Today’s walk was a fabulous 10.25 mile circular walk starting from Baslow, Derbyshire in the beautiful Peak District. To replicate this walk, you would need the map, OS Explorer OL24.
Leaving the pay and display car park in Baslow, we immediately started uphill along Eaton Hill Road then along Barr Road. Very soon, tremendous views opened up around us. For most of the walk from then on was walking along classic Peak District Edges. We were lucky enough to be blessed with summer late September sunshine and clear skies, to create perfect walking conditions and views that seem to go on for ever.
Essentially this walk took us north along Curbar Edge before reaching The Grouse Inn, at which point we started to turn back and then walked south along White Edge and Baslow Edge, which pretty much took us back to the starting point.
Walking along White Edge was the highest altitude of the day, with a chilly wind natural for such an exposed landscape. Walking along here we came across a small group of walkers who were sharing binoculars to look east across Big Moor. They pointed out to us a stag standing on the horizon, barely noticeable to the naked eye, but his enormous antlers creating a silhouette against the sky was incredible to see. With the aid of binoculars, I was better able to appreciate this impressive creature. It really felt quite magical to see him stood on the horizon in his natural habitat. It took me a while to actually take in this spectacle. How big was this creature, when from such a distance he still felt so imposing? I am just a visitor; this is his domain.
As we walked on, we became aware of other herds of deer around us, closer by, but none as regal as the first one we saw.
On the way back towards the car we walked past Wellington’s Monument, which is unsurprisingly a monument to the Duke of Wellington. The surprise is why it is where it is, seemingly in the middle of nowhere with no geographical connection to the man himself. Another example of the quirky history of this country and the things you might find out on a walk.
This weekend marks the 7th anniversary of the death of my sister-in-law from cancer, and so understandably this is always a difficult time of year for my wife. It was her decision to come away this weekend. As you will see and hear from the start of this video, she was not sure whether she wanted to be on camera today. As the day went on, I think that she felt a little more comfortable and became more involved. We saw many people out walking today; each out for their own reasons, many just out because a beautiful day like this demands that you get your walking boots on. There are others, however, for whom walking is some kind of therapy. Being out in nature is proven to have physical and emotional benefits. I won’t speak for my wife, but even seeing that magnificent stag, gives me a feeling of being part of something bigger and greater; a different perspective on the world, or my life or my problems. This was a beautiful walk.
In loving memory of Bec Robinson.

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