Nice to meet up downstairs for breakfast, and a packing of a sandwich lunch. The day dawns misty but warm and still. We set off over to the other side of the Darnley Valley to the village of Birchover. It is so pretty. We have a pleasant and easy walk
up hill through woodland and then on the Stanton Moor. The moorland plateau is covered in heather and gorse and affords stunning views. The mist has cleared and it is warm and sunny. There are many Bronze Age relics on the moor, and we head to the Nine Sisters,
a stone circle representing the legend of nine sisters who danced on the Sabbath and were turned to stone. Apart from the circle is the king stone, the fiddler! We found our way amongst great rocks and steep drops, to a trig point where we sat on a huge stone
slab to eat lunch. We walked down past the Cork Stone, towards the Druid Inn. Near here we found the amazing Rowtor rocks where a seventeenth century vicar had carved steps and rooms into the huge rocks which overlooked the valley. The inn Beckoned and we
were tempted by the tables outside and enjoyed a drink. We then took another tack and climbed out of the village to Robin Hood''s Stride....more impressive rock formations from which we could also see another stone circle with the four grey ladies, the highest
standing stones in Derbyshire. There had been nine. It was then a hot walk up and down fields back to the village, and home for a cuppa and a piece of cake. Some of us did crosswords. As evening drew on the sun began to set We are high above the valley looking
westwards, and so we were treated to a wonderful sunset. Pinks and reds gradually suffused the sky. A glass of Prosecco and a camera to hand! Linda was cooking....a delicious tarragon and paprika chicken dish followed by sticky toffee pud. I am so full tonight!!
Meanwhile at home, the water situation has been sorted, thank goodness, and Caroline and Giles have learnt from Mike how to sort the airlock if it happens in future. He thinks we must have emptied the tanks at some stage. A relief anyway.
I hope you are all enjoying these sunny September days.