stop off at Hollies Farm for snacks on a cold day. It was a combination of the Hermits Walk - Erewash Route 1 and Millers Walk - Erewash Route 8.

Setting off from home we walked to Kirk Hallam and Pioneer Meadows. At this point we followed the Hermits Walk following the fields across to Furnace Pond and onto Dale Road. From here it's a short walk to Hermits Wood and Dale Abbey.

From here we switched to Millers Walk and crossed the fields to reach the A6096 and Hollies Farm. After a little stop for some nice home made warm food we set off again over the fields we've walked before to Lower Hagg Farm, Upper Hagg Farm and eventually to Cat and Fiddle Road. Once back down across the A6096 we rejoined Hermits walk near Ladywood Farm and it wasn't long until we were back in Kirk Hallam.

Now we just walked back into Ilkeston and to the finish. To say it was a nice little local walk, combining two different routes we still covered just under 16km/10 miles.

Please visit the Erewash walking page and see all the different routes in the area - Erewash Walks.

We've covered parts of this walk on a few occasions now as you will see on previous blogs but at no point do the routes become dull. They all look totally different as the seasons change and are well worth trying. I'm looking forward to doing smaller local walks again once Isle of Wight Challenge 2016 has been completed.

Hollies Farm Double Walk

On the 23rd May I organised a walk from Hollies Farm Cafe, well actually two walks.

I wanted to accommodate clients of all abilities and those who are/were pregnant. So I planned a couple for walks both around 6km in length with a little bite to eat between the walks.

The first walk took us down towards Hermits Cave and Dale Abbey.

Walk 1

We did have some fun in the woods as there are some steep steps and they weren't suitable for all walkers so after a little jog around the edge of the wood I met up with some of the group who took the longer but flatter route around. We then all met up at Hermits Cave for a group photo before walking towards The Carpenters Arms for a quick drink and toilet stop before walking back around to Hollies for our food stop and the end of the walk for a few people.

Hermits Cave

After some lovely food as always, we set back out the other direction from the tea rooms and looped around to Cat & Fiddle Windmill. 

Walk 2

We've been on most of the paths/trails before in other walks - Miller's Walk and Hermits Walk but it was nice to cover them in two smaller walks so all ages and abilities could enjoy the lovely views. Don't forget to look at the walks in Erewash on their website - Erewash Walks.

Just watch out for cute lambs, horses and cows on your travels....

Hermits Walk

On the 29/03/14 we set out again on another walk. This time we tackled route no.1 Hermits Walk but added an extra couple of miles by setting off from Nutbrook Cricket Club. Overall the walk was a nice 13km or 8 miles depending which measurement you use.

I don't know how we keep doing it but for the 5th (I think) time this year the weather was beautiful for the walk. 10 of us plus Chuck the dog set off from Nutbrook Cricket Club along the Nutbrook Trail towards Kirk Hallam. From there we headed across the fields out towards Hermits Cave. The views were really nice and childhood memories from walking up there years ago came flooding back for a few of the group. After a nice picnic stop with a very friendly horse haha we headed back across the fields to Kirk Hallam and back along the Nutbrook Trail. These walks have been so enjoyable and the time flies by with everybody having so much fun.



The Beauty Spot - Nutbrook Trail

Hermits Cave

Walking total with clients for the year is now up to 65km. The next walk is this coming Saturday 12th April. Route No.3 The Miner's Walk but setting off from Nutbrook Cricket Club again just to add a few extra miles.

To see some more photos from walks, runs, random sporting events check out my Instagram account.

All this walking is for many reasons with the first being health and fitness benefits. Secondly it's because in August I'm walking/jogging the half Isle of Wight Challenge (56km in a day) all for Cancer Research UK. If you wish to donate to Cancer Research UK please visit - www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt