pearls of the peak

2009-06-30T12:45:00.001-07:00

NOW HEAR THIS, NOW HEAR THIS!!!

DUE TO SIZE AND LOADING TIMES, I HAVE STARTED A NEW BLOG.
PLEASE GO TO;

WWW.WALKPEAKS.BLOGSPOT.COM

(and, if you want to, become a follower.)

THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER POSTS ON THIS BLOG.

THANKS TO ALL MY READERS - I HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO ENJOY MY PHOTOS ON THE NEW BLOG,
AND IT WILL LOAD UP A LOT FASTER.
CHEERS,
LES

Flood pics

2007-06-27T00:20:00.000-07:00

I dare say there are LOADS of flood pictures on the net by now, but here are a few I took during the day after the rain stopped.

These are the meadows Buckland hollow on the A610 below Ripley.

I had to turn back when I got to Ambergate, it was just too deep!

Cricket, anyone? Maybe we could have a beer afterwards (it's in the barrels there).

Well up the walls of the Hurt Arms pub.

Yes - that's a car and caravan submerged in the back yard!

Rain well and truly stopped play!

The digger was pushing water off the road, it didn't slow down for anyone attempting to get through though.

My fifteen minutes of fame.

2007-05-17T23:39:00.000-07:00

www.lunasa.ie

If you haven't heard of them, you have no interest at all in Irish folk music. Lunasa are a world famous band, selling out most of their venues. They travel extensively, but when they are within 150 miles of me, I get a ticket to see them. Last Wednesday they appeared at Nottingham University (a sell out), and I was in the second row.

Anyway, after the last time I'd seen them, at Litchfield, I was my usual gushing self about the performance. Mind you, it is always perfection. I jokingly sent a; 'Jim'll fix it' email to their site for me to play with them on stage (one of my hobbies is playing the bodhran, or Irish drum). It was very tongue in cheek, and I just forgot about it.

I checked my emails just before going on Wednesday, and there was one from Tracy Crawford (the lead of the band's other half, I guess), saying my email had only just been seen, then going on to apologise that there was NO WAY Lunasa could invite an unknown onto the stage without practice, knowing ability, etc etc. She was very nice about it, and I was a bit embarrassed, as I hadn't really expected them to agree to it.

Anyway, off I went to Nottingham University's Djanogly theatre. First half, fantastic, second half, just as good, then they came back for the encore, and Kevin suddenly announced they were going to dedicate this last song to Les Singleton (yours truly). I was stunned, to say the least, but what happened next was he got me up, took me to the stage, (for some bizarre reason made me put on one of those Day-Glo vests), and then the band struck up. I was given the drum, and off we went!

It was a dream come true, and I think I 'held my own'. I even got a smile & a wink from the usually dour Cillean Vallely - praise INDEED! Sean Smith looked over and winked too, and that really put me at ease. Well, after our little number, the auditorium erupted, and I was SO proud! Here I was, in such fantastic company, me - and I had actually played along with Lunasa.

Does it get any better?

Thanks lads.

Summer greens, Summer rains, and FUNGI!

2007-05-14T00:05:00.000-07:00

Today I went to the edges, Froggatt and Curbar to be precise. I'm glad it was the usual early start, as by lunchtime, the rain set in and stayed the rest of the day. Luckily, we had an early lunch, so got my picnic in, sitting by the river Derwent, JUST before the deluge came. I went into the plough at Hathersage, just to see if it would blow over, but a couple of pints of Bombardier bitter later, and I had no choice but to suit up and face the precipitation!
Hope you like the pics, don't forget, you can click on any of them to see a larger version.

Oh, the day had one great highlight, I found a sizeable clump of 'chicken of the wood' fungus, ( Laetiporus sulphureus) one I love to eat. I haven't found any for a couple of years, so this one went straight into the bag for dinner tomorrow!

One of the many joys of this time of year is the blossom, and one of my favourites is the horse chestnut, or 'conker', as it's colloquially called. This was a small part of a HUGE tree in full bloom.

This week, I began the walk at Calver mill. The old mill, where 'Colditz' was filmed, has now been cleaned and turned into very pricey apartments.

The old mill stream is still there though, and makes a pretty picture

Who wouldn't want to walk along this inviting path? If ONLY I could convey the way it smelt this morning. Sweet, heavy with the scent of bluebells, wild garlic, hawthorn blossom, etc etc.

Some of the local 'air fresheners'.

Still waters - the river Derwent, at a deep point. Again, if you could hear the birdsong here, wow!

New Calver bridge, with an almost perfect reflection.

I couldn't resist this!

Everywhere I looked today, it was flower central!

A nice clump of marsh marigolds tucked below the riverbank.

Like lambs to the water!

Time for reflection..........

I wish I had a pound for every pair of feet that passed over this stile.

Sorry the foreground isn't JUST right, but the ones at the back are good.
Don't you just LOVE the blue eyes looking at you?

A really good wisteria, on a really nice cottage.
(Look at the knotty, twisty trunk!)

This is Spooner lane, and old packhorse route. You'll see more of the flag stones later.

'Ere guv', got any food?

The path through Hay wood.

A lovely place to take five, listen and take in the woodland sounds and smells.

A nicely framed section of the packhorse path.

" Wot YOU lookin' at, eh? You WANT some?"

These pretty cottages are ten a penny!
(Or so I thought, then I looked in an estate agents window, and saw they were almost 1/2 million EACH!!!!)

No wonder the old ram was looking knackered - obviously, he'd been busy!

I went fly fishing once - never again - I got a two pound bluebottle!

Ahhhh - LOVELY!
When I went off to France two weeks ago, I feared I'd miss my beloved bluebells, but here they are, in all their glory!
I think they must be my favourite English wildflower.

Oh LOOK! A lovely great clump of chicken of the wood fungi - MMMMMMMMM!
(In the pot tomorrow)

And after that - the rain set in. The camera was consigned to the rucksack, but I HAD to get a picture of this - whatever was a red London bus (with 'Trafalgar square' on the destination banner) doing in the middle of Derbyshire?

The end! As you can see behind the bus, the day finished in murk and very wet.
Ah well, they can't take the morning off me!
Les

On my JOLLIES!

2007-04-23T23:21:00.000-07:00

Hi all, I am now on holiday in France. More pics when I get back.

Les

Monsal, Cressbrook, Wardlow mires, Longstone moor.

2007-04-12T10:24:00.000-07:00

Here we go then, pictures from last Sunday. We walked from Monsal head to Wardlow Mires via the very top of the dales. These paths have only been opened up recently, so it's good to have a new slant on an old walk. We then walked over Longstone moors, through Great and Little Longstone, and back to the car.

Don't forget, you can click on any of the pictures to see a bigger version.

This first picture is the Viaduct in Monsal dale, plus Monsal head.

This is Cressbrook. It's only a small hamlet, but has a very nicely restored mill which is in the dip
(so can't be seen in the pic - sorry!).

Looking down to Ravenstor cottages. This view is usually only seen by climbers.

One week there's nothing, except for the odd flower, then all of a sudden - cowslips, celandine, wood sorrel, etc etc.
Here's a really nice cowslip.

The sun made for good shadows, which we took advantage of!

A view across to Litton village.

A zoomed view of Litton, with the wall patterns.

Mum and baby resting by a wall.

Looking back up Cressbrook dale. We walked alongside that wall on the top left.

Last time we came along here, we dropped into the dale bottom. This time we stayed on top.

Nice light and shadow on the walls.

Looking back across the buttresses we walked over.

This is Peter Stone. I've never seen it from this angle.

Our goal, Wardlow mires and the pub for lunch.

The usual tree.

A pretty green lane on Longstone moor.

We could see Mam Tor too, I've never noticed it before, but the face is unmistakable.

The black sheep of the family.

And that was it, apart from a coffee in Little Longstone to finish off the day.

Good Friday, good weather, GREAT walk.

2007-04-08T10:57:00.000-07:00

Good Friday, good weather, GREAT walk! And with the prospect of the whole weekend settled, I decided to walk Friday AND Sunday (so there will be another set of pictures along soon, unless you email me and say you don't want them.
With a lovely, blue sky to start the day, I decided to walk from Warslow. I know this area is very up & down, and has superb long distance views from the moors. It's a very 'border' area, as there's a mix of rough grazing, and moorland. There are some pretty villages too, as you'll see. I also got a glimpse of the Easter bunny.

First stop though, was to take a picture of the lovely church in Hartington. I passed through on my way to Warslow and noticed the sun was in JUST the right position for the picture. Here's what I got;

There was also a nice daff' lined walk that took my eye as well.

Then it was on to Warslow to park up and start the walk. Sadly, today I'd see one of my favourite 'watering holes', the Cavalier inn at Grindon, closed and for sale. A sad sight indeed, however, it was softened by the fact that the Greyhound in Warslow is being re-furbished, and will open again soon. This excellent set of village troughs are opposite the pub.

Wild flower-wise, things are really beginning to get going now. I saw a LOT of different species, but I'm not really up on the names, so forgive me if I'm wrong on any. These are one of my favourites, the Primula, or Primrose.

Plenty of Celandine too, this was just a lonely one, but very photogenic, I thought.

This is the chapel at Upper Elkstone, a very small hamlet about three Kilometres west of Warslow.
Churchyards are always 'nice' this time of year. I mean, I KNOW they are full of gravestones etc, but it's what you make of it really! I love these places in the sunshine, with a smattering of daff's. Looks like a LOT of people have died here, as the graveyard is PACKED. I wonder if they bus them in from surrounding villages?

Here he is then, caught on camera - the Easter bunny.
(This one is black, which leads me to think he's an escapee from some child's hutch)

A wall full of feeders.

This was like McDonalds to the birds. Plenty came to partake as I stood there.
If you look carefully, you can see a little tit on that pump.

As I said, big, rolling views, this one from just beyond Elkstone.

Sad to see a lot of dilapidated barns too, in this part of the world. I HAD heard there was a programme to re-instate them and fix them up. I really hope they do, as they are such a lovely feature of the countryside, like the walls.

Of course, there was the usual 'crop' of my favourite - LAMB! These will be ready for the BBQ come July.

It was soon lunch time, and time for a swift pint. This is the Jervis arms pub, in Onecote.
They had a beer festival in full swing, and it looked like they were VERY busy in the evenings. They had BBQ's, outside bar, LOTS of seating, music, lights, etc etc. I wish I lived nearer! It was a delight to sit in the warm sunshine in the garden, with the sound of the stream babbling nearby.

