Monday 18 May 2015

Another Day Out in Ilam

Hello, thank you for dropping in.  It's Monday morning and it's pouring with rain - in fact, the rain woke me in the night so it's been falling for hours.  I am sure the garden will be grateful but the laundry basket isn't. 
 
Saturday, on the other hand, was glorious.  I was in Ilam in the Peak District with some friends and although it was a bit nippy when a cloud covered the sun, it didn't happen much.  I was here in February when it was grey but this time, it was overwhelmingly green, so much so that it quite took my breath away.  Have a look at this (it will get bigger if you click on it) -



And this -



All that new green foliage, living and vital, set my heart soaring.  The sun sparkled on the River Manifold -





The water is so clear -



And the bank was covered with flowers.  Here are wild garlic, pink campion, yellow archangel and forget-me-nots (I think, please correct me if I'm wrong) all growing together -



There was a LOT of wild garlic, it lined the paths -


And we all stopped and got our cameras out when we reached this spot -


Yep, that whole bank is carpeted with wild garlic.  I know that it's very pretty and that many people love it, but I really don't like the smell and in such abundance it absolutely stank.  So, a feast for the eyes but not for the nose.
 
There is a little church in Ilam which houses the tomb of St Bertram who lived and then died here about 1,300 years ago.  It is a special place.  The church is usually open but if you arrive and find it locked, go to Dovedale House, the old vicarage which is in sight of the church, and find Lizzie and Mark, who are the keyholders, and they will open it up for you.  It's worth a visit. 
 
 
It was a memorable day: a beautiful place, good weather and lovely company.  That's why I wanted to record it here and share it with you.
 
See you soon.
 
Love, Mrs Tiggywinkle x

12 comments:

  1. Green and luscious -how I always think of beautiful England! I hear it's cool there today, though. May the sunshine and warmth return to you soon. We're hoping for temps f 29 degrees Celcius here near Toronto. Perfect for our Victoria day holiday!

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    1. I hope you made the most of Victoria Day. I really couldn't cope with 29 degrees Celsius! x

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  2. Very beautiful pictures this morning, Ms. T. I would love to visit that old church sometime. It looks very intriguing and very old!

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  3. Such gorgeous scenery! I love the fresh bright greens of springtime :) The church looks like it grew out of the ground there! Ancient! We don't have ancient here.
    Wendy

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    1. The church was built over St Bertram's tomb and I think some of it is more than 1000 years old, there is a 17th century restoration and then a really hideous 19th century add-on. It does feel like an ancient place, though. x

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  4. Hello! I had to come and visit another confirmed non-sewing person, from Judy's blog. How lovely that you live in Shropshire. It's a county I've always wanted to visit and now I'll be able to do that virtually. My student daughter was in Wem last year with university friends and said the countryside was beautiful.

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    1. Hello Linda, welcome to my patch. I am glad I am not the only non-sewer in Blogland, it sometimes feels like that! I am glad your daughter found beauty in Shropshire, I am hoping to show it off a bit here. x

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  5. Hello Mrs. T - I love the photos from your walk. We are off to the Peaks for a day in June, en route to picking up our son in Sheffield - can you recommend any nice places to go for walks - I think we are staying near Chatsworth?

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    1. Judy, if you haven't been to Chatsworth, do it. It's wonderful. Last time we went we spent about 2 hours in the house and another 5 hours wandering around the gardens. I first went when I was 20 and it was the first time I really "got" gardens. If you don't fancy that - go to Ilam! It's like entering a storybook. x

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  6. We love going to Derbyshire for walks, usually in Castleton and Hathersage. I think next time we should come here, it looks absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us this lovely lovely walk. X

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    1. Marion, your girls would love it here. Take a picnic and have an ice-cream from the van parked by the bridge. There's lots of space for the children to run around and the sheep are very friendly. x

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