Saturday, November 25, 2017

Dovedale

What a difference a day makes! Yesterday we walked in bright winter sunshine at Dovedale, today we woke up to a light covering of snow. 

We hadn't been to Dovedale for ages as it being a 'honeypot' in the Peak District it is always very busy but yesterday apart from one large walking group, a couple of dog walkers and a couple of fly fishermen it was reasonably quiet.

The sun was so bright as we walked along it was casting a gold shadow over the water of the River Dove.

The water in the river was quite high and had burst over the edges of the bank in some places.

The water was flowing along quite swiftly too.

The well known stepping stones which I used to love jumping across as a child.  Yesterday I found them quite challenging.
I did make it across with a supporting hand from my fellow walker.  I find age brings with it some challenges and uncertainties.  Not feeling as sure footed as I used too, not hearing people or bikes coming up behind me and finding walking towards the winter sun quite challenging.


We walked on along the path, the stark leafless trees looked wonderful against the bright blue sky.

Birds swooped overhead and landed on the bushes up on the slopes.  We also saw a dipper on the river and there were plenty of wrens and robins about.

We weren't sure if the birds we saw landing on the bushes were fieldfares or redwings

I only managed a very poor photo and can't tell what it is although we did see fieldfares as we drove down the lanes on the way to Ilam and Dovedale.

We also saw two male pheasants having a scrap.

and lots of fungus on a tree by the river.

It was quite chilly even in the sun and my fingers were getting cold.

It was time to head back to Ilam for coffee and scones at the National Trust cafe before we returned home.  It was so good to get out into the fresh air.

32 comments:

  1. Lovely Rosie.I haven’t walked at Dovedale for years and that was in the summer time. Bet those stepping stones were challenging and very slippery. Glad you made it across ok. So lovely to see the winter outline of trees against the blue sky. Beautiful. B x

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    1. There was quite a large gap between two of the stones that made me want to turn back as I could see myself slipping into the water but I persevered and made it across without geting wet:)

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  2. It is a "honeypot" but it's also a unique and beautiful bit of countryside. I used to lead walking groups there in what seems like a former lifetime. The photo looks like a Redwing as it appears to have a light stripe above the eye, which is the distinguishing mark to look for.

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    1. It is very unique and beautiful too. I imagine you used to lead groups such as the one we saw who had all stopped near the stones to listen to their leader and take sips from their flasks whilst they waited for a few stragglers to catch up. I thought it might be a redwing but it was at such a distance and I was looking for a red spot under the wing rather than the eye markings, thanks for the information:)

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  3. Another beautiful walk. I'm like you, I'm very cautious in my walking now, I fear a fall. When I was young it never occurred to me that I might fall.

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    1. Thanks, Janet. I too fear falling especially going down inclines which when I was young I would just run down as the impetus took you forward:)

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  4. Beautiful photos Rosie with the golden light on the water. x

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    1. Thanks, Simone, the golden light was wonderful just as if someone had gilded the water with gold paint:)

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  5. Beautiful photos.We stayed near there a couple of years ago for a December family gathering.It reminded me what a super area it is.We als late in the NT at Ilam.Thanks for that.

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    1. It is a lovely area, I like Dovedale but Ilam and the walks there are my favourites because of the views of the hills and the church and village. The tea shop was quiet just us and four others:)

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  6. What a beautiful walk & thanks for taking us along. Seems we have similar tastes in photography when out walking & I'm also more conscious of being careful these days too, due to age. I love your Peak District & have only glimpsed a wee bit of it on our visits to UK. Take care.

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    1. Hello Susan, thank you for visiting and for your kind comment. I'm glad to have brought back some memories of your visits there:)

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  7. I know Dovedale must get busy at certain times, but I would love to go there. Your photos look magical with the light and shadows on the hills and reflections in the water. We intend to go out into the Peak District as I want to go over to Castleton, but I'm sure there'll be either mist or even snow now. The weather can be so changeable.

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    1. It is easier to visit Dovedale out of season and also as early as you can before people start to arrive. We once went on the day after Boxing Day and it was so very busy whilst up at Ilam is was so calm and peaceful. I hope you get to visit one day soon. I love the festive season at Castleton but haven't been for ages to see all the lit Christmas trees:)

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  8. It's a lovely walk if you can do it at quite times :) Lovely photos.

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    1. Sometimes early winter mornings are quieter but it is hard to avoid the crowds, we just struck lucky on Friday:)

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  9. Such a beautiful walk, with lots of interesting sightings along the way. The fighting pheasants, in particular.

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    1. The pheasants flew in had a go at each other and then one flew off, territorial behaviour I expect. The males are very colourful and attractive birds. Glad you enjoyed the walk:)

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  10. What beautiful photos Rosie, it looks a perfect day for a walk in such a splendid area. How I wish I was there too! Not with any snow though. Brr 😊

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    1. I'm glad it wasn't snowing when we visited although it woud have looked wonderful with a covering of snow:)

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  11. Beautiful photos and a lovely walk - I haven't been to Dovedale for years it was a place we used to go a lot when I was little. Good to know it is quiet in the winter! I know the feeling well of not being so sure-footed and hearing problems! There are parts of old age that are not good! Well done on getting across those stepping stones :)

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    1. I think the worst is not hearing cycles or joggers coming up behind you on narrow paths, bikes don't seem to have bells anymore although my tinnitus would probably blank them out anyway. Cyclists seem to think you can hear them shouting 'coming through' or 'move' but it isn't always clear where the noise is coming from. We used to visit Dovedale when I was a child too for picnics and walks - it is very beautiful:)

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  12. What a beautiful walk that must have been. There's such variety in the landscape.........and so much colour. I loved seeing the photo of the pheasants.

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    1. Thank you, it was such a beautful day and the sunlight highlighted so many of the landscape features and cast a golden light over everything:)

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  13. I enjoyed our walk and especially the abundance of water. We've had very little rain so far and the landscape is looking quite dry. I envy your snow, I wish we had some, it must make everything look so festive.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Thank you, Amalia. I love snow if I don't have to travel in it. The snow had disappeared by the end of the day. I expect we will have some more heavier snow before winter is done:)

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  14. Wonderful trail and lovely photos too. Greeting to you.

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  15. I love Ilam and have been a number of times but I've never been to Dovedale. How smart of you to get away from the hideous commercialism surrounding Black Friday and get out into the glorious countryside. Your photos are glorious too, that beautiful low November light! I am glad you had a good day. x

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    1. Although I like both places I much prefer Ilam and we go there more often than Dovedale. I don't like black friday which seems to go on for over a week now and then we had cyber monday!! Thanks Mrs T we had a lovely day:)

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  16. I know that Dovedale is a very popular tourist spot during the season, so it must be nice to have it almost to yourself at this time of year. It is a pretty spot and your photos capture the beauty of this wonderful countryside. I miss English countryside and also the fact that, at the end of a walk, you can usually find somewhere to have a warming cup of coffee and a scone. If we go out, we have to take our own refreshments, especially in winter, as nothing is open out of season. Thank you for sharing your walk. Marie x

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    1. Thanks, Marie. It is a lovely area and it was good to find it not so busy. We do often take our own refresments with us but if we know there is a good cafe on route we usually like to visit it for a break:)

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