Ladybower Reservoir walk

Today I'm looking back at a walk by Ladybower Reservoir in the Upper Derwent Valley which I featured on my last Five on Friday blog post as a photo collage. It's possible to walk for miles around the reservoir. There are wonderful views across the water on both sides of the path by the side of the wall of the dam and you can marvel at the way it was constructed to contain so much water and manage the overflow. Everything is solidly built and on a grand scale.

On the side nearest the water is a high wall and on the other side is a wide area and another high wall at the water's edge.  On the other side of the path there's a steep bank and views of the river Derwent, the water treatment buildings and the surrounding land which is maintained by the Severn Trent Water Company.

The water and buildings at the bottom of the sloping land is called the tail bay.  It provides a route for overflow water from the reservoir to flow into the river Derwent and from there to the river Trent. By ensuring that the flow from the reservoir is maintained, controlled from the two draw-off towers on the dam, wildlife is protected.  At the same time the energy produced from the release of water as it transfers from the reservoir through hydro turbines helps generate renewable electricity. The two pumping stations are capable of pumping around 170 megalitres of water every day to be cleaned at the Bamford treatment works which is then transferred for public use in the region.  Two large bellmouth spillway shafts also help to maintain the flow of water as they act like giant plugholes. At certain times when the water is high the sight of water flowing into the shafts is spectacular although I've only seen and photographed this sight once a few years ago.

the tail bay

a bellmouth spillway shaft

a draw-off tower

On reaching the other side of the reservoir I turned back, but the walk either way by the river and across a bridge to Bamford or along the path to the upper end of this great expanse of water would have been enjoyable.  

One of the sculptures on what is called the Bamford Touchstone Trail.

These were created to commemorate the Millennium to reflect memorable aspects of the village, old and new, with the help of a local artist, Jenny Mather.  Clay models were created by local families and then the artist arranged them together to produce intricate designs.  Rubber moulds were made to enable a resin and ground stone mixture to be poured in.  This hardwearing material was used to withstand the weather conditions. The finish resembles gritstone found in the surrounding Dark Peak area and the form to look like the standing stones that can be seen on the moors.  Sheffield University have made replicas of these ancient artefacts using similar techniques.  The touchstones illustrate air, water, earth and fire and are situated on a 5 mile walk around the edges of the village. A celtic symbol is present on all the sculpture. (Notes taken from the Bamford Village web site about the project).

As always, wishing you a good day.  At the moment I'm at the hospital every day sdo I'm taking a blog break.

A woodland nature trail

Across the water from the Ladybower Reservoir Fairholmes Visitors' Centre and over the other side of the meadow from where we sat and had our picnic is a nature trail.  There's an easy route through the woodlands of mainly sycamore, rowan, oak and other deciduous trees. The original woodland of the valley was reduced by cutting and grazing. Now broad leaf species are being planted to replace some of the conifers that had been been introduced around the reservoirs to reduce soil erosion and these are being protected so that they can regenerate naturally from seed.

Some interesting sculptures and seats have been placed along the trail.  I hope you enjoyed the short walk in the woods.

Picnic by Ladybower Reservoir

This was our picnic spot (you can just see one of our folding chairs in the shade of the trees) when we went out with the family during the half term holiday.  We were by the top north-east end of the Ladybower Reservoir and close to the overflow wall of the Derwent Dam and near the Fairholmes Visitors' Centre and Nature Trail.

The view from our picnic spot.

The water looked VERY deep, still and mesmerising.  Sometimes the water from the Derwent Dam flows over the retaining wall.  It must be quite a sight and it's rather thought-provoking to remember that there are thousands of gallons of water on the other side of that wall.

The wall and towers of the dam are very impressive.  In the west tower is the Derwent Valley/The Dambusters Commemorative Museum and I walked up the steep steps to the entrance of the east tower. More energetic walkers can take the path to the very top and then on by the side of Derwent Dam and the Reservoir to Howden Dam. I would have loved to have had the time to explore and see the other side of the wall and the waters of Derwent Dam.

The overflow water from the Derwent Dam flows into Ladybower Reservoir.

Part of the water channel was dried up, but where there was some water 'skimming stones' was a lot of fun for my husband and grandson. We were certainly thankful for the good weather during that week.

                                  

Sunday in the Upper Derwent and Hope Valleys

Although the weather had changed again on Sunday we went to Castleton using our usual route through the Upper Derwent Valley. There were plenty of walkers out and about and a few people fishing in Ladybower Reservoir.  No blue skies on that day, but there seemed to have been more of a thaw in both the Derwent and Hope Valleys.

I even had an ice cream at a farm shop in Castleton, surrounded by farm animals and with the view of nearby Peveril Castle to enjoy!

We had lunch in the village of Hope where there was a welcome open fire after our walk in Castleton - more about that another time - then returned home across the moors. There was still a lot of snow that will take a long time to melt unless the temperature increases.

Jacob plantation, Strines Moor,

looking towards Ladybower area.

Boots Folly and the Strines Moor