Curious stags...

We set off just before 8 for our first visit to the Chatsworth Estate, where Pete's carrying out an invertebrate survey. He's been intending to visit since the middle of May, but this was the first time the weather forecast had been good enough. I was providing transport and making a preliminary visit to plan a veteran tree survey that Chris, Alex and I will be carrying out later in the summer.

The Estate is stunningly beautiful and absolutely huge. For the first couple of hours the weather lived up to our expectations, but shortly after lunch light rain came sweeping in, which got heavier during the afternoon. We carried on regardless, though at times it was really quite cold and unpleasant. There were herds of both fallow and red deer in the park, mostly young males, but with a scatter of fine stags. They seemed particularly interested in Pete's activities!

At about 7pm we repaired to the Devonshire Arms in Baslow, which was clean and comfortable, though both Pete and I both found that we didn't like the manager very much and I couldn't get their Wifi to work! We had an excellent meal at the Wheatsheaf pub, just across the road - a very friendly hostelry which we might try staying in next time (especially as it was slightly cheaper)!