Saturday 1 August 2009

A Derbyshire Walk



Yesterday (Friday) we went over to Buxton, which is in Derbyshire,in the Peak District, and not very far from where we live. The Buxton Road is very winding, with big dangerous bend. It is unfortuately very popular with bikers, who test themselves and their machines on the bends, unhappily causing many accidents, too many of which are fatal. But the road does have fabulous views in all directions. I tried to take the above from the car as it was moving. I hasten to add I was NOT driving!



We went to Buxton and Grin Low Country Park, to the Grin Low entrance. The other one goes to Poole's cavern, a big limestone cave, full of stalactites and stalcmites, which gets very busy in the summer. The Grin Low end was very quiet, with a huge car park. There is also a camping and caravan site, but the tent field was closed due to waterlogging! I felt very sorry for holiday-makers there. The sites, car park, and the start of the walks are in a vast disused quarry. Cliffs of rock tower over the site, looking magnificent, even on a dull day.


The paths follow these cliffs quite closely,


and we are warned to beware falling rocks!


The path was very steep. The photograph doesn't give the right impression - believe me, I was wondering if I would ever make it, but I was determined to get to the top and see what was round the corner, and I got there!



The path followed an old lane, with rocks on one side, where most of the flowers seemed to be growing out of the cracks.


At a junction, one path led over a stile into a very interesting-looking wood, which we were tempted to go down, but we turned right and came out onto the most beautiful grassland.




It was covered with wild flowers, and hawthorn bushes, right up to Solomon's Temple, a circular "viewpoint" built in 1896 for those who fancied a walk after taking the waters in Buxton Spa. It has been built on a neolithic burial mound, ansd there have probably been other buildings there. It stands on Grin Low (Low in the peak District means a hill, or mound) and was seemingly named after the previous owner of the land, one Solomon Mycock. Nothing to do with the Solomon of Biblical fame! That's it on the skyline. We didn't attempt to get there!


The views round 180° are breath-taking - almost literally, as there was a brisk wind up there!



The grass was covered with wild flowers, including harebells, which I have not seen for a long time. They are so delicate, but survive in some of the coldest and windiest spots. There were also red clover and some yellow flowers I didn't know the name of! There was a handy information notice, telling s about the limestone grassland, and the flowers and animals likely to be seen. We didn't spot any animals, and only a few jackdaws, but the flowers made up for that!

On the way home we stopped at the Peak View Tea Rooms for some lunch. We both had toasted bacon, cheese and tomato sandwiches, and agreed that they were the best toasted sandwiches we had ever had! I can heartily recommend the Tea Rooms (a bit of a misnomer, they do full lunches and are licensed) - the food is fantastic!



I was most intrigued with the embroidered cake covers - I've never seen anything like them before. The cakes looked tantalising, but Mr. G steered me away firmly!


Each table had very quirky cruet sets. Ours were burgers, but this table had a monk and a fridge! There were also buses, coca cola tins, and other weird and wonderful sets. On the wall was a marvellous display of teapots shaped like houses, cottages, vegetables, you name it. Around the room were pottery sheep, animals and all sorts of other things.


Altogether a very satisfactory day!

13 comments:

kenju said...

Gilly, the photos of the countryside are just beautiful!! The tall rocks remind me of the state I was born into - West Virginia - and there are many mouontains with exposed rock there.

Marja said...

Oh you live in such a beautiful place. I love caves and rocks.
The cakes look delicious and I love the cruet sets Don't know what it means though Is it for pepper and salt?
Thanks for sharing

Gilly said...

Kenju - I love expozed rock for some reason - always excites me!

Marja, yes, the cruet sets are for salt and pepper. I think the Monk had salt in!

Cloudhands said...

What a pleasant day out you have had. We often do the same and enjoy such a drive,taking a hike and finding a good meal. I may need to encourage hubby dear that it is time for another similar outing. You have inspired me.
I also was not sure of your use of cruet, glad you cleared that up for us.

Maria said...

Gilly,
What a sight all that green is to this desert dweller. Your photos are wonderful. I love to visit your site.

awareness said...

Gilly...these are wonderful photos...so lush and green and hilly. It reminds me of my own area of New Brunswick. Nova Scotia has similar landscape too, but the roads that are winding like the one you describe also come with vistas of the water too.

I love the very idea of tea rooms, which are common in some parts of Canada. In this part, there are quirky little diners, some of which have the most amazing homemade desserts.

ps. By FAR, the best toasted sandwich is bacon, cheese and tomato. I may have to make myself one soon! :)

Rainbow dreams said...

sounds wonderful - vast expanses to be at one with nature... lovely Gilly

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

The countryside is beautiful! What a wonderful place to take a walk. Glad you had an enjoyable day out.

Hollace said...

I enjoyed it all vicariously! Thanks for the beautiful post.

cheshire wife said...

I have been on The Buxton Road once or twice, actually, as we went there and back to Buxton Spa and I was glad to get home. I wasn't keen on those bends but will have to do it again some time to do the walk!

Glennis said...

How beautiful! What a wonderful place to walk. I so envy you two!! The rocky places remind me of here in Topanga, I wish you could see it and we could compare notes.

And the cakes at the end, too....yum!

cruets are for oil and vinegar, aren't they?

Gilly said...

g - I think originally "cruet" coverd all the seasonings. The Victorians had lovely little silver stands, taking 4 glass containers appropriate for salt pepper and two others - not oil, it was never the thing here, but mustard and vinegar probably. Or, perhaps more commonly, a three-some, salt, pepper and mustard. Today you don't get silver stands and cut glass bottles, but the salt and pepper containers are generally known as the cruet - at least among us oldies!

KathyA said...

Loved these photos and very much appreciate the tour! Nice to go exploring...
The food at the tea room looks quite tempting. You must have a will or iron.
I've always loved looking at exposed rock. Seeing the different layers is like looking at history.