Late Summer Sunday In The Peaks

I had forgotten how lovely The Peaks where until I had started visiting again recently. I do remember going in my youth and doing a bit of rock climbing and spending a weekend walking in Edale which was a little bit further north then we were today. My dad also used to take us annually to Matlock, Abraham Heights and the lit boat parade along The River Derwent.

Today we took a afternoon drive to a place we had just touched on earlier on in the week and decided to explore it a little further today. We went to Monsal Head a nice little beauty spot in The Derbyshire Dales. We ventured up on the peaks with great views over the surrounding countryside before walking over Monsal Bridge a impressive disused railway line viaduct come walking trail. Then it was down into the valley with the meandering river Wye cutting its way through the core. The valley was very lush green with plenty of grazing herds of my favorite cow the charolais which where enjoying basking in the late warm summer sunshine. We walked a long part of the river and Spritz and I took time to paddle in the clear river and cool my feet from walking while she chased ducks. We crossed a few bridges and came a upon two big weirs that dropped away sharply with the thundering sound of white pummeling water hitting the rocks below the force of which once would have powered the mills along the river bank. Finally we ended up at a lovely part of the river and gorge where the rugged crops of limestone and trees and peaks above reflected in the still waters of a place called Water Cum Jolly. Water Cum Jolly was a pretty little tranquil place and a haven for bird life and there was a few pairs of majestic swans gliding across the water breaking the stillness and sending ripples of beaming sunlight from above on the half shady half sunny cove. We saw some climbers tackling the limestone craggy cliffs above and a few ballons drifting overhead making the most of the early evenings thermals to get about.

Then sadly time had beat us for today and it was time for the journey home after a rather lovely afternoon outing.

Monsal Dale Photos Link

MonsalDale Slide Show Link