Site-Seeing in Derbyshire

With heavy and frequent showers early on, it looked very much as if it was going to be a 'stay at home' day. Fortunately, by mid-morning things had improved a little so once again Andy and I opted for a walk through the wood at Melbourne pool. Breakfast was calling by about 10-30 so we popped into the Welcome Cafe before driving to Staunton Harold Reservoir, one of our fishing spots during my previous visits. Here we saw one of no fewer than c3 broods of young Mandarin ducks with female parents.

Staunton Harold

We walked around much of the reservoir stopping here at another of our favourite fishing spots.

Next stop was Calke Abbey a Grade I listed country house near Ticknall, Derbyshire, in the care of the charitable National Trust. The site was an Augustinian priory from the 12th century until its dissolution by Henry VIII. The present building, named Calke Abbey in 1808, was never actually an abbey, but is a Baroque mansion built between 1701 and 1704. The house was owned by the Harpur family for nearly 300 years until it was passed to the Trust in 1985 in lieu of death duties.

Part of the herd of Fallow & Red Deer at the Abbey.

Including a 'White Hart'.

View of the Ha Ha looking towards the church.

The Ha Ha looking at the Abbey.

A Ha Ha is a hidden wall or fence, keeping at bay unwanted visitors, such as deer etc, while being invisible from the 'Big House' - you wouldn't want to see a 'wall' from the house would you now?

Calke Abbey Church

Moving on to the picturesque village of Repton, we first of all visited the 'world renowned' Public School.

Always nice to know where you are going.

It is claimed that from this arch, the entrance to Repton School, it is possible to see an example of architecture from every century of the past thousands years.

Students from many nations throughout the world study at Repton, but now the school also has an annex in Dubai as well.

Included on campus there is a full size and well appointed cricket pitch, complete with pavilion, left. The pitch has also been used for charity 'rock' concerts, including a performance by Jules Holland and Brian Ferry (Roxy Music). On that occasion (tickets only) local builder Roland Beeston drove his 'digger' to the wall, hoisted the bucket and watched the gig in comfort!

The church spire peeks above school buildings,

and also overlooks ancient column bases that once formed much older buildings.

Local cottages, just across the road from

the Parish church of St Wystan's, Repton.

It's Been A Hard Day's Night! - The Beatles

With the brightness of the morning matching the forecast we decided to make an early start and visit the world famous city of Liverpool today. Andy knew the city quite well in the 80's when he studied for both Second Engineer (Merchant Navy) and his Chief Engineer's ticket, whilst I had paid just a single visit in 1967 onboard HM Submarine Alcide.

Unfortunately, the weather started to 'break' around Uttoxeter, Staffordshire and hardly improved all the way to Scouseland. There was some relief as we left the car park, but the sky was still full of it and could have opened at any minute.

We never did discover what this building was, but it looked very grand for all that.

Lime Street Railway Station.

As we approached the Walker Art Gallery

and the impressive fountain in front, the light rain started again, the sort to get you very wet, very quickly. Fortunately, the Walker was one of our planned stops, if only to view the 'jewel in the crown',

'And When Did You Last See Your Father' by William Frederick Yeames (1878)

This painting of a fictional event from the English Civil War (1642 - 1646) is perhaps the most popular work in the Walker Art Gallery. It shows a Royalist house under occupation by Parliamentarians. The young boy is being interrogated as to the whereabouts of the master of the house, while behind him, a soldier gently holds the boy's crying sister. To the left can be seen the children's mother, her fear and anxiety at the boy's possible answer written in her face.

The gallery is full of works by Gainsborough, Rembrandt, Turner, Degas et al, but the highlight was the 'special exhibition' High Kicks & Low Life, a series of Prints and Lithographs by the astounding Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (no photography allowed).

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864–1901), 'Divan Japonais', 1893.
Colour lithograph in black, orange, yellow and olive green ink

Andy studies the present day layout of La' Pool while the reclining nude looks on!

Law Courts

Passing the Cunard Building the rain started again, this time not even looking like it was going to stop.

Royal Iris is still one of several ships that can claim to be the original "Ferry 'cross the Mersey

cus this land's the place I love, and here I'll stay" - Gerry & the Pacemakers of 60's fame.

The Liver Building is an absolute must, so we braved the elements a little longer to view this and

the Cunard Flagship Cruise Liner Queen Victoria.

It was most definitely time to beat a retreat now and seek the sanctuary of 'good old' JD Wetherspoon for a 'babies head' (steak and kidney pudding) and fish and chips, after which we returned to Melbourne. We had a really good day up at The Pool, which would have been great if the rain had held off allowing us a look at the Catholic (Paddy's Wigwam) and Anglican Cathedrals, but maybe another day. We didn't see Ringo either!

A Day Out In Derbyshire

As today has been a fairly full one, the second and final part of the Mongolia expedition will be published when space allows.

As for today, with the weather still holding despite being in The North, we kicked off with a walk around Melbourne village particularly the Pool where I have spent many a happy hour fishing with Andy Lindsay.

Melbourne Hall from the east,

and across the Pool to the Parish Church and part of the village from the same direction.

It is rare to find no angler there at all, and this morning was no exception as we happened upon one who had just landed this 5lb Tench.

