My oh my! We can’t believe She’s keeping up this new routine. Usually these suggestions she comes up with only last a couple of days, then we’re onto the next thing. But this, finding new walks in our own backyard, seems to be here for a while. She’s already chosen and printed off several maps – so, who knows.

Don’t forget to send us your favourite walks too. We’ve received a couple already, but the more the merrier. Helps our fur-ends in Blogsville travel the world without leaving the comfort of our snuggly warm beds!

Anyway – here’s the next instalment – hope you enjoy looking at our pictures.

Alfreton to South Wingfield – complete with a smattering of historic landmarks. Here’s a few listed, just incase you don’t manage to read the description in our slideshow.

St Martin’s Church, Alfreton: reputed to be the oldest building in Alfreton. The lower Arch was built in the 12th century and is the oldest part. The rest of the tower was completed two hundred years later.

Oakerthorpe Nature Reserve: formed from the remains of the Oakerthorpe coal mine, which helped to create a marshy area alongside Oakerthorpe Brook.

Wingfield Manor: Built by Ralph Lord Cromwell, Lord Treasurer to Henry VI in 16th century. Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned here in 1569 and again in 1584. Whilst she plotted with Anthony Babington, a local squire, to escape, with the intention of overthrowing Queen Elizabeth I. The conspiracy failed and Babington was executed in 1586 (Sparhawk note: It seems that Mary Queen of Scots stayed or was imprisoned in nearly every “House” in England – probably even ours. Tee! Hee!)

Wingfield Mill, South Wingfield: is believed to have had two mills. The one in our slideshow dates back to 17th century, although there was a mill on this site long before that.

All Saints Parish Church: dates back to 13th century. What is believed to be the tomb of the ancient Norman family of DeHeriz can be found in the churchyard. This family were the Lords of the Manor of Oakerthorpe.

It was a fabulous walk. Much longer than the suggested 4 miles. But we didn’t care. Got muddied up to the “eyeballs” – fantastic. Had our half baths and carrot when we got home. Then waited, with not too much patience, for our dinner.

Hope you enjoyed with walk through history with us. At least you didn’t get your feet wet ….

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What we liked about this walk …

• It was another New one
• Directions much better than the last one
• Lots of mud – glorious mud!
• Not many people – just what we like
• Lots of historical places for Her to mull over

Wooooo Hooooo! Home territory. 10 minutes from home. Not 5 hours like the Dunkeld walk! This is soooooo good, She’s got the bug for going on new walks now. We love it! Not that we don’t mind rambling around our own backyard so to speak. But sniffing new pee-mail is grrrrrreat.

Ripley. Now, what’s this all about. An old mining town. We bet D H Lawrence mentioned it a time or two in his books. We’re digressing. A 5 mile walk that turned into 6 miles through historic countryside on a lovely autumnal day – what more could we Scotties ask for. Good job She took the SatMap with us because the route directions were a little awkward. We knew where we were going, but you know what They’re like – don’t like to be told anything.

Where’d we get a Maple tree from? We thought they only grew in Canada. How wrong could we be.

Rykneld Street. Didn’t realise that we’d be walking upon such an old piece of history. Built by the Romans a few years ago and it’s still in full operation now. Don’t worry bout the photo captioned with “Rykneld Street” – that was a bit of it that went across a field. The main part of the road is still very operational and very busy.

We skirted the village of Pentrich. They had a revolution there! People were transported. To Australia! We kept well clear – just in case. Australia’s a bit too far to commute for us.

Saw the biggest solar panel. Ever. Bigger than our bungalow!

Although She took a couple of wrong turnings, the walk was really great. Lots of places for us to run free, and not many people and other dogs about. Not that we’re anti-social and all that. But we do like to have the countryside to ourselves.

Of course …… we followed S.C.O.T., diligently!

Apparently after telling Him all about it, we hear that this walk will be on our “to do again” list.

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What we liked about this walk …

• We walked on historic pathways eg Rykneld street
• Barnes-Wallis had a recreational area named after him
• 10 minutes from home – woofly!
• Not many people around