Walk: 12:00pm to 2:30pm, 5 miles
Well today really didn't pan out exactly as planned!
Yesterday I saw a couple of photos on Twitter showing the water coming over the top of Derwent Dam in the Peak District, and although I have seen it on one occasion when walking in the area; Donna had not. So as we had no plans for today and didn't want to spend it 'vegging out' we checked the weather forecast and decided to head over there. Now I'm not saying for one minute that the forecast was good, it did however suggest sunshine and showers so was worth the drive.
But, it didn't start well at all. Nothing serious might I add, but after a brief stop-off at the doctors we had expected the traffic across Sheffield to have quietened down as it was after rush hour. However, very shortly after joining the Sheffield Parkway we knew it would not be the case, and the 25 mile journey took us close to 90 minutes. I will admit to being a tad frustrated but think I hid it well; I'm sure Donna will have a different view though
It didn't bode that well as after exiting Sheffield on the A57 we drove through a small snow shower, but by a little after 11am we had parked in the car-park at Fairholmes visitor centre at the top of Ladybower. I didn't have enough change so had to spend £2.60 at the cafe to get some, then didn't have the exact money so it cost me £5 for the £4.70 fee, I know, it's only 30p. Anyway, we spent about 10 minutes getting togged up and headed off.
About 5 minutes later however, just as I had set up the tripod near the dam it started to rain, and then more rain. So after another 5 minutes or so we headed back to the car where we had an early lunch and pondered our options. It seemed a waste to just go back, and by around mid-day the sun was breaking through the clouds so we re-dressed and headed off again; this time however I left my camera bag in the car and just took my camera in hand.
Now the planned 10 mile walk wasn't out of the question assuming that the weather would stay fair, but alas it would not. Having said that we still had a really enjoyable walk, and spent quite a bit of time admiring Derwent Dam in the first instance, and right at the top of Derwent, Howden Dam. We did contemplate carrying on with the walk, but with it raining on and off and with dark clouds in the distance we didn't bother. So a return journey back down Derwent Reservoir.
There was another treat in store for Donna though, we drove down to the bottom end of Ladybower Reservoir so that Donna could see the water draining away through the massive plugholes close the the dam wall, there to drain away excess water and make sure that the water level never exceeds it's current level. To be honest, they are scary beasts, the way the water torrent pours down the hole is just so powerful. All that was left was to take the drive back around Sheffield and home, and thankfully very little in the way of hold-ups.
Well today really didn't pan out exactly as planned!
Yesterday I saw a couple of photos on Twitter showing the water coming over the top of Derwent Dam in the Peak District, and although I have seen it on one occasion when walking in the area; Donna had not. So as we had no plans for today and didn't want to spend it 'vegging out' we checked the weather forecast and decided to head over there. Now I'm not saying for one minute that the forecast was good, it did however suggest sunshine and showers so was worth the drive.
But, it didn't start well at all. Nothing serious might I add, but after a brief stop-off at the doctors we had expected the traffic across Sheffield to have quietened down as it was after rush hour. However, very shortly after joining the Sheffield Parkway we knew it would not be the case, and the 25 mile journey took us close to 90 minutes. I will admit to being a tad frustrated but think I hid it well; I'm sure Donna will have a different view though
It didn't bode that well as after exiting Sheffield on the A57 we drove through a small snow shower, but by a little after 11am we had parked in the car-park at Fairholmes visitor centre at the top of Ladybower. I didn't have enough change so had to spend £2.60 at the cafe to get some, then didn't have the exact money so it cost me £5 for the £4.70 fee, I know, it's only 30p. Anyway, we spent about 10 minutes getting togged up and headed off.
About 5 minutes later however, just as I had set up the tripod near the dam it started to rain, and then more rain. So after another 5 minutes or so we headed back to the car where we had an early lunch and pondered our options. It seemed a waste to just go back, and by around mid-day the sun was breaking through the clouds so we re-dressed and headed off again; this time however I left my camera bag in the car and just took my camera in hand.
Now the planned 10 mile walk wasn't out of the question assuming that the weather would stay fair, but alas it would not. Having said that we still had a really enjoyable walk, and spent quite a bit of time admiring Derwent Dam in the first instance, and right at the top of Derwent, Howden Dam. We did contemplate carrying on with the walk, but with it raining on and off and with dark clouds in the distance we didn't bother. So a return journey back down Derwent Reservoir.
There was another treat in store for Donna though, we drove down to the bottom end of Ladybower Reservoir so that Donna could see the water draining away through the massive plugholes close the the dam wall, there to drain away excess water and make sure that the water level never exceeds it's current level. To be honest, they are scary beasts, the way the water torrent pours down the hole is just so powerful. All that was left was to take the drive back around Sheffield and home, and thankfully very little in the way of hold-ups.
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