After over indulging at Christmas, it was time to get some fresh air and a little exercise, so I set off for a canal walk. Before I reached the canal I was aiming for I saw a sign for the Goyt Valley way, so decided to explore. I was near New Mills in Derbyshire and hving found a car park, descended down some steps to reach the river. When I hewar the word goyt I always thing of the stream that flowed through a culvert in Nelson that we used to call the goyt, but this Goyt is far from that. I flows quite swiftly with farmland on one bank and a wooded hillside on the other. The path mostly follows the river although wanders off nowe and again.
There has been quite a bit of work done to promote wildlife there are several small pools and also an area which has been fanced and they are trying to create a reed bed, which should make a nice habitat in time.
I followed the path for about a mile stopping occassionally to look for bird life but sadly saw very little, apart from a flockof Canada Geese, a heron, a moorhen and several mallard. Eventually the wind started to get me so I retraced my steps and step off to find somewhere to have a coffee to warm myself up.
I drove to the canal I was amaing for and ended up at Bugworh Basin
After a break in the Navigation Inn I went for a wander around the basin. It was built around 1800 and was the end of the Peak Forest canal, and connected with a tramway that brought limestone and grit from the quarries of what is now part of the Peak District. Parts of the tramway are still visible. The site was derelict for a long time but has been renovated and is now a scheduled ancient monument. It is quite a fascinating place and after a look round I went for a stroll down the tow path and back, it was now starting to grow dark so I returned to the car and set off for home.
Not a long walk but far enough considering it was rather cold, especially in the wind. I think buth places visioted are worth another visit in the future.
