Swarkestone Success

 

Swarkestone (2);  Swerkir (1)

(Spelling and football matters!)

Thursday 8th July 2021

A year after its initial plan, we finally manage the thrice-cancelled Swarkestone trip. Post a dramatic football night, all those who were able to attend, met at Swarkestone Nursery Garden Restaurant. A posh name for a cafe, but we are in Southern Derbyshire.   Three were definitely on time but I mis-calculated, so Alison and I had a belter of a walk but made it in time for refreshments and a bit of a catch up. Well, when we could hear above Mr Lawnmower! 

Helen on her third birthday party, with the wind in her hair. 

We then got down to the more serious part of the day; learning about Swarkestone. It's not a well-known fact but Helen Jackson was the founder of the nursery back in the 1980s when it was famous for its vegetables and cheap fushcia plants.

A begonia tree.

After a short walk down Woodshop Lane, the name of which hints at cottage industries from the past, we came out at the Crewe and Harpur pub, a restyled 17th century coaching inn, where lots of famous historical figures had sat, had a pint or few and then a bit of a skirmish.  The tradition continues to this very day.  

Tales by the river bank are now underway,

But...

Tali is already bored...

with listening to the various legends of the past: the Beaker People, the Bellamont sisters, Sir John Gell-the taxman/the plunderer/the plotter, Bonnie Prince Charles and all the ghostly stories about the bridge. Or, is that all under-the-water now?

Posing infront of England's longest stone bridge.

On the 'Brink'

It's just as well the river is not too high, as this bit can be impassable in winter, but we saw some lovely houses and  sand-martins skimming across the fast flowing Trent.

Turning up Church Lane, aptly named, we then popped to St James' 12th century churchyard, where I was slightly stumped by a pile of old stones because they weren't in my notes.

By this time, everyone was busy trying to identify the plants prettying up the very ancient gravestones

Tali: I 'nose' this as 'fox and cubs'!  

After a quick peek across a stile, Helen, Lynn and Tali re-enacted a famous 1745 retreat whilst Alison, Jo and I continued with our trip across the fields.

Now, I've not mentioned the Harpurs... yet... even though they owned a lot of the area which they left in favour of living at Calke Abbey. Nevertheless, they have left their mark. Perhaps it was folly to build this but it provided a lot of entertainment in its time.

The pepper-pots!

Barley and oats!

We reach Swarkestone canal which was beautifully calm. Full of butterflies, various insects and some 'baby cygnets' .... oh really Jo! And, our first Sedge Warbler with its distinctive scratchy tune.

Banded demoiselle

Up to Swarkestone lock, another historic bit. The canal from here used to lead to the ice-factory on the Cockpit Island, but now it's paved over for cyclists so they can ride on Route 66!

Bet they think they look good in lycra

We looked up Lowes Lanes to a lovely farmhouse and flattened bronze age tumuli before heading back to Jo's car,  which was searingly hot, but did the job of getting us all on our way home!

Canal boathouse

A good bird list for the day with a new one* to add to our list. 

Blackbird

Buzzard

Chiffchaff

Collared dove

Crow

Goldfinch

House-martin

House sparrow

Jackdaw

Kestrel

Magpie

Mute swan

Sand-martin

Sedge warbler*

Skylark

Swallow

Swift

Wood pigeon

Wren

With possible sightings of chough too, but not confirmed by time of publishing. 

Stones which were in my notes!

 (c)Michael Joseph 1968 

Do I need to credit this now it was taken over 50 years ago?