Tuesday was a diamond day. Though our night starts to fall at around three thirty in the afternoon at this time of year, the short day we enjoyed was bathed in sharp winter sunlight as anticyclonic conditions settled over northern England. This is the kind of wintry weather we like - not the grey-damp wintry weather that eats into your bones on days when the golden orb fails to seep through thick layers of dismal cloud.
I didn't want to drive very far - just out to Hathersage, and under the railway bridge on the Grindleford road. I parked near Leadmill Bridge, laced up my trusty walking boots and set off along a public right of way that follows the course of The River Derwent all the way to Castleton.
I was in The Hope Valley. I always think that is a perfect name for a lovely green English valley. A valley filled with hope, perhaps the hope of better things to come. Maybe somewhere there are other valleys - The Hopeless Valley, The Valley of Lost Souls, Despair Valley - I can't say but The Hope Valley suits me fine. I have walked along every one of its ancient paths, filled with Hope.
Here are some of the photographs I snapped along my seven mile walk as November drew closer to its photogenic ending...
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| Unclothed tree near Upper Hurst |
Two pictures of Kentney Barn ⇅
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| Another barn - on the frosty slopes of The Hope Valley |
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| Riverside path that follows the course of The River Derwent |
The first and last photos really speak to me. I know I say it at least once a week, but you live in such a beautiful place. I don't think I'd ever tire of it. You are so lucky.
ReplyDeleteWhat I really appreciate is our country paths - a vast network that is just waiting to be explored. As I have said before, no other country in the world has so many accessible country paths. Thanks for calling by again Jennifer.
DeleteYour photos often remind me of "All Creatures Great and Small" and I am reassured that there are pockets of the world which appear (at least in a photo) to be untouched by modern ugliness
ReplyDeleteIt pleases me that this post ignited your reaction Kylie. I think there are millions of those "pockets", just waiting for us.
DeleteOne of my fav places on earth
ReplyDeleteHope valley
Hope Valley - sounds like it should be a gated community in California.
DeleteLovely...as usual !
ReplyDeleteYes I am Helen - nice of you to say so.
Delete:)
DeleteI like the riverside path photo - nice composition. It all looks reassuringly wintry.
ReplyDeleteYes. The weather is probably quite different from New South Wales at this time of year.
DeleteFirst day of summer here today.
DeleteBeing a Queenslander, born and bred, I find it difficult to imagine day drawing to a close around 3.30 pm.
ReplyDeleteWhen I visited Hobart, Tasmania back in July, 1987 I found it so very foreign when light began to rapidly fade and dusk began to envelop around 4 pm.
Great photos as always. :)
We get the payback in the summertime Lee. Between mid-June and mid-July we have daylight right up to 10.30pm at night.
DeleteYes...along with the early closing in the winder months, we don't have the late closing in the summer months, either, here in Qld,
DeleteThe first paragraph gives an excellent description of the place. It's great to get out at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteYes it is Red. Wrap up warm and enjoy the cold crispness. How cold does it get in Red Deer in mid-winter?
DeleteWe get the odd day of minus 30 some years.
DeleteLike Jennifer, I particularly like the first and last photo here, especially the last, it has a touch of magic to me. But they are all great, and I wonder whether I should nick one or two for yet another Yorkshire calendar...
ReplyDeleteSorry to tell you Miss Arian but those scenes were all taken just over the border in Derbyshire - England's second best county.
DeleteShh... if I don't say so in the caption, the recipients of my calendars will be none the wiser!
DeleteAnd there was me thinking that you are a paragon of virtue!
DeleteAs usual YP these are smashing pics and your obvious love of the walking and discovering really comes through...you could run walking groups don't you think? or are you happier being a lone ranger?
ReplyDeleteI'm happier being The Lone Ranger, but you can be my Tonto any time Libby... even though you are now a granny!
DeleteI am with Jennifer and the Librarian re the photos. They are absolutely beautiful. No 4 is a great composition too. The sun has deserted us here this morning, but not as cold as yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI stopped in my tracks when I saw the sunlight on that gate and took out my gun...I mean camera.
DeleteBeautiful, and hopeful! I'm glad you're getting the good weather too. I didn't know this was "anti-cyclonic" weather, but whatever it is, I'm enjoying it a lot!
ReplyDeleteWith that clarity in the air and that sharpness, it is easy to feel more alive than usual.
DeleteYet again more beautiful photos YP, and like the others, I especially like the first and last one.
ReplyDeleteShameful, I know, but looking at that first photo of the Kentney Barn - the latent architect in me tells me it would make a beautiful conversion !!
Trouble is it is quite a long way from a public road - both for conversion purposes and for future residents. They would have a hell of a long way to walk with their groceries.
DeleteWhat - don't Waitrose deliver !
DeleteOh yeah, I hadn't thought of that. They can use their helicopter.
DeleteOne day YP..one day...I'll surprise you and meet you halfway!
ReplyDeleteWill you be wearing a pink carnation?
DeleteI'd love to follow that path in the last photo and see where it leads. Beautiful photos of beautiful countryside.
ReplyDeleteThat gate leads to the rest of our lives. Somewhere like Narnia.
DeleteI used to walk in this area many years ago when my first husband and I lived in Lichfield - it was a pleasant drive. Thanks for the pictures - reminded me of those days.
ReplyDeleteI am glad this post stirred some happy memories Mrs W. So you worked in Wolverhampton but lived in Lichfield?
DeleteAs a southerner I did not really know your part of the world until my son settled in Sheffield after attending University there, now I can't get enough of it. Edale in June ,Glossop this September. Living in flat old Essex I look at your photos and weep with envy!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry I made you cry John but I'm pleased that you know The Hope Valley and Edale. Most southerners seem to think that the world ends at Watford Gap.
DeleteI felt as though I walked every beautiful step of the way with you. And now my back is killing me. It was (almost) worth it though. MS is a bugger!
ReplyDeleteWell I am glad I allowed you a virtual walk Lesley and though thankfully I know little about MS I am sure it is indeed a bugger.
DeleteThank you so much for taking me to the Hope Valley and the River Derwent. I love that river. The magnificent tree in your first photo is just divine. I will try to paint that picture. If I ever, ever get there, you must take me to that river and to the Summer Wood. I will bring the champagne.
ReplyDeleteI know you have researched The Hope Valley and visited it virtually Mama Thyme. If you ever get here, I will meet you at Manchester Airport and take you there. I hope that the weather is good that day but you might not like me. In real life, I am not the easiest person to like.
DeleteA belated comment. A cool, crisp and beautiful Hope Valley.
ReplyDeleteAlphie
On days like that, walking in sharp, frosty weather - it is easy to feel truly alive.
DeleteI don't know how I missed this post but it really was a diamond one.
ReplyDelete