Martin's Mag.

We have visited this spectacular bay on the Gower Peninsular in Wales many times, but it never disappoints. We even both managed a swim. It is unreachable by car and is approached via Pennard Pill, a meandering stream and tidal river that cuts through the salt marshes below the remains of Pennard Castle and empties into the sea in the middle of the beach. At my suggestion we took a “shortcut” back to the car turning what would have been a three-kilometre walk into at least five.

Walking eastwards towards Staverton and back along the Kennet and Avon canal.

Including Bertrand Russell’s birthplace and the (almost completely dry) Cleddon Shoots waterfall.

How our grand-daughter sees herself. I blame the parents.

We stayed for a few days by the side if the River Lyn, on the Exmoor coast, where we were able to walk to Lynton, Lynmouth, the Valley of The Rocks, West Lyn and Barbrook.

Also Woolacombe, which, although rather commercialised in the centre, has fabulous beaches and deep rock pools.

Hungerford in Berkshire is on the river Kennet and the Kennet and Avon canal, and, for that reason alone, worth a visit.

Trying out the bikes from Yatton to Sandford. (Verdict: bikes OK, riders need attention).

Gym practice can’t be missed just because you’re on the ferry to France! (Thanks goodness for toughened glass).

We stayed in a hotel, previously a mill, in Glossop. Various attractions include the Millenium Walkway, many old mills, the river (Glossop Brook) and the Market Hall, where we had supper on the night of the England v Croatia match in the world cup. A huge screen relayed the action and, due to an over-complicated electronic ordering system, we were awarded two free pints. Plus, England won 4 – 2.

The next day to Hebden Bridge in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, eight miles west of Halifax. Slightly “hippie” with many small quirky shops, it is at the confluence of the River Calder and Hebden Water and also has the Rochdale canal.

Then, what turned out to be a rather long walk, uphill to the north-west, to Heptonstall an attractive, mostly 18th century, village, the last resting place of poet Sylvia Plath and a filming location for hit BBC dramas like Happy Valley.

Matlock Bath, on the river Derwent is between Cromford and Matlock and was famous for its warm springs in Victorian times. It is still a tourist town with, we counted, at least eight fish and chip shops within about 250 yards on the main street.

We then drove, via Matlock, to Miller’s Dale on the Monsal Trail which runs along the former Midland Railway line for 8.5 miles between Blackwell Mill, in Chee Dale and Coombs Road, at Bakewell. this is a nice east cycle ride, but, as we hadn’t brought our bikes we just walked a few miles of it.