Derbyshire dales...

Thanks for lovely comments on my last couple of posts - seems there are a few people out there enjoying the rippling fest that is going on in blogland at the moment! I feel encouraged to keep going with it!

A couple of weeks ago I managed to escape for a couple of days to Derbyshire, partly to visit son 2 who is living and working just south of Derby and partly because I had a burning desire to walk up hills! I know that sounds a bit daft but when you live in East Anglia hills are in very short supply and, for me anyway, nothing beats that satisfaction of getting to the top of a hill/mountain. I love that sense of achievement, combined with the feeling of the world spread out beneath you. Even small peaks have this effect on me, it might be just a valley or a small patch of countryside beneath me but it still takes my breath away for a few minutes (or maybe that's just my lack of fitness climbing the hill???!!!).

Unfortunately, this was the week the weather was just beginning to turn and so it was a bit grey and windy but undeterred I set off at 8am when S was heading off to work and was in the Dales and walking by 9am.

Not the most auspicious start to a footpath...

However, I set off past the gents and the path soon opened out...

It really wasn't a difficult path to follow but very pleasant through a gentle valley and through young woodland...

...past a bubbling stream...

The odd sheep gave me a cursory glance as I walked past...

Believe it or not, this bit was steeper than it looks...!

I had to stop at the top of this bit for what is known in our family as a 'tactical gawp'!! Once I'd got my breath back I followed the path into a track that passed a derelict barn...

and then this wide spread of countryside appeared...

Not dramatic, in the way that the Lake District or the Scottish Highlands are, but very easy on the eye all the same, even with grey skies. I don't think the photos really do it justice.

More animal life...

Isn't the brown one in the middle pretty?! (or is that just me?!!)

Just as I was beginning to hallucinate about tea and cake (essential component of any good English walk, I always feel!), this appeared, with a sign just out of shot that said cafe!!!

This is a Jacobean mansion, which for many years now has been Hartington Youth Hostel - and made a great cup of tea!!

I had a bit of a dilemma at this point as, according to my little book of 'Circular walks in the Derbyshire Dales' this first walk should have taken about 5 hours. I was sipping my tea ten minutes from the starting point at 11.30 so I think this was something of an underestimation! I do like to stride out and feel I've had a proper leg stretch but I don't walk that fast!! A quick look at the OS map and I decided to head a bit further North and satisfy that 'Up' itch! So back in the car and up towards Macclesfield to walk up a little peak called Shutingsloe. 

I took the approach from the South East, from a little village called Wildboarclough from where you could see the hill across the valley...

This was a short sharp walk - the top is only just over 500m, but you are rewarded with great views across Cheshire and even in the rather bleak skies that day it was worth it...

It was sooo windy up here, I could barely keep on my feet or hold the camera still! But it certainly blew a few cobwebs away and was just what I needed.

The next morning dawned brighter but very cold - one of those crisp autumn mornings - so I just took a quick trip into Ashby-de-la-Zouch before heading back across to Norfolk. This is a pretty little market town and lovely to walk round early. The light was lovely on the castle...

and the fallen leaves were glowing in that low Autumn sunshine...

And... to top my couple of days, I found a very cute little crafty shop with some yummy yarns so it had to be done...

This is King Cole Riot DK - a wool and acrylic blend - and is just so soft and scrumptiously squishy. I have Christmas presents in mind and bought a pattern (I think this is the first time I've ever bought a crochet pattern, other than the odd book)...

I have a couple of people in mind for these scarves - perfect projects for the next couple of train trips to London I thought! Will let you know how I get on! 

I have loads more to share but feel this has gone on long enough! Will try to catch up with myself over the next couple of days - I have this months garden pics and some finished objects to share with you, plus update on the rippling...