Lost in Lea Woods

Only 3 of us again this week and Geoff wanted to go back to Lea Woods and explore in a different area. We parked in the same spot walked along to the same footpath then took a left up the hill and ended up at Florence Nightingale's seat, but that's where we left the normal track and followed the fence line for about 20 minutes. The route eventually petered out so we came to a dead end and had to go back where we could see an opening in a wall below us. We had to scramble to get down to it and that's where we found the seat and had our breakfast. From there we headed along a track we knew (hoped) would take us to Gregory's Tunnel and it did. From there it was a straight walk along the canal towpath to the Aqueduct Cottage and then back up the Nightingale Arm of the Cromford Canal past Wharf Cottage then to the car.

Ike looking at the bird and bat boxes.

Unusual hinge on the bottom of this old gate post.

We think this is the childhood home of Florence Nightingale

Lost in the woods

Geoff and Ike

Another view of Lea Hurst 

Collection of cones

Geoff scrambling down a slope

We were heading for the gap in the wall

Geoff

Geoff and Ike having breakfast

Looking down on Cromford Canal

The footpath goes over Gregory's Tunnel

Ike

Gregory's Tunnel

Geoff and Ike on top of the Tunnel

Gregory's Tunnel

Part of the Cromford Canal

We spotted a pair of Little Grebe's

Looks like a lock gate position

The metal aqueduct and southern end of the Lea Tunnel

Aqueduct Cottage

Take note of the great window dressings.

Lea Wood Pump House chimney

Northern end of the Lea Tunnel

Geoff

Christmas Tree at Wharf Cottage

This is where the crane used to be to load/unload goods from the barges.

The notice outside of Wharf Cottage

Another cracking little walk, stomping through the woods, getting lost on paths not on the maps. We must have done about 3 1/2 miles in these old woods and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Merry Christmas everyone and see you next week.