Martha's Marvellous Munchies

My final walk based on the Portway had taken me neatly back to the Derwent, so that I could finish off with one more section of the Derwent Valley Heritage Way. I knew Darley Dale had a 2000-year-old yew tree; I also knew I could get an ice cream in Matlock. That was the two ends sorted. Now to join up the middle. view over the Derwent Valley There is a small free car park near Darley Bridge (card machine on a stick if you feel moved to make a donation). I set off up the lush, large valley of the River Derwent, heading northwards at first to reach St Helen's Church. The yew was fenced off. There were iron railings close around the trunk, and temporary mesh panels blocking the path. To these, someone had affixed a peevish handwritten note: "Quite obviously there is no danger  on this closed-off path." I was expecting the tree to be hollow-trunked and propped, like the specimen at Doveridge , but instead it had a fat, solid-looking trunk and relatively compact crown. Agreei...

I've never been to Holbrook before. It's a small village on a hill, just south of Belper, and I instantly like it. Look at the view! And interesting buildings too. I leave my car to enjoy the scenery and head down Stony Lane. Good thing I didn't bring a vehicle for this bit - there are several signs warning me that This Is Not A Road. I pass a few farms and the back of Holbrook School for Autism and come out on Port Way, just where I left it last time . A short distance up the road is St Michael's Church, which has a semi-circular window, a secret tunnel, and a sprawling graveyard. The church is closed today. I'm now back in the centre of Holbrook. I take a left on Mellors Lane and soon leave the houses behind. There's a good playground. I still find myself rating play equipment, even though my boys are far too old for it now! I cross a couple of fields, then the ground starts to slope downhill, with a fantastic view across the Derwent Valley. There's a squa...