We set off at 07:00 in the dark and parked up in a spot just above Conksbury bridge. We booted up and walked the short distance down to the bridge and turned right onto the river footpath. The track was a bit muddy after the recent rain and the river was still flowing fast. The track took us past several weirs before we got to the Lathkill Lodge which sits on the site of the old Over Haddon Cotton Mill. The tractor and trailer are always parked there, in fact a few years ago we had our breakfast in the back of that trailer during a rain storm. From there we pushed on to the sough at the Mandale lead mine. The picture shows Geoff and Ike stood above it but again several years ago when the sough was dry we actually walked at least 100 yards into it and we could almost stand upright, but not today!!!
We headed back to the Lathkill Lodge crossed the bridge and then it was a long hard slog up the hill. When we got to the top we had lovely views of Over Haddon on the other side of the valley. The track now levelled out and took us through Meadow Place Grange farm, there are a few dates on walls here one of which says 1851. Its a huge place with a massive farm house part of the complex. From the farm it was a bout a mile to the road then down to Conksbury bridge and back to the car.
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| This weeks route just 3 miles |
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| We passed this little memorial at the base of a tee. |
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| Looks bleak in the winter but in summer there is no finer dale for a walk |
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| Ike puffing & blowing while Geoff reaches for his camera in his rucksack |
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| One of the many weirs on the river Lathkill |
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| Some of the sluice gates were open and left normally flooded area's with little water and we thought these wooden structures were part of a platform for the fishermen to get access. |
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| This section just looked like a part of a steaming jungle with waterfalls everywhere. |
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| This looks like a cover where water was rising from an old sough. |
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| Turbulent waters on the Lathkill |
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| Ike taking a pic |
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| Spotted this odd looking building at the other side of the river high up among the trees. |
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| This was just before sunrise and the light levels in the valley were still pretty low, i was desperate for a tripod. |
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| Ive never seen a tree as green as this |
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| Footbridge over the Lathkill with the tractor and trailer in the background |
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| Ike investigating (Being nosey) |
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| This sluice gate was open |
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| Water from the open sluice gate |
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| Geoff taking a pic |
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| Geoff on the bridge |
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| Fossils in the limestone flags on the bridge |
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| Weird shaped tree |
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| This is where the Mandale mine sough meets the river |
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| A test hole |
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| Geoff & Ike |
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| Ike & Geoff standing over the exit of the Mandale lead mine sough |
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| Part of the engine house can be seen through the trees |
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| Ike had lost his walking stick and this is where he had left it half an hour previously, looking very pleased to get it back. |
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| A view of Over Haddon across the valley. |
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| Ike & Geoff with Meadow Place Grange farm in the background. |
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| Be lucky |
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| Just note the horse mount beside the door. |
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| Lovely farm house |
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| A rider passing through the farm |
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| Typical farm pond |
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| This shows the extent of Meadow Place Grange farm |
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| Conksbury bridge |
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| Looking upstream from the bridge |
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| Swans on the Lathkill |
See you next week.
That's a very powerful and dramatic river.
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