30m Trent and Mersey walk, a set on Flickr.

A training walk for the Ivanhoe Way, I intended to walk 25m without a firm plan. On return i found I'd walked 30, so feel almost ready for the 36 of the Ivanhoe.

Lathkill Dale and Youlgreave Spring 2011

Lathkill Dale and Youlgreave Spring 2011, a set on Flickr.

Walked:21 April 2011
Distance: 11.5 miles

Today I walked the shorter version of my Youlgrave and Lathkill Dale route. Lambing time, gorgeous summery weather. It was very easy to forget that it's still spring, just little signs like some trees still not being in leaf.

first leg-stretch of 2011

I was speaking to someone during the week who'd moved to Portugal and felt that various inconveniences were more than made up for by the lovely weather there.

There have been times when I'd have moved to a sunnier country but I don't feel that way now. Even when it's damp, grey, drizzly and blustery, I'll take England any day.

On a bit of a whim (and a lot of guilt about not walking very far this year) I walked a bit of the Cloud Trail from Wilson towards Derby and then along the Trent and Mersey towards Willington. There's very little life at the moment, the only green is the grass and the ivy which is lagging the trees.

More photos from today's walk