For several weeks my left knee has been playing me up. I don't recall a particular incident but gradually the discomfort built up till I was limping and I couldn't undertake long rambles in the countryside any more. Short walks were okay but I felt every step in my knee joint. The idea of not plodding for miles on end any more made me feel downhearted because this is one of my greatest joys.
Anyway, patience can sometimes bring us happy rewards. The pain and discomfort have been in recession over the last couple of weeks and the piratical limping gradually melted away. Yesterday, I felt it was time to test out the left knee rather more and planned a five mile walk in familiar countryside to the south west of Sheffield.
It was a beautiful day. The weather was so unseasonably mild that I decided not to bother with my fleece jacket. I parked near Highlow Hall on the lane that leads to the delightful hamlet of Abney. Then I set off towards Callow Farm and Offerton, passing Robin Hoods Stoop - an ancient wayside marker stone.
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| Robin Hood's Stoop |
It was delightful to be marching along in the autumn sunshine with my little map, a Pink Lady apple and of course my trusty camera. But more than this, after all these weeks to feel no pain in my knee. No messages being transmitted to my brain with every footstep. It was like having an iron shackle removed.
Majestic seventeenth century Offerton Hall nestles on the slopes of The Hope Valley. Along from there, you see the ruins of an old farm at Banktop. Then it's up Shatton Lane to the telecommunications mast on Shatton Moor. Along to Offerton Moor and Smelting Hill, looking down on Abney and then continuing to Oaks Farm where a rabid dog came yelping with bared teeth as if I was the devil himself. Fortunately, there was a gate between us.
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| Oaks Farm on Smelting Hill |
And so onward by Oaks Wood and Mill Wood where frisky American grey squirrels were seeking nuts for the winter. Ahead of me, Highlow Hall - another seventeenth century manor house which, according to legend, is haunted not by The Pink Lady but The White Lady. An appropriate ending for Halloween... and twenty four hours later I am pleased to report that the knee still feels good.
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| Offerton Hall |
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| Highlow Hall |
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| Farm ruin near Offerton |
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| Shatton Lane |
Stunning photos! I hope you know how lucky you are to live in such a beautiful part of the world!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your knee is better. I love going on walks with you vicariously through the blog and would be sad if you had to stop.
Thank you. You're too kind Jennifer... but yes, I do know how lucky I am to live hereabouts.
DeleteThose stone walls are masterpieces.
ReplyDeleteBizarrely some Americans call them "fences" Wilma. THe walls are beauteous and no mortar either. They are constructed like jigsaws.
DeleteLovely photographs YP and it does look like a glorious walk I must say. Hope that knee doesn't give you any more trouble.
ReplyDeleteI've got a feeling the pain will come back again one day but I am hoping for a few months respite.
DeleteGreat photographs of the English countryside. They all show how steep it can be.
ReplyDeleteSteep? Yeah. You'd need turbo-boosters on your wheelchair to get up there Treey. Geronimo!
DeleteLove that first photo of Offerton Hall with the fields rising above it. I always find my knees hurt less in warm weather, but start to grumble when it is cold and damp.
ReplyDeleteIt's frustrating when for sixty + years one's knees have been uncomplaining and reliable servants.
DeleteSo beautiful, and I am very, very glad you are again able to walk for miles without pain.
ReplyDeleteAre Highlow and Offerton Hall private residences or open to the public? I think I'll have to look them up on the internet to find out more.
And of course you know how much I like the pictures with the ruined barn and the drystone wall.
Highlow Hall and Offerton Hall are both private residences. It would be possible to sneak across the fields to that ruin and maybe next time I am up there I will do that.
DeleteSo glad you were able to walk without pain yesterday YP...the weather was indeed glorious and I know how much you enjoy your walks. The pictures are excellent - we truly live in a beautiful land.
ReplyDeleteIt baffles me why so many of our fellow citizens fail to see the beauty in front of them. We are so lucky to live on this magical island.
DeleteYet again beautiful photos of a beautiful part of the country. Have you thought about publishing a book with all your walks?
ReplyDeleteYP, glad you knee is better, but don't ignore it, if it flares up again.
Thank your advice Nurse CG. I like your uniform.
DeletePublishing a book of walks? If I did it would just be a self-published photo book for family interest. There's so much competition in this field.
It's very pretty!
ReplyDeleteYou never know how important knees are until they don't work properly! Glad yours is better
I am enjoying the improvement Kylie. Limping simply isn't cool.
DeleteBeautiful English countryside. I'm going to get on a train tomorrow to escape the city for a day.
ReplyDeleteWell I hope you have a good day Sue.
DeleteLovely countryside as always. Glad your knee is better. I twisted mine attempting tai chi months ago and can't seem to get it right. Walking on anything but flat ground is a problem now. Not good in hilly Brisbane or for our planned holiday in Austria next year. Off to the physio for me.
ReplyDeleteAustria? Well, I hope your knee is much improved by then Helen.
DeleteGreat that your are able to walk without pain. You would miss some very beautiful landscape. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteI would rather have pain in my arse than in my knee Red.
DeleteThose houses are simply wonderful - all types from grandish to ruins.
ReplyDeleteAlphie
The two magnificent halls are just part of the local landscape. Not on any tourist itineraries or anything. I would love to go inside them and if they are ever up for sale I will do that.
DeleteI wondered why we had not been on a long walk, lately! But, are we really Pirates? Anyway....... I am happy that your limb is better and that my eye is a little better so that I might see all that your Yorkshire has to offer once again.
ReplyDeleteThe Princess is in England these days....a family wedding....visiting in Hednedsford (sp), Newcastle, Cambridge, Bridgenorth, London, etc. So, I am happy that the weather has been decent, at least.
Please be careful. Take care of yourself. With my eyes, I can't maneuver the hills and dales without your guidance. Peace and love to you and yours.
Hello again Mistress Bear. Thanks for visiting once more. The walk was in fact just outside South Yorkshire in the neighbouring county of Derbyshire. I hope "The Princess" enjoys her trip to England. As I sit here typing all of England is bathed in Autumn sunshine - fit for a princess. I am happy to learn your eye is a little better but wish I could send you some magic dust to make it perfect again.
DeleteA beautiful portrayal of that little piece of Yorkshire heaven. I'm pleased that your knee is no longer bothering you: definitely a reason to be grateful. For many years I could never have managed a five mile hike.
ReplyDeleteHow many miles you could manage now with your Acme Bionic knee?
DeleteBy the way, the walk was just over the border in Derbyshire.
Haha. I nearly looked it up to see where it was but as you hadn't said that you'd strayed I made an assumption. Silly me. The most I have actually done over raw moorland is about 3.5 miles but I'm sure 5 miles would be no problem. Perhaps soon I'll have the time from my other occupations to try it. I did enjoy the photos and perhaps one day will walk the fells of the Lake District or the hills of Wales again. I may even renew my acquaintance with some of Scotland's hills too.
ReplyDeleteYour "other occupations"? It's time you resigned from Tossing the Caber Male Escort Agency! Good to know you feel confident enough to consider walking five miles. Your new knee is a modern miracle.
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