Clint kindly transported me through The Hope Valley then on to Chapel-en-le-Frith, Whaley Bridge and Kettleshulme before I parked by a single track lane that leads eventually to Bollington. Once again, Google Streetview had been most helpful in identifying somewhere I could safely park my silver beast.
With boots on, I plodded along The Gritstone Trail, heading north to Bowstonegate before descending into the extensive grounds of Lyme Park - former stomping ground of The Laird of Eagleton. Lyme Park is the largest and most significant stately home in Cheshire. I took pictures of the house from Knightslow Wood but did not have time to explore the grounds nor visit the house itself. After all, I had ten miles to plod.
Lurking in a hollow I stopped to take a photograph of a photogenic shed but needed to wait till the sun emerged from behind a summery cloud. A lone female walker froze with obvious concern - as if I might be the bogeyman of her worst midnight fears. I explained why I had stopped there and she was reassured. We walked on together for a little while till I found another image to focus upon.
Up there on the moors above Bollington there used to be small coal mines and stone quarries but that activity ceased many years ago. Still there are scars and signs in the landscape despite Mother Nature's incredible healing processes.
At Brink Farm hundreds of sheep had been corralled. I stopped to take some pictures and should have taken more. They were writhing and panicking, not used to being herded together like that even though they are flock creatures. Why they were there I am not sure. Perhaps they were about to be driven to an abattoir. They certainly looked sheepish.
At three o'clock I reunited with Clint before our hour long journey back to Sheffield.
"Did you have a nice walk?" asked Clint.
"Sure did my friend," I replied.
At Brink Farm
I've heard it on good authority that Yorkshire had good weather yesterday. Kay and her boyfriend walked 15 km near Skipton. On to Malham today in the gales and rain. Typical of our family luck to camping now after all that heatwave. Those sheep may just be going for a dip maybe.
ReplyDeleteYes, you are right. It is possible that the farmer was delousing them through dipping. Shame Kay and her boyfriend fixed on such a week and today it is windy enough to turn a tent into a kite! Lovely limestone country up at Malham.
DeleteThat photogenic shed is to die for. Polytunnels and man caves are so important.
ReplyDeleteIts situation was strange. More than two hundred yards from the nearest house.
DeleteThat shed is indeed very photogenic! Did you get a look inside through one of the windows?
ReplyDeleteThose sheep do not look like they were to meet their maker. But what do I know of sheep farming - nothing at all.
Lyme Park looks like a good destination for another day trip.
No. I didn't look inside. I should have done. It would be a good shed in which to write a novel.
DeleteDon't be such a peasant. It's not a "shed". It's a Summerhouse. That delightful dwelling you can flee to when it all gets too much in the Mansion. Poems will be written, fluttering hearts meet.
ReplyDeleteSpare a thought for yours truly. In two days' time the Angel will be going on a seven day hike in Snowdonia (of all places), on his own. His Clint (not that his car does have a name) parked up one end to be joined again a week later. Yes, rain, wind of up to miles which numbers I'd rather not be reminded off, gusts to sweep you off your feet, wild camping.
"In the presence of nature, a wild delight runs through the man,” said the philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson (American, 1803 -1882). Yeah, well. The closest I am to nature today (other than my own) is that of one those pesky tiny little flies circling a banana destined for bread.
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I can't help being a peasant as I was born into a family of peasants. My great grandfather's occupation was "rabbit catcher". I hope The Angel will be okay in Snowdonia. I applaud his courage and self-reliance.
DeleteDoes anyone live in Lyme Park?
ReplyDeleteAgain, I have to say that I am envious of your walking systems. So much to see and so many different terrains.
Good prices on the eggs, I'd say!
I doubt that anybody lives inside Lyme Park now as it is open to the public - when COVID is not around. You can research it courtesy of Wikipedia. Remember the egg prices are in pounds not dollars.
DeleteThat sheep photo is impressive. Looks like a puzzle - spot the wolf!
ReplyDeleteOr "Spot the Rick"!
DeleteMy thoughts exactly Sue - or spot the farmer somewhere in there!
DeleteWhat a nice variety of pictures! I would love to visit Lyme Park as it looks very interesting. It looks like you had a good walk and great weather to enjoy as well.
ReplyDeleteWeatherwise it was the best day of the past week Bonnie. I have never truly visited Lyme Park myself. Perhaps another day.
DeleteI don't know enough about sheep management any more. They were sheared some time ago; there is fleece on them. But they have been marked; no good for wool processing. I guess the slaughterhouse, too.
ReplyDeleteI wish the farmer had been around so that I could have asked him.
DeleteYou found some interesting things in Your ten miles of plodding . You are curious about each area.
ReplyDeleteI am a curious guy Red.
DeleteA walk alone by a woman can be daunting, so I am glad that you were able to establish a connection and assuage any concerns she might have had. We just returned from a visit to my daughter in Ottawa and wandered through the woods with her. She used to go there with her dog, who died early this year, and always felt secure, but alone she is uneasy. She has never had an incident that has caused her concern, and most male walkers and runners have simply greeted her with a friendly "hello" - but common sense tells her to cautious nevertheless.
ReplyDeleteI find that it is quite rare to encounter lone female walkers. That's rather sad but understandable. Here in England it is also very rare for lone females to enter pubs with no expectation of meeting up with friends but men do this all the time. Thanks for dropping by again David.
DeleteI’ve been to Lyme Park. Lovely grounds but didn’t have time to tour the house. It was used in the film Pride and Prejudice for the scene where Mr .Darcy emerges from the lake.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that extra information Helen. I hope you and Tony are keeping well even though I guess your foreign holiday plans have been put on ice.
DeleteUrsula is right YP., it is a Summerhouse - there are too many windows for a shed!
ReplyDeleteI particularly love the photo of the sheep too, - they seem to share your curiosity. You should have asked them to smile!
Poor sheep! They do make a great photo, though.
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be a rule of photography in England that says just as you compose a picture, the sun must inevitably vanish behind a cloud.