I bought one once. I was unimpressed. When it was windy, it was cold and turned into a sail. If you have one which is waterproof, then the fabric will rustle, which I found annoying. When I used it in the rain and then packed it away, it was wet and bulky. I had to have another jacket as well as the poncho for the wind.
Thank you for the reply. I already have sets of rain and wet weather gear, jacket & over trousers etc, but for the shortish walks we’ll be doing I was hoping not to need them. If it’s already raining or the forecast is for rain we’ll find something else to do. The poncho idea was really for something quick to cover both myself & rucksac/camera bag in case of the inevitable shower.
Fabulous photos....the make me shiver just looking at them!
What's the towpath like as that canal has been on my list to do at some point?
Hi Kite159. Given the time of year eg cold and wet I have to say the path is generally pretty good. In Hythe it’s paved, some of it is farm track but all very walkable and flat as a pancake as you would expect. The only tricky bit of path is a narrow sloped surface for half a mile I think near Ruckinge. There’s plenty to see on the way. Look out for the old Hythe Tramway depot just north of the canal, the RH&DR terminus and the route goes under the Hastings- Ashford line. At the extreme east end of the canal the towpath doesn’t start until a few hundred yards and is on the south side where there’s a car park. Next time I’m planning to continue from Appledore to Rye and Winchelsea.
What's the towpath quality like as that walk is on my list to do at some point, even splitting in Castleford.
I would say excellent to Woodlesford then good to Ferrybridge, though I did a deviation to visit Fairburn.
Interesting one this.
That’s certainly a different and very varied route. I think I’ve walked most sections of your walk but never as a through walk from Nottingham to Ilkeston. The Park Estate is a very interesting area of Nottingham and is well worth exploring for a couple of hours, especially the entrance to it by the tunnel from Derby Road. I know Wollaton Park very well and it really is like being right out in the countryside, yet within the Nottingham City boundary. There is a very extensive network of footpaths just to the north of Trowel Moor which I have often walked and both the Nottingham Canal and Erewash Canal are great for walking beside. Have you ever visited and walked across the magnificent Bennerley Viaduct just north of Ilkeston Station? You missed a treat by not visiting the viaduct if you have never been.
I have family in Heanor and north Nottingham and so have been fortunate enough to walk many of the local footpaths over the years, including the Cromford, Erewash and Nottingham Canal towpaths throughout, the Erewash Valley Trail and over Bennerley Viaduct on several occasions. The first time I did it, not long after it opened to walkers, was a really windy day and I feared for my safety! Never been up there since in anything more than a mild breeze.
I've done a similar walk to @THC but in reverse, starting at Ilkeston and finishing at Nottingham station but on a different route.
