So I've got my first free afternoon in weeks having finished work early and for once having no chores or prior commitments to hold me back I decide to head out and stretch my legs.
So that begs for the next question, where should I go ? well based on the fact that it is already 15:00 hours and I do have an early work start in the morning it doesn't leave me too much time to travel out somewhere too far so I settle on Dovedale in the Peak District, also one of the areas most popular tourist attractions.
So that begs for the next question, where should I go ? well based on the fact that it is already 15:00 hours and I do have an early work start in the morning it doesn't leave me too much time to travel out somewhere too far so I settle on Dovedale in the Peak District, also one of the areas most popular tourist attractions.
Dovedale has always been one of my favourite local places to visit as I worked close by for a few years and really got to know the place well and I usually end up there when time restricts my movements and prevents me going further afield and on this occasion that was the case.
So at around 15:50 I left the car park at Dovedale and headed off in the direction of the famous stepping stones.
So at around 15:50 I left the car park at Dovedale and headed off in the direction of the famous stepping stones.
As it had been raining all day it would seem I had the place to myself and you can truly enjoy the peace, quiet and solitude in a place like this when no one else is around and I was soon approaching the stepping stones and on my way round toward Lovers Leap, a rocky outcrop where local legend allegedly has it that a shamed couple took their lives there to be forever together.
As the afternoon progressed and I continued in the direction of Milldale the weather changed for the better and The Sun even made several appearances highlighting the rock formations and allowing a clearer view into The River Dove I even managed to see several Trout of a decent size.
As I rounded past Ilam Rock, there were a couple of climbers on the reverse face nearing the top.
i once spent the night in the cave under this rock pillar, and I have to say it was a creepy event, something always a little eerie about caves.
i once spent the night in the cave under this rock pillar, and I have to say it was a creepy event, something always a little eerie about caves.
Ever get that feeling you're being watched ? Only just noticed this chap eyeing me up.
Always love this face in the right light.......not quite El Capitan, but I'll take it.
As I got closer to the Milldale end of the dale, I took a few moments to watch the river as I always find it relaxing and then decided to mess with a few settings on my camera to see if I could capture the moving water in a different way. the results are below.
You know you're not far from Milldale once you reach Doveholes, these magnificent caves are the result of the glacial meltwaters of the last ice ages and occur when rock and other debris is caught in the fast flowing water that thawed and then carved out these beauties and even Dovedale itself was formed this way.
And then I'm at Milldale, just the Viator Bridge to cross then I can call at Polly's Cottage for a cuppa and a cheese sandwich.
This cheeky fellow stole half of my sandwich and you can go visit him down by the river in Milldale most days where you'll find him terrorising small children for their bread based snacks.
After a brief stop in Milldale, I headed back the same way I'd come and came across this gnarley old tree.
Wild Garlic in abundance, makes great pesto and Garlic mayo dip incidently as it has a slightly milder garlic flavour.
I always knew that money grew on trees! I've seen this in many different parts of the country and seems to serve the same purpose as a wishing well to bring good health, luck and fortune and the custom dates back hundreds of years and these so called wishing trees are quite a sight.
These raised walkways were added in a few years ago to prevent walkers having to wade thigh deep in the River Dove.
This is Reynards Cave, a collapsed natural cave that used to be popular with climbers and was the recent location of a find of Roman and Iron Age coins.
Back to the Stepping Stones and close to the car park.
A nice quiet walk had been enjoyed and satisfied my need to visit this place once again for a while, but of course I'll be back.................
A nice quiet walk had been enjoyed and satisfied my need to visit this place once again for a while, but of course I'll be back.................