'Twirleys'!

Why 'twirleys'?? Well, someone who worked on the buses once told me they called pensioners 'twirleys'. When asked why, he said that their bus passes were only valid for AFTER 10:00AM, but they often tried to board earlier buses. He said they'd show their pass, and utter the words; 

"AM I TOO'EARLY?

So, our aim was to see the wild garlic in all it's splendour in Great Shacklow woods. We'd seen the odd clump locally that was into flower, so we parked in Ashford in the Water to to begin our walk.

As always, a stop to take a shot of the photogenic sheep wash bridge.

 The swan thought there might be a chance of food from these passing walkers, and so drove the hungry ducks away, but he was left wanting - we hadn't got anything for him.

We crossed the A6 and took the turn left signed to Sheldon. Very shortly after, we left the road and joined the river Wye. First thing we noticed was the abundance of Marsh Marigold here.

Ahead was our goal - Great Shacklow woods. 

The path left the river at the site of the old mill, now a sad derelict thing.

I really AM surprised this place hasn't been done up as a dwelling. Maybe it's listed and can't be, I don't know.

Excitement - the first bunch of Ramsons (wild garlic) we saw was in flower!

But our joy was short-lived, as the main carpet of plants was still only in bud. The smell was still amazing, but, apart from the odd renegade, all the buds were closed.

So - we were 'Twirleys' :-)

Sue's favourite (or, one of them), the Wood Sorrel, was in full flower, and also in abundance along the path as we climbed, then dropped into and out of Great Shacklow woods.

We made our way towards our next goal, Deep dale. Again, in great hope of seeing the early purple orchids and cowslips this dale is famous for. Eagle-eyed Sue spotted this unusual black rabbit in the undergrowth.

We wondered about it's colour, was it a domestic escapee?

(Click on the picture to enlarge)

As we entered the mouth of the dale, we saw our first cowslips.

The orchids too - we were NOT to be disappointed in this area!

Superb blooms all around, and really at their best right now.

The weather, as predicted, took a turn for the worst as we made our way across the fields towards Sheldon. We'd had a couple of very light showers as we walked up Deep dale, but this was much heavier, and we got a good soaking.

When we reached the village, the sun was back out, and a strong breeze was drying us out quickly, so we decided to go off-route to visit Magpie mine. A 16th century mine with a VERY chequered past! You can read about it if you CLICK HERE

Now then, it's like a smorgasbord here - should we have the turkey, or the lamb?

They took a dislike to us, and 'saw us off'.

A short walk across the fields brought us to the mine, always an impressive sight in any weather. Brooding when the skies are dark, almost menacing, but a thing of beauty in blue skies.

Here, in the heavily-leaded spoils, you can see wild pansies, and at the right time of the year, leadwort.

The old crushing wheels and other detritus from the era of working lay all around.

Looking back to the mine as the skies start to clear.

Sue strides out to explore further.

Pansy faces smile in the warming sunshine.

The old ore-lifting apparatus.

 This is what's known as a 'horse gin', which was used to raise the lead ore to the surface.

After a good half-hour exploring, we left the mine to go back to Sheldon.

The sky now really clearing made for super-clear pictures.

As always, the white of the limestone walls looked great with the blue sky backdrop.

I always marvel at the man-hours that went into the building of these many walls.

A small clump of forget-me-not caught my eye.

At Lower farm, we saw this woolly faced sheep. Not sure of the breed, but it really reminded me of the sheep dog in the 'wily coyote' Disney cartoons!

We dropped into Little Shacklow woods, and the next carpet of garlic - still not out.

Yes, it was shorts weather! Well, not quite maybe today, but I was feeling hardy.

We slithered and slipped as we dropped back down to the Wye, and re-traced our steps back to Ashford.

An evening 'stroll' - 7 1/2 miles

After having no choice but to go to Chesterfield during the day, we felt cheated of a walk on our day off. However, with the nights now drawing out, we decided to go out locally for the last three hours of daylight. I'd seen a picture posted on facebook of bluebells in Cumbria. 'That's strange', I thought, 'they're usually at least two weeks behind us'! So, I needed to see if the bluebells were out in our local woods.

We left our cottage and dropped down into Bakewell town.

This is looking downstream on the river Wye, from the famous Bakewell stone bridge.

We wandered along the river, enjoying the cool but bright evening. It wasn't long before we saw them - a sea of blue! So - we HAD got our own show.

It was a joy to see them dancing in the breeze - LOADS of them, all around us.

It was also exciting to see this huge badger sett, at least twenty holes in it.

The smell, oh, the smell, simply divine!

We left the woods and crossed the fields towards Haddon hall. On the way, we saw this fine pair of horns.

This fallen tree shows the power involved - a strong, steel fence, crushed & flattened like so much matchwood.

Next, it was 'up and over' to Lathkill dale. We passed this fine barn on the way.

Looking back, a zoomed picture of Haddon hall.

Looking south from the path over the top, wonderful views this evening.

Then, after crossing a couple of more fields, we dropped down through the woods towards Lathkill dale. The evening sun creating long shadows.

Raper bridge, and a smiling Sue

The bridge and weir.

Then, after walking through trees and crossing Conksbury bridge, we entered the dale proper. 

This is one beautiful dale, especially so on a night like this.

Marsh marigold in profusion here.

A Pen, on her nest, incubating the next generation, is guarded by the Cob.

 The church at Over Haddon

We called into the local pub, the Lathkil hotel, and I just can't get to the bottom of WHY it only has one 'l' in its name?

The beer was nice though :-)

A short walk in the now evening chill brought us home for a well-deserved dinner.

Manifold valley walk.

Way back in 1970 is when it all started - I was taken to the Manifold valley on a school field trip, and fell in love! Some pals and I had a week camping and walking there after the school trip whetted our appetite, (and generally making nuisances of ourselves, getting lost, etc etc). As naughty teenagers do, I carved my initials in a barn door - and they are STILL there today (although painted over several times).

Ecton hall, where we parked the car to start the walk. This hall is striking in the fact it has a copper roof, and over time, this has oxidised so it's now green. If you click on the picture, you'll get a larger version, and can see this.

Simple starkness like this always takes my eye.

Early spring sees the blossom blooming.

Huge, blue skies was the order of the day, great for views and pictures.

A lot of the high walking in the Manifold valley is rewarding, as views are particularly good on a clear day,

The lovely little village of Butterton, sleepy today, with its ford across the road.

Sue debates whether to walk through a slippery-looking ford, or go via the footpath above.

The spire of Butterton church.

After Butterton, we dropped into a wooded grove. The path was difficult to find.

Sue tries to suss out if we are where we're supposed to be.

Me? I got my sandwiches out!

At Upper Elkstone, we saw this impressive bell on a private house that used to be a school, but this other one was on the small chapel.

Elkstone chapel and graveyard.

We were soon up high again, and the views were superb.

Two slight wisps were all the cloud we saw all day.

One of many Manifold barns, roofless and in need of some TLC.

Lots of sheep, but no sign of lambs here yet.

We dropped back into the valley as the evening sun was casting an orange glow over the hillside.

Wetton mill, where it all began back in 1970.

The ford at Wetton mill.

We walked along the valley floor in the dying light of the day, passing through an old tunnel from the days of the Manifold light railway.

You can read about it by clicking HERE

We reached the car shortly after the tunnel, and looked back on a sometimes 'challenging' walk, navigation-wise.

Here are a couple of well-hidden stiles on the route!