EN GARD(OMS)!

A super-perfect day to walk. A relief after having no choice but to work last Tuesday, which was a good day too. We so wanted a good day today to get some air in our lungs and see the approach of spring.
The beginning of the walk was slightly marred by the discovery that yet ANOTHER 'wild' car park was being fitted with a tax machine (otherwise known as a pay and display machine).
You can probably tell, I wholeheartedly disagree with these silent tax collectors. This would be the last time I parked here.

We left the Robin Hood car park and climbed through the birch trees to gain Birchen edge. The trees are JUST starting to show signs of new life.

Looking up onto the edge, we could see the monument to Lord Nelson, standing proud.

 These rocks are called the three ships.

 Nelson, and his three ships.

We were soon up high on Birchen edge, with the breeze in our hair. It was quite strong, but very refreshing. This is looking back along the edge.

Again, the ubiquitous view of Mining Low. I have said many times that this place is amazing. It can be seen from most high places in Derbyshire. It's just SO distinctive, with its ring of trees and central tall tree, you can't mistake it. I know it's hard to see from this picture, but it's definite from your eye.
You can 'get up close and personal', and see my blog posting, where we walked up to Mining low by clicking HERE

You can also enlarge this picture by clicking on it too.

 Looking back through the ships to Nelson's monument.

Always a favourite with climbers, today was no exception, and there were two or three parties taking the strain on the rope.

Me at the trig point (yes, spring is here - time for the shorts to go on).
Sadly, this trig' point, like so many others, has now been disowned by the Ordnance Survey, and is no longer given a lick of new paint. They are all fading into the scenery as they become more and more drab and green.

 Yes, it was a bit breezy, and here's Sue, wondering if I'm after the insurance by sending her to stand on the edge for a picture :-)

 QUICK - TAKE THE PICTURE!!!

We reached the end of Birchen edge and continued to the Sheffield road where we crossed it and made for Wellington's monument and Baslow edge next.

On the bridge, we looked over and spotted these two frogs having.....ahem..... a 'good time'. Typically (Sue said) the female was doing all the work swimming, while the male was having a lazy ride on her back.

This could 'spawn' all sorts of comments (groan).

cat's cradle in the sky - courtesy of air traffic.

The wide track up to Baslow edge. Usually, there's a herd of highland cows here.

At the end of the track, we came to another monument to another great man - Wellingtons monument.

Then, it was time for lunch. A handy bench is situated just before Baslow edge, so we took full advantage of it, and the stunning views.

 The village of Curbar, from Baslow edge.

Another rock for Sue to stand on (note - standing safely back from the edge)

Of course, I had to have a go too!

Looking North along Baslow edge to Curbar edge. Curbar gap is between the two, and this would be our 'halfway house'. We intended to drop below this edge and walk back towards the car.

Looking South along Baslow edge.

The highland cows we expected to see on the track were out for the day, and we came across them here. You can see a video of the cows coat in the wind by clicking; HERE



Most of them were fairly docile (if you leave them alone), but this one wasn't happy with me taking his picture!!

You don't argue with a set of horns that impressive!!
We pressed on to the Topographic plate at the end of Baslow edge.

 A lovely setting to put the plate.

 We dropped down off the edge, and I took this photo.
You often see this shot on Derbyshire calendars.

 Curbar edge, from below Baslow edge.

 A MUCH more relaxed herd, just taking in the sun with their new calves.

 We spotted this remote 'graveyard' which, on investigation, is NOT a graveyard at all, but the remains of a hay barn! The 'headstones' are actually columns on which boards were put to store the hay off the ground. The walls of the graveyard are the ruins of the barn walls. All this information was imparted to me by a local historian, Dr David Dalrymple-Smith.
You can see his website by clicking HERE

Another of the strange sculptures scattered around Derbyshire. We saw our first one a couple of years ago near Arbor Low, and have seen several since. You can read about them by clicking HERE

Strangely, all but this one get a mention on that site (and the web address is at the bottom of the sculpture)??

We crossed the Sheffield road and climbed up onto Gardoms edge. This is the view over the valley towards Wellingtons monument.

 And looking South along Gardoms edge.

We found this abandoned stone trough. It looks like someone had started to hew a trough out of the rock, and for some reason, decided not to finish it?

 Looking over the fields to Birchen edge, where we were this morning.

Before returning to the car, we searched out and found this 'stone' just off Gardoms edge. It's actually not a stone, but a plaster cast of the original, which after being excavated, was re-buried.
You can read about the archaeological find, click; HERE

 Just before dropping down to the road and car park, we had time to take a shot of this outcrop of rocks called 'the three men'.

With flat caps, I presume?

 If you look, you can see Nelson's monument over on Birchen edge, just to the left of the three ships rocks.

Then it was quickly back home and off to Nottingham to the theatre. Not a long walk today, but very satisfying, and in perfect conditions. 

As Sue said - one of those 'good to be alive' days.