Friday was a beautiful sunny day - a rare thing in England this summer. When Steve rang and suggested an outing to Edale we didn't take much persuading. The title was inspired by one of my favourite Enid Blyton series', though that particular Five actually included the dog Timmy so I'm cheating a bit:) Our Five consisted of DH, Steve,Hannah, grand-daughter Kaitlyn and yours truly plus, of course, the inevitable Mr B Baggins. Edale is made up of several small hamlets which were originally shepherd's booths or shelters. It is in the centre of some fabulous walking country which I intend to explore more thoroughly in the near future. Most of the photos would benefit from clicking and enlarging.
The Old Nag's Head dates back to 1577 and was originally a smithy. It is now the official start of the Pennine Way which runs for 270 miles along the backbone of England. It runs through the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, across Hadrian's Wall and the Cheviots finishing up in Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish borders. This is a walk I'd love to do though probably with a guide led group as my map reading skills are pretty well non existent - frequent remarks by DH about it helping if I had the map the right way up will give you some idea:)
We passed this pretty group of cottages as we walked through the village.
Interested spectators - the interest was mutual as far as Kaitlyn and Mr Baggins were concerned. K kept pointing and after granny had said 'sheep' several times we got pointing accompanied by 'eep' 'eep' :) Bilbo Baggins of course was on a lead much to his disgust. He was anxious to demonstrate his sheep herding skills to us.
K with her sunhat rather askew and showing off her unicorn reins which she loves wearing. At 16 months old she walked a considerable amount of the way up this hillside path. We were rather proud of her and I gather she slept extremely well that night:)
Just one of the views as we walked.
B Baggins enjoying a drink and cooling his paws in a moorland stream.
As we get higher the heather starts to appear along with the gritstone rocks of the Dark Peak.
A solitary rowan tree growing among the bracken and heather - so naturally I had to take this photograph.
Cute or what? The drystone wall is typical of this area - Derbyshire, Cheshire, Yorkshire and the Lake District. They are, I think, found mostly in the north of England. Dry stone walling takes a considerable amount of skill, as the name implies there is absolutely no cement involved. My dad could do it, he actually had quite a few old country skills though I didn't really realise it when he was alive. He could use a sickle and scythe and I suspect he also had some poaching skills too, he certainly came home with the odd rabbit or pheasant in his capacious pockets on occasion.
19 comments:
Rowan,
Those are wonderful photographs. The countryside is spectacular. Kaitlyn looks adorable with her unicorns on her back and Mr. Biggins was very well behaved!
The Old Nag's Head makes me wish that I lived in England. All of these buildings with so much history - we don't have them here. Nor do we have the spectacular walking trails ... I hope you post more pictures!
What a beautiful walk! All the photos just made me drool!! I want to stop at The Old Nag's Head, and then wander over the hills looking at all the heather. Thanks for letting me tag along. You might have to change your title to include all us bloggers, too! :-)
This was a wonderul day for you and your family, Rowan. Beautiful photos!
When you mentioned Yorkshire, it reminded me of James Harriott's books. I should read them again. His descriptions of the countryside and his stories are incredible. I love those books!
Pat
You've taken beautiful pictures yet again. What a gorgeous walk that was! I think it's wonderful that your granddaughter is already out enjoying nature. And I noticed her unicorn right aways- she's just adorable in her sunhat. I can't imagine having the skill to build a wall like the one you pictured- I found myself wondering how long that one had been standing.
Rowan, What beautiful pictures. When I double click on the pics the detail is stunning. How I love the old buildings and even the dry stone wall and the sheep . . . it's "almost" like being there. I could sit and look at the details of the houses and pub and landscape for too long. And your granddaughter is adorable and sweet with her little hat.
I always enjoy a visit. Thanks for sharing in your quiet, gentle way this beautiful part of the world. Janice
Wonderful photos - Edale:)- it is a lovely place. I love the dry stone walls - we recently did a walk around the National Stone Centre near Wirksworth and they have a permanent exhibition of dry stone walling with examples from all over Britain - the styles and techniques are all so different.
Another wonderful post Rowan.
Thankyou.
I DO like seeing the photos you take, I have inspirations of visiting England at some stage, the country and small village parts really appeal to me, I'm not a city person so exploring the countryside would be right up my alley. Love that Heather btw :-)
Many thanks for talking me along on your walk and for another look at the beautiful heather. Your country walks have so many interesting points along the way. Nothing like that here!
Julie
"Families, dogs and muddy boots welcome" - what more could one ask of a country pub? This one is pretty - how I miss real English pubs. The walk must have been envigorating across such beautiful countryside Rowan - and your sweet girl did well keeping up.
What a lovely day trip you had, Rowan! You take such wonderful photos!
Kelli
Your pictures are beautiful Rowan! What a wonderful trip that must have been.....seeing the heather in the pictures is breathtaking - I can only imagine being there & seeing such a sight!
Kathy
Rowan! thankyou so much for showing your walk.. that is something I would love to do. A friend of mine flew to England a few years ago and walked for 10 days across the Lakes District. My Pa could do the dry stone walling too. Little Kaitlyn is just darling, I love this age xo
It amazing the picture you posted. I've never heard the term gritstone before around here we have mainly granite.
With the rowan tree I notice there some fern looking items which actual look like what we have here.
Sound like everyone had a wonderful time.
What beautiful countryside Rowan and it looks so unspoilt. The girls and I had a bit of a Famous Five today (after the dreaded school shoe shopping) - a picnic on the Downs followed by sloe picking, rolling down the hills and an ice cream at the top!
Kim x
I can only echo the other comments, Rowan..a delightful post.. I keep enlarging one pic after another and then starting all over again.
I too love the all-welcoming sign outside the pub..as grany j pointed out this am, we are, more and more, becoming a land of no-nos.
My! I'd love to live in your neck of the woods! I'm a Derbyshire gal, it's in my blood.
Only last week I went by myself up into Derbyshire and I didn't want to come home! But the cats would miss me I think?!
I did it again, the previous 'anonymous was me, Sandie, from Sandie's Patch.Doh!
Hi Rowan,
What a lovely place you visited. I'm going to have to look up Edale on my map. It makes me realise that we ought to be more adventurous at the weekends and discover some new places. Maybe when the children leave home!
Anyway, I'm back down to earth with a bump after such an amazing summer. Thank goodness the sun is shining this week to help me!
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