Health, Beauty, Fitness

Derbyshire Walking:

Calke Abbey & Robin Wood from Ticknall

Distance: 8.0 miles / 13 km Ascent - 400 feet / 121 metres Time - 4 hours 20 minutes Grade - Easy/Moderate Author - Lou Johnson Start - OS grid reference SK350238, Postcode DE73 7JG (approx. location only) what3words start: surround.delay.conquests

This circular walk starts from the village of Ticknall a few miles southwest from Melbourne on the A514. There is limited street parking but you can start from the Staff of Life (grid ref SK350238), a walker friendly inn. They are happy for you to use their car park if you let them know and provided you give them some business before or after your walk!

The Route

1. From the car park, walk back to the main road and turn right through the village to reach the main entrance to Calke Abbey on your right (grid ref. SK355240). This is just before the bridge across the main road. Between the pub and the entrance to Calke Abbey you will pass the village lock-up which was where unruly inhabitants were allowed to cool off before being released. 2. Walk down the main drive for about one and half miles (2.5 km) passing Betty’s Pond on your right, which is one of a series of ponds in the park, to reach a junction of tracks at grid ref. SK366219.

3. Turn sharp left here and walk towards the main house. It is worth making the short detour to the church before passing in front of the main house towards the extensive outbuildings which house a café and toilets. Turn half left and follow the path heading roughly WNW to reach the point between Betty’s Pond and Mere Pond (grid ref. SK363227). Turn sharp right and head east along a clear path that runs parallel to Mere Pond, which should be on your left.

4. The path reaches a footbridge (grid ref. SK368229) which you cross to continue on a rising path through woodland to reach open fields (grid ref. SK367233). Turn left here and continue on the well-used path with views to Staunton Harold Reservoir opening up on your right.

5. Keep straight ahead at the next path junction after which you descend into a shallow valley before climbing up to a small lane (grid ref. SK367239). Cross this and continue on the path that leads to a picnic area with its adjacent tower. Continue ahead to reach a road (grid ref. SK379247).

6. Turn left along this road (the B587) to the next T- junction. Take the bridleway opposite and follow this past St. Brides to reach the A514 (grid ref. SK364250). Cross over with care and continue on the bridleway passing a trig point. Vees Wood is on your left.

7. Entering woodland go straight ahead. Careful navigation on the next section is important and the relevant Ordnance Survey 1:25000 map is useful. The route is well used and you are aiming for the junction of paths at grid ref. SK351253 which is just after crossing a small stream and a short way south of a small pond.

8. At this junction turn sharp left and walk south to enter woodland once again. The bridleway is well used and soon leaves the wood to run alongside Stanton’s Wood on your left. Another short section through the wood leads you downhill towards the main road in Ticknall. Turn right along the main road back to the start. Walk supplied by Walking Britain (walk no. 1608). For more walks or to download a GPS file for this walk, visit www.walkingbritain.co.uk.

It is worth noting that the boundaries of woodland do change with time. There are some new sections of tree planting in the area as part of the National Forest. As a result of this it may be that there is some disagreement between what is on maps and what you find on the ground. Careful navigation will make sure you don’t go astray.

We have taken reasonable steps to ensure that this walk is safe and achievable by walkers of a realistic level of fitness. The publisher accepts no responsibility for any injuries caused to readers whilst following the walk. Always wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Walk details correct at time of going to print. It is advisable to carry the relevant OS map with you when walking the route.

Fitness Matters

As you have probably noticed if you’ve ventured outside or if you’ve been to the local park, outdoor running has experienced a resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are a number of reasons why we run (I am a runner) but, just to be clear, anyone who runs at whatever pace whether it’s at 16-minute miles or 6-minute miles, we are all runners. I get annoyed when clients say to me “I don’t really run as I’m so slow.” Yes, you can call yourself a runner!

With the current situation, running is such a great exercise to do and you can easily judge if you’re getting better. You can set yourself goals to achieve, such as running a 5km. It helps with mental health, stress levels and definitely gets you away from the house and gives you some personal space, which may be hard to come by at the moment.

Fantastic apps such as Couch to 5km help to give you structure and parkruns are fantastic to take part in, so you can have a go in a safe and friendly environment. The benefits of outdoor training have never been more important; it’s great to see more and more people lacing up their trainers and getting out.

Please remember though, that if you’re new to running or returning to running, it is very important to do a rounded exercise programme. By this I mean introduce some strength training and core work. Strength training is often neglected in favour of miles, but it has the potential to reduce the risk of injury by correcting muscle imbalances and improving muscle activation. Particularly as we get older and lose muscle mass, strength training will help keep muscle mass and help us to recruit muscles while running more efficiently.

It is fantastic to see how many people are enjoying this amazing activity and I look forward to seeing you pounding the streets or enjoying the countryside for many years to come!

By Alex Robinson

Level 4 Personal Trainer with additional qualifications in GP referrals – Pre- & post-natal exercise. Personal Trainer for over 15 years, supporting and helping people to meet their goals in fitness and lifestyle changes, from losing weight to running marathons. 01773 512410 • 07817 337861

Online timetable including Boxing for fitness Boxing circuits Cardio classes Body conditioning Fitness pilates Yoga Personal Training can be carried out online in addition to the studio All without leaving the comfort of your home ARR - Personal Training ARR-Training Alex Robinson PT

‘If you have been thinking about improving your fitness or want to lose weight, I can help’. • I have been a Personal Trainer for over 15 years, supporting and helping people to meet their goals in fitness and lifestyle changes, from losing weight to running marathons. • Over the years I have competed in various amateur sports to a high standard, including 24 hour endurance running to cross training events. • I am a Level 4 Personal Trainer with additional qualifications in

GP referrals - Pre & post natal exercise

Master Trainer in corrective exercise

Hatton Boxing for Fitness - Boxercise Master Trainer

CIMPSA & NRPT registered.

Call me on 07817 337861 I can help you change for the better! alex.robinson.pt@gmail.com

Level 4 obesity and diabetes specialist

Footnotes: Corns Are No Joke

It’s quite strange how people joke about how painful corns can be because anyone who suffers from them knows they are no laughing matter.

Corns come in two varieties, Helloma Durum, the hard corn, and Helloma Molle, the soft corn. Soft corns develop between the toes and hard corns anywhere else. They are always caused by the same thing – pressure.

When the foot encounters too much pressure, from footwear being too tight or standing on hard surfaces for too long, it produces hard skin to protect itself. However, if the cause of the pressure remains, the constant production of hard skin actually increases the pressure which ultimately results in a corn due to death of the skin at the living layer.

The usual treatment of corns is to remove the centre (enucleation) and, in some instances, padding and/or treatment with a chemical such as silver nitrate. Unless the cause is removed however, they will come back, but this can be as simple as buying wider or bigger shoes. It’s a little known fact that your shoe size can increase by a half to a full size in your late thirties or forties. Hard corns, particularly on the ball of the foot, can be more difficult if you spend a lot of time on your feet. They usually require regular routine treatment to prevent them becoming painful again.

If you do suffer from painful corns, you have my sympathy as I have suffered with them myself – which is why I don’t joke about them.

By Peter Waugh, Amber Feet

Home Visiting Opticians 0115 822 4822

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