Derwent Dam, Upper Derwent Valley, Derbyshire
Wednesday morning we woke to what we thought was going to be another wet, grey, drab day….but the forecasters suggested that we would get a touch of sunshine to the north of the county and later in the day. So off we headed to the Upper Derwent Valley…..seemed a daft spot to aim for when one considers that it is one of the largest sources and storage areas of drinking water. The Ladybower Reservoirs is a network of linking reservoirs and Dams. It came as no surprise after the wet winter to find the dams overflowing. The Reservoirs themselves nestle in deep valley below the High Peak moors which in turn deliver the waters for the reservoirs via a multitude of streams, and rivers that seem to flow without fail even in dry summers…..only a real drought causes a hiccup in the supply.
Herdsman’s Bridge, Cranberry Brook
Cranberry Brook is just one of those ‘little’ streams that add their waters to the vast collection of springs around Howden Moor.
Slippery Stones, River Derwent
At Slippery Stones we are less than a mile from the source of the River Derwent, just a trickle that soon gathers some pace before flowing into Howden Reservoir the highest of this network.
Today the waters are very still, a calm and stillness that in this brief spell of sunshine is deceptively warm looking. But make no mistakes it is still cold, nestling below the surrounding moors with slopes clad in woodlands which in many January’s are normally draped in snow…but not today. The bright spell lasted for most of the afternoon…sunshine and blue skies and one cannot complain…
The bonus day had to end and at this time of the year with such a low sun the day ends far too soon….but not before we have on last glimpse through Netherwood at Ronksley..
The perfect end to very much unexpected winters day.
( I should add that the River Derwent does not end its journey in these reservoirs. The River Derwent flows from North to South right through the county of Derbyshire ending its journey at the Nottinghamshire border where it merges into the River Trent)
11th January
(C) David Oakes 2018
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 