Repositioned

Yesterday I walked up to the medieval packhorse bridge shown in the picture above. I was with my old friend Tony. We were in the upper reaches of the Derwent Valley beyond the three reservoirs that were constructed there in the first half of the twentieth century ‒ Howden, Derwent and Ladybower.

Now the thing about this bridge that many passersby might not realise is that it is not in its original position. Six miles downstream, it used to link Derwent Hall with the little village of Derwent before the valley was flooded. It was disassembled stone by stone and then re-erected in its current location in 1959.

Below is a line drawing of the bridge in its original location but all of this lies under the waters of Ladybower Reservoir.  Very occasionally, in periods of drought, what is left of that old village is revealed again ‒  perhaps once in a decade.

Driving back down the valley, we stopped near Derwent Dam where famously RAF Dambusters bombers rehearsed bombing missions they would later carry out upon German dams during World War II. Near the visitor car park there is a charming woodland trail that includes oversized carved animals, including this hedgehog܃‒

And there's also this great big mole climbing up from his hole...

Of course Tony could not resist the opportunity to briefly ride upon a nice big beaver. He lives in the town of Beverley that includes beavers on its coat of arms.  I make no comment upon his questionable action. After all, who am I to judge?

Later, we walked to the village of Bamford where we enjoyed a late lunch in a  community‒owned pub cafe called "The Anglers".

Usually, I walk on my own but I have always enjoyed walking with Tony. We walk at the same pace and we know each other so well. We don't converse all the time for we do not feel obliged to fill the void with words. We have nothing to prove. It's great to have a friend like that. I have known him for 44 years.