What can I say - just LOVELY!

A little robin posed just long enough for me to capture him.

Sun, shorts, tee shirt, views = heaven!

This farmer had taken the time to line his drive with daff's.

I was actually in Staffordshire, and they are notorious for not looking after the footpath network as well as they should. Apart from many broken stiles etc, there were little 'gems' like this almost invisible stile - under a tree!

Here's the ubiquitous tree - can't resist them, sorry!

Caps off, lower heads - the poor Cavalier, closed!

The pretty church at Grindon.

After leaving Grindon, there are fine views all around, not least to the Manifold valley.
This huge limestone buttress hides Thors cave on the other side of it.

The undulating hills of the Manifold valley.
I love to walk here, and it's probably one of my favourite places in the peak district.

For the older ones among you;
"Once upon a time there was, a little white bull......"
Somehow I don't think THIS one will be going to the bullfight!

Last, but not least, another well-kept garden in a chocolate-box cottage in Warslow.
Then it was back to the car (sigh) and home from the walk.
Oh well, at least it's a holiday, and I've Sunday to look forward to.

(see next entry)

Pyrenean shape-up.

2007-04-03T23:17:00.000-07:00

With France coming up - we decided to try a 'challenging' walk. So, I wrote one from Barber Booth, up Jacobs ladder, then along Oaken clough - losing ALL the height we just gained - and drop to the Kinder reservoir. Then, after a lunch in the warm sun, listening to the water lapping on the shore, it was another climb up to Kinder's Southern edge via the steep William clough. Once on top, I had something extra to carry - a BIG smile! It was TERRIFIC. The wind was strong, lovely and cool, but just what we needed to keep the temperature down as we laboured. The views, although a little 'blue', were stupendous. The camera has a job to capture just what we saw, I HAVE seen the odd photo that gets close, and I took one which I hope did, you be the judge. Anyway, around the edge we went, until we reached the waterfall of Kinder Downfall. I thought it might be bolder than it was, but today - it was small, almost a dribble. I've seen it in spate, and it's a sight to behold. Sometimes, when the wind is in the right direction, it blows back on itself, and looks like it will never empty. Anyway, it was still a lovely place to sit and look awhile. After this, we pressed on - along the WRONG path! My fault entirely, and I noticed after about 1/4 of a mile. Thing is, I've made this very same mistake before. You are drawn to walk around the edge, when what I SHOULD have done was head into the centre of the high moor. To cut a long story short, we decided to do a bit of bog trotting. This can be fun, very tiring, but fun. We had a lot of laughs, and eventually found out path again. You can see by the pics, Kinder is a very barren and featureless place. I have no problems up there, but you can see how people get lost! The fact is, you are never more that about 3 miles from a road, so long as you walk in a straight line! Easy, you may think, but Kinder has some magnetic rock in places, which makes the compass read wrong on occasions. This phenomenon has also been blamed for some of the many air crashes on this moor in wartime. After we found the top of Crowden clough, we set of down. It's not so much a walk here, as a scramble and small climb! No WONDER there is no marked footpath here, it's just not safe really. Again, we take this sort of thing in our stride, but when it comes towards the end of a walk, you really must take care. Tired legs can let you down, some people have been known to fall into streams, that sort of thing ;-)
The day ended with stunning evening light, and a nice, low, warm sun. What better than a pint in the Nags Head, Edale, to round off a perfect day.
Cheers!

After a slightly grey start, this is what greeted me on my way to Barber Booth car park.
This is Winnats pass, with a lovely blue sky.

And here is your April fool - wearing SHORTS!
(They mocked, but I had the last laugh on a very warm day, the right decision).

Our destination awaits, irresistible,

The wide path up to Jacobs ladder, as you can imagine from this picture, a very popular path.

The path gets steep, but lots of people come to climb it.

This is Edale cross, a famous saxon landmark.

This is Oaken clough. The big hill centre left is Mount Famine. I haven't done that one, but it's on the short list.

This little packhorse bridge could easily be missed, but what a gem!
I always want to know what people do for a living to be able to afford to live in places like this.

This is Booth sheepwash. The Peak district has many of these, one other notable one is at Ashford in the Water.
I have a picture of the explanatory plaque, if anyone wants it, ask me and I'll email it to you.

This was the view up to Kinder from the lunch stop.
Not bad, eh? Kinder downfall is in that central nick.

My attempt at the blue view we got.

Kinder res', from near to Kinder downfall.

In the troughs and grykes of Kinder high moor.
Would YOU be able to find your way through this little lot?

Even when you climb out of the troughs, there's not much to see for navigation purposes.

Our goal, and the way down to the pub :-)
Ha - looks EASY, doesn't it?

....come and have a go if you think your hard enough.......HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

Looking back after the hard bit - all steady downhill from here on.

Lots of pretty little waterfalls on the way down, the water is cool, but VERY brackish and unpleasant to drink.
Still a lifesaver though, if you were desperate.

Almost back at start level now, and Kinder smiles at us in the evening light

After this, it was a short 1/2 hour to the car, then five minutes to the pub.
Watch out, Mount Famine, your card's marked!

The best pound I've ever spent.

2007-03-29T15:08:00.000-07:00

No Derbyshire for me this week, I went to a wedding and stayed overnight in Nottingham (well, on the outskirts), so decided to go to Wollaton park. I was born, and brought up, in Strelley. The area was given its name after Robert de Strelley was given the lands as reward for his support of the king in the crusades. There has been a lot of building in the area (where hasn't there?), and the hotel I stayed in, the Nottingham Belfry, was on farmland I used to pick potatoes from to earn a bit of cash in the school holidays and at weekend.
What with the loss of an hour, and a late night to boot, I didn't want to travel far. The hall and grounds are only a ten minute drive, so off I went.

So here it is! The baronial pile of the Willoughby family. This huge statement of wealth was built on the backs of coal miners. Willoughby almost bankrupted himself during its construction. There is a window for EVERY day of the year - yes, 365 of them. The grounds and gardens are superb to look at, and have just undergone a massive overhaul by Nottingham council. As you can see, there is still a bit to do, and some scaffolding still remains. Unfortunately, the hall was closed to visitors on the day I went. This was offset by the steam museum being open, and all the exhibits in steam. The cost to go in? JUST A POUND! There was also a 'wartime radio' event on, with lots of Bakelite radios, cats whiskers, Morse keys etc on show. A grand re-opening is planned for Easter.
By the looks of it, they better get their skates on though!

A short walk across the grounds brought me to this - a showman's engine in the usual stunning condition, lovingly polished, cleaned and oiled, and proudly shown off.

A fire like your Mam (or Gran?) used to have - ROARING up the chimney, and something nice cooking in the oven.
If you're over 40, you'll probably shout; "oh WE had one of those!" to at least one of these radios.
I can see my sisters Dansette, and my own old Philips.

The rest of the collection.

This is the famous 'cats whisker' radio set. I could hear a station on the headphones too! My Dad always had these. I wasn't really interested, but my brother was, and went as far as getting his A radio amateur ('ham') license (G0FOG for the hams among you).

An amazing and extensive collection of old tractor seats, lovingly painted.
They remind me of the artefacts you see on narrow boats, don't you think?

Inside the steam museum - the BEST pound I've ever spent!
The sound of the different engines, the chuffs and puffs, the labour and the ticking, was really music to my ears.
This was my attempt to capture it.

There was also an old fashioned (what else?) blacksmith. He was making a huge spit roast for the fireplace in the newly refurbished hall. The skill and accuracy he displayed while he worked was mesmerising. I stood there for many a while watching. He showed me some of his fine handiwork in an album. A very clever man, with a really artistic angle to his work. Some of the stuff he has made looked as though it would be impossible to fashion from metal, it was so intricate.

After the museum, it was down the grounds to the lake. Wollaton has a lovely lake, and a lot of earnest duck-feeding was going on. They were full up though, and if you look, you can see whole slices of bread untouched in the water.

Looking back to the hall from the far end of the lake (zoomed shot).
You can see the famous camellia house on the right (pictures lower down)

A lovely patch of reeds, I was stunned by the way they caught the sun when I looked back at them (next picture).

This picture isn't bad, but it can't do justice to how they looked in real life.

Walking up the gardens to the camellia house. The gardens are being extensively re-planted and drawn up to plans from when the garden was first designed. It should be really good in Summer. I plan to go back and take a look.

I remember walking around the camellia house with my Mum, many years ago.
For now, the doors are locked, but this is the view along it.

Looking to the camellia house from the lawns at the rear of the hall.

The rear of the hall, also shrouded in readiness for the grand re-opening.

A little bit of digital wizardry, and the fence around the hall disappears!
Looking back to the hall before I went off to visit Nottingham.

Speedwell cavern & Castleton

2007-03-05T13:48:00.001-08:00

The forecast wasn't very good at ALL, with a big band of rain sweeping across the country over the course of the day, so I decided to do a shorter walk but take in one of the show caverns at Castleton. I'd been in Treak Cliff a few years earleir, and had always been intrigued by the thought of the underground boat trip in the Speedwell cavern, so I chose that one.

To be honest, it wasn't anywhere NEAR what I expected, and it was a big disappointment to me. It is, in effect, a trip through a horizontal mine shaft in an open boat, with nothing much to see. When you reach the 'show cave', it's not much at ALL! I've seen a few caves, both in potholing with friends, and as a tripper in other show caves, and this one rates as the worst so far. I wish now I had seen the ad's for the Peak cavern, as it's recommended as the best. What's more, it's cheaper too! At £7:25, I felt the Speedwell cavern was overpriced by twice what it should be. £3:50 is all it's worth, in my view.

Anyway, the first part of the morning was cold but dry. I decided to take the walk over the North ridge of Winnats pass, as I'd never been up there before. We saw these cyclists pumping up the incline just before we went up that hillside on the left.

Here's Colin, my brother, tackling the steep climb up the hillside.

Come on bruv, it's doing you the WORLD of good!

Looking North, we could see the shivering face of Mam tor, know as the shivering mountain, due to its predeliction to collapsing, taking the road with it!
(See previous blog entry for details and pics of the collapsed road)

Looking to the South ridge of Winnats pass, and the limestone buttresses.
The cars look like toys from here!

As usual, I see a lump of rock, I pose on it!

Looking East towards Castleton. The red car park and small building in the foreground is Speedwell cavern.

