A touch of snow

No big write-up on this one. We got the promised snow, that's it!

Actually, the media went into overdrive, over-hyping the threat. We were supposed to be BURIED in the stuff, but in fact we got about an inch or so.

These pictures are around Codnor Park reservoir. It was frozen over, so the snow settled on the top of the ice. Always a nice touch, I find.

It was snowing quite heavily when i stopped the car, but it soon abated.

Still, this was a nice picture of the flurry.

A pristine track, with no footprints in the virgin snow.

I think this ice would be TOO thin to skate on.

Sticky snow, great for snowmen and snowballs. No time for either, though.

This Robin was a bug**r to catch on camera. He kept flitting about, This was the only one I managed to get of him. They are usually quite co-operative, but not today!

A walk around Trentham gardens.

Last saturday, I took a trip to see Trentham Gardens, near Newcastle Under Lyme. I'd heard my Mum talk of the place, but I'd never been, so I thought it was time to put that right. I chose the most perfect of days, as it was cold, crisp and clear. I walked around the edge of the lake, up to the monument, back down through the woods, and back to the car, but not until I had had a taste experience (more of which in posting below).

Here's the lake view that greeted me. The sun was melting the frost wherever it kissed it, and a slight mist hung over the water.

I suppose I could do the; 'you can see their cox' joke here, but I don't want to spoil the effect of this photo.

(Oh - too late, I've already said it..........LOL)

Halfway round the lake, and this is the view along it.

A perfect tree, against a perfect sky.
'Nuff said!

This guy was called Granville Leveson-Gower. He was the first duke of Sutherland. You can find out more about him here (copy and paste this into Internet Explorer); http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granville_Leveson-Gower,_1st_Earl_Granville

The lake was very popular with scullers.

This shot makes reminds me of water boatmen beetles!

Bullrushes and the lake.

Woods and forests always fascinate me. In a good light, they are beautiful.

Today was a good light

The warm weather had brought out some early 'visitors'.

.....and caused others to recline!

The next day I walked to, and around, Buxton. You can see the pics on my other blog at www.pearlsofthepeak.blogspot.com

Oil Heaven

As you'll see from the photo's above, I went to Trentham gardens last Saturday. After a lovely walk, we visited the 'retail area'. I'm not really into these places, but I spotted the 'country larder', and my mind turned to interesting cheeses and the meat deli'. There WAS all that, but the crowning glory was the oil and balsamic vinegar selection. I only had a quick taste at first, but was soon hooked. They were, without a DOUBT, the finest flavours I've ever tasted in oil and vinegar. I had already selected two bottles, when Karl, the owner and 'recipist' came out to where I was enthusing over his wares. He is SO devoted to what he does, and he showed me how to mix the already gorgeous flavours to create even better, more complex ones.
If you are over that way, I strongly suggest you go and get your buds tickled, you will thank me! Apart from the oils etc, there is a fantastic range of other yummy food (bread, cheeses (over 100) and meats).

Steam train pictures

At the weekend, Kingsley & Froghall Station saw the arrival of a V.I.T. (very important train), the Great Marquess! Here are a few pictures, for those train spotters among you.

REAL ale - REAL warning!

I thought I'd regale you with this sign, which hangs in the real ale pub; The Three stags Heads, at Wardlow Mires.

Please.............DON'T ask!

More mists and frost

Here are a few more misty pictures, allied with some nice frosty ones. We had one of those very heavy, sticky frosts, so I made the most of it. The one picture I didn't get was one of a frozen spiders web - next time, maybe.

These deadheads always hold frost well, but i just thought these two were particularly good.

I stopped the car to get these pictures, doesn't this field look magic?

I bet those cows don't appreciate all this beauty!

A very Merry Christmas to all my viewers!

.....and a happy and peaceful new year.

Christmas mists

October is supposed to be the month of mists, and mellow fruitfulness, NOT December!

Well, there's not much fruit about (outside Tesco's anyway), but today saw some really pretty mists around Wirksworth and Crich.

I took these pictures from the roadside. What a wonderful place to be, eh?

This one is looking across to the tiny hamlet of Alderwasley.

This one is the camera turned to look up the valley towards Crich village. I love the cows in the foreground, munching away at the grass.

This is the Crich cliff, in reality, a quarry face (which was recently re-opened). The tower on the top is Crich stand, a memorial to the 17/21st lancers. Information can be found here;

http://www.qrl.uk.com/h_17_21.html

This is the same picture with the zoom off. Don't forget, you can click on any of the pictures to get a larger version. It's really ethereal when you see the land like this.

Another, similar view.

One last one, as I just LOVE the way this looks in the mist.

Well, I hope you enjoyed my 'fruitful' account of a misty Derbyshire day.

Please feel free to sign the comments book.

Xmas trip to Nottingham part 1

Around the end of November, the German market comes to Nottingham. I LOVE the atmosphere, pretty stalls, food and drink, and the lights too! It's a lovely day, or night, out and, coupled with the rest of the Xmas activities, for me it's a MUST! I had an extra reason to visit Nottingham this year though, the ALL NEW market square, which was due to be completed for Christmas. Did someone say 'trust a builder'???? No? THOUGHT not because, as expected, it was a massive disappointment to find the square nowhere NEAR done, with a fence right around it and notices telling that it was now due for completion in March,. 2007. I won't be holding my breath.

The day started with the sight of the Salvation Army Santa, along with his hoardes of collectors. The choir was nice, but better was to come at the old maket square. Don't forget, you can click on any of the pictures to enlarge them, and also, if you click on the title of the post (Xmas trip....), there's a link to the 'visit Nottingham' website.

Here's the spire of St Peters church. This is at the bottom of exchange walk, and looks down on all the festivities below.

Indian Pan Pipe players. Pan Pipes are as old as the hills, but I had to chuckle at the battery of modern gear behind this 'authentic' band. They had a portable generator, mixing deck, echo machine, etc etc. Of course, there were the ubiquitous CD's on sale too!

Now THIS is what you CALL a choir! They sang their hearts out, and were very good too. I watched them for many a while on the council house steps before moving on.

Looking along some of the German market stalls.


Please go to part two (below)

Xmas trip to Nottingham part 2

There were one or two stalls that looked decidedly UN-German like this one! It was African crafts! (Had some nice stuff, though).

Here's the sausage stall, before it got busy, and BOY! Did it get BUSY!


I counted 200 sausages on here, and later on, they couldn't keep up with demand! I'd like the cash takings from this stall, at the end of the day.

When you're in a city, any city, look up. There's the most sublime architecture on show. Most people miss it, but I always take time to look up. This little spire, for instance. A lot of pride and craftsmanship went into this, what a shame if it goes unnoticed?

Here too, pressed into the side of a building, is a little topped out spire.

And just LOOK at the workmanship on these figurines over the Council house frontage!

Inside the shopping malls of Victoria and broad marsh, they've really gone to town on the decorations. This tree was really well done.

Please move on to the last part, part three (below)