A New Day

Hi! We are finally in 2010. I don't know about you but today actually feels fresh and new. The sun was shining and the sky was blue. Although the bitterly winds prevailed it didn't hinder us to go out for our first walk this year.
Recently I have been drawn to the natural world. I hope this year I could explore more places in Britain and share them to you. I am also considering of doing a long walk following one of the trails of Alfred Wainright. There are so many beautiful places in this country which I'm truly looking forward to visit.

In the Bae front I wish out man would continuously provide us with exciting projects to watch and enjoy although we all have wished him a healthy and successful 2010.

I hope your first day of 2010 was just as good and promising.

Images of Graftam Water Nature Reserve.

Matlock Bath

On the way to Dovedale I noticed a small village which was noticeably charming. It's called the Matlock Bath located in the south of Matlock in Derbyshire next to River Derwent. It's a village surrounded by woodlands. Just imagine your house overlooking a hill with luscious trees as if you were somewhere in the Alps. Apparently poets Lord Byron and Mary Shelley commented on this place. The latter wrote in her novel "We proceeded to Matlock (Bath), which was our next place of rest. The country in the neighbourhood of this village resembles Switzerland; but everything is on a lower scale".



If you wondered why the name Bath, this goes back to the Victorian times when three medicinal springs were found in 1698. The first wooden bath was constructed in the village hence the name Matlock Bath .

We didn't get the chance to stop at Matlock because of the heavy rain which affected most of the country. I forgot to mention that we were camping and had to move because the condition was getting worst. You might find it ridiculous to camp at this time of the year but it's worth it.

Dovedale

What do we know about Derbyshire? It's a county in the midlands where part of the Peak District is located. It comprises of hill, dales, mountains and rivers. Because of its beautiful landscapes many films were made in the region among those were Pride and Prejudice of Keira Knightley and The Other Boleyn Girl of Scarlett Johansson. Although we didn't go to all these filming locations our journey to the Derbyshire borders didn't disappoint at all.

My husband wanted me to see the Peak District in Debyshire and been saying I'd love it. I kept asking was it really nice but little did I know that nice was an understatement. Since we only had the weekend we picked the popular place Dovedale where The Other Boleyn Girl was also filmed. It's known for its stepping stones, limestone ravine, wildlife and stunning scenery.

Stepping stones on the river Dove.

Dipper perched on one of the rocks. One of the wildlife photographers turned around to me and pointed this bird. She thought my camera was good enough to take a shot. It's a pity it flew afterwards so I only got one.

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