Nelson's Ships & The Stardisc.

We had a couple of guests this week, Geoff's daughter Sally with her son Sam and partner Brian joined us while brother Rob went over to the dark side and deserted us for a trip up to Doncaster.
We had a  07:00 start and set off north in 2 cars to arrive at The Robin Hood car park just under Birchen Edge. It was quite windy and damp as we set off up the footpath towards the higher level on Birchen Edge. There was a spectacular view on the way up overlooking the golf course with a rainbow visible in the distance. Its quite a steep ascent up to the edge with several large steps which is a worry for Geoff and his knee's but at 76 years of age he took it all in his stride.
Once on the top we headed towards our objective and that was The 3 Ships and Nelson's Column, with Brian having been in the navy we thought it might be something he would enjoy. After taking a few photo's around the monument and rocks we went back down to the car park where we had our breakfast. After a breakfast break we called in to the Stardisc at Wirksworth on the way home. It was very windy up there but there were some lovely views to photograph.

Lovely rainbow on the horizon

First glimpse of Nelson's Monument

Nelson's Monument sitting above Birchen Edge
Derbyshire had its Nelson’s Column only five years after Trafalgar, while Londoners had to wait a further thirty for theirs! This gritstone column stands 12ft high on rocky Birchen Edge overlooking Baslow in the Derwent Valley, 1,000ft above sea level. A simple gritstone obelisk, it was erected in 1810 by John Brightman, a Baslow man

Sally in photo mode

Nelsons Monument

These three pieces of exposed and weathered gritstone are named after three ships in Lord Nelson's fleet -  Victory, Defiant and "Royal Soverin" (yes, that's how it is carved in the rock)

Ike & Geoff

Sally, Sam, Brian, Jim & Ike

Brian, Geoff, Sam, Sally and Ike

Sam just sheltering from the wind.

The trig point on Birchen Edge

Heading back down the footpath from the edge

It might be poisonous but it looks like something has had a nibble at it.

Geoff chatting to a nice young lady.

Not exactly sure what this is but wouldn't risk eating it

Oh dear, Sally got her locks caught in the branches of a tree.

Geoff and his daughter Sally.

This is the view from the platform above the Stardisc. You can just make out the chimney at Middleton Top engine house above the quarry.

The Stardisc at Stoney Wood in Wirksworth

Sally & Jim at the Stardisc

Sally looking for her star sign

Geoff photographing the nameplate on the WPAOG sponsored seat.

This was another cracking day out and the weather turned good in the end. The Stardisc was somewhere that Geoff had never been to and i think he was quite impressed. I think Sally, Brian and Sam enjoyed it and i hope it gave them a memorable day.
Cheers