Saturday's Walk

Shall we take a walk?

It sounds like a good idea whilst the weather is still quite warm for this time of year but before we go I have to mention that I'm having trouble leaving comments on some of your blogs.  This has been happening for a couple of weeks now.  When I click in the box to make a comment on your posts the cursor doesn't appear, what I call a 'dead click.'  On some blogs I've been able to make comments again after a few days but others I still can't comment at all. So apologies, I have been visiting and reading, hopefully things will resolve themselves soon.

Right, lets go for that walk.  We're at Ilam Park in the Peak District which is just over the hill from the more popular and sometimes very crowded Dovedale.

I've taken you here quite a few times over the years so I'll let the photos do most of the talking.

One of my favourite views from Ilam Hall (now a Youth Hostel) towards the church of the Holy Cross.

Above the distinctive flat top of Thorpe Cloud. Below a few photos of parts of the Hall.

 

It was built for Jesse Watts-Russell in 1821.  It replaced an earlier 16th century building.

 

 Above the Pepperpot Tower and below St Bertram's Bridge.  St Bertram's tomb is in the church.  The bridge crosses the River Manifold.

There was a buzzard soaring overhead as we walked.  It was being harassed by crows.

The paths were strewn with crunchy leaves.

 

A view of the hall from the bridge.

 

The River Manifold. 

 

Two Saxon Crosses in the churchyard.

 

Another Saxon Cross known as the Battle Stone along the path by the river.

These two sheep made me smile.

 

All for now.  Take care.

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.