The main entrance (and shop - they like you to go in there and spend even more money)

Here we go - the luxury liner we were to embark on LOL!

I expected this, no problem, but I expected it to be travelling through caverns, with stunning views etc etc.........................

.......instead, all we got was this - ALL the way.

(except for a turning point and a small hole in the wall)

Colin & I in the cavern. Unfortunately, rock sucks up light, so flash is useless. Consequently, I haven't got any good pic's of the cavern. Not that there was much to take though.

EXCITEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!

THE OTHER BOAT PASSES US - WOWEEEEEE!!!!

(sorry for the sarcasm...........)

Back out into the fresh air (and rain), we climbed up onto the Southern ridge, and walked along it, then into Castleton. This is always a favourite walk, especially in snow.

Shame we didn't get any today.

Poor old Mam Tor disappears into the cloud as the rain really takes hold.

Slip, sliding away - as Paul Simon would say! The drop into Castleton.

This man owns 'The Emporium' in Castelton. He is one of the most entertaining guys I've ever met. It's worth a trip, just to meet him. Everything in the shop is; 'like money in the bank' (according to him). Who would argue with such an honest face?

His humour is all around the shop - this notice is especially for the Yanks!

And ANY English would certainly understand the threat behind THIS one!

Oh, what a SHAME (but he was looking for a 'nice lady' to run it for him!)

After our visit to the Emporium, we got ensconced in a pub, and watched the rain get heavier and heavier, before eventually extracting ourselves, and getting VERY wet on the way back to the car. Oh well, thank GOODNESS for Craghoppers gear;

http://www.craghoppers.com/CraghoppersSite/pages/home/default.asp

Around Lathkill dale & Bakewell

2007-02-26T14:45:00.000-08:00

The forecast wasn't good, but as always, I decided to go anyway. Again, they were wrong. Although the day started with a little bit of 'mistle', or light rain, it soon stopped. A cool wind blew while I was on the tops, but the day was lovely.
We started in the small village of Sheldon. There's a pub there, with the comical name of 'The Cock and Pullet'. I visited there after the walk, but for now - onward!

After leaving the village and crossing just a couple of fields, the Magpie mine came into view. It was, up until quite recently, the last working mine of its type in Derbyshire.
It does, and will for a long time, make a striking sight as you approach it.

The headstocks in a brooding light. The cage the men were lowered down in is still sitting atop the (now capped) main shaft.

Ready to be lowered.
You can see the breather grate on my right for the concrete capped shaft.

In an adjoining field, is the area where the ore was crushed, usually by a horse walking around in circles, driving two large crushing stones. The stones are shown in the picture below this one.

For some reason, I saw more Jews ear fungi today than I have ever seen before. This first lot was on a broken branch. Trauma usually heralds a new growth of fungi. They are called Jews ears, because some of them are exactly like an ear. Why Jews were 'chosen' to name the fungi is anyone's guess. I know - it's because they are the chosen people!

They are very soft after rain (which hasn't been in shortage of late). In dry conditions, they dry up into hard, black lumps, but today they were as floppy and soft as could be.

Really good specimens

The sheep have taken great advantage of this tree, blown down in recent storms, to scratch their itches, leaving a lot of wool behind!

Across the next road, we came to Haddon fields farm, and this superb wall. The thing is, that tree doesn't look very stable, does it? I'd have either felled the tree, or run the wall around the back of it, as it doesn't look like it will be there for much longer.

An angry sky welcomed us into Bakewell. Still lucky, and hoping to stay that way with the weather.

Bakewell church.

Beautiful wall patterns on the plateau above Monsal dale.
These walls look even better with a skeleton of snow along them.

Here we go, the BLUE SKY we've been waiting for all day!

After a few more ups and downs, we returned to Sheldon, and the warm fire in the Cock & Pullet.
Here is the pub, complete with old telephone box.

A very grand fireplace and, although you can't tell in this picture, a lovely warm fire was going in the hearth.
(The barmaid had JUST stoked it up). Note the HUGE pendulum on the right. There's an impressive clock attached to it.

The locals enjoy a pint and a giggle with the barmaid.

After a pint of best bitter, it was home, with another lovely walk tucked up in the memory bank.
Cheers!

A walk with Stephen around Alstonefield

2007-02-22T12:22:00.000-08:00

This is Stephen, my pal. I am SURE he has hacked blogger! I was going to include him in the middle of the blog, but his image (this one) mysteriously disappeared, so I had to add it at the end - and that means it get put at the TOP of the blog entry!

Handsome beast, isn't he?

"OK Les, it's a date - see you about 09:00"

This was what my friend, Stephen, said when I invited him to walk 'abroad' with me. I say abroad, because Stephen lives in Cromford, and the walking from his door is super, so this was the first time I had managed to tempt him from his locale. It was a perfect day, and the recent snow promised good pictures. It was a shame Mavis, Steve's significant other, could not join us. The old war wound was playing up, I believe! So - it was a 'boys jolly' today.

This is where we started - the centre of Alstonefield, an archetypal Peak district village. This is the village green. We would end up in the George pub for a pint of wheat beer later, but for now - we had a walk to do!

We soon left the lovely village, and slipped down a track, past the youth hostel (a misnomer, these days, as they are usually frequented by older walkers and families).

This poor duck was sitting in the unfrozen border of this frozen dew pond.

Not a great situation, but fabulous views!

As we got to the end of the track, Gypsy (am I allowed to say that???? not PC these days) bank loomed ahead. We had a slippery-slidey descent to the dale below to continue towards Lode mill, and the snowdrops.

When we reached the bottom, the snow had gone! These dales are a little warmer than the tops, and of course, less wind gets here, so they tend to be protected from the worst of the snow.

After a while, we got to Lode mill. The snowdrops here are breathtaking, but we had come a week or so too early. They WERE in evidence, but not quite at their best yet.

After the ridge walk (on which you see Steve at the beginning of this entry), we reached Milldale. How LOVELY is this eh? You can get a nice, hot beverage, or a cup of soup at Polly's cottage. There is also a National Trust barn, with lots of info' about the area. It's just over the famous 'viators bridge'. This bridge is mentioned in 'the compleat angler', by Izaac Walton.

We walked along the (surprisingly) quiet Milldale until we came to Ilam Rock, a HUGE Limestone tower in the dale. I know - where's the picture? Well, I have sevreal, so I didn't record it! Anyway, we walked up the stiff climb to the top, overlooking the ancient Dovedale woods, and sat on a log, and consumed a most agreeable lunch.
That done, we pressed on to Air cottage. this picture is just before there.
You can see Thorpe Cloud in the middle there.
The stepping stones in Dovedale are just below it.

The afternoon got really good, as you can see. HUGE blue skies, warm sun, and a contented soul! I make no apologies for what follows - a skyfest of pictures!

I really can't remember where this view is - I COULD find out, but hey - a rose by ANY other name..................

WHY is blue and green so emotive? I was just in picture heaven today!

Clouds, limestone, sky, grass............HEAVEN!

As with the last entry, here's my beloved old tree!

PLEASE leave a comment, as I really DO think they are so photogenic.

Am I wrong?

After we climbed out of the dales, we crossed the tops, and got here, the head of Deep dale.

Very rare I pass this dale, as it's really lovely to walk up or down.

Just look at these fields, aren't they lovely? I can't put into words what a walk on a day like today is like. All I know is, I usually walk with a smile on my face. I MUCH prefer this to Summer walking.

Snowdrops again, this time at Stanshope.

On the lane out of Stanshope, I got this low shot of the snowdrops.

A wall, snow and the fields.

This is a classic shot, and one they'd tell you to take on a photo course.

'Lead the viewer into the subject'

Off you go, viewer!

After this, we re-entered Alstonfield for that pint!

The Roaches - click on this title for an information link

2007-02-20T22:56:00.000-08:00

RIGHT - now I've got your attention...........

Hi all,
well, as you all know, February is usually very drab and there's not much to see, at first glance, in the countryside. Too late for foliage, too early for flowers. Although today there was the odd bunch of Snowdrops, and I DID see two Daffs poking their heads up. I was eager to get out, as I have a NEW (well - new to me) camera!!! My old one gave up the ghost, so I got another one from Ebay. It's almost the same as my other one, but a later model. It has a few more refinements, but looks and feels the same and, as I loved the old one, I love this one too.

You can have a look at the spec' etc here; http://www.steves-digicams.com/2002_reviews/fuji_3800.html
Well, the day came, and it was GORGEOUS! A PERFECT day for a walk like the Roaches, so I had chosen well. We saw surprisingly few people out, I would have expected crowds as it was SUCH a clear and lovely day.
This is my first view as I top the ridge at the Mermaid pub. It always excites me to see this, The walk started just the other side of that hill, Hen Cloud, and went along that ridge on the right, the Roaches. I then walked in that far valley around Gun End.

The walk starts straight up the hill, and along the western flank of the Roaches (from the French ' Roche', meaning 'rocks'). You are usually protected from any of the strong winds the Roaches are noted for on this section, but soon turn right, up a gully, and into the teeth of the gale, if there is one!

The view of Tittesworth from Hen Cloud.

The sun glints on Doxey pool. A lot of legend and lore surrounds this pool. Some say it's bottomless, some say it is connected to the Mermaid pub. Some say a Mermaid called Jenny Greenteeth appears here at certain times (usually to do with the moon) to lure walkers to a watery grave, and some say it is cursed. I must admit, it's true that I've never heard birds singing here, and that's another part of the legend! For more information, click here;

http://www.cressbrook.co.uk/visits/ludschurch.php

This is the 'smooth side' of the Roaches. The other side rises up in a cliff face, this side is more rolling and gentle, with far-reaching views of the surrounding countryside.

How's THIS for magical??? Light reflects as I look back to Doxey pool.

The rocks are eroded in some really strange patterns, and it doesn't take much imagination to 'see' various things.
This one on the right is a mans head looking up to the sky.

Last time I did this walk, we sat on this tree to have lunch.
Today, the tree WAS lunch - to marauding fungi!

Luds church. So called because the Lollards, who were followers of John Wycliffe, an early church reformer, are supposed to have used this as a secret place of worship during the early 15th century, when they were being persecuted for their religious beliefs. Lud's Church may have been named after Walter de Ludank or Walter de Lud-Auk who was captured here at one of their meetings. A wooden ship's figurehead from the ship Swythamley formerly stood in a high niche above the chasm, placed there by Philip Brocklehurst, then the landowner, around 1862. It was called 'Lady Lud' and was supposed to commemorate the death of the daughter of a Lollard preacher.

http://www.cressbrook.co.uk/visits/ludschurch.php

This shows what a lovely day it was. I never can resist a gnarled old tree to use in the frame.

