Grouse Moor

Walked today in Derbyshire. Started out in the lovely little village of Hayfield in the High Peak. Walked over Lantern Pike and across the moor to Kinder Scout reservoir.

As we made our way up a narrow, deeply rutted track onto the moor Lycra Man on his mountain bike came hurtling towards us at full pelt like a selfish small boy showing off. Clouds of dust and stones shot out from his angry tyres as he careered down missing us by just a few inches. A few seconds later we heard the scrunching of rubber on gravel as he brought his bike to a shuddering halt. In the time that it took us to turn round he was off his bike. turned it upside down and was already searching in his backpack for his repair kit. There is some justice I thought as I smiled inwardly.

There is room for us all to enjoy the countryside, whatever our pursuits, we just need to treat it and each other with respect.

Other bikers we saw on the day were friendly, courteous and careful.

There were curlew, lapwing and grouse. Good luck on the 12th matey.

There was sunshine most of the way but a bit blustery on the tops. Lunch was taken in the lee of a stone wall under a five finger signpost.

We rewarded ourselves with a chocolate cherry liqueur as we made our way down Snake Path back towards Hayfield. The cry of lapwing flying overhead mixed with the gentle sound of leather on willow and the occasional cry of" Howzat" as the cricketers played out their match on the village green in the warm evening sun.