End of the driest spring on record.
I have lost count of the number of weeks we have all been in “lock-down”. Today, Thursday, is the 70th day since I came back off holiday; therefore I believe this is week eleven for the U.K. in general, my tenth week of trying to dodge the “coronavirus bullet”. These weeks at home have given me time to do exactly as I please. I am most fortunate to still have my essential shopping and laundry taken care of, and at long last, I am getting into some kind of daily routine of housework, meal preparation and at least twenty minutes’ walking most days. My promise to myself of not watching too much TV has yet to materialise! But I do have to confess to a possible obsession regarding “avoiding Covid 19 like the plague”.
I have ventured further in recent weeks. And in the final days of the end of May’s blistering heatwave, my red convertible Peugeot came into its own as I cruised around the Derbyshire Dales in glorious piping hot sunshine, a rare occurrence in this part of the world, even in these days of global warming. I had been to Bakewell on Monday for a routine eye test, and knowing that the following day would see the end of this period of decent weather, I drove out to Hurdlow for, initially, a four mile round trip walk to Parsley Hay, along what was once the railway line from Buxton to Ashbourne. The day was gorgeous with few clouds in an azure blue sky. Walking was most pleasant, and reaching the site of Parsley Hay Station, now a facility with toilets, cafe, and a place from where bicycles can be hired, it took seemingly far less time than I might have expected. I decided to carry on further to what is now known as Newhaven Tunnel, over which the A515 Buxton to Ashbourne main road passes. This former railway would meet the one time Midland route at Cromford. A stone plaque above the tunnel mouth at each end identifies the first operator of this railway, the Cromford and High Peak, and its architects. While the plaque at the Parsley Hay end is clear and sharp, that at the Cromford end is now hard to discern. The C.and H. P. Railway was established in 1825. The little I have read tells me the Railway opened in 1830. I first walked along here in the 1980s and ever since, I have been fascinated with this remote but much documented railway.
I didn’t stay too long, just long enough to take some present day images of the Tunnel. I turned around and walked back to Parsley Hay, stopping a while at the resting place, but not partaking of any refreshments. I continued back towards Hurdlow and then, a little further in the direction of Buxton. I don’t know about anybody else, but when I walk along here, with fields and gentle hills spreading to a distant horizon, the world doesn’t seem such a small place, which of course, it isn’t. I had covered around six miles, and although a wonderfully pleasant afternoon, I had little energy for much else when I arrived back home.
Right on cue, Wednesday had become decidedly cool, an irritating wind from the north banishing ten days of warmth to somewhere far from here. I had to go into Buxton to deliver my lottery payment, this would be my first trip into town since March 27th, the day I came back from South America. I still subscribe to the syndicate I joined whilst I was working. Any accumulated winnings are minuscule at the moment! While down town, I chose to experience lock-down Buxton for myself. Few places were open, and the grey sky added to impression of a ghost town with curious visitors walking through. I did meet somebody from church and we caught up a little bit. I came home, somewhat thankful that I lived on the edge of town where the impact of the current situation feels (for me at least) less severe.
Today, Thursday, there was little incentive to venture out. I did go to the local garage to sort out a replacement ignition key for the red car. This will be ready on Saturday. Tomorrow, I shall have to dress up warmly for another afternoon walk. I didn’t walk today; whereas on Tuesday, the temperature was in the high twenties Celsius, yesterday, the car indicated a maximum 11 degrees. It’s the same today….11 degrees Celsius.
Many thanks for reading. With best wishes, and as they say, stay safe. David 00.50hrs Friday 5th June.
David's Cruise 