Early morning mist

 An early paddle today, I picked up Debbie and her paddleboard and set off for the quarry. A misty morning, but quiet. The camping yoof were still in bed and there was no one else on the water, so we had the place to ourselves. I waited for Debbie to pump up her board, then we set off and did a few laps of the quarry, chatting away and just enjoying relaxing on the water. Debbie's training with the local Mountian Rescue team so I was busy quizzing her about that. After 30-40 minutes we decided to get out, by then swimmers were starting to appear. I like the fact that swimmers have claimed this space as their own, if only for a few hours.

Sometimes it's just about being out, whether on water or land, in kayak or boots, on bike or board, just relaxing without pushing yourself.

Paul.

A quick spin and new airbags

 Out on the bike again this morning, actually late morning because I slept badly. It's not been a great week for sleep, last Wednesday I twisted my knee getting out of the kayak, which I thought nothing of until it seized up in the early hours and kept me awake.

I pretty much followed the same route as last week and was out for about an hour, time enough to spin the legs and get my backside used to the saddle again.

After lunch I had a small job to tackle. The old airbags in the kayak were rotten and leaking air, so on Thursday I took a drive down to Peak Paddlesport's shop in Darley Dale and bought a new pair;

These were tied into the boat using some nice green 5mm cord that's been sat in the attic for donkey's years;

Job done;

Paul.

Wednesday morning paddle

 A quick paddle this morning on the quarry, accompanying Dani, the Colonel and Ruth who all prefer to swim.

Weather a bit overcast to start, then drizzle turning to light rain, but hey, it's a watersport.

I did explore a bit, but spent most of the time (about 40 minutes) shadowing Dani, getting some safety boat practice ready for when she takes on a big swimming challenge and needs support.

I also did some low brace practice, the skills are still there even after 10 years away but rusty. Nothing a bit of practice and time on the water won't sort out.

Paul.

Back in the kayak

Yesterday morning I decided to drag the kayak out of the garden for the first time in over a decade and take it for a paddle. Dani and the Colonel often swim in a flooded quarry, so I joined them. They walked over, it's a short walk from our house, whilst I threw the boat in the van and drove over.

The quarry was busy as a group of males had set up camp and were getting ready to play in the water. They didn't bother us as we got in, but Dani did say that she was happy that she was in the company of two blokes.

Getting back into the kayak after so long was not as hard as I thought it would be although it took me a while to learn to relax on the water. The hardest part was getting used to sitting in the boat with my legs and ankles stuck at unusual angles, whitewater boats tend to be worn rather than sat in so can be a pretty tight fit. My paddling skills aren't as rusty as I thought they would be and a few more sessions should help get them back up to scratch. I didn't do a wet exit, but next time I should make sure that I can get out if I capsize. I do intend going out again when Dani is swimming, I used to love kayaking and I want to see if I still do.

Paul.

Solstice sunset on Hordron Edge

Yesterday we decided that it might be nice to take stone bothering to another level and watch the sun go down from a stone circle. So we headed over to Hordron Edge as we thought it would be quiet and we'd have the place to ourselves. We got there in what we thought would be good time to see the sun go down, but by the time we reached the circle the sun had already disappeared over the hill, our mistake was looking at the time the sun set over the horizon forgetting that there's a hill in the way. The sunset was pretty unspectacular, but it was nice to be out.

On the walk in we saw a couple of tents set up on the edge, hardly discrete, and we were soon passed by a farmer on a quad bike. He was moving campers on, and as we left the two large tents were gone. I can understand the desire to camp up there, but wild camping needs to be done discretely, small tents or bivi bags, hidden away and no trace left. Unfortunately a lot of campers in the Ladybower area are anything but discrete, lighting fires and leaving whole campsites behind after they've gone, so I can understand why people were being moved on.

We didn't get the circle to ourselves, a couple of women were sitting within it, so we kept a respectful distance and sat quietly. They did come over to say hello as they left, and we chatted about dogs.

It was a nice evening to be sitting in a megalith doing nothing, although the noise from campers elsewhere did spoil the effect.

More photos of the Seven Stones here.

Paul.

Short spin

 I've not been out on the bike in too long, about 3 months, ever since Polo came into our lives. Today I decided it was high time I got out again, so I did.

I was out at eight, before the day got too hot, and just went for an hour locally. I still managed to ride stuff I've not ridden before. So, across the golf course, over to Waterswallows, throw the bike over a gate and through the old quarry, ducking through the trees (which I cut back earlier in the year). Up onto the plateau, like a lunar landscape, follow the edge avoiding the lapwing nesting site, then down the other side. Along a byway, down a lane, across some fields, up Hardybarn, back on to the plateau, over the gate, re-cross the golf course, back home.

A fine morning, I saw lapwings, chased a hare, and came within 5-6 feet of a buzzard as I was riding home. I saw it fly down into the verge, then as I got close it flew out again with breakfast in its talons. A real 'f**k me!' moment!

I've still got it, the legs felt good and fitness wise I don't feel too bad.

Paul.

A quick visit to Arbor Low

Arbor Low is pretty close to where I live, certainly close enough and easy enough to get to for a quick visit. So visit we did, but not until we'd stopped at Tagg Lane for an excellent ice cream.

I find Arbor Low to be tricky to photograph, and I'm not a good snapper anyway, due in part to the size and layout of the place, the fact that the stones lay flat, and other visitors. Anyway, here's my efforts;

We took the short walk to Gib Hill, a burial mound a short walk away;

Usually I'd wait until people move before taking a photo, but the figures give a sense of scale.

On the way back to the car I snapped some flowers;

Polo stayed at home today, taking a nervous reactive rescue dog through a field of cows is not a good idea, he would of course have stayed on a short lead but that wouldn't stop him barking.

Paul.

Standing stone on Foxlowe Edge

Despite living close to the Goyt Valley I didn't know about this stone, although I must have walked past it at least once.

It's on Foxlowe Edge, close to a road called The Street.

And it's located next to a track. I wonder if it was once a waymarker, leading folk over the ridge which was possibly a safer and easier route than the valleys either side.

I did note some marks on it that look man-made;

Polo wasn't impressed, he gave the stone a good barking at!

I also visited St. Joseph's Shrine, located nearby;

Even though I'm not in any way religious I'm glad that this little shrine exists.

A nice afternoon, with buzzards and skylarks for company.

Paul.