Tuesday August 8th

Low Bradfield, Dale Dike Reservoir and The Folly

We chose to do a walk from one of our new guides which suggested a number of places that we'd been to already, but in a different combination. We started from the picturesque village of Low Bradfield which boasted (in an understated way) a cricket green, duck pond and tennis court. It could almost have been a film set. From here, we walked west to the Dale Dike Reservoir, picking up the path to the south east of it, which we've walked several times in the opposite direction. On reaching the dam for the Strines Reservoir, we could see the folly tower on Sugworth Edge, which we've frequently seen from afar.

The Folly on Sugworth Edge

Having had a break for refreshments on the steps of the folly, we went back to Low Bradfield to the north of the Dale Dike. On the way back, we passed some football-sized giant puffballs (Calvatia gigantea)- I don't think I've ever seen any that size before!

Genuinely Giant Puffballs

We also passed a field of goats...

Goats mainly minding their own business

We also spotted a Peacock Butterfly on the path.

Peacock Butterfly

On our return, we were greeted by two eager cats- neither of them being ours!
A couple of chancers

8½ miles, 320m ascent, a leisurely 5 hours.

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