The world I entered on the pathway away from the Tynward Park sports ovals, was gentle in the autumn afternoon light. Almost a fairyland. A father fishing while his young daughter sat making drawings. Blue wrens flitting. Seeding bull rushes sending creamy fluff across the path. Superb water reflections.
The dramatic background was the walls of Derbyshire Rocks in startling view on the other side of the Derwent River.
How lucky I felt to be able to walk in such a beautiful place, free of all worries.
The track started climbing up and away from the River.
Black faced sheep grazed behind fences
Powerful pylons carried electricity across country.
I enjoyed the watery views with the backdrop of autumn toned trees and then, with excitement at 2.20pm, for the first time during the walk I saw the bridge in the distance over the Derwent River at New Norfolk.
Not much later I came to a fork in the path, but neither track were signposted. Where to from here?
Large information panels provided information about the nearby historic Turriff Lodge property (on which the black-headed sheep grazed), but nothing about which path went where.