By rivers through woods and pastures, an escapade from Sheffield to Bretton Yorkshire Sculpture Park

It was with the high prospect of stormy winds and heavy rain that 5 Sheffield good gym runners met at Middlewood in the North of the city to attempt to reach Yorkshire Sculpture Park, about 30 kms to the North. Ash, Céline, Dana, Kat and Lilli followed the tumultuous waters of the Don River for the first section of the run, 12 undulating kms of track under tree cover in Beeley Woods, Hollins Woods, Wharncliffe woods, Wharncliffe Woods, Redmires woods, Todwick Woods ans Forge Woods - we were sheltered from the wind. To our surprise the clouds parted, the sun appeared and layers of clothing came off. It was still windy and fresh but being out in the bright sunshine instead of pouring rain made it even more enjoyable. We reached our turn off from the Don valley and the Trans Pennine Trail and reached Thurgoland village. We left woodland tracks behind to follow country lanes that took us to Silkstone Common (17k in) where we were joined by Caroline and Michelle. By then, we were hoping to have a break - the station Inn wasn't opened but the bakery was a lifesaver. Fully refreshed we pushed on through Silkstone and Cawthorne villages, where we refuelled at a café. We once again left country roads behind us to hop on the very muddy Barnsley boundary walk through waterlogged fields and quiet woods. We finally crested the last ridge before catching the first views of Bretton Hall, where YSP is located. At 26km, we reached its southern entrance, before trotting down (and up) to the main café, to join up with Andrew and Co, 28km, 4h30 and 2 coffee breaks from our start.