Friday 13 May 2016

A Walk from Thorpe

Hello Lovelies,
last week myself and a friend headed off to the peak district on a perfect spring day. We parked the car and wandered down the lane towards Thorpe....


The wild garlic was just coming into flower along the footpaths........


And the squat church looked pretty in the morning sunshine......


Soon we passed what we both thought was a house with a stable door. It wasn't until we saw the horse peeping out we realised it really was a stable........


Next we headed along a foot path between neat stone walls........


and left the village to walk happily in open fields........


filled with cute, black faced baby lambs.........


Over the brow of the hill we came upon a beautiful, far reaching view........


Then, after some route related decisions, we headed over the next small hill....This is looking back towards that distinctively shaped hill, Thorpe cloud........

From one side it looks pointed, but from this angle it has a flat top :0)

Next we passed Bunster Hill where we could see para-gliders floating peacefully. I think there's one on the ground in this photo. You may just make it out if you click on the picture to enlarge it....


The path was nice and obvious here.......


Leaving Derbyshire we entered a new county, Staffordshire, which is home to the pretty village of Ilam.......

apparently it's pronounced "Eye-lam"

It's a very cute spot, with pretty cottages......


A lovely bridge over the river Manifold.......


It's a place I have never visited before and I was charmed by it......


Lovely stone homes and an amazing backdrop.......


Plus lots of green fields filled with lambs...........


Soon we were approaching Ilam hall, and smiling at the cheeky lamb which was nibbling the hedge here.........again you may need to enlarge the image to see it.........


Past the unusually shaped church we approached Ilam Hall..........


The hall is owned by the National Trust and used as a youth hostel, The park and gardens are open for all to enjoy........


And enjoy we did. Sitting here looking towards Thorpe Cloud. It was just perfect for our coffee break........


Soon it was time to move on and we carefully descended the lovely old stone steps......


and gazed down on the river in the valley below.......




I loved the knobbly trees and the banks of wild garlic here........


and the reflections on the shady river........


More picture-book cottages were passed.........


Then it was time to climb up, up up again. Stopping regularly to glance back at the beautiful view.....


Steep fields, stone walls, lambs. All things I love.........



And it was so nice of these two to pose so beautifully in front of Castern Hall........


What a setting, I see you can get married here..........


Behind the hall the tiny hamlet of Castern was pretty too.........




Looking back where we had passed with the roof of the hall in view..........


We had a map... and my friend even a clever smartphone app. But it's still nice to see a sign with the name of the place you are heading towards on it :0)


Up here all we could hear was the Skylarks call as they hovered over head.

and we also saw some of these dainty, light brown birds hopping around in the fields as we passed.

Here it was nice to wander down the quiet road for a while.........


and gaze at the patchwork of fields.........


More clear signposts....great......


At this point we joined a familiar to me,  route over the top......


and down into the next deep valley.........





It was so lovely to be back in Milldale again, like I was with the family on Good Friday.......


The cottages were looking extra cute.........


With pots full of Tulips in the neat courtyard gardens........


and in the window boxes.........


By this point we had walked about 7 miles and we were ready for a sit down and something to eat...right here on the sunny bank by the bridge....perfect........


There's an old Millstone in the shallow water......



Where I sat, listening to the babbling river and the birdsong........

It was wonderful.

The whole village is charming.......


Conscious we still had a good few miles to cover it was soon time to set off again. This section, alongside the beautiful river dove is my favourite..........


There were daredevils on the cliffs........



But I was happy to have my feet on the ground.


Here, by the caves, you climb up a little. and get a lovely view down onto the river......


The mossy banks were covered in pretty white wood anemone.........


And the new Beech leaves were just emerging from their pink buds.........


We pressed on, in the increasingly warm afternoon weather, past Ilam rock........


Then there was a strange cracking sound from above that echoed through the ravine.......


And we watched in surprise as a lump of rock tumbled down the hillside and came to a stop by the path..........

We couldn't see anybody above us so I can only suppose it was a natural rockfall. Admittedly very small, but also quiet exciting :0)

Soon peace was restored.The sunlight glittering on the water was so mesmerising.......


But fallen trees revealed the power this river can have........





And mossy branches show what a damp place it is in winter, when the sun barely reaches over the steep hillsides........



It's a truly special natural place......




And it feels unspoilt despite the many, many visitors........


The steps up to lovers leap looked beautiful in the afternoon light......


It's just a feast for the eyes, and all the time you can hear the soothing, tumbling water....


It was busy by the stepping stones ( it always is)........


and by this time we had walked 10 hilly miles. I know we both wished this was the end of our walk, but it wasn't and so we pressed on, climbing up and saying goodbye to the Dove.........


We walked uphill on tired legs ........


Then turned round for one last look at Thorpe Cloud........


Back through the village pretty cottages charmed us despite our weariness.......



In the end we walked between 11 and 12 hilly miles. This was a recce for our walking group and it needs a little tweaking ( like a mile or two trimming off :0)  ) but my love of this beautiful corner of England is not in the least diminished.
I do hope you lovelies enjoyed the pictures and got a little taste of how special this landscape is.
Jacquie x

31 comments:

  1. ŠšŠ°Šŗ ŠæрŠµŠŗрŠ°ŃŠ½Š¾! ŠžŠ±Š¾Š¶Š°ŃŽ Š²Š°ŃˆŃƒ ŠæрŠøрŠ¾Š“у!!! Š’Š¾ŃŃ…ŠøщŠ°ŃŽŃŃŒ)

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  2. Beautiful, just beautiful! I'm in Alabama USA for about 35 yrs now but was born & raised in New England and by looking at your blog for some time now, I know why it was called New England. Very similar landscapes. It makes me want to go back!

