Whilst wondering what to write about today, I went off into a daydream which fortuitously for me was of a place I once visited and has given me some thoughts of which I will now attempt to put into words…
Although as time passes memories become hazy to us, it is amazing how much clarity can be retained in the subconscious. For me I recalled a quiet copse somewhere in Derbyshire where I once sat. I didn’t dwell there for very long sadly because time was pressing on and back then I wouldn’t have appreciated it for what it was half as much as I do now.
This place of simple perfection…for that’s what it truly was, is situated somewhere between the beautiful and imposing hills beyond Castleton – famous for it’s cavern called The Devil’s Arse – and the Ladybower Reservoir, where trials for the bouncing bomb that would be used to great effect by the Dambusters in WWII took place.
Try as I may, I cannot pinpoint in detail the actual place through my internet searches, although I would gladly do the walk again in order to find it if anybody is game? I do remember travelling over Mam Tor accompanied by beautiful views to get there and although I realise that these places may be totally foreign to many of you, I think that we all have a similar map with landmarks for a place held dear, somewhere that we yearn for.
What I remember of my haven was the long soft grass and the shade the trees gave from the ever-present (that day) sun. There was the soundtrack of flies buzzing amiably about which with the river, slowly meandering along gave a feel of timelessness, a sense that I need be in no particular rush to leave.
There were also Weeping Willows draped gracefully over the water to add to that enchanting atmosphere, I get the impression from hindsight that I was in the same sort of perfect place and mood as Alice and from my recollections shall come my adventures in a different type of Wonderland.
Book to the Future 
Oh my, these are gorgeous photos.
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Some people have a real talent for capturing a beautiful scene, I need to get out there myself and have a go.
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Thanks for all the lovely photos! It always helps to reminisce about other summers when summer seems so hesitant to come this year–it reminds us that it does after all have to come.
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It’s got cold over here for the last few days again, still the two weeks of Wimbledon and the Saturday of the FA Cup final are usually nice, over here we seem to plan our sporting events around the weather, it’s just better that way. I’m not really sure where the idea came from for the post but I am happy I managed to find some wonderful photos to illustrate my memories, I need to get out there again and snap some photos myself.
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Steve your post stuck a cord with me and made me think of those rocky mountains back home. Oh how I wish to revisit them and get lost in their beauty. Fabulous photos by the way.
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I think you should and take photos and write about it, or write about it anyway, I would be fascinated to hear about mountains, I like mountains and the amazing geological power that formed them.
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Hmm that sounds like a good idea, and it would make for a interesting post.
I think that’ll be my next post, thanks for the inspiration.
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Excellent! I look forward to being transported by your words to new and exciting places.
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It boggles the mind that you lot have such a massive population crammed into a teeny island, yet you have such enormous swathes of untouched countryside. Well done you lot.
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We have the smallest houses in Europe apparently so that helps. what you can’t see is that we push our random crap to the sides when a photo is being taken so it seems like an open place.
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😀
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Wow! These photographs are amazing. Thanks for putting your words to these stunning photos, Ste J.
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I wish I had managed to find a photo of the actual place, that would have made me happy but then again maybe it would have changed the complexion of the post. I admire those people who have the eye and the talent for photography.
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I loved the graphic description. It almost took me to the place enjoying the beauty. It’s really a wonder that we keep so much in our subconscious…even we are not aware of it always.
Amazing pictures as well… 🙂
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Our memories are wonderful things and it is great to share them and discover places and perspectives that are new and exciting. I am always happy to act as your guide in random jaunts through my subconscious and various bits of countryside!
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It’s always a pleasure to visit your blog….I thoroughly enjoy your posts… 🙂
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It’s always a pleasure to have you around and make my day a little cheerier.
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Thankss… 😀
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What beautiful photos. I hope you’re able to find photos of the lovely place you describe but sometimes it’s even better in our memory because of the emotions we felt that day. Having said that, sometimes places are just absolutely beautiful all of the time.
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That’s a good point, I would like to go back there again but would it be the same, maybe the weather and the walking made it something unique to that time as well as place. Maybe one day I will go and seek it out but until then there are plenty of new places around the world that deserve a look as well.
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I think you definitely need to get out there and find this place! The area you speak of is beautiful and there are so many paths/walks round there it will be almost impossible to say where you were from your description. Also other people posting photos and descriptions of walks won’t have seen the place as you saw it – beauty is such a personal thing. I travelled through there on the train last summer taking my youngest daughter from where we were staying near Leek (train from Buxton) to Sheffield where my eldest daughter lives.
There are a number of places I visited in the past that I think of and wish I could re-visit. Some I know aren’t there any more sadly. Roads or houses have been built over them. I liked the wistfulness of this post very much.
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That is the beauty of the countryside, as seasons change and the minds of travellers flit here and there with thoughts, it is wonderful to see how people view the countryside. It was perhaps 15 or 16 years ago when I happened upon my fondly remembered place so I am a little vague about the exact details and Google maps aren’t too much help in the countryside lol. I did a lot of walks around the area back in the day but even if I was mistaken about the location to recreate some of those other walks would be great as well.
