At Castleton

I suppose I should really add that the Castleton in question is Castleton in the Derbyshire Peak District which I have visited many times as opposed to the small village of Castleton in the North Yorkshire Moors which I have only visited once when we were on holiday a few years ago and staying near Guisborough.

We parked in the car park near the visitor centre and walked over the road to have a coffee at the Three Roofs Cafe.

We then wandered up by the stream which runs through the village.  The water in the stream was so fresh and clear.   Peveril Castle was almost invisible in the morning mist.

I love this little shop with its window full of old miners' lamps.

We wandered up to the entrance to the Peak Cavern where the sound of the crows was echoing up above around the trees near the castle. Then we retraced our steps back into the village centre.

We had a wander around the churchyard as some of  Paul's ancestors are supposed to be buried here in the 18th century but most probably they weren't well off enough to afford a memorial stone. We also went into the church, which was open for visitors,  to have a look around.  The inside is very interesting and deserves a post of its own so I'll write more on that later.

As we went back to the car to put on our walking boots the castle was still half hidden in the mist.

We then set out to the top of the village to walk on the path across the fields to Speedwell Cavern.  Parts of the walk were still quite muddy and my boots grew heavier and heavier as they picked up the mud.

We returned to Castleton on Arthur's Way which runs alongside the road from Speedwell Cavern, behind which Winnats Pass was still shrouded in mist, even though where we were walking was clear.

As we returned to the village once again it was basking in warm sunshine.

It had been the most beautiful day for being out in the fresh air.