Look - the farm sign was loose, and....well........... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

This rock is known as 'hangingstone rock'. Yes - they DID used to take poor unfortunates up there and throw them off with a rope around their neck. Looking down, I would think a lot of them would have been decapitated, as it's a long drop.
Ironic really, that your last view of this world should be such a lovely one before the horror of the act.

This was MY view - thankfully, not my last.
The Roaches looks especially lovely in this rare, purple light that you get in winter.

Looking back from above Gun End. this dwelling is called Gun End barn. SOME BARN!
With views like this, I'd never want to go out, if I lived here - just sit, and stare.........

And that was the end of a very, very good day. A week ago, we were enveloped in snow, this week, it was like a spring day. Lots of wild flowers are getting into their stride now, and the birds are really singing their little hearts out. The promise of REAL spring was heavy in the air today, and it turned what could have been a wet, dreary and drab walk, into a magical foray to the Roaches!

A frosty walk from Topley pike to Buxton

2007-02-05T13:30:00.000-08:00

A walk from Topley pike to Buxton

The walk started straight up Deep dale from Topley pike. As you can see, it was a lovely, crisp morning - the sort I love best. On these sort of days, you can wrap up well, feel snug yet 'alive' more in some way? The feel of the frost in your lungs and on your face is a feeling some people would shun, but as I said, I can't wait to get out when it's like this. The other plus thing is that it's usually crystal clear air too, so makes for excellent pictures. Also, at this time of year, the light has a certain quality about it.

Halfway up the dale, we turned right, and steeply up. The warm sun - VERY warm - soon caught us and I was close to removing my fleece. There was hardly a whisper of wind, so any heat generated by the climb stayed with me. This is the view back down the dale from the direction we'd come.

I turned around and took this. Sorry for the 'sun burn', but it was difficult to get a shot without it! The right hand side of the dale has already been defrosted by the sun, while the left looks on and shivers.

The very small hamlet of King Sterndale is just outside Buxton. This is the chapel.

Our first view of Buxton across the frosty fields.

The path went across the fields and beneath this impressive viaduct. These structures ALWAYS make me stop and look. The keystones of the arches are HUGE, as are a lot of the building stones. I'd love to see something like this in the construction stage.

After King Sterndale, a short walk across frost-hardened meadows gave us our first view of Buxton.
You can see the rounded pavilion in this zoomed shot.
We heard a couple of Woodpeckers tapping away, and also heard many Robin's, Blackbirds and Thrushes.

Just LOOK at those arches!

It's a while since I walked to and around Buxton. It's a lovely place, full of really great architecture and Victorian houses. You can tell it's an affluent place as everything is done that little bit better. The central park is one of the jewels, the opera house another. There's also the famous crescent, but that was one thing I didn't get a picture of today. Here's the lake, with some of the (very expensive) houses that overlook it.

The pavillion.

How many local parks have a model train running around it?
The track would be vandalised within a week in most other towns.

On Summer nights, the park echoes to the sound of band concerts from this bandstand.

On the way back, we came across this ethereal scene. The smoke was from a small cottage 'stoking up' for the cold night ahead. It made for a nice picture though.

Not many flies about!

2007-01-22T12:37:00.000-08:00

RUSHUP EDGE WITH A MANTLE OF SNOW

if you click on the title of this post (not many....) you will see a 360 degree panorama from Mam Tor summit. Click on any pic to enlarge it.

On Sunday, I took a walk back in history to the first real walk I ever did in Derbyshire. It all started in 1986, when I went to Castleton on an outward bound course. Oh, I'd always been a country lad at heart, spending most weekends out on a bike ride or walking in the countryside where I lived, on the outskirts of Nottingham. We had fields within a short walk, PROPER countryside, where I watched the M1 motorway scythe through it in my teens. My claim to fame on that score is that I rode down the M1 on my bike, JUST before it was opened to traffic.
Anyway, back to the walk. As the heading suggests, it was a bit wild, to say the least. It started with rain, then went to sleet, some driving, horizontal hail, and a little light snow to finish off the day. We parked the car at Hope, and sat for a short while to see if the heavy rain would stop. It did, so we booted and suited, and set off towards Lose hill. The climb up there was in light rain. Not bad though, but as we got higher, so did the wind. By the time we got on top, it was tearing lumps out of us! Nothing loose was safe, so we tied rucksack raincovers to the sack, held on tightly to hats, and believe it or not, enjoyed it! Now, it's NO good me trying to explain this perverse enjoyment to anyone who doesn't understand it (I can't really explain it to myself), but I do get immense pleasure out of wild weather. So long as I am in my cocoon of waterproof clothes, I LOVE it! After a good while on the top at the topographic plate there, we set off along the ridge to Mam Tor, the 'shivering mountain'. http://www.cressbrook.co.uk/applet360/mamtor.html

We reached the summit in no time, after meeting up with my old walking club at Hollins cross. They told us it was windy on the top, and how right they were! We had some fun, leaning into the wind and taking pictures, before dropping down to the valley. We made for a cave we knew on 'Windy knoll' (apt name today), but when we got there, found the entrance had partially collapsed the previous February, and was fenced off. We sat in a dip, the only real shelter we could find, and ate our butties. At least it wasn't raining, and the sky was a nice blue.
After that, we went down the old road beneath Mam Tor, which collapsed in the sixties. It suffered this kind of thing on a regular basis, hence the name 'shivering mountain'. The council abandoned it, and set to improving the access up Winnats Pass instead. The old road now is an incredible sight, as subsequent slips have opened up huge chasms and the steps where the road has dropped are up to six feet high!
We got into Castleton and headed for the open fire and beer in the 'Cheshire cheese' pub. We reluctantly left at about 3:45PM, and walked back to Hope in rain and, later, a lovely snow fall. The drive back was 'interesting', as some of the roads were getting quite a thick covering of snow. As is often the case, the further south, and lower, we got, the less snow there was. When I got home, the roads were dry - no rain OR snow!

This is on the nursery slopes of Lose hill. The view to the left - our goal - Mam Tor!

Here's a zoomed view of the collapsed face of Mam Tor.

The silvery thread of the upward path to Lose hill. Don't you just LOVE this kind of light? The camera tries, but as is so often the case, it isn't a patch on the eye (no pun intended!).

Win hill top peeps over the horizon as we climb. The actual hill is hidden behind that knoll.

Nearing the top, the hardest part of the walk up.

Here we go - yours truly at the top, note the smile.

The wonderful ridge walk to Mam Tor. Ah, BLISS!

This old gate post made a nice inclusion to the foreground of a picture of Kinder Scout and the snow on its Northern edge. I considered Kinder as the destination for the walk today, but 'fell back' on Mam Tor after looking at the weather reports, a prudent decision, as it happens, as mentioned above.

The rays of the sun caress Castleton. They rode across the valley like beams of a huge searchlight.

Looking back to Lose hill and Back tor.

Here is what happens when you build a road on a geological fault! The old road was abandoned in the sixties, due to a series of landslips of the 'shivering mountain' of Mam tor. These pictures illustrate geographically how bad this problem was (and still is).

Mountain bike, anyone?

That was it. A good day, and here I am the next morning, watching GMTV and the warnings that the Castleton road is closed because of snow!

Post Party Perambulation (part one)

2007-01-16T00:09:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the alliteration! This Saturday saw the works after Xmas party, so we started the walk late. We toured to Cromford area, assisted by our resident guide, Stephen. It was a lovely day, and helped clear my head really well.
As we climbed Intake lane, the view across the valley to woodseats farm is always a favourite view of mine. It's at its best when there's a blanket of mist enveloping it

Climbing still, up though the woods and bare trees. On days like these, the wildlife is easy to spot, and we saw many birds.

We walked up to the radio mast above Black rocks. The woods had been cleared to accommodate the Nightjar, which it is hoped will re-populate the area as they once did.

Post Party Perambulation (part two)

2007-01-15T23:58:00.000-08:00

The 'Toads mouth' of Black Rocks.

Of course, I HAD to stand on it! A terrific view was to be had from here on such a lovely, clear day.

We joined the High Peak trail, and looked back to Black Rocks.

At High Peak junction, I took a photo of the old engine house, and turned right, onto Middleton Moor.

I always think it's such a shame to see the dilapidated walls. They really should be nurtured and repaired. At the National Stone centre, there are examples of about 15 styles of drystone walling, well worth a visit.

Looking back to the chimney of the engine house, from Middleton Moor.

Then, it was back to Stephens house, where Mavis had made us all a lovely bowl of soup and 'nibbles',
just what I needed at the end of the walk.

Stanage edge walk, part one.

2007-01-08T13:31:00.000-08:00

The day started wet, with an even worse forecast but, ever optimistic, we set of just before 10:00AM from the car park next to Ladybower reservoir. This is the viaduct, zoomed, with Crookstone knoll and farm behind.

Don't forget, click on the title (Stanage edge walk - above) to get a link for more information on the area, and on any picture to get a larger version

The walk was about nine miles. It was good going on the edge, but much more sapping in the valley, where recent, and current, rain made the going very hard and slippery. I was quite pleased with the weather overall, as at least we had a dry morning, only getting wet later in the afternoon. This is the viaduct 'au naturelle'

One more of the viaduct, with some flora as a frame.

The view out across the bracken-brown moors, as we climbed towards Stanage edge.

Plsease go to part two, below.

Stanage edge walk

2007-01-08T13:02:00.000-08:00

As we got up onto Stanage edge, the views across the valley, albeit very stormy looking, were superb. We could see the weather sweeping in off Kinder Scout moor. We knew we were in for it later, but for now, we enjoyed the day.

The knob of Lose hill pike sticks out on the horizon, with an very angry sky as a backdrop. The moor in front of me runs over to Bamford edge, where a far better, uninterupted view of the Ladybower reservoir chain can be had. The dark hump behind and to the left of Lose hill ios Mam Tor, the 'shivering mountain'.

The millstones of Stanage. Once a thriving industry, Derbyshire, and indeed English, millstone industry in general, was undermined by cheaper, higher quality French imports. It never fails to amaze me though, that they just seemed to down tools and leave. It's almost like a millstone version of the 'Marie Celeste'. Even the finished ones, which MUST have contained considerable effort from the mason, were left where they lay.

