This morning we set off for a morning walk in the Peak District just west of Derby. We headed for this escarpment that goes for miles along the edge of a valley and has various rock bluffs all the way around. We climbed up one called Birchen Edge which has a monument to Lord Nelson at the top. 

We parked below at the Red Lion pub (where we’d booked in for lunch) and set off for a 10-15 minute climb to the top and then a kilometre or so along the ridge. The weather today was much chillier (a high of about 19 C up there) and quite drizzly. Nevertheless it was great to be out and about pretty much on our own until a party of school kids arrived to do some abseiling. 

There are a number of these needle monuments along the ridge about a mile apart. Behind this Nelson needle are 3 rock formations (natural) that, if you use lots of imagination, look like sailing ships. They have been variously named after Nelson’s 3 ships at Trafalgar, the Victory, Defiance and Sovereign with the names carved into the rock – although they clearly ran out of room so the third one is called “Royal Soverin”.

It’s kind of bleak up there but also very pretty with the bracken and heather. Great views out over the valley below. Beyond the hill in front is Chatsworth which is the stately home we visited after lunch. The family home for the Cavendish family – Dukes of Devonshire. 

The Red Lion did very good food. I had the fish pie and the others all had steal and ale pies. We are now down to one meal a day with a biscuit with coffee and some cheese and crackers for tea!