Tansley Circular

I had almost persuaded myself that it is time to close my blog. It’s not been the best of years, with two moves in eight months, both being complicated for different reasons. Then, I have had minor but painful health issues over the winter, followed one month ago by a heart attack, necessitating a stay in hospital, an angioplasty and a stent. I had only been in my Tansley house for two weeks when this happened. However, one month on, I am doing remarkably well, and once we sort out my medications so that I don’t have so many awful side effects (muscle pain in particular), I think I shall be back to climbing mountains and writing blogs.

This evening was the first time I have really been out since the heart attack. I could tell I was recovering because I was getting very itchy feet and even more irritable with myself and others, whereas for the first 2 weeks I was too exhausted to do anything. It has been a very muggy day here in Derbyshire today, so after a bite to eat (good healthy home-made fish salad), I donned my walking shoes and took off on my first venture in Tansley – very gently of course; must be sensible.

I walked through our village – it is a pretty village, with a quiet atmosphere. I took the path that I believe goes to what is called the Fete field. The footpath continues through it, but a game of football was taking place, so I took the side route, through the brand new, very small housing estate to Whitelea Lane. For a small country road that only goes to Tansley, it was surprisingly busy. It is uphill for about half a mile, nothing too strenuous and there are some lovely views. Before reaching Neville’s farm, I turned onto a footpath beside some old cottages, going into the wood. This is a very pretty, well-used path, with established trees. Before reaching the end of the path, I turned left, and again went uphill – I was beginning to think my cardiologist might not be too happy if this continues – but I stopped regularly as there was so much to see. The wild flowers were just beautiful, and so many varieties, and when I reached the top of this short hill, the views in all directions were stunning, and almost unexpected. Tansley is already at 450′ odd of elevation, and it didn’t seem as if it were possible to go much higher, but today’s highest point was 831′.

The footpath continues flat for a short distance before reaching Knabhall Lane. I have driven along this lane before when the main roads have been closed and thought how lovely it is, as it is a gentle climb to the top with open views, or in my case, a gentle descent down into the valley. There were swallows everywhere. Eventually, the lane joins the main A615 to Alfreton, at the corner with the big garden centre. However, it is only a very short walk before you turn off to the right on another footpath, to lead between some beautiful houses and gorgeous countryside before returning to the top end of Tansley. I had checked this out when I was on Knabhall Lane to make there was no significant ascent, and it is as I expected, almost flat. From here, it is just a hop and a skip down and around a few corners to my new house on Bentley Walk.

There is a big debate going on right now, as Tansley is rapidly expanding its housing (ergo, I have moved here), but it is not expanding anything else, no shop, small school, narrow lanes – the archetypal village. The infrastructure can’t really take the proposed developments, especially the water, all of which has to drain into a little brook just down from where I live. Matlock has always flooded – they may just make matters significantly worse if they keep building on all the high land above Matlock. The two recent developments on this side of the road are small (46 houses where I live, and less at the top) but the proposed plans are rather bigger. As I walked through one of the areas for the planned development, I did think that if this did get passed, this would be the least unpopular development. The field is flat, with no seemingly particular interest, and bordering just a few houses. Access would be very tricky though. I don’t necessarily support any development in the village – it is important to try and retain the integrity of a small village community, and as an interloper, who isn’t really entitled to have a view, the current developments are more than enough – any more, and the village will change its character.

I think this will be a happy home and place for me to live. I can do numerous walks on footpaths or minor country lanes in three directions, and the fourth direction takes me to Matlock 1.5 miles away, but still being able to use footpaths for a large section of the walk. And we do have buses (when they come!).

So, with luck, and no setbacks, I shall continue my blog and try and provide you with a variety of scenery in and around Derbyshire as and when I can.

Distance: 3 miles (1hr moving time): Total Ascent 397 ft; Total Descent: 400 ft; Minimum Elevation 498ft; Maximum Evelation 831ft