Cold…. but Invigorating on the Moor…..

Stanton Moor, Derbyshire

Friday started very cold with just a touch of frost to liven things up.  But it also started with a glorious blue sky and the promise of sunshine.

The Silver Birch on the moor are now striped bare, stark skeletons against the blue of the early morning sky.

The first rays of the low morning sun cast long shadows across the Nine Ladies Stone Circle, chasing away the last touches of frost…

Stanton Moors are not that big as Derbyshire moors go, nor are they very high, just sufficiently high to give great views over the surrounding Dales. On a perfect autumnal morning ideal for an invigorating walk where you literally feel on top of the world… with the bonus of being so early… having the place to ourselves – peace

One of the reasons that I love these Moors is that whilst it conveys that feeling of wildness, as any moor should, it also has a softer side. There are a few areas where the Silver Birch stands are quite dominant. Beneath the Birch most of the ground is covered with bracken…. now rust coloured as it dies back for another year…but the morning sun makes it positively glow.

It is nearly the end of November so the Purple of the Heather has long gone yet the Moors still have an autumn glow and yes, you can still scent the distinctive honey wax smell.

Whilst I am far from being unsociable it was great to be alone in such a wide open space….fresh air and Buster as a walking companion was all I need to make this a perfect start to the day…

25th November

(C) David Oakes 2017