Ladybower, Stanage edge, millstones,

The day started wet, with an even worse forecast but, ever optimistic, we set of just before 10:00AM from the car park next to Ladybower reservoir. This is the viaduct, zoomed, with Crookstone knoll and farm behind.

Don't forget, click on any picture to get a larger version

The walk was about nine miles. It was good going on the edge, but much more sapping in the valley, where recent, and current, rain made the going very hard and slippery. I was quite pleased with the weather overall, as at least we had a dry morning, only getting wet later in the afternoon. This is the viaduct 'au naturelle'

One more of the viaduct, with some flora as a frame.

The view out across the bracken-brown moors, as we climbed towards Stanage edge.

As we got up onto Stanage edge, the views across the valley, albeit very stormy looking, were superb. We could see the weather sweeping in off Kinder Scout moor. We knew we were in for it later, but for now, we enjoyed the day.

The knob of Lose hill pike sticks out on the horizon, with an very angry sky as a backdrop. The moor in front of me runs over to Bamford edge, where a far better, uninterrupted view of the Ladybower reservoir chain can be had. The dark hump behind and to the left of Lose hill is Mam Tor, the 'shivering mountain'.

The millstones of Stanage. Once a thriving industry, Derbyshire, and indeed English, millstone industry in general, was undermined by cheaper, higher quality French imports. It never fails to amaze me though, that they just seemed to down tools and leave. It's almost like a millstone version of the 'Marie Celeste'. Even the finished ones, which MUST have contained considerable effort from the mason, were left where they lay.

You can see more here, just below the edge, milled and left in the same hurried fashion.

I'll just move this one a bit into a better position for a picture..........

Just before dropping down Bamford clough, and into the village of Bamford, we get a fine view of Lose hill in the distance, looking broody in this light.

This is Bamford mill. Once a hive of industry, now the repose of the rich, with stunning views all around.

After this, it started to rain lightly. Apart from the one mill picture, the camera was consigned to the rucksack. We timed the walk perfectly, as we arrived back at the car JUST as dusk was falling. It was a nice walk, and swept away the holiday cobwebs as well as helping to shift a few of the excess pounds gained over Christmas. Ah well - work tomorrow!