Tuesday 15 April 2014

Rocks, rocks, a few more rocks ... and an invitation.

Oooh Jane you cryptic old tinker you.

First the rocks.

Since Big and Little Sis were wee we've been bringing them to the Roaches. On a spectacularly scenic road between Leek and Buxton they provide great scrambling opportunities for both young and old goats alike and reward with far reaching views. (I wrote about Leek here - a perfect place for a spot of charity shopping and some pre walk sustenance.) So yesterday Big Sis and I had some lovely mother and daughter time together and decided to take off! Of course Big Sis being Big Sis her suitcase hadn't allowed any packing of what you and I might call 'necessities'. The resulting outfit of a faux fur coat and her sister's slightly too small trainers was one that isn't often seen in the hiking community - but it did the trick! The section that we usually walk is right next to a narrow road and in the time it took to lock the car door Big Sis  was already up and off.

Spot the Yeti!
The rocky path is by no means straightforward but is worth stopping along the way just to watch the light change. Within seconds it can turn from this


to this


The other thing that struck me was the absolute silence. There was a fair old breeze and the occasional word or two from a passing walker but apart from that you only heard the bees on the heather and the strange 'sweeee' sound of an unknown bird (any guesses?)

Carrying on up


Past some fantastic rock formations


We thought this one looked like a tortoise!

Noticing the old heather


and the new


Nearly there


Until we got to the top

Queen of all she surveys

I must admit I didn't quite make it to the top of the rock a la Big Sis - my knees were starting to wobble by now and the fact that these rocks have been there forever didn't allay this one bit - today might just have been the day they all decided to give way!
A wonderful day though. My cobwebs were properly blown away and I felt no guilt at all at indulging in the rather large chocolate flapjack I'd stashed in my bag for the summit!

Now for the invitation bit. I was wondering...if maybe...oh I don't know...just a thought...perhaps it would be nice if us bloggy folk could have a little get together? Hmmmm? I was thinking maybe sometime in the last week of May. Not sure where but I thought perhaps a National Trust type of place where we could have a picnic and lovely walk if the weather was nice, or go in the tea rooms and visit a lovely big house if it's not. What do you think? Shugborough? Tatton Park? Calke Abbey? I'm completely open to suggestions so if you think you've got any good ones do let me know - it would be so nice to actually meet some of you!

Meanwhile here's a by no means flattering picture of windswept me atop a rock!


Jane
xxx

22 comments :

  1. Love your photographs, the scenery is amazing!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

    ReplyDelete
  2. This looks like a beautiful place. So glad you and she had some time together there.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I totally see what you mean about the tortoise rock, did you notice the face on the rock in the picture just above where you wrote "until we got to the top"? I would love to meet up, but it would be too far for me sadly! I hope that you can organise it though and that it goes really well - I look forward to seeing pictures!! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's really interesting Amy as one of the formations is known as the winking man - only visible from the lower road sadly - but he has a hole where his eye should be and as you drive past he appears to 'wink' at you!

      Delete
  4. This is a lovely post full of great photos. What scenery.

    ReplyDelete
  5. We almost did a walk from goldsitch moss (a bit for north) to Ramshaw Rocks yesterday, but then went elsewhere - we could have passed you without realising if we had gone there! I love the rocks, I lived very close the the Ramshaws, but within walking distance of the Roaches and spent a lot of time on both patches. I had a friend who lives in one of the cottages further up, just off the A53 and we'd often walk one end of the Ramshaws to the other. That's where I learned to be a mountain goat! I'm more confident walking over rocks and boulders than I am on a flat path! It was a lovely place to grow up :)

    I may be interested in a meet up as I'm only 25ish mile from you. Will have to see how things go as I am unemployed at the moment and trying to get by on supply work but I haven't had much work lately... I've just lapsed our NT membership after several years because of the job issue, but if I get some work after easter I may be able to afford petrol and entrance fees!! Let me know if you arrange anything and I'll see what I can do.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi. I feel as if I've climbed with you, (I'm exhausted and I didn't get choc flapjack) your photos are very good at giving a flavour of your adventure.

    Good idea about a blog meet up but I think I'm too far away, but i hope you do get to meet some bloggers.

    S xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Stunning scenery. Brimham Rocks next time!
    Jacqui x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Gorgeous pics, and that sounds like a lovely day out, especially the chocolate flapjack bit! Ooh, I love the idea of a bloggy get together - I've organised a couple here in the Midlands and it's such fun. I just need to work out if you're within reasonable driving distance though so going off to google those NT places now & see. Xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I do hope so! Let me know what you think x Jane

      Delete
  9. Thanks for the trip out... how I miss those sorts of walks with huge horizons... stunning natural views and as you say cobwebs scatted to the four corners!! Sadly I'm too far away to join in with the meet up too, shame I like the idea of a picnic bloggy gathering.... Cass x

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a breathtaking place you found. Absolutely stunning and it reminds me of Brimham Rocks in Yorkshire. I'd love to meet up but I've never heard of any of those places so I guess you're quite far from me. :( xx

    ReplyDelete
  11. I know it well such a special place (as long as you don't wear a wig hehe!)
    I would love to meet up too
    Thea xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh that's great Thea - waiting until the weekend then going to try and be a bit more specific! Jane x

      Delete
  12. Lovely Jane you are gorgeous! I must admit that I don't like the title of your blog as it doesn't suit you at all - I propose that we change it to something like Gorgeous Jane or Stunning Jane - what do you think? Leek is a favourite place of mine as I do visit a gorgeous craft shop there and Buxton has always been a big love of mine. I used to be a student nurse in Holmes Chapel and we used to visit Buxton a lot, especially on very hot days when the air and breeze there would be so refreshing. I would love to meet up Lovely Jane - it would be a fabulous chance to say hello to everyone. What a good idea of yours, count me in.
    Sending you big hugs and loves, have a fabulous Easter.
    Dorothy
    :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh that's great - will try to get some more details at the weekend! x

      Delete
  13. What beautiful pictures,my hubby is a walker so will have to tell him about it! I do live close but would be too shy to actually meet! Kind Regards Pam.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hello there, I'm a bit new to your blog, although I have just spent a good chunk of time admiring your Miss Mildred! She is a stunner :)

    Anyway, I will soon be moving up to near where you are offering the bloggy meet up, and I was thinking that maybe I could make it, if that would be ok. You could head over to mine to take a look and see what you think?

    Debbie :)

    http://inpursuitoftheworthwhile.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That would be great Debbie - will post more details soon x Jane

      Delete
    2. Ooh thank you!Looking forward to it :) x

      Delete
  15. I don't agree at all. It's a beautiful picture of you Jane! ... I think it's a wonderful idea, your thoughts of a get together. I wish I lived close...I would certainly come....What a pretty place to spend the day exploring! xo

    ReplyDelete

I love to read your comments - they are appreciated sooooo much. Thanks for making my day xxx