There was also a gaggle of Greylag Geese on the Pool, along with a Yellow Wagtail a pair of Nuthatch, Great Crested Grebe with young and the usual few Common Terns. From there we headed off to meet a few people I have come to know in the village, including firm favourite Glen Wicks ex Chief Constable of Police who is consistently good fun (except to those 'behind bars').

Chatsworth House, the seat of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. This was my second visit.

At noon we headed for the Peak District, and while I consider there is nothing to equal Dorset scenery, this part of the world certainly comes close.

The church at Chatsworth.

The medieval packhorse bridge at the quaint village of Ashford in the Water.

The village church,

and a typical Derbyshire cottage.

Lunch at the village Tea Rooms proved great value despite a limited menu due to high tourist volume. For Andy a goat's cheese and bacon salad and for me a delicious burger and one of the best cups of coffee I've ever had in UK.

Monsul Head a beautifully scenic place, but the photographs were not very complimentary.

except for the viaduct which was well worth the walk down.

Here are the details.

The bridge at Bakewell over the River Wye.

and downstream the river was crowded with Rainbow Trout, plus a few Brook Trout and Greyling all taking bread and chips thrown by the holiday makers.

And finally what for me was the highlight of the day, the twisted wooden spire of Chesterfield Parish Church. What a remarkable edifice.

Outing to Outer Mongolia

Severe Person Warning
Look Out They're On The Way
Nigel, Lee & Julie prior to take off for Australia!

It has been a return to fatherly duties for me today as Nigel, my Son Outlaw, Julie, my eldest little girl and grandson Lee embark on an adventure to the other side of the world. I, unfortunately, have only been invited to travel with them as far as London's Heathrow Airport and only then if I drive. They are off to see Lisa, the younger, Bernard, Son IN-law and second grandson Frederick II in Australia and will fly Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, then onward to Sydney. I wish them Bon Voyage.

From there I ventured further north, but only as far as Melbourne in Derbyshire to continue the interrupted French leg of a break with long time friend Andy Lindsay. There are a few irons in the fire, but we'll have to see how the week pans out and of course I hope to report as we progress.


A couple of days ago I bumped into fellow birders Vaughn Ashby and his delightful partner Dr Svetlana Annenkova who is originally from Russia but has lived in Kazakhstan for over 25 years where she led scientific research in wildlife biology and was lecturer in environmental studies at the university in Almaty. She is founder of and principal tour leader for Kazakhstan Bird Tours having extensive knowledge of all aspects of Kazakhstan natural history and culture.

While Vaughn conducted some Portland Bird Observatory business, Svet and I were able to have a chat about the prospects of me finding Relict Gull in the country she now calls home. With some good possibilities we then went on to share anecdotes of Outer Mongolia from where she has just returned. Reviving memories for me of our visit there in 2001 we went on to talk about Pallas's Sea Eagle & Reed Warbler, Mongolian Lark, Cinerious Vulture, Hill Pigeon and many, many more.

http://www.kazakhstanbirdtours.com/

This in turn prompted me to turn out some photographs of those magical days I shared with rig mate Billy (Rhubarb & Custard Crumble) Burke and Jim the Medic, to share with you. It was on a return flight from Beijing to London some years before, when the pilot came on the air advising passengers that below could be seen the capital city of Ulaan Baatar, and the vast wasteland that surrounded this 'dot in the ocean' inspired me to make a visit.

The planning for this trip caused much mirth and mickey taking from our collective workmates, none more so than from Captain Derek Palmer, fondly known as Del Boy. Formally a commercial artist before choosing a career at sea, one evening he deftly drew the caricature above on the emergency state board, which was his perception of our tour. Among the crashing Air Mongolia aircraft, tumbled down hotel with cesspool bathing and attendant Vulture, there is me leading a Yak, binoculars at the ready, Billy in the saddle and Jim bringing up the rear complete with medical kit.

On arrival we found a seedy hotel then hired a jeep and drove to the Terelj National Park, (reputedly the oldest NP in the world) some 80Km from the city, whereupon we encountered an old lady with a Yak for hire. Unable to resist the temptation we re-enacted the scene from Del Boy's cartoon and on our return home I got 3 tee-shirts made with the drawing on the front and the photograph on the back.

Our next venture was a lot more ambitious, as we hired jeep and driver to convey us to Lake Kovsgol and beyond about 1,000Km from the city. This was across a road-less and best part uninhabited Mountain Steppe but turned out to be an adventure indeed.

Yurts or what I prefer to call Gers, home to the

Nomadic Herdsmen of the Steppe.

Jim the Medic, Gambold the Driver and Billy

Without exception the whole distance was across an unchanging terrain of snooker table flat grassland, with no such thing as a 'private' toilet here.

One of a number of religious sites along the way. The blue scarfs, or Atikes (if indeed that's how you spell it) are an offering to the Gods.

If this Jeep breaks down one more time!

The only section of 'flat road' between Ulaan Baatar and Lake Kovsgol.

At last we arrived at the Bed & Breakfast.

Jim outside his new house.

Mine host Mrs Chinbat!

Lemmock (the local Trout) for tea again, not difficult to catch.

Among the locals at Kovsgol.

The interiors of the Gers were immaculate,

Billy looking after the Whiskey.

Nomads on the move,

then settling for the night,

and the TAXI arrived to take us back from the Vodka Lounge!