Take the Strine!

After WEEKS of not getting out, we were really grateful the weather men got it (mostly) wrong. The outlook wasn't great, but we set off anyway. I'd decided to visit the Strines area, and in particular wanted to try to get close to a folly we'd seen from afar on previous walks.

Wikipedia gives this information;

At 53.4055°N 1.6549°W, high on the south flanks of the reservoir at a height of 315 metres stands Boot's Folly, also known occasionally as Strines Tower or Sugworth Tower. This is a folly constructed in 1927 by Charles Boot who resided at nearby Sugworth Hall. The 45-foot-high (14 m) square tower with castellated top and flag pole was built from left over stone when the nearby Bents House was constructed. The stone for Bents House had come from the disused Bents Farm and Pears House Farm when they were demolished. Boot's Folly was constructed to provide work for Sugworth Hall’s workmen during The Depression. Today the interior is bare but it originally had wood panelling and a spiral staircase, the staircase was removed some years ago after a cow climbed the stairs and became stuck. The Folly gives fine views of the reservoir and Bradfield Dale.^[6][7]

Talking to a local guy, the legend is FAR more romantic. He says that Charles Boot built the folly after his love left him, and would climb to the top, staring out into the distance in the vain hope of her return.

Who knows the truth, but the legend is good :-)

Anyway, this was the scene as we parked up on the Ladybower viaduct and booted up. A really pleasant sky, with a warm breeze and ideal conditions for photography.

Looking North up an arm of Ladybower, towards the Snake pass.

The ragwort was COVERED in millions of these banded caterpillars (click on the picture for a larger version)

Looking up to Bamford edge - the views from there today would be calendar quality!

Winhill pike, a great climb on any day.

Stanage - the 'big daddy' around here, loomed ever-present on the horizon.

After passing cutthroat bridge, and Moscar, we climbed to the top of the moors for our first view of the reservoirs. This one is Dale Dike, which burst and caused one of Europe's worst natural disasters in 1864. You can read about it HERE

Strines reservoir is hidden in the dip, for now.

Boots folly stands erect on the hillside above Sugworth hall, picked out by a shaft of sunlight.

Bents house nearby - a palatial pile indeed!

A beautifully ornate pair of metal posts mark the footpath in the grounds of Sugworth.

Your eyes are kept WELL away from the house though, as you pass through this tunnel of thick rhododendron.

Then things open out, and the folly is suddenly nearer. A footpath goes to the right of it, but it's very popular with walkers, and lots visit the tower (well - it's a must-do when in the area).

Boots folly.

Looking up the inside of the tower. As Wikipedia says, the tower is now a shell, having had the interior floors and stairs removed. You can still see sections of stair above, though.

A monolith indeed.

Strines reservoir, nestling in the valley.

Sue, dwarfed by the bracken, with Dale Dike reservoir behind.

Foxgloves LOVE hugging walls. Alas, they are getting past their best now.

Sue takes advantage of a shady retreat to appreciate the views.

We crossed the small bridge on the isthmus of the two reservoirs, and climbed to the road. We lay in the warm sun and had lunch. It started spitting with rain, but it was only a very light, short shower, so we didn't need to get the waterproofs on.

We spotted this robin. Either a female, or a young one, as the red breast was absent.

Butterflies were making the most of the thistle flowers.

After lunch, we decided to visit the Strines inn, a pub I'd not been to before, but Sue had. While were were there, I noticed this good example of an Ordnance survey bench mark cut into the wall.

You can read about them HERE

The garden of the inn.

A proud peacock was strutting his stuff. He didn't display his fine tail for me, though!

We left the pub as the sky darkened ominously. We began the climb up Foulstone road, a track that climbs the moors and takes you to Derwent edge. We could see many grouse butts to our left and right, ready the slaughter of the birds on the 12th of August.

The rain came, this time hard enough to make us don our coats etc. 

It rained for the entire climb, and only abated when we reached the crossroads of paths at Derwent edge.

You can see a video by clicking HERE

Soon, though, the skies started to clear again - JUST in time for our walk along the edge.

The dark clouds lightened, and the blue sky peeped. The great ridge started to look less threatening and the wind was warm.

The wheelstones, bathed in the now-warm sunshine.

The view north from Derwent edge.

Ever since I'd been coming here, I've wanted to climb these stones. I've always been a bit nervous, though. Today, determination got the better of me!

DID IT!!!

You can see a video of the view from the top by clicking HERE

 The now wonderful skies, and view along the edge. 

Looking back to the wheelstones.

We spotted this strange 'water trough' stone, probably done by a shepherd for his stock.

Now it was REALLY comfortably warm, with a strong breeze blowing. Time for Sue to relax in the sun.

You can see a video of the view from here by clicking HERE

The famous Ladybower viaduct, with Win hill behind. The submerged village of Ashopton is somewhere below the waves down there. You can read more about this here;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derwent,_Derbyshire

One of my favourite viewpoints.

Sue likes it too.

Crookhill farm, with Crookhill knoll behind.

Stanage edge comes into view as we make our way off Derwent edge, and start the descent to the car.

One for the album before we leave.

The light, playing some lovely tricks through the clouds.

Our path dips down, and Ladybower dam comes into view.

On a whim, we decided to treat ourselves to fish and chips at Longnor. They are particularly good there.

On the way, we passed the reef knolls of Parkhouse and Chrome hills, picked out nicely in the evening light.

After our fine feast, we made our way home. The walk was just over ten miles, with around 2,000 feet of ascent. Tired, but happy, we had had a good day :-)