September and a New Challenge

Some time ago we walked with members of Pioneer Church from Cromford along the High Peak Trail. Last year we inadvertently climbed up the Middleton Incline to Middleton Top. Having completed the Monsall Trail this became our new challenge.

Our refreshment stop was the cafe in Bonsall. The three mile walk took us through Hopton tunnel and on up the Hopton Incline. This was not as steep as the Middleton one but engines struggled to get up it. 

It was one of our noisier walks as we passed by noisy and dirty cement works. There was more industrial archaeology in the form of what were, most likely, lime kilns. They did very much look like Aztec temples.

 Ten days later after a pot of tea and delicious cakes (£3.50 in total) at our favourite tea shop in Wirksworth we set off to park where we had left off the walk last time.

We left the car all alone in a lay-by and walked over a field on to the track. The walk started past a group of rose bay willow herb which was changing from purple to the snowy colour of the seed heads.

A little way on was an unusual piece of industrial archaeology. Because we were on top of limestone there was no water. The solution was that an engine pulled tanks of water from Cromford up to a special platform and engines filled up from them.

The panoramas along the route were some of the most spectacular that we have seen.

On this walk we were to see ancient archaeology in the form of a tumulus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumulus); now known as Minning Low Hill.

At this point we began to see an even more impressive stone build. This time it was a huge embankment crossing over the valley.

At the other end of the embankment was Minning Low car park where we sat for our picnic. From there we returned carrying with us a great respect for the builders of the now abandoned railways.

There was then an urgent need to drive back to Middleton Top and the relief that was on offer there.

The following day I just had to take my camera up to the allotment. The profuse growth and colour was stunning.

Two days later it was Irene's mum's funeral. Nan had lived a long life and after a well fought battle against death she quietly succumbed at the age of 94.

The funeral was a good opportunity to spend time with our three boys and partners. In the morning we gathered together at the Peace Pagoda in Milton Keynes and went on to have refreshments at Campbell Community. This is a campus for special needs people where they grow their own food and serve in a cafe.

It was a dignified event at the crematorium with many people attending. Martin and Irene spoke well about their mother. Seeds were given out as a reminder for each generation to sow good things into next.

There was an old fashioned tea party in a nearby church hall. This was a good opportunity for the wider family to catch up with each other.

Then Irene and I gathered a wreath from the crematorium collection to put by the headstone and bunches of flowers to give to the staff and residents of High Clere Nursing Home.

Finally the Norwoods gathered in the garden of the local pub to spend more time with each other before sharing meal to end the day.

On the following Wednesday there was only time for an afternoon walk. This we did at Calke Abbey, resulting in a lot of bright, colourful images.

 The first Saturday that we were not obliged to go to Milton Keynes was not entirely free as the Haven Church had Vision Weekend in the afternoon and evening. But in the morning I took the opportunity to set up a photographic lamp and take photos of the layout. All of the photos were put on to Facebook but I include a couple here.

 Our Wednesday walk took us to the next part of the High Peak Trail. This time we had to start at Minning Low car park. The nearest refreshments and toilets were back in Wirksworth.

The sky was quite blue but we walked into a cold breeze. For the first time this year warm clothing was needed. The walk took us to a car park at Friden. We then went passed a factory producing special refractory bricks and then a little further to get to a recognisable place to turn round. Back at the Friden car park we sat down for lunch and I found a toilet stop. The nettles stung. Irene had to grin and bear it until she found a suitable wall to duck behind. Hopefully this will be the last time without there being any convenient conveniences. 

The last Saturday of the month was the celebration of our friend Mary at her house in Burrowash.

Blogging in 2011

Facebook has taken over blogging. But there is something about blogging which I have been missing, so I am going to restart and try to keep it up through this year.

My blog is generally intended to be pictorial and provides an excuse to pick up the camera.

January 1st 2011

Strangely this first day of the new year was a photo day. It was the first Saturday of the year and our regular trip to visit Nan Pickard. During our visit Tim and the girls turned up to visit Nan as well. It was a time for Nan to give the girls the hats that she had made them as Christmas presents.

Iona is able to blink in sync with the camera

After a number of attempts eyes are open

January 4th

Joni returns to Scotland to face the hole in his kitchen ceiling. At the time of writing we still wonder if they will be able to stay in the flat while the repairs take place.

January 9th

Jenny and Francis come to tea. They are keen to see a TV programme about clog dancing. We are able to find it on catch-up. The programme ends with an unannounced dance display in the centre of Newcastle. The dancers gradually gather. There is loud dancing followed by sudden silence and the dancers simply slip away. It was very moving for the Luckcocks because it showed a village where they used to live.

January 12th

I go to hospital for endoscopy. This is unpleasant, but bearable. At the time of writing I am hoping for results on Friday.

January 13th

Jenny and Francis take us to see 'The King's Speech'. We see the morning 'Silver Screening' at the Broadway Cinema. It is a very moving film with much historical detail and a deal of humour.

23rd January

Tim is licensed as Area Dean of Milton Keynes. Mum and I travel to Milton Keynes on Sunday afternoon. We spend an hour with Nan and then go to Christ the Cornerstone Church in the city centre. It was a good occasion and we were pleased to be able to witness another step in Tim's career and spend some time with the girls. We met some interesting people which include the Bishop of Buckingham.

The girls and Isla did readings.

The Church of Christ the Cornerstone

The altar and the lectern are solid granite but they can be moved around easily on a cushion of air.

The bag contains candles for the service.

Iona practising her reading.

Izzy practising her reading.

Irene and I were kindly invited to stay overnight. This gave us some time with the girls. In the morning we heard the girls practicing. Iona on the violin and Izzy on the cello and the double base.

24th January

Having walked to school with Tim and Izzy we left just after 9.00. Leaving MK much earlier is difficult. The traffic is much heavier than it was when we lived there.

In the afternoon we had the sad time of joining Jan at her father's funeral. It was held in the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, followed by a burial in a very extensive cemetery to the north of Bullwell. The wake was held in the bar area of a snooker club. The sun shone and the occasion went well.

25th January

I took the car for its service and MOT. I paid my tax bill.

I pressure washed the drive and house front. Irene cleaned and swept. As soon as this was finished the roofers phoned to say that they would be starting work on Wednesday.

On Tuesday evening we heard rat scratchings underneath the floor boards. A call to action.

26th January

As arranged the roofers arrived. The garden became a workshop. They covered the drive but it was a dirty process. Having got the old roofing off it began to rain. Hurriedly they put covering over. When got back from shopping the roof was covered, but a lot of finishing off had to be done. At the very moment of clearing up it rained again. No leaks. We now await the bill.

In the afternoon we tackled the garage. There is large pit in the back corner of the garage where the old warm air system sat. This was ducted under the floor. Earlier we had placed rat poison. It was now gone and dirt showed where a rat had entered the pit. Hopefully I have sealed all access to the pit and put a sealed cover over it. We might beat the rats.