You can see more here, just below the edge, milled and left in the same hurried fashion.

This picture is out of sync', as it comes after we leave the edge, but this is Bamford mill. Once a hive if industry, now the repose of the rich, with stunning views all around.

I'll just move this one a bit into a better position for a picture..........

Just before dropping down Bamford clough, and into the village of Bamford, we get a fine view of Lose hill in the distance, looking broody in this light.

After this, it started to rain lightly. Apart from the one mill picture, the camera was consigned to the rucksack. We timed the walk perfectly, as we arrived back at the car JUST as dusk was falling. It was a nice walk, and swept away the holiday cobwebs as well as helping to shift a few of the excess pounds gained over Christmas. Ah well - work tomorrow!

New Years Eve totter, part one

2007-01-01T03:11:00.000-08:00

Here we go - into 2007. I saw off 2006 with a shortish walk of just over 7 miles, starting from Eyam, the plague village, and calling in at one of my favourite watering holes - the three stags heads inn at Wardlow Mires. If you click on the title of this posting, it will give you all the info' you need about Eyam and what happened there to make it famous. If you click on the title of part two, it will take to to a site with a very annoying cursor seeker, but has good information

on the three stags pub, plus a good picture of Geoff, mine host there.

You can click on any of the pictures for a larger version.

This is Eyam's church. There were a lot of people going in there today. It has a many famous gravestones and artefacts in its yard, not least of which is a Saxon cross. Of course, there are many graves of people connected with the plague, but many more were buried in fields around the village, and can be visited, should you so wish.

There are many antiquities around the place, and here are the ubiquitous village stocks. I was asked to pose IN them, but no thanks! That turquoise thing behind me is a sheet steel bench. It's covered in writing done in weld. A VERY strange piece, and when you read what is written, you have to ask yourself why the guy was smoking at the time of writing? It MUST be just for decoration, as it looks very uncomfortable, would be very cold (and wet - it holds water) to sit on?

Here's another set of stocks, this time the 'stand in' type. They are in a private garden in Foolow village. The first ones are bad, but I would imagine this sort could be REALLY uncomfortable after a while.

This is the view you get coming into Foolow, the first village you reach after leaving Eyam and crossing the fields. It's one of the prettiest villages in Derbyshire, and must be HELLISH expensive to buy a house in. There's a tranquil pond at the centre, complete with white ducks, and a village pub which welcomes all.

This is the Barrel Inn, on Eyam edge. A commanding location for a pub. I've been there a couple of times, but not for a while now.

Please go to part 2, below................

New Years Eve totter, part two

2007-01-01T02:55:00.000-08:00

"Stand in front of that sign, and I'll take your picture"
That's what my 'friend' Darren said!

Like a lamb to the slaughter!

This old building struck me as looking just like Urquhart Castle, the famous one in Scotland that you see on all the calendars. http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/drumnadrochit/urquhart/

(Maybe not then, but I still think it had a nice 'air' about it!)

Still many flowers about, and the temperature today was a mild 11C. I keep noting all the berries on the holly etc, and keep waiting for the cold snap to come, if indeed it does

After a wonderful lunch, sat sheltered behind a stone wall (which let the howling wind through), we came to the Three Stags at last. We were going to take lunch inside here originally, but an earlier phone call to the landlord told us that his wife, Pat, was quite unwell with bronchitis. We decided not to trouble them for food, and packed sandwiches instead You can see the effort that Geoff puts into things, and his attention to detail in keeping things 'olde'. His Xmas decor' was how they used to do it. In the other room of the pub was a 'kissing cone' (I think that's what Geoff called it), made from natural plants and fruits, and including SIX large sprigs of mistletoe! It hung so low though, that it couldn't be hung in the main bar, as the ceiling was too low and everyone would catch it as they walked in the pub or went to the bar. A shame, as it's a real centrepiece, as you'll see.

Note the roaring fire, always a feature in the Stags when the weather is cold

Here it is - the wonderful kissing cone. To eat any of the apples in the middle is said to bring very bad luck. One guy who did a few years ago (so Geoff told us) lost his job, his house, had to sell his car, and ALMOST lost his wife, and it took about seven years for him to get back on his feet!

Here's what you see looking up at the kissing cone.

SIX bunches of mistletoe - how can you fail?

Geoff even lit the candles for us to take a picture.

After a couple of the wonderful beers on offer, it was time to go. While we had been inside, the weather had taken a turn for the worse. We'd heard it clattering on the windows, and saw people come in to the pub wet through and bedraggled but as we walked out, it was just VERY windy. The wind kept the worst of the rain off, and we only got slightly wet on the way back to the car. The drive home was a different story though, with LASHING rain and tearing gales to contend with.

And that was it - just time now to go and get ready for the seeing out and in of 2006/2007

A very happy and peaceful new year to all my readers.

A very Merry Christmas to all my viewers!

2006-12-20T23:04:00.000-08:00

.....and a happy, happy new year.

Girl on a horse - the one that got away!

2006-12-18T15:56:00.000-08:00

We saw this horse walking up the lane to the woods. This picture wouldn't fit into the meander entry below, so it has its own section! I could have left it out, but I just like the picture, so decided to add it. Please go to entry below for full pics/narration on the days walk to Bakewell. Don't forget, click on the blog title to get a link to find out more about Bakewell, and click on any picture to get a bigger version.

Bakewell meander

2006-12-18T00:11:00.000-08:00

This weekend, we decided to just do a little meander of about 7 miles. Where better than Bakewell? I started the walk at Rowsley, and just went up into Haddon woods, along the tops, then down into Bakewell for a really nice lunch at Ricci's. This is the BEST place for pizza and pasta. they make it fresh while you watch and wait, and the coffee is the BEST in Bakewell.

This is looking forwards to Bakewell from the path in the woods. As you can se, it was another lovely Sunday. I have been so lucky with the weather this year, and this unseasonably warm December has smiled on most of my walks.

The famous arched bridge of Bakewell. I've taken this picture a thousand times, and will probably take it a thousand more. How could you EVER tire of such a lovely thing? Today the light was perfect for pictures too.

This is a view of the bridge from the other bank (where I fed the ducks). This time of year, there seem to be a LOT of seagulls about?

I just love the gnarls and twists in this old tree in one of the courtyards.

I went back to the river, and tried to catch the gulls in some of their acrobatic lunges at the bread I threw up in the air.

You can see this one making his play for the prize!

Oh, how I'd love to live in one of these riverside apartments, but unless I win the lottery, it's just a dream.

Crossing the new (horrible) metal bridge, this is the view upstream past the weir. You can see the old (beautiful) bridge further upriver.

And that was it! We took to the fields for the steady walk back - mostly uphill. The effort kept the evening chill at bay, and a nice pint in the Grouse and Claret pub at Rowsley was my reward.

Annual Christmas walk

2006-12-14T23:39:00.000-08:00

Last sunday saw the annual Christmas walk take place. This 'event' started as a non-walk every year, inasmuch as we (my brothe Colin and I, and maybe one or two extra), would do a really short walk (around 6 miles ot so), and have a languisingly long lunch (sorry for the aliteration). Anyway, I took to inviting one or two customers, who were also friends, and as word spread over the years, the popularity and numbers have grown. The latest 'band' were twenty-one strong, and here we all are, lined up at the start of the walk. I decided on Chatsworth park, as it's only about 2.5 miles to Baslow village (and a good Italian restaurant called 'Il Lupo'), and no hills for the poor souls to climb!

Striding through the park, they all look like PROPER walkers, don't they?

Here's the band (minue me - I took the picture) standing in front of the impressive Chatsworth house. The fountain was going too, but not just as I took this picture.

Here we are in Il Lupo, waiting to get going on the Christmas lunch. We didn't have the usual turkey dinner, but opted to 'go Italian'. I always find you get enough of the turkey, so this would be a nice change. Everyone seemed to enjoy the food, although the wine was a little on the expensive side for the quality. Thirty quid for a fairly ordinary bottle of Chianti is NOT my idea of how to get customers to return! Apart from the house red, which I tried and found awful, the cheapest bottle was about seventeen pounds, as I recall.

Mind you, the price didn't put SOME people off!!!!!

.....but it DID affect some others rather strangely.....

The day was deemed a success. We were lucky with the weather, as it had given a terrible forecast, but we managed to dodge the rain, being indoors at lunch when it fell quite heavily. The walk was JUST the right length, and we didn't manage to lose anyone.

Roll on 2007.

Taddington, Chelmorton and Chee dale part 1

2006-12-04T13:27:00.000-08:00

Chee dale is lovely at ANY time of the year, so i always look forward to going there. Today, we parked in the village of Taddington, just off the A6 near Buxton. It's typical of a lot of the 'cottagy' limestone villages in Derbyshire now, inasmuch as it's had a LOT of money thrown at it, and a lot of the houses are people who have moved in and restored or improved. There are the odd one or two that look to be local owned though.

This is looking back to the village from the first hill. Don't forget you can enlarge any of the pictures simply by clicking on them.

As we crested the first hill, this is wha the sky looked like! Not very promising, you might think, but the day was to be good and clear, so appearances can be deceptive.

The next village we came to was Chelmorton. Another very much in the same vein as taddington. There had been heavy rain overnight, and water was running in a rivulet down the main road, as you can see.

This is Taddington church, it is famous for what is on the spire. From this picture, it just looks like a normal weather vane, BUT...........

Up close, you can see the golden grasshopper. I can't find any information on why this is, or what, if anything, it stands for? Anyone who can, please leave a note in the comments book.

The village also has an impressive trio of troughs. This sign, above them, tells the story, (although I hardly think the 'property of' note at the end was necessary!!)

Nice troughs, though.

Please go to part two (below)

Taddington, Chelmorton and Chee dale part 2

2006-12-04T13:20:00.000-08:00

This bush at the roadside is superb. I don't know what it is, but what a lovely show of berries! This is looking back up the 'main street' of Chelmorton.

A nice 'flower' of fungi.

We went into Deep dale via this little dale, Bullhay dale. There is not strictly a path, but people have used it for years, and there are stiles in the walls. This is a rather impressive adit, or mine entrance, created by man. It's the only 'over and under' one I know of.

