For those of you who kindly read my blogs regularly, perhaps you may be thankful that today’s writings should be brief.
I went, with Roger for a post-lunch walk, this afternoon, through some remote countryside on the Derbyshire/Cheshire border near the once famous Cat and Fiddle Inn, now a local distillery and place where take-away food is available. For some time, the former inn had been closed, but today, a preponderance of cars parked outside evidenced its new found popularity. We continued a short distance to the Peak View cafe/tea rooms where substantial lunches are part of a wide and varied menu. I don’t think either of us were in the mood for exertion as we had become comfortable in the nice warm eatery. Outside, it was dry with a negligible threat of rain.
However, the wind from the west felt cold and was uncomfortably strong. Nevertheless, we set off, up a fairly steep path, on to a level walking route where soon, Errwood Reservoir would be seen in the distance to our right.
Along the path on the left hand side, a grit-stone wall which went went “for miles”, did a brilliant job of providing shelter from the strong winds which, actually, didn’t create that much of an inconvenience. Over the grit-stone wall, large areas of cultivated woodland made for the kind of landscape which if identical, existed in Alaska or some other far away land, I would have been thrilled. To be able to access such landscape within, say, twenty minutes’ drive from home, is remarkable.
Perhaps, we walked just over a mile and returned the same way, except for a slight short cut as we returned to the cafe where the car was parked.
On a very clear day, Snowdonia is visible as well as other parts of Wales to the south. Walks with my neighbour are usually instructive. Kestrels and buzzards were identified, also a wheatear, identifiable by its white “tail”, visible when in flight. These hail from the north e.g. such places as Scandinavia.
At home, I am preparing the house for decoration and refurbishment. I discover, much to my chagrin, rain is getting through where the sealant has perished. Driving rain has caused a damp problem with peeling wallpaper and flaking paintwork in the lounge and dining area. I might give the insurance man a ring. The lounge is long overdue for freshening up; not the dining area!.
This seems to have turned into another fairly long blog; that wasn’t the intention tonight
All the best, David 00.29 Saturday 5th September, already!
David's Cruise 