Lud's Church Stroll

 The main tourist attraction down the Gradbach valley was the chasm/ fissure called Lud's church. During our stay in the Mill there had been a steady procession of people walking along the path towards it (including throughout the ceremony as the public footpath went through the grounds of the mill. Katie had wished for all those capable to make the walk (around 1.5 km) with her in a second wedding dress for the photo opportunities.

We all gathered at 11 am (ish) for the walk, as well as those not making it who wanted to see her set off in the dress!

Fashionably late once again, Katie appeared in the dress together with the bridesmaids and we set off down the path thorough the mill grounds

Into the field above the gazebo centre (where yesterday's ceremony had taken place) and along the bottom of the field we had ascended yesterday, then after a couple of stiles it met up with the wider path from the Scout camp.

Over a bridge to cross into Forest wood.

A steep climb to reach a wider (and flatter) track through Forest Wood 

The track climbed gently through the woods up to a rocky outcrop at spot height 310. Here Lloyd and Katie climbed up to pose for pictures

Although I was just below them for support and  assistance, I was more distracted by the view across the valley. From the outcrop the path did a sharp turn and back across the slope at a similar angle until it reached the end of the gorge that marks Lud's church.

Into the gorge on a slippy scramble, followed by a tricky drop into the main arena. This was marked by an old log with coins banged into it.

We then wandered along the gorge with picture opportunities at every step. 

The path meandered through the chasm up to some steep steps at the end to escape above it. There were various side chambers we did not explore including one that may have had a different exit?

Up at the top time for a rest refreshment and nutrition before starting the walk around to get back to the start of the gorge. This path had a number of wooden walkways over the muddier parts.

The path curved around in a large loop to descend gradually back to the entrance

back at the entrance and then the outcrop we caught up with those who did not want to go through the troglodyte section. Then back down the same path as we came up ... initially gradual descent then a steep section down to the stream. Finally along the field back to the mill, and a lunch break.