To complete our work day activities for 2023 we resorted to the now traditional task of clearing the boardwalk in Rowsley (NCN 680) of the fallen leaves. I could have used photos from any of the past few years as the nature of the task does require it being done every year and the pictures don't change much. 😊😂
A very happy band of Sustrans Volunteers (David, Catherine, David, Clyde, Maldwyn and myself) combined with some of the Darley Dale Community Volunteer group to scrape the leaves off the boardwalk and cut back the brambles, which seem to love to try and get to the middle of the track. Marion from Groundwork oversaw operations, but her usual offering of chocolate biscuits at coffee time was snubbed by most, in favour of Catherine's wonderful chocolate Tiffin.
As always we had plenty of users of the trail stop to thank us for our efforts, but perhaps a majority who wanted to make us aware of all the broken planks. Thankfully we were able to tell them with confidence that Derbyshire County Council have that matter in hand and have ordered replacements, which will be fitted early in the New Year.
With the boards looking very clean (the storms of the following night have meant they are now covered again, this time by fallen broken twigs!!) we adjourned to the Flying Childers in Stanton in Peak for our festive lunch. Gone are the days when work day lunches consisted of a picnic and thermos. The Childers proved a very popular choice and refreshed by beer and pasties we headed back down the hill to look at problems with the drainage channels on the alternative route bridleway at the top of Church Lane, Rowsley.
I had met with the DCC Engineer afew weeks previously and he had told me precisely what we could do to try and stop the deterioration to the track surface, which is being caused by water damage. More permanent measures will be required in due course, but for the time being the work we have done should help. We have never done any work like this before, but I thought we did a remarkably good job, despite the heavy rain that was by then falling.