This is the entrance to the more impressive, and natural, cave in Deep dale. It's quite a deep one and, although I've never been right into it, I have ventured as far as I thought safe with a torch. The thing with caves is, you need the right gear, and also overalls, as they are very muddy places! We saw rare moths inside (no bats though) and humorous graffiti with obviously spurious dates. You know the sort of thing; 'JOHN SMITH 1723' (written in biro!).

The sky had cleared by now, and a lovely blue sky and warm sun was ours.

Deep dale is scree sided for a lot of the way, and negociating it is a careful affair.

The warm temperatures had some fooled - this was one of many ladybird, and other insects, that were abroad that day.

Please go to part three (below)

Taddington, Chelmorton and Chee dale part 3

2006-12-04T13:07:00.000-08:00

Fabulous blue skies now - it this REALLY December?????

SO warm, in fact, I was overcome! Lying on the warm limestone, it felt just like a late spring, or early summer's day.

The HUGE limestone cliffs above Wye Dale are some of the highest in the country, I believe?

I have stood on the top that you can see there, and the view is amazing. Not today though, today we were headed for 'the wetlands'!

After the recent rains, this is what the riverside path looks like. Looking at it, I'd say it was under water as recently as yesterday.

The stepping stones were STILL under water, but thankfully, due to being raised, were still passable - JUST!

Looking back along them, it was a close call as to if we could negociate the stepping stones. Good job we're intrepid!

A close study of the moss in Chee dale. it's a deep and damp dale, so moss grows in abundance.

The steep and wet sides of Chee dale produce some VERY impressive icicles in winter, so if we get a good one, which, if the holly berries are anything to go by, we will, I'll go back and get some photo's. I hope you've enjoyed this walk, see you next week. :-)

The Goyt valley & Errwood hall

2006-11-20T10:45:00.000-08:00

NO shorts today!!!!!

We got to the Cat & fiddle pub, above Buxton, and it was FREEZING cold! It looks like the end of shorts for this year anyway. Our goal today was Errwood hall, in the Goyt valley. If you click on the title of this entry you can get reams of information, and a few nice pictures. Also, if you search on 'errwood hall' in Google, there's more there.

I bet it was a bleak night up here on the tops, but the mist was just beginning to clear as we booted up. Here you can see the dish of Jodrell bank radio telescope reflecting the morning sun as it breaks through the mist.

It was a surprise to see a light covering of snow, but also very welcome. There were two sets of footprints, and two sets of tyre tracks from earlier risers than us.

That mist was burning off nicely, and by the time I had dropped into the Goyt valley, the sun was caressing us with warm fingers.

Here is Derbyshire bridge. Not very inspiring, or impressive, but as it has its own road sign, I decided it warranted its own picture too.

You can see it brightening significantly now and the colours, albeit mainly brown, are starting to become more vibrant.

There you go - perfection! All the sunshine you can handle, AND a bit of blue sky to boot. We crossed the small river Goyt by a little packhorse bridge, and continued on that path you see in the bracken .

Please go to part two (below)

The Goyt valley & Errwood hall part 2

2006-11-20T10:37:00.000-08:00

I call this one 'natures pearls'. In real life, they were glistening fit to grace any lady's throat. No photograph can do them justice. The sun was behind them, and wherever the sun kissed, the frost melted, leaving these 'pearls' dangling from the blades of grass.

There's our path across the other side, and there's our reward for coming today - views and sun in abundance!

This is one of many packhorse bridges in the valley. They have low walls to facilitate the crossing of packhorses laden with goods slung low over their back. These packhorse men were also known as 'jaggers', and that's why you see so many 'jaggers cloughs' in Derbyshire.

North west water flooded this valley to supply a need for water. It IS beautiful now, but if you read the story of Errwood hall (don't forget, click on the link above - or here; http://www.grimshaworigin.org/Webpages2/ErrwoodGoyt.htm to get all the info) you will see how tragic it all was. Men of VERY limited sight knocked the comparitively young building down. It would have made a super study centre, hotel or youth hostel.

Being well above the floodwater of the reservoirs, I still can't see why it was neccessary to demolish it?

The souce of so many nice views and pictures today and in previous weeks, the humble fallen leaf.

I saw this fungi growing on a branch above me, so I shot up at it with this result.

The sun was REALLY trying now, making me almost too warm in it's rays, but the harsh north wind kept a chill in the air. This track up to the ruins of Errwood hall was so lovely in this light. It's just a shame the shadows were on the part I walked on.

Please go to part three (below)

The Goyt valley and Errwood hall, part 3

2006-11-20T00:33:00.000-08:00

This grand line of arches is, apart from the footings and odd outbuildings, is all that remains of the manor house of Errwood hall. The man who signed the papers to demolish this should have been horsewhipped, in my opinion.

The Grimshawes even had their very own graveyard. The stone crosses are 'masters', the simple iron ones, 'servants'.

In the woods on the way up to Pym chair, there's this little shrine. It was for 'Miss Dolores', who you can read ALL about in the link.

Inside the shrine. There's a notice board on wall on the left, which has some VERY poignant messages to loved ones who have passed on. There is even one to 'bracken', a faithful dog.

Candles burn on the 'altar'.

The national park are doing sterling work to try to regenerate the lost vegetation. This stone path has been painstakingly laid to offset damage by feet (and tyres, from what marks I saw). The sacking at the side is to encourage new grass and heather growth.

Walking the stone path along Shining Tor. As you can see, the day stayed lovely and sunny, although cold. This is PERFECT weather for walking.

The last shot - the trig' point at the end of Shining Tor. This is a fine example of a ladder stile (the trig' point is just over the wall). All that remained was a brisk walk back to the car, and a well earned pint in the Cat & fiddle - cheers!

Cromford & Alderwasley (part 1)

2006-11-15T00:10:00.000-08:00

This Sundays walk was along the Cromford canal, which is near to Matlock Bath, and up through Ambergate woods to Alderwasley for a light lunch at the Bear pub. The day started very well, a typical early winter day, but VERY mild. Later on, it turned to drizzle but overall, it was a lovely walk. I really enjoy walking along Cromford canal. I also like to ride my bike along it. It's an interesting place at any time of year, as there's always something to see. It looked a bit drab, what with most of the leaves on the ground due to recent high winds, but there was still the odd 'resident' around to photograph.

This is the Cromford end of the canal. The canal was built to supply power and transport for the local cotton mills, built by sir Richard Arkwright. If you click the link (above), you can read all about Cromford and link to sir Richard from there. Don't forget, click on any of the pictures to get a bigger version.

I love the way the light reflects in the still canal water. The stark reflections of the almost leafless branches has something about it as well. It's usually quite busy on this stretch on sunday afternoons but, apart from the odd one or two people, today it was quiet.

There were still water birds about. This one looked very young, and kept bobbing under to try and thwart me taking a picture.

But I GOT 'IM!!!

Further on, below Lea, the canal gets quieter and seems to take on an even more serene mantle. This really is a 'sigh and look' place. Although the road isn't far away from the canal, it never seems to impinge on the quiet.

(Please go to next part below - part 2)

Cromford & Alderwasley (Part 2)

2006-11-14T23:56:00.000-08:00

This stretch of the canal is covered in duckweed. It takes on a whole different look, doesn't it?

After the walk along the canal, the path wends up through Ambergate woods. This stile takes you into the woods.

I really was staggered to see this new flower! It's what I call cow parsley, but the name's not important - what IS important, is that it's growing like it should in APRIL, but it's the middle of NOVEMBER????? All around it were it's brothers and sisters - dead - brown after a month or more without nourishment?

This was the destination for lunch - the Bear Inn, at Alderwasley. It's a lovely looking pub, but I think it's very expensive. However, it gets packed every weekend, so they must be doing something right!

The final part of the walk was down through the beautifull copper woods. It was a delight to walk over the carpet of leaves. We heard a few birds, but saw no wildlife to speak of, not even a squirrel!

This is Mavis & Steven, walking ahead in the woods.

I thought this path looked just about the best of the day. What do you think? I couldn't wait to walk on it and kick the leaves up.

At the end of the day, we were treated to this lovely sky. We'd had a little drizzle but, hey - this is England in November, it COULD be SNOWING!!!!!

Winter draws on, part one

2006-11-05T14:28:00.000-08:00

Bonfire night! I like fireworks, but as they've been going off around where I live for the past month or so, I am getting a little fed up with them! I decided a nice, long walk was in order and, as I hadn't been to the Longnor area for a while, that was my choice location. I had a nice, ten mile circle mapped out but, untypically, I've not been well for a couple of days, having mysterious stomach pains in the night. This left me weaker than I thought, so even though I set off in good spirits (and shorts!), I had to cut the walk short to about 5 miles after I found myself literally trudging along. Anyway, I did get a few pictures, but it wasn't the most photogenic of days, there being a bit of mist about and the light wasn't good either. This is a cobbled alleyway in Longnor. The black square you see on the wall on the right is the old Bull inn sign. Longnor used to be a VERY important place, before the coming of the train, and still to this day, boasts FOUR pubs. As you will see from last weeks blog entry, most villages are struggling to support the ONE pub these days.

The area, like most of the Peak district, was once the floor of a vast ocean. The limestone has been sculpted in the upper Dove valley and the result is what are known as the 'reef knolls'. This chain of hills are quite spectacular on a clear day with the sun on them. Not much chance of that today, but I still think they look good, in a more broody way! They look far bigger than they actually are, but they still make you grunt when you walk up them. Today, with me not feeling so good, I skirted around them. This is looking across to Chrome hill, from near Stoop farm.

The recent 'right of way act' (hooray!) has opened up yet more of our wild places for walkers. This is a view of Chrome hill that couldn't be taken before without 'trespassing'. Now, Hollins hill has been opened up. It wasn't on the agenda today, but we found the draw of 'new pastures' too great to ignore.
Please go to next part of blog entry (below).

Winter draws on, part two.

2006-11-05T11:15:00.000-08:00

Here I am, on top of Hollins hill for the first time. I think, judging by the path, it has been open for a while now, but it felt good to finally be able to go up there, and it afforded some wondeful, new views of the Hollinsclough area.

This is looking back along Hollins hill.

These are the reef knolls. If you click on the picture to enlarge it, I have named them.
This is the upper Dove valley, last week (posting below), I walked in the middle section beyond Hartington.

There is an old wives tale that says if the holly bears a lot of berries, we will have a hard winter. Better batten down the hatches then, according to this!

This is a nice view with the brown bracken and the reef knolls.

