9: September

To most people in the UK the town of Chesterfield means the church with its crooked spire, but hiding opposite the Co-Op on Elder Way is Elder Yard Chapel. Built in 1694 it is the oldest nonconformist meeting house still in use in Derbyshire and one of the oldest in England. Records show that the total cost of the land and erection of the building was £229 lOs 6d! (£229.52 in current currency). Given it's position in the center of the shopping district, I would hazard a guess it is worth somewhat more than that today.

The planters which only a week or so ago looked as if they should be dug out are now awash with colour. It's amazing what a difference a few warm days following a wet spell can make. Not sure how long it will last but at the moment its well worth the effort of photographing.

Ted recovering from his unexpected surgery. In December of last year Ted had a lump on the top of his head, a biopsy revealed it to be a sarcoma. The resulting removal of the sarcoma and most of his scalp has left him with a rather strange hair style. Yesterday we found a second similar lump, today it was removed and we now await the histology results. On collection from the vets we were told he would be drowsy for 24 hours or so, no he was back to his usual troublesome self as soon as he got out of his carrier on our return home.

This has to be one of my favourite spots, time just slides by with the water when I am here. Earlier in the year Sand Martins were nesting in the bank opposite. Today the only noise was the plop of a jumping fish, the occasional walker on the footbridge, or a bleet from nearby sheep. One of the thins I love about the River Dove above Dovedale is it's Tranqulity.

Return to Top of Page.