walkpeaks: Still frozen in - so another walk from the cottage (with snow)

On Tuesday, it wasn't fit to get the car out, but seeing as we have a lot of walking right on our doorstep, we didn't have to! I know, I know - we've ALL had a great dumping of the white stuff, but I thought you might like to see what it's like round here.
Anyway, we filled up the flasks with hot coffee, and set off down to the town. There weren't many people about, and so I could get my pictures in peace. This is the riverside walk - in summer, we like to sit here and 'people watch' while we eat our lunch. It's a lovely, relaxing spot. That's the 'famous' stone bridge at Bakewell.

Looking downriver towards the park
The ducks don't seem bothered by the cold, just the fact there aren't
any people feeding bread to them today!

The gardens were pretty too.

Looking back along the riverbank, not a soul in sight.

Looking upriver from the bridge, that frost looks bloody HARD!

The stone bridge - the jewel in Bakewells' crown.

We began the climb up station road towards the Monsal trail.
This is looking over a snowy Bakewell.

Frozen berry, anyone?

I never can resist a picture of these when the snow sits like this.

The poor sheep rely on the farmer for food.

Whereas the robin has to fend for himself. Sue got these lovely shots of
one. He came really close to her, and we felt guilty that we'd nothing to feed him.

.....are you SURE you've not got any bread in that rucksack?

We walked along the trail for a while, then left it to cross the fields to Great Longstone.

They have a really lovely tree in the centre of the village.

We walked on to Little Longstone, with the photogenic chapel.

Then a few minutes walking later, we arrived at Monsal Head.
This is the usual view of the viaduct.
There is talk that they will be opening up the trail again from

Buxton to Bakewell, in what format though, I'm not sure.

They have lottery money to make the tunnels safe again, so whether it includes walkers, bikers or just trains, I'm uncertain.

It would be a massive boost to tourism though, if they did open them up.

This old sheep had a snow beard.

This old ram didn't!

Pennyunk lane, down to Ashford in the Water.
This lane is always a delight to walk, whatever the season.
In spring, it is adorned with the most fantastic wild flowers and hedgerows.

The bandstand at Ashford.
There was a little nativity scene there, made out of
what looked like sackcloth.

After Ashford, we walked by the Wye again back to Bakewell.
Today, it was a winter wonderland!

Now that's what I CALL a 'snow cone'.

This poor goalie looked frozen to death!
You'd have thought the match would have been called off ;-)

As night fell, we re-entered Bakewell,

and made our way along the lit streets, back to the cottage.
Just time for a couple of nice night shots, before a steaming mug of tea to warm our bones.