Thirtieth

Shepherd's Hut at Upper Hurst Farm

We have reached the end of April - the thirtieth to be precise. The spring weather here in northern England remains most splendid. A big blue sky and fresh green leaves. No need for a coat or jacket.

I had two mugs of tea this morning - neither with sugar. An early lunch of tuna chunks from a can and frozen mixed vegetables heated in the microwave. A glass of tap water and a handful of delicious red grapes from South Africa. Yes - South Africa! More confirmation that we live in a mad world.

Then I jumped in Clint's cockpit and set off for Bamford Moor - about five miles away. I had a three mile circular walk in mind. After parking, I donned my walking boots and smeared any exposed skin with Nivea Factor 30 suncream. Then with my stylish faded sunhat on the bonce of your intrepid explorer, I set off.

Hurstclough Lane

As per usual it felt good to be alive. One foot in front of the other - over and over again - propelling me steadily through my selected corner of north Derbyshire. How green was my valley. How sunny too.

Street sign in Bamford village

I decided to rest for a while in the village of Bamford itself, choosing a shady spot beneath the arms of a native oak. I had my current book with me and read twenty pages, drinking cold water from my "Chilly's" steel flask before getting ready to tackle the half mile slog up Leeside Road. 

Eventually, it meets New Road that skirts rough moorland high above the village and was probably "new" two hundred years ago. That is where Clint was parked and it was good to get back to him, ready for the short drive home.

Tomorrow we welcome May back once more - though she has probably already arrived in Australia.

By Leeside Road - one of the Bamford "touchstones". This one represents air.

from Yorkshire Pudding https://ift.tt/GMzs1Ej