Reminders of the past

 

Fere Mere, Monyash

During yesterday's walk we stopped by Fere Mere in Monyash, an attractive, former lead mining village with a long history. We sat by the mere for a drink of water before leaving Monyash via Icky Picky Lane, through the churchyard then off along the main street and on into the maze of paths and tracks characteristic of the area.

On a track about a mile or so beyond Monyash, we'd stopped for sandwiches when we heard a curlew. We sometimes hear them in the general area, but not often. Just heard this one once but didn't spot it unfortunately. There is something evocative about the call of a curlew, especially out there amid the quiet peace of rolling limestone hills.

Further along the track we came across a chap rebuilding a stretch of dry stone wall. He had already completed one length and was busy tearing down another stretch of old wall. He told us it would take him about three days to tear down and three weeks to rebuild.

Heavy work for a warm sunny day with no shade, but he seemed cheerful. No machines used of course, just skill and muscle power. After a brief chat we walked on up the track towards the Roman road which is now the road to Buxton. The Romans were keen on lead too.

From there it was down to the Tissington Trail which was originally the trackbed of the Buxton to Ashbourne railway. A fine walk on a fine day and absolutely saturated with reminders of the past.