The run of unseasonably mild weather came to an end this week with the arrival of the first proper frosts of the winter. The frost was accompanied by fog, which brought chaos to some of the UK's airports. Reading the news reports, you could be forgiven for thinking that we've never had fog in winter before.
On Thursday Liz and I caught a bus out to Tideswell for a pre-Christmas walk. A combination of heavy frost, patchy fog and bright sunshine made the scenery look truly beautiful. As the bus trundled along - past Fox House, down Padley Gorge, then on through the villages of Grindleford, Stoney Middleton and Eyam - I couldn't help thinking that it's a good job I don't drive. I would have been stopping every few hundred yards to take a picture!
Our walk took us down Tideswell Dale, along Miller's Dale then across the old railway viaduct to Monsal Head. We hardly saw any other walkers along the way, despite this being one of the most popular routes in the Peak District National Park.
The view from Monsal Head was breath-taking. Fog filled the dale below, but the surrounding hill tops were illuminated by bright sunshine. After pausing to take a couple of million photos, we walked on across the fields to Ashford and Bakewell.
By two o'clock the sun was low on the horizon and partially obscured by fog. You could feel the temperatures beginning to drop, indicating another frosty night ahead.
Nice interview, Roger. Nice to find out a bit more about you!
Posted by: Son of Groucho | Sunday, 24 December 2006 at 04:06 PM
Stunning photos!
After a run of 36-42C days and bush fires raging through hundreds of thousands of hectares in eastern Victoria, we're now down to a drizzly 16C with promises of snow in the high country. I know which weather I prefer.
Season's greetings from Melbourne.
Posted by: Snail | Monday, 25 December 2006 at 01:49 AM
But if you drove, you would have taken so many more pictures!
Posted by: Aydin | Tuesday, 26 December 2006 at 04:23 PM
Happy New Year Roger. I hope 2007 turns out to be a good year all round
Posted by: jamsodonnell | Monday, 01 January 2007 at 09:42 AM
The photograph taken from Monsal Head is possibly the best I've seen of that location.
Posted by: Lee | Friday, 21 January 2011 at 09:53 PM