A lovely sunrise on Boxing Day heralded a mild but cloudy and windy day at our peak district cottages.  First thing we went down to Bakewell to do some recycling before kitting ourselves out for a walk.  The lads had already taken one car down to Over Haddon as we planned a long walk from the door but didn’t fancy the last uphill stretch!  We felt Blue was fit enough to go so the dogs were happy.  We set off towards the Magpie Mine where we had a quick look around and from here aimed for Monyash.  Here we stopped for a mug of tea and a bacon butty at The Smithy (had checked in advance it would be open).  We walked on through Monyash then started down Lathkill Dale.  Its been a long time since we have walked the Dale itself and surprisingly I thought it was quiet for Boxing Day.  Once in the dale the first part was quite stony but as we approached Lathkill Head Cave, the source of the Lathkill in times of high rainfall, it became more easy going and wooded.  The river was gushing from the cave and was flowing over the footpath so we had to make a small detour.  A couple of times along thw we had to follow alternative routes as the water ewas covering the footpath but nevertheless it was a lovly walk back to Over Haddon.  One downside we discovered was that the public loos were closed for the winter so something to bear in mind on this walk.  Back home we saw the stragglers of the Boxing Day Hunt crossing Andrew’s fields then making there way along the road.  We had a relaxing evening and a buffet supper and finished our Christmas jigsaw.  Hope you enjoy the photos.