I think I know the line you went on to get to Sheffield, it is a wonderful ride that one, I happened upon it when my train to Manchester broke down and they took us on the smaller and way more beautiful route. It is very sad when places get paved over in the name of progress, it is a shame. My wistfulness is partly down to having to work all of bank holiday weekend and partly wanting a day off hehe.
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Too bad having to work all weekend! My eldest daughter had to work too – she needs the money!
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I know that feeling, the other week I only got 10 hours a week, it was dire but it’s getting a bit better now!
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I’ve been watching Midsomer Murders , and I love the show, not only for the murder plots, but more for the English countryside scenery. It’s gorgeous.
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It always amazes me that anybody lives around the Midsomer area with the huge body count. It is a fun, eccentric show and that classic English village location is just so perfect for diabolical mischief and murder. I wish I lived in a village such as those.
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Hi, Renxkyoko, and Ste J! Yes, I agree that “Midsomer Murders” is a great show, I especially like the senior detective, who in the time I’ve been watching the show has gone through three subordinates. Just can’t keep these young ‘uns down on the farm! The scenery IS wonderful. If there’s anything I find difficult about the show, it’s that there’s a certain amount of mumbling in the delivery of lines, as if the show weren’t correctly miked, and not only does this sometimes make things a little hard to follow, but there are always so many different characters and subplots and suspects that I have given up ever being able to “get there” and figure things out before the end of the show. But I really like John Nettles, because he’s like the senior officer in “Foyle’s War,” he often has a nearly deadpan expression, but by just a twitch of an eyebrow, a level stare, or a judicious pause, he can give you to understand that something’s going on inside his head which will lead to the mystery being solved.
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I love a bit of Foyle’s War as well, three things we Brits do well is scenery, history and a good complex murder for and often just for petty reasons. I’ve never noticed the mumbling but I suppose being used to the many varied accents on this island – as seen/heard here if you have a spare five minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyyT2jmVPAk whilst no means comprehensive (and misses out my area entirely) it is an interesting watch – then I wouldn’t notice it and I don’t recall any other complaints of it so it must just be that we are better attuned to actors who mumble or just the show on a budget as many are.
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The photos are lovely Ste J but the imagery you create with your words is spellbinding.
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As happens with these on the spur of the moment posts, there were things I missed out, but it’s always a learning process and I will write in more detail on my next jaunt back in time. I’m glad you enjoyed it, I like to take you to places as you always bring me to yours.
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Niiice – I like that place.
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We should go sometime with a picnic!
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Sounds like a plan. 👍🏼
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You’ve created such a peaceful feeling with your descriptions that now I’m walking through your daydream. Thank you for bringing me there. It’s a much better place to be than sitting in my office. I might just have to stay there by the river with the weeping willows for a while.
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Yes stay awhile…preferably until lunch time or knocking off work time. I wonder if my original day was so peaceful, I think it was but time can do magical things to memories…
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Beautiful images Beautiful words, thank you for the respite.
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A peaceful post in a fast world is always a welcome tonic, I am glad you could share in the restfulness of the place with me.
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Very poetic…sound like a nice place for a daydream if you cant get there yourself
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If I do there will be photos and possibly a picnic and definitely an umbrella as is bound to be raining!
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If I should pick a perfect place, an ideal spot to sit, think, observe etc. it would be pine forest cliff with a luscious view over the sea or ocean.. or, pine forest opening to the vast meadows and hills.
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I would love to go to such a place, the sound of waves is so therapeutic but then again the sounds of leaves in the wind…it’s that aural part of the experience that really makes it.
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This may have been written in the spring about the summer, but the subject is timeless, Ste 🙂 Gorgeous pictures you chose and images you paint beautifully. The image/place that usually comes to mind first is the Jersey shore (New Jersey, USA). I love the ocean and have many wonderful memories. What I crave most is being there when it’s quiet…
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It is a beautiful area, the Peak District has it all in terms of scenery, it was wonderful to share it and to hear other special places makes me happy and wish to experience them for myself! The ocean is hypnotic, it makes me happy as well although I have to travel at least 250 miles to reach the the sea. The peace is the best part of any wonderful moment out, I want to experience what you have now!
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You know, decades ago I wrote an essay about that experience. Certainly, if I wanted to take the time, I’d strongly revise it, but I did write about it. It’s because I know it would need revision that I didn’t post it on my page (http://writersideup.com/writing/some-of-mine/). I actually have quite a few poems I wrote years ago, but still haven’t posted them. They are not true poetry in the sense that I worry about rhyme and meter in a strict way. I don’t aspire to be considered a poet, so posting them in a less-than-perfect condition doesn’t overly concern me. But prose—that’s different! lol
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I like your style, you have a lovely way of writing and I think you should write more and share it! I know what you mean about not being worried over rhyme and metre, I’m the same, as long as I am happy with it, it gets put out there. I think sometimes we overly worry about such things, my theory is that in a few years I will look back at things I have written and cringe at how they are written so I shouldn’t worry too much about it lol.
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What a sweetheart you are, Ste J 🙂 Thanks! And it’s not that I don’t care at all ’cause I do—I want it to sound/be good to the ear and on the lips. I just don’t aspire to be considered a true poet so am not strict about it in that sense. If someone enjoys it, that’s what matters, at least to me 🙂
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Yes, as long as you are happy with it then jobs a good ‘un!
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