Chesterfield Canal

We had a lot of rain overnight and we thought it would be very damp in fields or slippery on hills this morning so we thought a nice canal path would fit the bill, so it was decided Chesterfield Canal. My turn to drive and we parked alongside the Tapton Lock visitor centre just off the A61. We got booted up and just followed the towpath. The towpath at this point actually ran between the Chesterfield Canal and the River Rother until we got to a small canal bridge. The canal carried on for a short distance until it joined the River Rother. We spotted a Kingfisher flashing by and saw it again later. The colours are starting to show nicely especially with the reflections in the water. We must have passed 4 footballs in the water, a shopping trolley and one of those big empty cable reels. We followed the footpath and bumped into a very knowledgeable chap who gave us a few pointers and suggested we walk through this housing est and up to the golf course for some lovely views over the town. On the way back we made a diversion to Chesterfield railway station where we had our breakfast under cover on the platform. Geoff was in his element and loved it. At the entrance to the station is a great statue of George Stephenson with a small replica of Locomotion No1 in his hand. From there we headed back to the car the same way we had come.

Route along the Chesterfield Canal

Tapton Lock

Chesterfield Canal

Overspill from the canal into the river

Geoff

One of many objects in the canal

First Glimpse of the crooked spire

3 wheeler converted into a trailer

Years ago there would be only one bin at each back door.

Great sculpture on the green next to a housing estate

Geoff, Ike & Rob with the chap we met

Great views of the town from the golf course

Not sure what these bricked up arches were for

George Stephenson

Geoff 

Breakfast time in the railway station

Geoff wouldn't give us a tune

This is where the River Rother meets the Chesterfield Canal

This is at the Tapton Lock visitor centre

 Despite setting off in the rain it had stopped when we got there and we had a really interesting walk with a couple of unexpected surprises.
See you next week.