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  3. Wow Jacqui you must be very fit! Lucky that the weather was so good, your photographs are amazing. I am so jealous, the countryside at this time of year is truly fantastic. I went out for a short walk today and saw hundreds of bluebells and wild garlic but the bluebells are just past their best, maybe because of the warm dry weather.

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  5. I thoroughly enjoyed your walk, Jacquie. Having lived in Derbyshire for a number of years it brought back happy memories of walks around the Peak District. Those hills, walls and pretty cottages seem so particular to the area. Thanks for sharing. Elizabeth xx

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  6. Thank you so much for taking me on your wonderful walk and being able to share in the beautiful views, sights and smells (yes, I can remember that wonderful smell of wild garlic) through your marvellous photos. I cannot walk very far these days and miss being able to go on long rambles, so it is great to journey along with you and feel the freedom of open space again.

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  7. It really is an incredibly beautiful spot. I love the wide shallow river, gorgeous, and the mossy branch with ferns growing from it. You passed some gorgeous cottages as well, how lovely it must be to live somewhere like that. Love that path between the two stone walls as well, so pretty. That looks like a really fantastic walk. I hope you have a good weekend Jacquie. CJ xx

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  8. While I loved every bit of what you showed us, I especially enjoyed seeing all the sheep and lambs, Jacquie. The clear water streams, rolling green hills, and wonderful stone houses are so lovely. The stone houses pleasantly remind me of my cousin's nearly 150 year old Stone House Farm near Boston, Massachusetts. Thanks so much for posting! xx

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  9. What a beautiful walk, I love seeing your pictures it really makes me feel like I want to go visit and explore too. I love the river with its reflections and the pretty cottages too.
    Have a great weekend
    Jackie x

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  10. That's a great walk! Those are footpaths I know well, I love walking in the area but I don't often as it's such a popular place. I generally only go to Dovedale at dusk in summer these days. My mother's best friend has lived in Ilam since... well forever!... so it's somewhere I've been visiting my whole life.

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  11. Another splendid walk, thank you so much for sharing your lovely dayšŸ˜€

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  12. I always enjoy going on walks with you Jacquie. This one was one of my favorites. The sheep and lamb photo and the one that shows the lovely view going on and on were some of my favorites. Thank you for taking us along with you. Beautiful.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  13. What a great trek you made.. so much by the water which I love.. and the stone cottages make me swoon. And the lambs are so cute. Love the speckled faces ones. I enjoyed going along. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  14. Jacquie, you all have amazing stamina! I can understand why the beautiful places you walked through kept you motivated (in the head) but am extremely impressed that your legs and feet could keep going on and on.
    I thank you very much for the beautiful photos. xo

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  15. Excelent!!!!!!I travel with you. Beautiful photos. Thanks so much for it. Kisses from Argentina. SUSANA

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  16. Oh my! Breathtakingly beautiful! I can't express enough how much I love these 'walks' you share with us all. I love that branch with the moss and ferns. Have a great weekend!

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  17. I so enjoyed accompanying you as you took us on this scenic walk through stunning countryside and idyllic villages. I just wish I had your energy and stamina so that I could do it for real (five miles is about my limit these days). I am sure your walking group will love your planned walk, let us know how it goes. xx

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  18. What a walk you had and such beautiful scenery! Thanks for sharing all the photos. What camera do you use? Maybe a post about your camera?

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  19. Beautiful villages! Such great countryside. Delightful photos! Thanks for sharing.

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  20. I forgot to add to my comment that I have nominated your blog for the Liebster Award. Check post.

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  21. I went camping up there as a student (back in the 1990s) and haven't ventured over since. I'd definitely like to though! Beautiful pictures.

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  22. beautiful photos, looks so idyllic

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  23. I am so lucky to be able to see all these gorgeous,gorgeous vistas that I will never see in person. But here's your blog, and my laptop, and I am kind of there. Thank you for posting all the lovely pictures. I enjoy the crafting posts, too, btw. :)

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  24. I feel as if I was there with you Jacquie! Beautiful photos as ever and they brought back memories of a holiday in the Peak District that I shared with friends - we walked part of the Dove Trail too.
    Best wishes, Tina

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  25. Lovely countryside for a walk Jacquie :-) x

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  26. Gorgeous countryside and villages! Such lovely photos, Jacquie, and well done on your long walks!xxx

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  27. Amazinly beautiful, your photos were wonderful I enjoyed everyone of them. Felt as if I were there. The lovely cottages and sheep and hill sides dreamy. Thank you so very much for sharing them. With love Janice

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  28. You live in a paradise!!I dream to walk in this places!!Have happy week

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  29. HI Jacquie,

    I am always amazed by the scenic walking trails you covered. Is there any guidebook you used to plan walking trails?

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  30. Now I want to walk to Thorpe and back too!

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  31. It's been awhile since your last post, I hope everything is alright

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