A Wild Vista

It’s been a bit quiet on this blog lately, due in no small part to me now finding myself living in Buxton, rather than Cambridge. I say “finding myself” — as if I woke a few days ago and was taken aback by the sudden shift in scenery — but of course this move was planned. With the hard work of moving complete, but with much remaining to be done to get things shipshape here, I finally gave in to temptation yesterday, and headed for the hills. Just a 3-hour amble, but very enjoyable. A few pics…

Mam Tor and the Upper Hope Valley from near Hollins Cross.

Back Tor from Backtor Nook.

Mam Tor and the Vale of Edale from Back Tor.

Lone tree near Back Tor.

Looking south-west along the ridge from Lose Hill.

Mam Tor from near Odin Mine.

This is the first time I’ve lived with what I’d consider “my sort” of walking country on the doorstep. Mam Nick is about 20 minutes’ drive away, and the hugely popular track along the ridge to Lose Hill was most enjoyable. Quiet too. I rarely get out walking mid-week, and there were distinctly fewer pedestrians and aviators about than I’m used to in these parts. Mostly dog walkers, and a couple of distinctly lackadaisical paraglider pilots (though back at the car, a hang-glider pilot was clearly enjoying the view over the Mam Tor landslip).

I returned from Lose Hill via Brockett Booth plantation — crossed via a short-lived but impressive balcony path reminiscent of some of the contouring paths I’ve come across in the forests of the Alps — then down the Hollowford Road to Castleton, and back up to Mam Nick via the old A625 road, now substantially buckled and broken my Mam Tor’s active landslip.

It’s looking as though the weather might be half-decent again on Sunday, so, provided I’ve made enough progress unpacking and sorting the flat out, I’m looking forward to getting out and exploring a little more of my new surroundings!