Dates for your Diary Sun 12 – Tidza Ramblers. Meet Cherry Tree Square 10 a.m.
We set off for a local walk without a route in mind. On the Monsal Trail we looked in a quarry seeing a hopper still on rails above lime kilns, then saw the nesting boxes for swifts on the kilns below. Cliffs almost enclose a zigzag path that leads to a footbridge over the river giving a sense that little has changed over years. Walking by the river in Chee Dale a man approached carrying a large bucket. Inquiring politely as to its contents we were informed that it was salt for putting into the water so his colleagues downstream could measure the flow. Marginally wiser we carried on.It was an ideal morning walk.
It looked as though it would be wet all day; nevertheless we set off cheerfully towards Sheldon, the route this time highlighted in bright marker pen. Entering a field it was strange to see a building at the other side with an adjacent tall chimney. The silhouette of Magpie Mine was striking even in rain. We got up from a picnic table in Deep Dale after lunch somewhat cold and damp, little anticipating the change to come. The sun came out as we neared Monsal Head and a rainbow minutes later. The sight and sound of spray over the weir was mesmerising.
Going to look at early daffodils under an ancient tree we saw a plaque with a verse telling of young lovers who, having lived ‘full and valued lives are now returned to wander hand in hand together.’ Another inscription on a seat at the top concerned a middle-aged person who’d found the view so splendid it had made her feel twenty one again. A smell of wood smoke pervaded as young conservationists burned bracken.
We returned to Ashford under a brilliant blue sky where an elderly man smiled as we admired his cottage garden. Perhaps that seat with a view will work its magic on others!
Helen Royle. 872507.