Earth stood hard as iron

Still testing positive this icy, frozen morning.

I should have been going with Rich and our pal Lee by bus into Sheffield for a tour of real ale pubs and micro bars wending our way towards Hillsborough. Wednesday is playing Plymouth this afternoon (sadly Lee is a Derbyshire based Plymouth fan). They've beaten us twice already this year so we're not terribly confident but the day out would've been fun. 

So, instead of ingesting 100s or 1000s of empty calories I decided to burn some off with a walk. As the lads set off for their bus, Gary and I headed over towards Castleton on the path alongside the cement works. It doesn't sound great and a lot of it is very industrial but it's mostly woods which  Gary can safely romp through. 

The weather was dry but icy and frozen. Beautiful in a kind of bloodless way. This is the edge of Bradwell looking towards Win Hill.

 

Gary is such a nosy boy...always checking out what mischief he can get into. 

Normally I turn right here past this lovely, picturesque smallholding. Today I had intended to turn left and walk up the old Black Rabbit quarry. Unfortunately there was a sign saying "Footway Closed". Grrr  It is a bit too steep to take a punt that it is not closed so I had a dilemma.

In the end we carried straight on along the quiet lane towards Castleton. I used to take this lane often with Minty and Shelagh but Gary is a different proposition. He is much more wide ranging and energetic and can leap walls and find gaps under fences with ease.  He does come back when called but not necessarily immediately so we have to be a lot more defensive about sheep and traffic.

So this route wouldn't be ideal being mostly roadbased. Hey ho, decision made. 

Gorgeous views of the Hope Valley though.

I always love the view of this old barn, the way it merges into the hillside and echoes the shape of Win Hill in the distance. 

The road carries on straight into the top end of Castleton but we double back on ourselves up a steep lane which leads to the top of the quarry. 

Great views of  the cement works!

It was stunning on Bradwell Moor. Very fresh but the sun peeked through from time to time. Not enough to give clear views over the valley but enough to lend a hint of warmth. 

Don't you just know that the people who left this litter are total scum. The nearest McDonald's is at least 12 or 14 miles away so they have driven all that way to this lovely place and then just dumped their detritus to ruin it. They probably went walking or mountain biking and instagrammed the life out of their trip too but probably didn't broadcast that they left all their junk for the fairies to clear up. 

I didn't have a bag so couldn't clear up but will drive up there later....Grrr....

A traditional limestone dewpond with a view.

Then down Smalldale and home again. 

Gary is sparked out now and I'm chilly. I'm going to have some lunch and warm up then I'm going to do some clearing up in the garden. Thrilling eh??