Derbyshire Walk

On Boxing Day we decided to take the Derbyshire air. We parked the car at Tidewell Dale and walked along to Litton Mill beside the river. Litton Mill is such a pretty little place and the new appartments built from the old mill are very attractive. The walk to Cressbrook Mill was pleasant, although perhaps we should have taken the alternative route to avoid the flooded paths. The swans watched us with amusement as we negotiated the puddles. From Cressbrook we climbed upwards first along the road and then through the woods going towards Tinsley Dale. The climb was quite steep in places, but well worth the view once at the top. It was hard to beleive we were walking in December with the sky so blue. We eventually found the stepping stones and crossed the river towards Tideswell. Several styles later we were homeward bound glad to find the car and a welcome cup of coffee.
The scenery was just amazing as always in Derbyshire.

Clumber Park

Clumber Park has been a favourite place for walking since I was a child. I can remember having picnics with my parents, and feeding the ducks with my own son. It is now owned by The National Trust and still has that feel of complete isolation and yet is often busy with people walking and riding bikes. The trees are just amazing. We walked in Clumber Park on Christmas morning and fed the birds and squirrels.

Chatsworth House Sculptures

Chatsworth House nestles into the Derbyshire countryside and visitors can share in its grand nature and enjoy spectacular views from this vast estate.
As a child I visited the estate during the summmer months to enjoy picnics and walks in the grounds and beyond. I visited the house once, but was not impressed, as a child perhaps I did not appreciate its vast wealth of furnishings.
Two years ago I visited the house again to witness the Christmas display. The Duchess had decided to decorate the house with a theme of The Twelve Days of Christmas. Every room was adorned with baubles and tinsel. A sight to behold. It was the talk of Derbyshire. Some people loved it, other people hated it, but it gave everyone something to talk about for awhile.
Last year I visited the grounds which are truely stunning and the gardners should be proud of their work. The grounds were host to a selection of sculptures which were later to be auctioned at Sotherby's in London.
My photographs show but a few.
Chatsworth House is once again the backdrop for new sculptures which open on September 9th and I shall be there with my camera.
For further information go to: www.chatsworth.org

Sheffield Cooling Towers

a few months ago I took a photograph of the cooling towers in Sheffield. They stood proud beside the M1. Little did I know that they would be demolished on August Bank Holiday 2008.
You can view more piotures and read the article at: www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire

More from Heligan

I took so many photographs at Heligan, so here are a few more for you to look at.

Lost Gardens of Heligan

What a treat to visit this spectacular garden in Cornwall. You could spend day after day just wandering about and still not see everything.
Visit www.heligan.com before your visit to give you an insight and plan your day. I was only there for one day, but plan to go again in another season.

Lobster Pots

If I remember this pile of lobster pots were photographed at Portloe, a tiny village nestled into the cliffs. I imagined the fishermen taking out large lobsters and just leaving the pile ready for the next day.

Flowers beside the sea

Everywhere you look in Cornwall these orange flowers appear and what better setting than beside the sea.

Fushia's in Cornwall

The climate in Cornwall lends itself to the most amazing flowers. Fushia's grow just about everywhere lining the hedgerows and hanging over garden walls.

Tregrehan Garden

A peaceful haven within Tregrehan Garden, St Austall, Cornwall.

Tregrehan Garden Cottages

Last year we visited Cornwall for the first time. Weather wise it was a perfect week. We stayed in one of the cottages in Tregrehan Garden - The Spry's. Tregrehan is within walking distance of The Eden Project, along the back road approox 10 minutes. Tregrehan Garden was only open on the Wednesday afternoon to the public and we could use it whenever we wished. What a marvellous opportunity to just wander amongst the many shrubs, pathways and smell the fragrant flowers that seemed to appear from every part of this walled garden. So we based ourselves in this little bit of Cornwall and thorougly enjoyed our stay.
For further information go to www.tregrehan.org

Buxton, Derbyshire

Buxton is about an hour away from our house and a most beautiful drive over the peak district until you reach the high peak town of Buxton. Our last visit was to see a play at the Buxton Opera House about a year ago. It was a dark night when we made the trip, and excited about visiting the Opera house for the first time. What a beautiful building, so original and ornate. But Oh! dear the seats were so uncomfortable - my knees were about under my chin and I was just about sitting on the knee of the next person. We nearly left at the interval, but decided to brave it out, as after all we had driven all thaat way and the play was good. We hobbled out at the end with aching legs and a twisted spine, but still comment on the beautiful building. So yesterday we decided to visit the town and have a browse around the buildings and just take in the atmosphere of this once very grand spa town. The photographs show the Opera House, Pavilion and Band Stand. Buxton was so pretty with flowers that I could not resist adding one of the many tubs along the road.
For further information go to. www.visitbuxton.co.uk

Water, Water Everywhere on Sheffield Station

The water features on Sheffield Station are amazing. I love this one as it curves around and spurts out water.

Sheffield Station

Over the last few years Sheffield Station has received a complete make-over. For what seemed like ages workmen swarmed like ants creating dust, roadworks and traffic conjestion until finally the new station emerged in all its glory. It really is a pleasure now to catch a train or just and watch the wall of water or fountains.

I live near Sheffield and last year whilst driving through the city I spotted this verse written on the side of one of the new buildings. I went back later that day to take this photograph.