Big Moor

Yesterday was an amazing day. I knew it was going to be hot, and wanted to get out on the hills before anyone else interrupted my view; being the Peak District that was a bit of a tall order!

I got there, and realised I had forgotten my map. D'oh (Homer style). Didn't matter than much; the weather was so clear, I'd read the map so many times and passed Big Moor on my way to Baslow countless times. No matter. Besides which it was quite fun going without a map and reading the ground properly, piecing together features, anticipating different ground by the plant life.

The object for the day for me was to see the Barbrook stones, a group of stone circles and a huge barrow, with outlying features. It lay just off an old packhorse route, used to ferry salt and other stuffs from the Peak District to Sheffield; the wildcamp I had a couple of weeks ago was just a mile or two away.

I found the first of the circles really easily, none were tall, or that impressive on the face of it. But I am often moved but the impact of considering something that old, that human beings have constructed.

So, now away from the packhorse trail, I branched off, following likely looking paths and came across another stone construction, some sort of barrow I think.

I found the main barrow nearby. Not having the map, I just came across it by wandering what looked like sheep tracks.

It was such a nice day I just sat down inside it, brewed up and took out my watercolours to paint. I must have spent about 40 minutes there, and was suprised by a man shuffling by. I think he was just as surpised as I was! 

Is this the world's smallest watercolour set up?!

After doing a watercolour sketch (the product of which is at the top of this post), I reluctantly got up and headed out on to Big Moor itself. Passing a small reservoir I headed roughly north, through bog and heather. The new bilberry shoots were bright green against the patches of burnt heather, and cotton grass showed where the boggy areas where. I didn't mind so much getting wet feet - I bought some Inov8 Terroc 330s and find I can go pretty much anywhere; if I get wet feet they soon dry. I ended up doing a lot of heather bashing though, I felt as if I was grouse beating, but I was wary of where I trod because of nesting birds - the moorwas alive with Skylarks in particular, so I tried to follow sheep tracks as much as I could, towards White Edge. Mixed success but after having another brew and a bite to eat, with a great view north towards Carl Wark and Higger Tor, I joined the proper footpath (relief - easy walking), passing littered trig points and rabbit warrens (I saw a kitten in one).

After too short a time I returned to heather bashing, navigating by spying a couple of standing stones and practising walking on a bearing, just for the hell of it! Crossing a stream I emerged just north of the stone circles and made my way back to the car.

It wasn't a huge walk but I felt as if I'd been immersed in the spirit of the place, and that was exactly what I wanted. But I do need to get more miles in next time!

Dad's Birthday Present

My Dad is 65 tomorrow. Because I'm out of work and have been for a while, my Mum suggested I paint a watercolour of Haddon Hall in Derbyshire.

I'm not used to painting buildings and the castellations and detail posed a problem, as well as the lack of information in the photograph I was given to paint from. The composition in the photograph wasn't that good, although the vantage point is one that the Hall itself uses in it's publicity pictures, and it looked as if it was early spring, not much leaf on the trees but the grass was bright green while the Hall was quite bleached out.

I'm 'OK' with the end result. Not happy with it but not gutted either. I know every time I see it I'll pick at it, but that's life when you produce something.

So I managed to get out for a walk just after lunch...

Although it was overcast, it was a good day for walking, and immediately I started I was amazed at the bird song that seemed to erupt around me! Spring was still very much in evidence; the elderflower had only just started to open and as I had hoped, the paths were surrounded by Cow Parsley. There was a lot of Red Campion and some variety of Buttercup which clashed with the Bluebells that were still very much in force in some of the areas. The fragrance was overwhelmed by the Ransomes, most past their best, but the garlic smell pungent.

I walked through the woods through towards the footbridge and kissing gate, where I came across a group of four middle aged men who were disappearing and reappearing from the hedgerows. They were from the Moss Valley Wildlife Group, searching out all the Himalayan Balsam. I spent a very pleasant 20 minutes or so with them, learning some new plant names, finding out some more of the history of the place, learning what conservation effort was going on in the area. The sheer number of wildflowers around, including Yellow Pimpernell, Pignut, Yellow Archangel, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Bugle, many others, was astounding. I wish more people would notice what is there all around them...

However I had to get back home, so hurried back, getting caught in a big downpour in the process. I ended up drenched having only got my fleece with me, but it was exhilarating to be part of it, rather than crackling Gore Tex as I rushed.

Summer?

Well, it's 1st June today but you wouldn't think so. Cold, grey, could be February.
However, in an effort to feel more summery I think later I'll try to get out to see the last of the Hawthorn and Cow Parsley. May was late this year, and the wreaths are still floating around. One of my favourite areas to see this is a small field near to Eckington Woods in Derbyshire. You follow the public footpath, westwards out of the woods and towards the fishing ponds, and it appears to your left. Heavenly place.