Autumn Storms Over Cakes Of Bread (Part 1)

Last Saturday me and Tommy drove over to the Derwent Valley where we were to embark on another hike in the hills. Tommy was very excited and never settled down all the way there in the car. When we arrived we had the car parking area to ourselves but before I got my boots laced up and Tommy sorted out another car arrived and even though there was a completely empty car park apart from us they decided they wanted to park right where my rucksack was lying next to my car so I hopped over with one boot on and the other half off and dragged my sack out of the way. I think even Tommy was impressed by the enormous sigh of disbelief I gave and he’s an expert at sighing. I brought along Tommy’s leather harness for this walk as I prefer it to the collar as it pulls more evenly on his body rather than just his neck.

We set off from the car park at around 11 am, it was a bit overcast and breezy but pleasant enough for a walk. On reaching the Derwent water and as there was no one around for him to bother I let Tommy free and he immediately decided it would be fun to chase some ducks so he was soon back on the lead for his troubles. The way along by the water was very colourful, the trees varying from brown to green.

We had the track to ourselves, Tommy’s lead was fastened to the belt of my rucksack, and as long as we were moving forward he seemed quite happy to be dragging me along. I wondered what would happen if he spotted another duck, I had visions of being dragged off in to the water by him. He was very patient though because I stopped many times to take a picture of one thing or another. All the wonderful colours made it hard to pass up a chance to snap a picture every few minutes.
On rounding a corner near the end of the Derwent water we spied the Howden Dam through the trees, it was quite a wonderful sight with it’s stone towers and water running over the wall between them, I half wished we were continuing along the track so we could get a closer look but shortly we are going to be leaving the track and climbing the small path in to the hills by Abbey Brook.

Looking to the Howden Dam.

View back and across the water.

A tree across the water, I liked how the branches showed like veins against the other trees.

Before this however we came upon one of our favourite places to have a break, it’s the seat in memory of James Stanley Byford, if vacant we always stop here for a rest and a look at the view.

A favourite place to sit.

Sit, take in the view and prepare for the hills.

So y’all come and have a sit down and prepare yourself for the climb in to the hills, its going to be no picnic this day so be sure to rest well my friends.

To be continued.....