This rather OTT ornate metal gate is in the valley near Hollinsclough village. Quite why it was deemed neccessary to have such a thing is a mystery?

I had a little visitor while I ate my lunch in the village. I gave her a few crumbs, but didn't get an egg in return! It was here that I ran out of steam and made my way back to the car. Hopefully, I'll be better for next week, and get a few more pictures.

Did I say autumn??? More like SPRING today!! (1)

2006-10-30T13:06:00.000-08:00

Pics from yesterday. I went to Hartington, one of the loveliest Peak District villages in my humble opinion. It DOES suffer with too many tourists, but then that's the price of beauty. It still manages to hold that 'sleepy village' atmosphere though, especially if you get there early on.
I particularly wanted to see Beresford dale, where there is a plethora (I learnt that word in 'scrabble' at the weekend) of Horse Chestnut trees, and when conditions are right, they give the finest display of colours I've ever seen.
Guess what? Conditions were NOT 'perfect' - far from it, in fact. You need a long period of warm, dry and windless weather to get the leaves just so. Also, the river needs a good supply of water to get in on the act. I took the perfect picture here about ten years ago, and haven't managed to reconstruct those conditions since, but I intend to KEEP trying!
It was also a good excuse to go to the Manifold valley, one of my favourite places. There, the rare sight of the river Manifold with water in it was to be seen. Usually this river is subterranean, due to the porosity of the limestone bed.

(Don't forget - you can click on the pictures to enlarge them, and they look much better for it).

Who wouldn't want to live in a house like this eh? The beautiful limestone walls, surrounded by the copper of Autumn.
LOVELY!

This is Hartington village pond, complete with ubiquitous ducks.
I LOVE this scene, it really is a quintessential country village.

Although I am not, and never will be, religious, I DO think churches are such an integral part of a village view.
Hartington is no exception, and sports this lovely item at its centre.

Well into the dale now, this is just beyond 'pike pool', where the famous 'compleat angler' was written by Izaak Walton. He fished the river around here with his friend, Charles Cotton.

This is the bridge from Beresford dale to Wolfscote dale. here is where the Horse chestnuts grow, and the leaves give the best autumn show but, as you can see, the strong winds of late have stripped most of the leaves off the trees, and left a copper carpet on the floor.

It's still lovely, but not perfect.

The lane down to the river. I love the sign at the top of this road. It says; BERESFORD DALE (ONLY)

After the bridge, a green meadow is crossed before the path goes into the deepening Wolfscote dale. there are no wolves in England now, but the name suggests that there once was? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Dove,_Derbyshire I can find no evidence of this though. All I know is, on a sunny day, it's a really beautiful place.

There's this cave a short way up the dale side, just after Ravens tor (on the left in the picture). I always tell people it's impossible to take a bad picture from here, as the view is so aesthetically good. It helps if you take the picture when the sun is on the rock, but today it was Hobson's choice. Still, not bad though, eh?

Please go to post below for next pics.............

Did I say autumn??? More like SPRING today!! (2)

2006-10-30T11:51:00.000-08:00

Whenever you're in a dale, you just KNOW there's a good climb coming. Mine was Gypsy bank, up to Alstonefield village. Looking down the climb on a picture, it doesn't look bad. When you come up it, let me tell you, it's a real 'knees in chest' climb!
Mind you, I always think it's worth it on a day like this.

Now YOU tell ME - is this spring or late October? I had shorts and tee shirt on, and was STILL quite warm! And just LOOK how green that grass is - someone should tell it - it's the 30th of October!

After Wetton village, a walk down a lane brings this view. that's the top of Thors cave, with Grindon spire in the background.
I heard some very sad news today about Grindon, the village pub, the Cavalier, for MANY years a favourite of mine, has closed due to lack of custom in the week. I knew the landlord and landlady. They were in the fortunate position of not having to make a living from the pub, they just wanted it to pay its way.
Alas, it couldn't even do that, so it's now gone for good.

Yours truly on top of Thors cave. I LOVE standing here, it's one of my favourite places. I first fell in love with Derbyshire on a school trip to the Manifold valley. To this day, I remember the effect that first view of the cave from the valley had on me. I think it's called a 'defining moment'.

And here it is - so you can imagine the effect this view would have on a schoolboy,
I nearly dropped my cigarette! (Don't smoke now, though)
You can see where I was standing earlier above the cave.
I was amazed to see quite an abundance of flora on this walk. There was no shortage of colour from Vetch, Harebells, of COURSE gorse (they say kissing's out of fashion, when gorse is out of flower).
All around me were the brown 'bones' of dead cow parsley, and yet, here was a NEW one, growing without a care, just as if it was spring!

At least, when the hard weather DOES come, IF it does come, the birds have this larder of berries on the gorse.

And so ended a lovely day at the end of October. No one can deny, we've had a great summer in 2006, but bot I look forward to the frosts and snow (remember snow???) of winter. The next two months are typically very dull, with not a lot to see but I am SURE I'll find something to put on here! Don't foget, by clicking on the 'comments' button, you can leave me a comment in my guest book. Thanks

In the throes of Autumn (1)

2006-10-15T10:46:00.000-07:00

Today REALLY felt like Autumn, no wonder, because it IS! What I mean is, it's been unseasonably warm, but things seemed to 'tip' somehow today. Leaves were golden (well, some were, as usual the horse chestnuts are leading the way), and the air was dank and heavy. The mist didn't really lift all day, so panorama's were not the order of the day, close-ups were. Luckily, the damp conditions are perfect for fungi. These enigmas of the plant kingdom (if indeed they ARE plants?) are many and wonderful. There are some truly amazing varieties. I WISH I had the memory to name them, but all I can do is admire and take pictures.

Anyway, they come later, but here's a peek at winter's larder. This is what the birds will turn to if things get tough. The hedgerows abound with berries right now, is it me, or are there more than usual? If the old wives are to be believed, we really are in for a hard winter.

Walking along the riverbank, I saw a few, not many, flowers still in bloom. Again, I don't know what they are all called, but this one looks a bit like a bee orchid, but of course, it's 'just' a weed growing alongside the path. Weed or not, today it really brightened up the walk, along with the berries.
Please see next instalment below, as blogger only lets me put up so many pictures per posting. Very frustrating, but I have to chop most posts in half.

In the throes of Autumn (cont)

2006-10-15T10:02:00.000-07:00

I took a deliberate detour across a field when I saw a pile of rotting logs, as I KNEW there'd be good fungi there. I was rewarded with this little throng! The light didn't really allow too good a picture, but they were beautiful in real life. They had a sort of waxy edging to them, making them look ghostly somehow. The moss on the trunk made a nice background, I thought. I THINK they may be shaggy ink caps, but I'm not sure.

This lady was asleep under a flower. She didn't move at all, and I got pretty close with the macro to take this shot. I took several, but this was the best one. She didn't seem to be feeding, rather resting. She was very lethargic, whatever she was up to. I noticed she was still there five hours later when I finished the walk and she'd only moved a little. Do bees die, hibernate or what in winter?

I think this picture sums up the air quality today - poor!

The reflections are nice, but the light makes everything look very drab.

Here's a 'conker', or horse chestnut tree, to give it its proper title. The ground was carpetted with it's brown fruit. Schoolkids would have a field day collecting them. I was on the lookout for sweet chestnuts though, but didn't see any on this walk. I HAVE noticed that this year seems to be a good one for them, and I expect a pocketful of plump ones before the week is out (if the squirrels don't beat me to it, which they often do)

A patch of nice orange fungi.

This little beauty was perched on a wall, amongst the moss. It was a devil to photograph because of the light behind it. I got this one in the end though, which I like and think is quite good. It was only about the size of your little finger end.

Looking up through the canopy, which won't be there in a couple of weeks time, as the wind will strip the brown leaves away to the floor.

Little brown bonnets! They look like a little family, don't they? They sat on a log, looking as pretty as a picture, so I made them into one.

A Mexican hat? That's what this one looks like? It was on the same log as the bonnets, but obviously not in their gang.

And that's it! A lovely day out in the Autumn air. Not at all cold (yet), but showing signs of what is to come. I'm looking forward to a few crisp, frosty mornings. Days when you can see your breath and can walk briskly without overheating. Days when the grass has an icy coat, and the puddles crack when you tread in them.

If I read the berries right, who knows, maybe even some snow?

A walk along the edges

2006-10-07T04:46:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday saw me taking a walk along Curbar edge, Froggatt edge and White edge. It was a little rainy, but not too bad. The walk started in the small village in Chatsworth park, called Edensor (pronounced En'zuh). I was dismayed to see that the estate have started to charge people two pounds to park at the Calton Lees car park. I think that's too steep, and I won't be going there again.

Anyway, here's the classic view of the house through the trees. You can see it's not the sunniest of days!

The walk through the park to Baslow is very pleasant, this avenue is typical of a walk around Chatsworth.

With it being quite wet of late, there is LOTS of fungi about. I'm not sure which one this is, but it just looked so nice.

October, month of mists and melow fruitfullness. Here's a lovely bunch of Elderberries, and I did pick and eat some. They are usually very tart, being so full of tanin, but these were quite sweet.

As I climbed up onto the edges, I could see model aircraft doing stunts. The great thing was - there was NO noise, as they were radio controlled gliders! I must say, the guys flying them were very skilful and we watched them for quite a while before moving on.

The Grouse was our chosen lunchtime stop. here it is, looking from White edge.

The day cleared up a little, and we had a long period of settled weather but just before we got back to the car, the heavens opened and we got very wet.

This is my brother Colin, jumping about on gardoms edge.

A nice little corner on gardoms edge, just before it started to rain.

Beautiful Bakewell, a pictorial study.

2006-09-10T23:17:00.000-07:00

Today, I went for a walk around Bakewell, probably one of the most-visited towns in the Peak district. As I was early, and I rarely get the chance to get pictures that are not full of people here, I decided to do a photo shoot. There's a link above to their own site, where you can get any info' you need, but this is my own little montage of a place I love, especially when there's no-one about!

I suppose any photoshoot in Bakewell HAS to include the old Bakewell pudding shop, and here it is. There are several claims to who was the 'first', the 'original' etc etc, but for me, this is the one. If you haven't tried a pudding - you don't know what you're missing! You can go and get one (the best way), or you can order one by post. They will post to anywhere in the UK mainland.

