A Sunday Family Walk

Hello Lovelies,

back in February I was doing some on-line research into family walks and came across THIS interesting sounding walk . 

Somehow six months whizzed by and we still hadn't got around to doing it. 

Happily we woke to sunshine on Sunday, despite a dodgy weather forcast for the day. We decided to risk the predicted showers and head off up the motorway to the village of  Baslow in the Peak District National park.

The sun was still shining when we arrived and began climbing up through steep streets, passing pretty stone houses.....to a lass from Yorkshire this is always a joy........

Soon the path was climbing steeply and we left the houses behind.........

The countryside looked green and lush.......

And in the distance we noticed the letters ER in the hillside. Presumably in was created to celebrate the Queens Jubilee........

The track was quiet busy. We saw lots of walkers, cyclists, Riders and even runners heading up the hill.........

We were making much steadier progress, poor youngest was fast getting blisters from his suddenly too small walking boots. Here he sat down and refused to walk any further for a while.......

I did feel bad for him....but I was also distracted by the gorgeous heather......

It was covered in Bees.......

and looked so beautiful in this natural setting...........

My BM and I helped youngest up the final rocky section of path while the older boys walked ahead........

We were rewarded by this gorgeous view.........

If I zoom in you can see Chatsworth House in the valley below us...........

On the open moorland here there is a very prominent natural rock formation........

The Eagle Stone

And also a Man made Monument........

In memory of the Duke of Wellington..........

My BM kindly took a photo of me here. As you can see it was a warm day and I loved walking in a dress.........

In the photo I'm also holding the route for our walk, but due to youngest's blisters we had to abandon any further exploration.

 After a short stop for a drink and a snack we began the decent. I was a bit sad to leave to lovely Heather behind .........

How I love high places with a view into the valley below..........

soon we were back amongst the houses........

 A warm breeze blew and the air was full of these things. When I was a child we always called them Fairies.
 As they floated past us we couldn't resist trying to catch a few.........

And when  we reached the bottom of the hill it became obvious were they were all coming from..........

I large patch of Thistles all producing Thistledown...........

Our walk may have been shorter than I really would have liked but I was still  happy we made the journey. It was so nice to get at least a taste of what this area has to offer.

And the sweet shop by the car park made the boys smile..........

As it was so warm the ice cream seemed the most appealing treat. Mint choc chip.........

My childhood favourite too :0)

On this occasion I resisted all the sweet temptations inside the shop, though we grown ups did indulge in a cup of tea and a shared a huge scone from THIS gorgeous little cafe.

 And  how could I resist a bunch of Dahlias from the table outside the sweet shop.........

As we travelled home the weather broke and I was so glad we made the most of a sunny morning.

And the bunch of flowers I brought home have been cheering me up all week........

Oh the colour, oh the pattern........

Mother nature is amazing.

Jacquie x

p.s. I'm just testing the water over on Instagram..... I hope some of you lovelies might be able to join me there. There is now a button in my side bar, near my profile.