Bradford and Lathkill dales.

Again, Tuesday came and we had good weather. We have some really lovely scenery and places right on our doorstep, and the two green and beautiful dales of Bradford and Lathkill are just ten minutes drive from where we live. Lathkill is said to be one of, if not THE, cleanest rivers in Europe. The waters have a very distinctive sparkle, that's for sure. I know there are Kingfishers in Bradford dale, but so far I've never been lucky enough to see one there.

We parked at Alport, simply crossed the road and entered Bradford dale. The river Bradford bubbled at our side as we set off.

Under the trees, and through the gate.

This would be my personal version of a set of pearly gates leading to heaven :-)

At this time of year, green is the colour! These dales are resplendent in their Summer mantle of green, and we never get tired of looking at it.

Sue stands on my favourite bridge at Middleton-by-Youlgreave.
I have an oil painting of this scene that a friend did for me a long time ago. It looks JUST the samed today. The painting originally had a clear, blue sky but I asked for little white clouds to be put in - just like the ones below.

Locals make the most of the July sunshine and swim and splash in the river.

A fine example of a 'clapper bridge'.
You see these bridges a lot in the Peak district.
A clapper bridge is simply a set of stone slabs over a river or stream.

Another one, further up the river.

Ducks too had their share of relaxation and 'fine tuning' of the feathers for maximum waterproofing.

A final flap to make sure all's well.

We were being WATCHED!

A stile in a stone wall.

So easy to say, but such a thing of beauty when bathed in sunshine, reflected off the white limestone.

We heard many a skylark's song today. The terrain was perfect for them, so we lay down in a field and watched as one ascended high, high into the blue sky, before dropping like a stone to the ground. I managed to get a shot of this one before she sneaked off to wherever her nest was.

We crossed a stile at Low Moor and saw this sight of Lathkill dale ahead.

Even the lanes are delight to walk on a day like today.

I love the way the walls are not so high in Derbyshire (like in Wales, for instance) that you can't see over them. There's just so MUCH to see!

Monyash church peeps over the treetops to welcome us into the village.

We were getting a bit pushed for time really, as we were being picked up by friends at 7:30PM, and it was already mid-afternoon and we still had about 5 miles to walk.

We took refreshment in 'The Old Smithy' at Monyash before setting off down Lathkill dale, and the second leg of our 11 mile walk.

I always sigh at the views up and over a ridge on a lovely day. The blue, white and the green are just MADE for each other!

This is a dramatic view ahead of the second half of Lathkill dale. Steep, limestone escarpments abound here.

This waterfall can be spectacular after rains, but today it was in the same mood as us - relaxed.

We always enjoy walking through the excessive vegetation at this time of year (except for nettles!). Here's Sue being almost swallowd by the riverside greenery.

Ever deeper!

Almost at the end of the walk, and it's 6:15PM - good job we don't have far to go to get home!

This is 'Raper lodge', just outside Youlgreave village.

It always look spooky to me. I don't like the place, but it does make for an atmospheric photograph.

And that was it, another one 'in the tin', as the old lead miners used to say.

As you can see, the sky was darkening now, and sure enough, later on it POURED with rain, but by this time, we were looking at it over a nice steak and a good bottle if wine!