Clasou one

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I walked this route from South Normanton. The route leaves on a quiet residential roads before joining a path across restored mining land. Instead of heading under the railway into Westhouses, I took the right of way across the footbridge and meadow keeping to the east of the railway. this rejoins the route where it crosses back under the railway. From here it takes a route across pastures to Blackwell and after a short traverse through the houses onto the footpaths towards Tibshelf.
More residential roads leading to the footpath up the side of the school. The next few fields were on a field paths and we enter Pilsley on a gravelled track (with a short stretch of field path parallel to it). Through Pilsley on roadside pavements and estate roads to join the path across the fields to Danesmoor industrial estate. There is a good pavement along Pilsley Road and then I turned up Bertrand Avenue and found a quiet route through the houses. There were good views throughout, and, although several settlements were visited, the route had the feeling of countryside.

This is a good walk, far better than I had anticipated walking from South Normanton to Clay Cross on a sunny late April day after weeks of dry weather. There is plenty of nice countryside mostly pasture or field edge in cropped fields. There are stiles and I saw disinterested cattle in just one field. There are also some great views across the upper Amber valley. There is however room for further improvement so I offer Clasou-2.

From South Normanton I feel that the route makes an unnecessary detour to use field paths and a visit to Westhouses where the remaining pub is up for sale so no services but a great mural, a wooden train and a bus link all just off route but in sight. The paths to Westhouses I have walked in worse conditions and they can be very muddy even today after a long dry spell there were boggy bits. From Westhouses the path is better through mainly horse grazing and a frustrating view over the valley to the path walked earlier.

I didn't find any services in Blackwell unless the pharmacy can provide your needs. From here it's an old lane fenced but open views over more horse paddocks.Turning right don't take the Silverhill Trail, tempting as in might be. Go just a little further and take the unsigned but clear bridleway that starts close to the trail but gradually separates to arrive at the south end of Tibshelf.

Here I have another criticism because the plot fails to pass services including a Co-op see Clasou-2. More pleasant field walking along the edge of oil seed in full yellow flower as I passed. The locals keep to the field edges perhaps because the farmer fails to reinstate the cross field but it's no hardship. Sitwell Grange Lane has a number of houses most with the selling agent's three essentials, location, location, location. The names tell the full story, Westwood View and Crich View. The footpath is along the unmade road, not a lot of traffic but when a vehicle did pass it set up a cloud of dust.

The footpath bears left leaving the last few yards of track to the cars but chains on the gates and school grounds had me wondering if this path may not always be available. More services in Pilsley and as I passed a bus depatered to Alfreton. Back in the countryside I met those disinterested cattle then more fresh green fields, singing skylarks and a view across to Clay Cross church spire. After the railway the path is again on an unmade industrial service road which can't be avoided. Once on the road at Danesmoor I do think a better approach could be had into Clay Cross but it does at least pass the bus stop for the Derby Chesterfield Comet service. So only two stars but lots of potential for improvement.

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