A Nature Walk Along the River Derwent to the Local Park

We had a walk down the River Derwent to the local park. It was a little overcast today with the sun breaking through at times.

Does anyone else like rusty, cruddy fences?

All the yellow flags are out on the side of the lake. They tend to appear between May and August. They really brighten the lake up.

The drake was having a rest on one leg in the middle of the lake.

The iconic, british red phone box. As most people have mobile phones the telephone boxes are mostly defunct now but some have been turned into micro libraries. Villagers can donate books so other people can read and return them. They are also used to house defibrillators in case of emergencies.

A coot was walking around on the grass trying to find insects to eat.

The mallard family are all growing up quickly now.

There was a lot of colour in the park with the blossom and the red campion wildflowers.

There was also lots of oxeye daisies in the park or 'pennymoons' as we used to call them as children. I can remember making daisy chains when I was young, linking the daisies together by making a slit in the stem and then putting a stem of another daisy into it. By the time I'd made a necklace the daisies were half dead!

There is a Peak Rail heritage steam and diesel line nearby that travels for a short train ride of four miles between Matlock and Rowsley. After watching the train go past, our walk came to an end and we headed off home.