4 August 2021

Waterfall

"The Red Lion" pub and a passing tractor in Waterfall

There is a village in the very south of The Peak District National Park called Waterfall. However, there is no waterfall there. It is believed that the name refers to the disappearance or "falling" of water in nearby streams and rivers in  summertime. In limestone country  water commonly goes underground in dry spells.

Yesterday, my silver steed, Sir Clint took just over an hour to transport me to Waterfall via Bakewell, Hartington, Warslow and Onecote. It is situated in an area of the national park where my boots had never previously trodden.

A corner of the parish church in Waterfall

Soon I was off, pausing to visit the beautiful parish church which dates from about 1100 and is dedicated to St James and St Bartholomew. I guess the early villagers couldn't pick between the two.

Then I headed through unruly meadows, following a dry stream to the dried up bed of The River Hamps. Down there I encountered several leisure cyclists following the paved track  that leads for two miles up to The River Manifold which was also devoid of water. The river valleys are deep here and the summer vegetation was often head high - protected for hundreds of years from the worst of wind and storm.

The ruins of Throwley Hall

I plodded away from the Manifold Valley up the hillside to Throwley Hall - a ruined manor house in a spectacular setting. The village of Throwley was abandoned in medieval times.

Then on to Calton where I became a little disorientated in relation to my map and lost twenty minutes of precious time. You see I had a dental appointment near home at 5.40pm. Discovering my mistake, I had to march like a soldier on a mission to cover the last mile and a half of the walk.

Old field barn near Calton

I jumped in Clint's cockpit and drove home as quickly as I could - though along the way I was stalled and tormented by three or four very slow vehicles which drew vulgar terminology from my inner library of expletives. Fortunately, the drivers could not hear this Anglo-Saxon language but Clint giggled and said "Calm down old chap!"

Securing dental appointments in these COVID days is problematic so I was delighted when the receptionist said I was okay even though I had arrived at her desk three minutes late. I mean who would want to miss out on the opportunity to have a dentist in a visor poking around inside your open mouth?

Caravan in The Manifold Valley

32 comments:

  1. There is a lake here called Medicine Lake because it fills and drains and the indigenous people didn't know why, so they called it Medicine Lake. At one time it was a river but half the mountain fell down at one end, thousands of years ago, and plugged it, loosely, so it drains slowly, like an overfilled bathtub. It's a beautiful place.

    The Manifold Valley looks beautiful. I especially like the pub. I love old buildings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would like to have a pint or two with you in "The Red Lion" Pixie Lily. We could have a natter and share a pork pie while The Big Guy took Jack for a walk.

      Delete
  2. Used to go to that area quite a bit when I lived in the midlands, and there are some good walks, but I would still say that I always preferred the Dark Peak to the White Peak.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love both areas for different reasons Tasker.

      Delete
  3. Nothing guarantees slow traffic like being in a rush.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This reminds me of a large lake in Tallahassee. Lake Jackson. Every so many years the waters simply drain away and it becomes dry. It is a bit of a mystery. One day it is a fisherman's paradise, the next week it is devoid of life. And then, eventually, it comes back.

    ReplyDelete
  5. A lovely walk, in interesting country YP. That spot in the Manifold Valley in the last photo, looks a perfect place to camp. Those folk have certainly settled well in!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There were about a dozen caravans on that site and all of them were old and weathered. It is a difficult drive down there along an unmade track.

      Delete
  6. I find the stone walls interesting and often think about the labor that went into making them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the same Red. So many hours. So many stones. Incredible.

      Delete
  7. I love that view in your last photo, apart from the caravan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shame that because the caravan is for sale. I am sure that you and his lordship could afford it.

      Delete
  8. Well, I'm glad you made your appointment! I need to get my teeth cleaned and was thinking about contacting my dentist as well. You've inspired me.

    ReplyDelete
  9. A fascinating place. The fact that it still has a pub says a lot about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That pub is well off the beaten track in a parish with a population of less that a hundred.

      Delete
  10. I'm the complete opposite to you - I've got a dental check-up tomorrow (the first in a year) but it's in the early morning so no walk beforehand for me. However I do plan to do a long drive afterwards to a village just outside the London border, so there'll be no time pressure to get there and back!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Enjoy your village visit ADDY and watch out for villagers with pitchforks.

      Delete
  11. The caravan and the hawning under the cliff is my favourite photo YP. Who needs a sun holiday when you can go there? It's like a throwback to the fifties.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was such a peaceful little site with just a few old caravans. No tents allowed.

      Delete
  12. Beautiful scenery and topped off with a dental appointment. 3 minutes late? That doesn't even count!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I never like to be a moment late for anything Margaret. Glad you liked my pictures.

      Delete
    2. Me neither. I hate being in a rush and spending the time being afraid I'll be late. Then I usually get there on time or early and have to wait for 20 minutes.

      Delete
  13. The Red Tractor looks like a good pub, serving its community well.
    You won't be surprised to read that my favourite picture here is that of the ruined hall.
    Previously untrodden paths are always a special treat, aren't they; shame you had to rush the last part because of your appointment. If Clint would have had free rein, he would have gallopped past all those other vehicles and you would have been there at least three minutes early instead of late.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "The Red Tractor" is a more catchy name for a pub than "The Red Lion" but "The Silver Clint" is better.

      Delete
  14. Throwley Hall was a lovely ruined building, romantic and lost in time. You definitely see some beautiful scenery.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The ruin of Throwley Hall was a nice surprise though in those moments the sun was shy.

      Delete
  15. Anonymous11:07 am

    Yes, who would want to miss a dentist poking about their mouth with a metal instrument. It looks like a terrific walk with so much history and I am pleased you were only disorientated rather than the much worse disoriented.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha-ha! The two words mean just the same but historically "disorientated" has been preferred in England.

      Delete

Mr Pudding welcomes all genuine comments - even those with which he disagrees. However, puerile or abusive comments from anonymous contributors will continue to be given the short shrift they deserve. Any spam comments that get through Google/Blogger defences will also be quickly deleted.

Most Visits