Had a late start today setting out about 7:50. It was a brilliant calm crisp morning with -4 degrees of frost. The trip through Chatsworth Park was hindered several times with dozens of stray sheep wandering about on the road. We parked up just about 2 miles outside Baslow just off the A621. From the car it was only a short walk across the lower reaches of Big Moor to our first target which was the Upper Barbrook Clapper Bridge.

These clapper bridges are the oldest type of bridge and they are made up from flat stone slabs being supported with uprights at each end. Some of these bridges can be 1000 years old but the local ones are thought to be between 300 and 600 years. A modern one has been put alongside this one but methinks the old'un will still be there well after the new one has gone. We were lucky to have frost and great skies for photo’s.

Gateway to the Moors

Upper Barbrook Clapper Bridge

Upper Barbrook Clapper Bridge

Rob, Ike & Jim

Geoff photographing some detail

Nice ice detail

We backtracked towards the road and along the track to Wellingtons Monument. On the way we passed on of the old Stoops. The last time we were here it was very foggy and we didn’t even see the Companion Stone that has been built about 25 metres away from the stoop.

These Companion Stones are a Lottery funded project devised and led for Arts in the Peak by Charles Monkhouse working with poets and artists of the Peak together with the Peak District National Park Authority, National Trust, Chatsworth Estates and other landowners. There are twelve of these stones placed alongside some of the 18^th century guide stoops. 

Eaglestone Flat Companion Stone

18th Century guide stoop

The Eaglestone Flat Companion Stone was designed by Val Carman and the poet was David Vine.

From the Companion Stone we carried on to reach The Duke of Wellingtons Monument on Baslow Edge. The 3 metre high monument was erected in 1866 by a local man Dr Wrench to celebrate Wellingtons role in the battle of Waterloo 1815. Less than a mile away on Birchen Edge there is a monument to Admiral Lord Nelson and apparently Wellingtons Monument was to represent the army to balance Nelsons navy. There are some terrific views from this edge over towards the Chatsworth Estate.

Duke of Wellington Monument

You can see Eagle Stone from this point and we trekked off down the track in that direction. The Eagle Stone is a 6 metre high gritstone outcrop which looks nothing like an eagle. Tradition states that long ago the men of Baslow had to scale the rock to prove there fitness to prospective partners before they wed. We had breakfast here and once again we were blessed with great conditions for taking photo’s.

View from Baslow Edge

Eagle Stone rock formation

Brekki at the rock

After Brekki we legged it back to the car along the same route, we passed this tree which had its roots wrapped around a rock. On the way back to the car the clouds had rolled in and the scenes were completely different. 

Clouds starting to roll in

Tree roots around rock

A nice stroll this morning in good weather, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Cheers