Cycling the Monsal trail

Tuesday
Today, Roger, Jen and I headed into the Peak District to cycle the Monsal trail, which follows a section of the former Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway, built by the Midland Railway in 1863 to link Manchester with London. We started at the western end at Blackwell Mill, where there is a cycle hire center. Sections of the trail have been open for a while, but it was only last year that the four tunnels were re-opened, re-surfaced and lit, thus opening up the full length from Blackwell Mill to Bakewell, a distance of about 8.5 miles. There are various points of interest en route.
The Lime kilns to the east and west of Millers Dale Station are examples of commercial kilns built in the 19th and 20th centuries. Quicklime had long been produced in small kilns, mainly for agricultural use, but with the expansion of industry, especially the chemical industry, demand increased. Limestone from the quarries that opened adjacent to the railway and coal brought in by train were burnt to produce the quicklime. This in turn was taken out on the railway. The last kiln closed down in 1944.
The trail also passes two former textile mills. Cressbrook Mill was first opened as a cotton mill in 1783, powered by water from Cressbrook stream. The original building was destroyed by fire but a replacement was soon opened. This became known as "Old Mill". In 1812, construction work started on the large Georgian building that can be seen today "Big Mill", as it was known, at first used water from the River Wye to power its two large water wheels before steam turbines were introduced in 1890. Manufacturing continued here until 1965.Litton Mill was a large cotton spinning mill that first opened in 1782. It became notorious for the harsh treatment of child labourers by the owner, Ellis Needham. Many of the children, brought from London and other large cities, died young from the cruel treatment and were buried in the churchyards at Tideswell and Taddington.
One of the most famous features of the trail, and listed as being one of historic and architectural interest is the Monsal viaduct, which was once the subject of much controversy and criticism. Its construction and the invasion of the Upper Wye Valley by the railway aroused strong opposition. Victorian environmentalist, essayist and poet John Ruskin said: "There was a rocky valley between Buxton and Bakewell, once upon a time, divine as the Vale of Tempe... You enterprised a Railroad through the valley - you blasted its rocks away, heaped thousands of tons of shale into its lovely stream. The valley is gone, and the Gods with it..." Today, however, the embankments are covered in vegetation and the viaduct has just become a part of the landscape.
We stopped for lunch at a van selling snacks and sandwiches and drinks at Millers Dale Station, then we continued on to Hassop Station, a little short of Bakewell, and made that our turn around point. It was a great day out, and the weather, whilst overcast, at least remained dry!
In the evening, Roger's Uncle Barry and his wife Janet arrived from Guernsey - to join in Thursday's celebrations of Bernard and Edna's diamond wedding anniversary.