NordicWalking Weekenders
 5th, 6th & 7th March 2010, Peak District National Park

A fabulous group of 30 people and 4 dogs took to the stunning tracks and trails of the Peak District National Park with poles in both hands, rucksacks full of goodies, high sprits and great banter!  This was definitely Nordic Walking at its very best and we were blessed with great weather, stunning walks, delicious food and a LOT OF FUN.  Here are some fabulous photos from the Weekender (shots taken by Neal, Mervyn, Steve & Lesley) in order of walks we did during our 2 night/2 day stay.  HUGE thanks to all of those who came and made it another Weekender to remember and we can't wait to get going for the next one in October which is nearly full already - Power to the Poles!!!  Mel, Neal & Millie xxx

Walk ONE - Hartington / Sheen Hill / Hartington


Walk TWO - Hartington / Wolfscote Dale / Biggin Dale / Hartington Hall
 


Walk THREE - The 'WAKE UP' Hartington 2 Miler
(Graham, Frazer with Sky, Sally & Phil with Keira, Steve & Jilly, Pete & Maggie, Mel & Neal with Millie, Tracie & Tracey, Mervyn & Sue, Gill & Frank, Sharon & Richard, Daniel)
It was early, 7am to be exact, it was cold, crisp and clear and at the chimes of the church clock we set off on our 2 miler of the local Hartington tracks to return back at the hotel by the 8am chimes and breakfast waiting!  The perfect way to start any day!

Walk FOUR - Tissington / Alsop en la Dale / Tissington

Testimonials

WOW... What A Nordic Walking Weekend by Mervyn & Sue Foster

Wow Wow Wow…. What a BRILLIANT weekend we have just had, it is what Nordic Walking is all about, FANTASTIC Organisation (and Weather), FANTASTIC People & Company, FANTASTIC Venue & Location and FANTASTIC Walks. What more could we ask for!!

Can Sue and I please congratulate you both (and Millie of course) on putting together a Wonderful weekend for all of us all in the Peak District…, from the reception on Friday at the Hotel and the extensive literature in our “Welcome Packs”, to the Friday evening get together for dinner and the introductions so we could all meet each other, to the first (challenging) walk on Saturday to walk some beautiful countryside only we have in Great Britain, then to the second walk on Saturday to show us even more wonderful views by the rivers in the area , with a finish at the YHA for Tea & Cake. The Saturday evening dinner, which cemented more friendships to those we only meet on a walk in Cambridgeshire…. Truly awesome organisation by the team…

Then to cap the first day, you put on even better weather and get us up early in the morning for a 2 mile walk on a Sunday morning, even before the church is open (I still believe Neal may have some explaining to the locals after wakening them up so early). The walk this afternoon from Tissington was again a fantastic venture, with nearly everyone signing up for October, it must have been right…

I think you have a great partnership and it is because of your enthusiasm for Fitness and Nordic Walking that you have such a great following wherever you take us.  I cannot fault your administration or organisational skills, and if this is just the first in this area of the Peaks, then bring them on. You can open this up as another part of FitHaven, Nordic Walking the world... We did of course notice your deliberate mistake, putting Neal’s Mobile Number down as wrong on the paper works, but with only one thing that you felt bad about over the whole weekend, and all the planning and preparation, I think you should stand high and take a well deserved round of applause…

Anyway, Sue and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and I know that Frank and Gill did as well. I know you have classes tomorrow, but you must give yourself some time to rest, and just be happy that you have made a lot of people very HAPPY, HEALTHIER and FITTER this weekend in a lovely part of the country…   Love and Blessings to the three of you and see you very soon… Mervyn & Sue xx

A Fabulous Weekend by Gill and Frank Walton

Hi Mel, Neal and Millie,

We can't thank you enough for giving us such a fabulous weekend. The walks, weather, scenery and company were great. The hills, styles and stonewalls were a challenge but gave me such a sense of achievement. Roll on October.

Love

Gill & Frank

Nordic in the Peaks by Clare & Michael O'Callaghan

Mel & Neal, we had a fantastic time on this Weekender. Your choice of hotel and choice of walks were brilliant. If you look at the photos I think you can see how much fun we all had - you had even programmed the hilly bits to be as enjoyable as possible. 

All the hard work you put into the preparation of the weekend paid off really well and I hope you feel really proud of what you achieved.

Many thanks once again...

Clare and Michael O'Callaghan

Our Research Trip in December 2009 & February 2010

We stayed at the Charles Cotton Hotel is located in the picturesque village of Hartington and this gives us immediate access to some of the most lovely Peak District Villages and offers us some truly beautiful walks:

  • Hartington - Is set in the northern end of the Dovedale and is home to some of the very best walking this area has to offer.  The village is centred around the spacious square, with the much-photographed duck pond as a focal point.  There are some fine old buildings, including the Charles Cotton Hotel, St Giles Church and Hartington Hall.  There is also a good selection of gift shops, cafes and pubs, plus a small pottery.  And the Hartington Cheese Shop famous for its Stilton and other local cheeses.

  • Beresford & Wolfscote Dales - many declare that these dales are just as attractive as the lower and more popular part of Dovedale. Without doubt this is a superlatively beautiful walk and includes two of the loveliest Peak District Villages, one on the Derbyshire side and the other on the Staffordshire side of the Dove. Outstanding sweeping views from the higher points and some long stretches of glorious riverside walking through the dales themselves.

  • The Tissington Trail - The Tissington Trail runs along a 13 mile route from Ashbourne to Parsley Hay. At this point it joins up with the High Peak Trail, which runs from High Peak Junction to Dowlow near to Buxton.

  • Dovedale - Dovedale was made famous by Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton who wrote The Compleat Angler in the 17th century. A dramatic limestone ravine, famous for its stunning scenery, wildlife and the much-loved stepping stones which cross the River Dove

PREVIOUS NORDIC WALKING WEEKENDERS 2009:

October 2009 Nordic Walking Weekender, Stiffkey, North Norfolk - Click HERE

February 2009 Nordic Walking Weekender, Stiffkey, North Norfolk -  Click HERE