There are quite a few back alleys with little coffee shops and restaurants in Bakewell. This one used to be just an alley, but like such a lot more, it has been developed. They seem to know how to do this JUST right in Bakewell, and here is the result. This one even has grapevines strung across it for that extra added something to make it look good.

Here's another one. Notice the huge stone trough on the left - over a thousand pounds worth there I imagine, but again just a little touch of class to make things 'just so'.

Here is Riccis, the BEST pasta and pizza place for many a mile. You can eat well here for under a tenner, and the quality of the food & coffee is exceptional. Only 'proper' ingredients are used, and cooked right in front of you. It's a little small, but I prefer to call it cosy and romantic. Try the house special cheesey garlic bread - bellisimo! Across the road is Tyroller Stubel (I think that's right). They sell a fantastic sausage called 'kasekrainer'. I always call and get four to take home, and have a super duck recipe to use them with.

This is looking back down the shopping alleyway where the trough is. It really is too pretty for words, isn't it?

The other main attraction in Bakewell is this bridge. It's so lovely, and old, yet copes well with the HUGE amount of traffic it gets in the present day (which it was NEVER built to handle!)

The arches are special, as they are not 'straight'.

Looking at it from the other side.

This is the smaller footbridge at nearby Ashford in the Water. This is called the 'sheepwash bridge'. On the other side bank is an enclosure where they used to herd in the sheep, then put them in the river to wash them. The arches are 'normal' on this bridge.

This time of year, the Buddleia is still in flower and attracting lots of butterflies. here are a couple of shots I got on my walk around bakewell.

http://www.butterflygarden.co.uk/plants/buddleia.htm

And that's it! I hope you like the pictures, I LOVED taking them :-)

There are more pictures on my other blog at www.walkderbyshire.blogspot.com

Please sign the guest book, and you can click on any picture to see a larger one.

UNCHARTED TERRITORY

2006-08-27T12:52:00.000-07:00

Today I decided to do something I have been wanting to do for a long time - walk over Ravenstor crags. The thing is, I HAD contemplated doing it before, but a friend I had with me at the time was reticent to 'break the law' and trespass. Now, however, we have the 'right to roam'. I KNOW it's controversial, BUT I am really happy about it. You see, I AM a good walker, I don't drop litter, or fag ends (don't smoke) or anything else, especially not remains of fruit - banana skins etc (no mate - they don't look good, whether they bio-degrade or NOT - take them HOME with you).
I knew that across the dale, on the other side, they had opened up the top ridge and put in new stiles. To my amazement, and joy, there was a new stile here on this side too, so off I set.
I had to 'bushwhack' a bit, as it was VERY overgrown, but I was well rewarded with what I saw and the walk I got. It's amazing, but very precarious. The path is tummy-churningly close to the sheer drop in some places.
Anyway, first off, I got a whole new perspective on the viaduct at Monsal head, and here's a the first picture I got looking back to it. You can double click on ANY pictures in my blogs to see a bigger version.

Of course, there were some very nice rocks to stand on, and me being me - I just HAD to go and stand on one!

This is the view coming to above Water cum Jolly dale. If you look, you can see the 'alpine path' halfway up the dale on the opposite side. The top ridge is where I walked a few weeks ago, after it was opened up, as I said before.

I just took this one because I thought it looked nice with these berries for foreground. It's Water cum Jolly dale village.

So - here was where I wanted to get - and GOT! This is looking down to the Ravenstor cottages (all but ONE are holiday lets!!!!). Many a climber has stood here after the arduous climb up, so I felt I was cheating walking there, but it sure felt great to BE there after longing all these years.

There is also Wardlow Hay Cop nearby, and as it was never 'permitted' (although locals have been going there for YEARS) to visit it before, it now was, so I thought I ought to go there, just to say I had.

Now I was coming back to ordinary public footpaths, and I dropped towards Cressbrook dale. I got a short shower here, but nothing of substance. I sat in the dale in the warm sun, and ate my lunch beneath Peter Stone (pic later). This is a really beautiful dale, either looking from above or in it, and in the spring, it's filled with cowslips and early purple orchids.

As Blogger doesn't seem to like too many pictures in one post, I have had to split this, so you will just have to scroll down to read the second part. Enjoy!
Les.

UNCHARTED TERRITORY 2

2006-08-27T11:44:00.000-07:00

.....continued - I don't think Blogger likes TOO many pics, so I have to split this post into two!
Anyway, after leaving 'uncharted territory', I dropped into Cressbrook dale. I had read on a notice at Wardlow Hay Cop that there were Exmoor ponies in the dale - six of them, but I only saw these three. I was befriended after giving them the remains of my fruit cores from lunchtime. That's Peter Stone (the limestone lump) in the background.

A short walk up the dale brings you to another world - the Three Stags heads public house. Two other walkers asked me if I knew the pub, and I said yes; "What's it like", one asked. Well, the only word I could come up with was 'unique'. As far as I'm concerned, it's a MUST on this walk, but some people don't like it. You see, at the Stags, the dog is king! The floor is often teeming with up to eight dogs. They serve food too, so you really have to have your wits about you if you order when there are a few dogs in - especially Jeff, the landlords, as he has them on a diet at the moment, and they are out for every extra scrap they can get - by fair means or foul! It's like stepping back in time, with the stone floors, old black lead fireplace and scrubbed wooden tables. The sign above the bar sums it up; 'PLEASE don't ask the landlord for draught lager, as a smack in the gob often offends'. He MEANS it too! Here you see the lovely fireplace (complete with ubiquitous dog). I think this one is called 'Hussy' - you'll have to go and ask Jeff why - but DON'T sit in that chair on the right of the fire - that's JEFFS, and he will turf you out if you dare to sit there. Also, see the frying pan on the left with holes in the bottom? that's for cooking chestnuts! One of the guys in the pub had a LOVELY old Porche parked across the road.

After whetting my whistle in the Stags, I passed through Wardlow village. By now, the day had turned to perfection. Just LOOK at this sky, and it really compliments the limestone when the sun is on it like this. have you ever seen a more perfect setting? No wonder these village houses are so sought after - and expensive £££££££££££!

After the village, Longstone moor comes into play. At this time of the year, the moor is purple with the heather, oh - and the SMELL!!! I was climbing up towards it on the tops, but I could already get the scent in my nostrils.

Here I am on the top of the moor, and you can see the heather now. I also had a feast of lovely ripe blackberries, hardly browsed at all. It was about 22C with a nice, cooling breeze. A walker couldn't ask for conditions better than today.

I dropped off the moors and into Little Longstone. This cottage; 'stocks cottage', has the old stocks frame outside, and a feature has been made of it. I love the way they have curled the wall around it - maybe it was in the garden of the cottage originally? They have a very good pub at Little Longstone too.

A nice end to the walk, and one of my favourite photographs - Little Longstone chapel. When I first started walking, this was the first photo I had blown up to frame. I still love it now. It used to have telegraph wires running behind it, which spoilt the pictures somewhat, but now they are hidden, so it is perfect.

23rd july walk (continued)

2006-07-24T16:01:00.000-07:00

I am sorry about this, but I have got these posts back to front! This was done before I learned how to use blogger best. You should read the first part (which is beneath this posting) first - thanks.

This is Foolow, an archetypal limestone village that vies for the title of 'prettiest village in Derbyshire', an accolade Tissington likes to assume, but for me, this is the winner as the ducks are more friendly!

I sat on a thoughtfully placed bench seat and had my lunch by the village pond, some of which HAD to go to the ducks (and the cheeky chicken).

This pristine old Jag' looked right in place outside the chocloate-box cottage. It was absolutely spotless, as was the interior, with walnut dash and twin rally clocks. (The only thing that looked wrong was the digital clock on the dashboard???).

This super view was from just outside Great Hucklow. This is my favourite type of sky, with the azure blue complimented by the fluffy white clouds.

I don't know why, but old barns are just SO photogenic, don't you agree? In Yorkshire, there is a scheme to 'do up' the dilapidated ones, and I would like to think this could be done here too.

Along with the stone walls, these ubiquitous buildings are part of the Peak district and I love them.

Sitting on high, looking towards Win Hill (the little bump on the horizon ridge). There was an incredible 360 degree panorama from here.

I hear that we have lost quite a few of our butterflies in this country. Only 76 species remain, half a dozen of which are on the endangered list. It's such a shame, as they are my favourite insect. I have a buddleia
bush to attract and feed them in my garden. You can find out more here;

http://www.butterflygarden.co.uk/plants/buddleia.htm

The last leg of the walk was out of Litton and above Cressbrook dale. The limestone lump you can see in the dale is Peter stone. At the end of the dale is Wardlow Mires, where the Three Stags Heads pub is. If you've never been there, it's a really good experience, JUST like stepping back 100 years. The dog is king, and the food is just like we used to eat, with such delicacies as Rook pie, jugged hare or rabbit, and MUTTON!!!! Mmmmmm - I LOVE Mutton. You CAN get a curry as well, if you want to, but whatever you do - DON'T sit in the chair by the fire - that's ROY'S place, and woebetide anyone who sits there when he is behind the bar, they get short shrift, and a sharp word!

Almost back at the car now, and a look back and down to the Monsal viaduct, part of the old Buxton to Bakewell line. You can find out more about the line and its history here;

http://www.derbyshire-peakdistrict.co.uk/monsaltrail.htm

Walk one, Longstone, Foolow, Hucklow, Tideswell, Cressbrook walk. 23.07.2006

2006-07-23T12:34:00.000-07:00

This blog is all about pictures. If you want to see my pictures, well come back and visit often! Here I am, yours truly, Les - enjoying the perfect view on the perfect day. The weather has been VERY hot of late, a Summer at LAST, in fact! Today, I expected to be fried, but a cooling waft of a breeze and a little cloud turned the conditions into ideal for a walk. It was only 13 miles, but it had everything.

I hope you like these walks, this being the first, and I would ask you to please sign the visitors book, that way I'll know if what I'm doing is right.

This next images show you the well dressing at Little Longstone, this custom of dressing up the water sources in the villages is peculiar to Derbyshire. It takes a LOT of work and time to do these creations. They are made of only natural things, mostly petals and seeds. In the first one, you can see the dressing and the water troughs, in the second picture, a close-up of the detail of the 'ingredients' the dressing is made up of. A definative guide to where the well dressings are can be found here; http://sinfin.net/welldressing/welldressing.html

I am now going to do a second post, as I can't suss out how to get several pictures in a blog, with text between them?

The Lord save us from amateurs, eh?