Derbyshire

On Saturday we left Exmoor and drove straight to Derbyshire, & the Peak District. We're staying in the same cottage at Barlow that we used in February. It's looking rather different now as not surprisingly there's no snow! The weather'sbeen mostly ok, warm but with a few showers. LB has been practicing thenewtechniques he learnt last week and has been successful with his fishing and we've both enjoyed some nice walks.

On Sunday we we had a gentle stroll through Dovedale. This is famously beautiful and, being a weekend w

as pretty busy. On our way home we turned off to visit Arbor Low. We'd never heard of it before but it is a very impressive neolithic henge dating from about 2000 BC. The stones are now all lying flat. They are thought to have been toppled in mediaeval times by people unhappy with their pagan associations. Even so it's an awe inspiring structure. There's a large circular earthwork with an internal ditch surrounding the stones and we spent some time sitting up high looking down and wondering what the place and the people were like when it was first built and in use.

Yesterday we did a slightly more strenuous walk in Cromford Dale. We climbed up to the Black Rocks above the town and then had wonderful views as we walked along the ridge, down into the valley where Arkwright built his first mills at the start of the Industrial Revolution. Although now a rural area there were plenty of signs of recent industry including an old stone steam engine winding house which used to haul trams up the incline which we used to get back down into the valley. Once off the hillside the walk followed the canal towpath past numerous families of waterbirds with their young. Here's yet another moorhen chick as I think they are so cute!

Fog

Off to do landscape photography workshop today but not much landscape to be seen!

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Bakewell & Chesterfield

Today has been a tale of two towns, Bakewell this morning and Chesterfield this afternoon. It was still quite snowy this morning so we had a picturesque drive to Bakewell for some food shopping including a scrumptious Bakewell Pudding and some cream Togo over it. This afternoon we're in Chesterfield to look for a cheap pay as you go phone We plan to run it on a different network to our iPhones just to make sure we have phone reception to keep in touch with the parents. We've had a look at the famously crooked church spire here. It's most definately bent and rather weird! Here's a photo

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Down the Pub

Love this place! Tiny village, no shops, two pubs. We're enjoying ourselves!

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Snow!

No fishing for LB today. We woke to a blanket of snow, put on our wellies and cags and headed down to the lakes. It is beautiful here at any time but even better in the snow. The trees are really picturesque. The geese didn't look too happy standing on an ice flow in one of the ponds and there were no fishermen to be seen. We had a pleasant walk for an hour or so before heading back to the cottage for lunch. Will probably get the camera out this afternoon for some more snowy shots. Elvie

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Heading North

LB & I are having a week away in the Peak District. We're on the road at the moment and here's a view of the Malvern Hills from the M5. There's certainly been more snow here than in South Wales. Our destination is Mill Farm Cottages at Barlow where we stayed last March. The weather is decidedly more wintery this time which should be interesting! The car is laden with thermals, fleeces, walking gear including boots and rucksacs, as well as camera and fishing kit. Personally I think LB is being a bit optimistic with the fishing gear. I've visions of him cutting a hole in the ice like an Eskimo ! Photos will be posted if available. Elvie.
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Back Home!

It was quite sad leaving our little cottage "The Nook" yesterday. We'd enjoyed our Derbyshire break hugely. In fact while there we had booked an extra night as we were enjoying ourselves so much. The place we stayed was Mill Farm Cottages at Barlow. The farm has devoloped a fly and coarse fishing centre with eight lakes in an idyllic valley just across the farm yard from the cottages. LB had fishing tuition on the first day and then got up early every morning to "thrash the water" as well as later in the day if we weren't out and about. Unfortunately he never did manage to catch anything but his casting is improving!

Our little one bedroom cottage was cosy and well equipped if a little old fashioned. The only downside was the fact that mobile phone reception started about 30 yards away across the farm yard and 3G a mile down the road. At least the yard was clean as the only animals were chickens, a horse, the fish and campers! So no sh*t! All my posts were therefore done on my phone while we were out and about hence being brief and to the point for once. Anyway I have now added text to the Bosworth Field photos, just in case you were wondering what that was all about!

To finish I have added a photo of the farm's horse as this is one of my first panning shots & I'm quite pleased with it

Elvie

Lathkill Dale

We're now heading back to our little cottage, pleasantly tired and with aching feet. Having done some more shopping in Bakewell we then set off on a circular 5 mile walk around the Rivers Bradford and Lathkill. It was brilliant and we feel we've earned our takeaway tonight! (Guess how the fishing's going!)

Stanage Edge

Had a wonderful day today, helped by the lovely sunny weather. It was a real bonus at this time of year. We first did some shopping in Bakewell, including the eponymous pudding (not tart ). We then had a walk along Stanage Edge. Here's LB at Robin Hood's Cave. We're nicely tired now and ready for our burgers. (yes No fish yet!) Elvie

Oops!

I forgot to add the photo!

No fish supper yet!

My hunter gatherer is trying hard to feed me. Fortunately there's a Tesco down the road. This is a lovely place but no 3G. Will post more details when I can get online with the computer. Elvie

Tickled Trout

Here we are at the Tickled Trout in Derbyshire. We're staying nearby. LB is having some fly fishing lessons while I do some photography. Sadly there were no trout for tea today. I hope his skills improve before we come home!

Bosworth Field

We're on our way to Derbyshire for the weekend but stopped off en route to visit the Bosworth Battle Heritage Centre. We thought it was actually at the real Bosworth Field but surprisingly no-one knows where that is. It's in the vicinity but there are three candidates for the site and there is no archaeological evidence for any of them! Anyway the information centre was very good. It's a time in history that I have always found confusing but it was very clearly explained with lots of fun, interactive exhibits. LB spotted the helmets. He quite fancied the full face lid but visibility through the visor was a bit limited. I don't think Arai or Shoei need fear the competition!

Elvie