Stanage Edge

Saturday evening you could have seen us at the local Indian restaurant having a curry and a couple of bottles of wine. Later on we were to be found watching a band strumming some 80's music in a local watering hole that we 'almost' frequent. Sunday morning you may have seen our squinty eyes and dainty steps.
Never-the-less, we left our abode and headed for the Dark Peaks of Derbyshire. Hungover, also in no doubt that at some point during the day, we would have a sudden requirement for one of Mr Doultons finest pieces of porcelain. Undaunted by this horrible thought we left the car at the side of the road, then headed out into the open wilderness of the Dark Peak. We know how to live 'on the edge'!

Starting near The Fox House Inn, on the B6521 at Padley Gorge, Hathersage, Derbyshire.

We went off down the lovely gorge through the trees next to the tumbling stream of Burbage Brook and down through Burbage woods, where the Fungi grow.

Across the Sheffield to Manchester rail line into meadows of the Derwent valley.

Further along the River Derwent and into Hathersage village. Picnic at the local cricket ground in the late summer sunshine.

Then the climb up the hill begins. Passing through the Churchyard of St Michaels. They say that Little John, of Robin Hoods band of men fame, is buried here. This is one extremely long grave!

Past here and up a steep driveway to the Eyres house, made famous by Charlotte Bronte.

Up through some woods and then a steeper climb through the bracken below Stanage Edge itself.

The rocks were crawling with climbers. Loads of them, all along the length of the Edge.
Easier ways to the top can be found though.

 A Meadow Pipit, quite a common sight up here, not usually this close though. They must be getting used to human contact.

 It was rather breezy on the top.

 Climbers making the most of what will probably be the last nice Sunday this year, Still climbing as the sun descends low in the sky.
Sunset at 18:52 and this was taken at 17:10. It's 20 minutes from the nearest parked car though. You can see them along the road in the background. It took us an hour to get back to ours. A lovely afternoon in the late summer sunshine.