Six Stalwarts gather at Cromford

 Six Stalwarts Gather at Cromford

12th October

On a chilly morning six stalwart members, back from their travels, gathered at the Wharf Cafe at Cromford. It took a while for us to deal with the archaic technology of the coin only parking payment machines but between us we managed to crack it.

Pam broke with tradition and arrived first and was already tucking in to her post outdoor swim toasted tea cake. She was able to reassure us that she dresses appropriately in the pool and that there is very little danger of hypothermia. Strangely there was a mixed reception for Pam’s plan to walk the Cleveland way next year to celebrate her birthday with a zero.

A warming  cup of coffee was very welcome and there was a lot to catch up on. Holiday tales and adventures were exchanged and we speculated on what our absent chums were up to.

Once we had warmed up and donned the appropriate footwear we set off to stroll along the canal.

The moss tree caught our eye as we set off

On the lookout for Thrush - who knew it lurked in the great outdoors!

Arriving at Aqueduct cottage we were relieved to find a supply of high vis jackets, just what we needed on such a difficult walk!

The cottage looking very smart.

Dodging the recently felled ash trees we headed down the Nightingale Arm. This sculpture was number 10, not sure where the previous 9 were hanging out, probably in the woods somewhere. Surprisingly we didn’t spot any otters in the river even though there was a sign alerting us to their presence. 

But we did see and hear lots of Jays and Helen J supplied us with the astonishing fact that Jays can remember where they have hidden fifteen thousand nuts but squirrels can only remember where they have hidden five. (The numbers might not be quite accurate but it was an interesting fact)

When a pretty waterside plant needs identifying Jo has no qualms about accosting a man in waders who is working hard to clear out a stream, he very obligingly helped out.

Not sure what the grumpy face is for!

Back on the canal and a welcoming party of swans and cygnets 

On the return down the canal the sun came out.

Back at the café several bowls of very good sweet potato soup were consumed. There was some discussion about what the green bits in it were: onion, leek, bits of blanket and the least appealing was dog hairs which they definitely weren’t and thankfully we had all finished at that point!

Recommendations for good telly watching were shared - someone surprised us with her enthusiasm for Cowboys! Various ways of catching spiders were discussed- apparently Chris Packham does not approve of sucking them up the hoover and feeding them to the dog is probably a better option. Maggie has been spending romantic evenings with Chris watching their pet hedgehog. We now know that baby frogs have pointy noses and according to Alison we should only worry about rats when they run across our feet when we are sat in our cosy armchairs in front of the fire. 

And finally we must watch out for Helen J on Britain’s got Talent performing her wonderful bird impressions!

Such spoilsports! We were all planning to exit via the dumb waiter!

Bird list for the day

Black headed hill

Blackbird

Blue tit

Canada Geese

Coal tit

Jay - bird of the day

Little Grebe in glorious colour

Long tailed tit

Magpie 

Mallard 

Moorhen

Mute Swan

Wood pigeon 

And a lot of squirrels