Tuesday, 15 June 2010

Kirk Ireton and Halfmoon Lane

March 2010 and Natasha was up to something so I was off on my own again, exploring the Derbyshire countryside.

Parking at the southern end of Carsington Water I soon picked up the path rising up Hays Lane to follow the field path into Kirk Ireton ... and the Barley Mow. It's a traditional pub and well worth a visit. 

Carsington Water and Kirk Ireton ~ 14th March 2010

 Further down the village, the church seems small and low and I'm not sure whether I have ever been inside.


Carsington Water and Kirk Ireton ~ 14th March 2010

 It was nice to see, at head height, a stone carving. I wonder if it represented anyone in particular. It looks as though he was wearing a wig though ...

Carsington Water and Kirk Ireton ~ 14th March 2010

The snowdrops were out and looked extra white against the rather mucky looking limestone gravestones.

Carsington Water and Kirk Ireton ~ 14th March 2010

 I did a bit of field walking, passing a cottage that is called Moorside [according to the OS Map] and which has a path that passes right in front of the house. There is however a 'Private Property' sign on the farmgate at the entrance to the yard of the cottage with no indication of a path other than a stile beside the gate. [I have a photo if you would like to see it !]

Then I was following a lane which reached Halfmoon Lane ... one of my favourite lane names ! This is it ...

Carsington Water and Kirk Ireton ~ 14th March 2010

Halfmoon Lane isn't that long but it gives some good views towards Bolehill and Wirksworth ...

Carsington Water and Kirk Ireton ~ 14th March 2010

I squeezed through some tight stone stoop stiles and followed the path to Callow where I bumped into Daniel Bayfield from Matlock. He was in training with some mates for a longer walk. It's surprising who you bump into.

After a short stretch along Stainsborough Lane I took the path leading towards Carsington. In a field near the reservoir a young woman was walking two alsatians. They were both off the lead and ran towards me ... and then ran around me barking !

After about thirty seconds [ it could have been more or less I wasn't looking at my watch] she got them to go back to her and then had the damned cheek to shout something along the lines of "they won't hurt you"  to which I responded "I don't know that !"

Anyway here are the dogs and the person who is, by law, supposed to keep them under her control ...

Carsington Water and Kirk Ireton ~ 14th March 2010

I calmed down whilst walking near the reservoir, enjoying the views ...

Carsington Water and Kirk Ireton ~ 14th March 2010

Carsington Water and Kirk Ireton ~ 14th March 2010

As I got nearer the car I noticed three pairs of Canada Geese sitting in a field just a litle way up the hill from me. First one pair took off and then another and I thought I must try and get  few photographs of the last pair as they take flight. I waited and waited and they kept on eating until I decided to give up and walk on. Then I heard them coming overhead and had just one chance to take a photo ...

Here is the edited version !

Carsington Water and Kirk Ireton ~ 14th March 2010

I'm pleased with that.

Getting towards the end now and again the colour of the water in the reservoir struck me ... it was turquoise. 

Carsington Water and Kirk Ireton ~ 14th March 2010

I was interested to see an open-sided outbuilding full of wooden furniture ...

Carsington Water and Kirk Ireton ~ 14th March 2010

Where everything was made of wood ...

everything ...

Carsington Water and Kirk Ireton ~ 14th March 2010

 Somebody must have been very busy.

Carsington Water and Kirk Ireton ~ 14th March 2010

Date of walk ~ 14th March 2010

Length of walk ~ 7 miles

Total walked so far in 2010 ~ 41 3/4 miles

Total walked since 1st September 2009 ~ 171 3/4 miles

9 of 2010

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