IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

PLEASE READ; - THIS BLOG, PLUS MY 'BIGGERSTEPS' BLOG HAVE NOW REACHED CAPACITY, SO FROM TODAY (07.12.2012) IT WILL CONTINUE HERE; 

www.peakwalks2.blogspot.com

ALSO, further postings of Majorca are here;

www.furtherafield2.blogspot.com

I hope you continue to enjoy my blogs.

Les Singleton.

Calendar girl.

We turned over from October to November on the calendar, and there was a lovely autumnal scene around Ladybower. Sue decided that was where she'd like to go for our next walk, so I wrote the walk, and off we went. This was our first walk in Derbyshire for about five weeks, due to holidays, work commitments etc, so we were raring to go!

I decided to park on the viaduct to jig the walk start round a little. I usually park further up the reservoir. This is looking up Ladybower.

 We crossed the road, and immediately took the path up towards Crookhill farm. I really was hoping to see some mushrooms today, edible if possible, as the conditions were damp, BUT I had heard that it wasn't a good year for fungi. 

 After the initial steepness, the path eased a little. Looking back, we could see Bamford edge looking larger. This is a SUPER edge if you want pictures of the reservoir.

The twin peaks of Crook hill could be seen to our left. 

Looking back to Crook hill's distinctive peaks. 

 After all the recent wet weather, the going underfoot wad decidedly squidgy!

 We topped the rise, and took the path that runs alongside the wood. This area used to have terrible damage from four wheel drive vehicles and motorbikes, but since they were excluded, the path has recovered a lot. The view left was of the iconic lose hill to Mam tor ridge, part of the Castleton skyline walk.

 This time of the year, you can always count on gorse to add a splash of colour to an otherwise drab scene.

 We turned right to pass Lockerbrook farm and got our first glimpse of the reservoir since staring the walk. Normally, I would turn right, and go down through the woods to the Fairholme visitor centre, but that was the reason for parking in a different place - today we headed straight on, into the woods - a path I'd not walked before.

 One of my favourite photographic subjects - fungi. We'd not seen any of the edible variety, but this was a lovely bunch anyway.

 I also spotted this impressive, new bracket on a tree trunk.

 We were a week or two too late for the really splendid colours, but as the leaves had mostly fallen now, we had a warm, copper carpet to walk on.

 Just before we reached the valley and clearing, a Chinook helicopter flew by at ground level. One more minute, and I'd have got a video! We were now walking on level ground beside the Howden reservoir.

This trunk was suffering a full on attack by fungi, and it wouldn't be long before it crumbled down to earth. It looks like a grasping hand, reaching out of the ground,

Looking back to Howden dam, with water spilling over it.

 .....and forward to the Derwent dam towers

 The mighty Derwent dam. The water was rushing over Howden dam when we passed it, but it was barely trickling over the Derwent. The reservoir is brim-full, JUST.

 I usually only take photo's 'as is', but this one made a lovely subject for a sepia shot. It sort of gives the mood of this dreary, cold, damp time of they year.

 Something that we've only seen recently in the Peak District - hedge layering. Ingenious, the tall saplings are bent and chopped, and amazingly, they continue to grow, but horizontally! Less maintenance, and a thick cover for birds to nest in.

 We chose to cross to the 'quiet' side of Ladybower. It was a serene scene as we walked on the fallen leaves, the day all to ourselves.

 But, with the light fading, we reached the car. 

Looking up to Bamford, brooding over us as we left to go home. 

Our first walk for a while, and a really good day. Not bright, but dry, and for that, we were grateful.

Tis a LOVELY village.

Our focus today was the village of Tissington, arguably the prettiest village in Derbyshire. Well, I for one would argue with that, but that is how the place is feted. I’m sure Foolow, Parwich and a few others would want a shout out in that category! We’d not been there for, oooh, must be three or four years. Not one to neglect areas, I chose to visit it today.

September, month of mists and mellow fruitfulness. Also the month when the leaves start to give their dying show of brilliant colour. As yet, just the odd tree was showing the early signs. A few more weeks would see some of the wonders of autumn, and I’ll be hoping to catch some on camera.

The church in the village of Parwich, our starting point. Not sure what the bunting was for, but it made the streets look very pretty.

 Bad light on this picture, but i just HAD to show you these very old yew trees in the churchyard. Those trunks have got many years girth on them. You can read much more about ‘taxus baccata’ here; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxus_baccata

 One of the many lovely houses in the village.

We left the village by crossing a bridge over a small brook.

I noticed this fabulous stone planter, it looks like some kind of font?

 The squeezer stile out of the village.

 We were soon climbing and looking back over Parwich

This recently fallen tree made the stile very difficult to access and climb over.

Look at this though – what a lovely way to stop young lambs from getting through the stile, a tiny wooden door, sprung and hinged.

As I said in a previous walk ( http://walkpeaks.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/flagg-day.html ) Minning Low is visible from most high places in the White Peak (and beyond). Here’s a zoomed shot of it from the ridge above Parwich, before dropping down into Tissington.

How it looked without the zoom – still iconic and unmistakable.

A lone horse rider clops along the trail, fairly quiet today but usually bustling at weekends.

A colourful farm on the outskirts of Tissington, the ivy well on its way to full glory.

Tissington hall, viewed as we entered the village.

These strangely brown sheep took our eye as we walked past them. I don’t ever recall seeing any with this colouring before?

 A super scarecrow, but what was to follow was even better.

Edwards & Vintage 1940’s sweet shop – if you’re EVER in Tissington, it’s a MUST to see; http://www.edwardandvintage.co.uk/ Dave and Merrily (GREAT name) were most welcoming and gave us time, even though they were preparing for a magazine photoshoot.

Every sweet your heart could desire (and remember).

That's two shillings and sixpence, please.

With a period till to boot!

http://www.edwardandvintage.co.uk/sweetemporium

After treating ourselves to various childhood wonders (space dust, sherbert dib-dabs, merry maids), we reluctantly left. Our route now took us past the hall, and the imposing frontage. The whole village is owned by the hall, every house and business is rented.

The famous Hall well in the village. It is said that when many wells dried up in the past, Hall well always gave forth water, and the well dressings each year pay homage to this. Read more about Tissington here; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tissington

The village pond. This is the shot you see on all the Derbyshire calendars. Not too good a shot today though, as the sky was grey and overcast.

 An inquisitive new calf. This farm had over 40 calves, and we spoke to the farmer who said he was expecting the same amount again to be born before Christmas.

As we headed for the car, the rains came and we got a good soaking for an hour or so. Before the deluge, I got this panoramic shot. Not a great view, but my first with my new fancy phone that does panoramic shots for you. (Click on the picture for a larger view).