Wandering The Peak District
It was a busy week at Monad Photography working with Bryn Teg Ceramics providing product photography and also portrait services to our other clients. I also helped Clair deliver bespoke handbuilt ceramics to local stockists around the Island and in North Wales. The Oriel Mon, The Bay Tree Gallery & Pensychnant Conservation Centre.
It was time to work away in Derbyshire. My other job involves working for the NHS on the Emergency Frontline. The last few shifts were busy, working nights is very tiring with the demand always quite high. I finished the third night shift having a little break between. I needed a good hike in the open countryside to clear my mind and reflect. It was time to have a stroll and wander in the fresh air.
The weather was windy all afternoon and last night in The Peak District. The winds around Higger Tor and Stanage Edge meant I had to camp out on the lower hills and find shelter from the chilly icy northerly gales. I found shelter in an opening near some large trees at a place called Blacka Moor. A nature reserve for the public, 447 acres purchased by Alderman J.G Graves bought to protect it from future development. The weather felt a lot colder here than back home on the Isle of Anglesey, North Wales.
I stared out from the van's large back window at the storm clouds that rolled over, grumbles of its thunder moments later followed the flashes of bright white light on the distant horizon. It felt comforting sitting there in the warm with the diesel heater on, thick blankets, a hot drink whilst reading my current book - The Alchemist, a novel by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho
In the morning after a blustery night, a friend from work met up with me. The day was brighter and calmer. We strolled down together into the gnarly moss-covered woods across stepping stones that allowed us passage over small bubbling brooks. We followed the twisty footpaths up the steep incline from the valley to Devil’s Elbow hearing morning birdsong from the mighty wren telling us 'he' was there!
Atop, the iconic gritty landscape of The Peak moorland now opened up. A contrast compared to the Urban Landscape of industrial Sheffield in the distance with its high-rise buildings, houses, and factories.
It was great to be here walking amongst the wild heather and grasses. The smell of coconut on the breeze from the bright yellow blooms of the gorse and the familiar sounds of the skylark chirping loudly as they gained height in the open sky above.
We walked down into Burbage and descended along the bridal way standing small amongst the grey gritstone giants towards the Longshaw estate and Fox House, our rightward gaze towards the rugged tips and remnants of the Iron Age fort at Carl Wark and beyond higher the other ridge of Higger Tor.
It was a great Peak District walk, now time for a hot hearty meal and drink by the warm fire in the rural 17th Century country pub, The Fox House Inn.
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