Carsington Water - A walk and a Fall

 Our next Dame Shirley outing was to be to Carsington Water, a reservoir only an hour and a half a way. It was to be a special weekend trip, in that Monty would be replacing Misty as Top Dog for the first time. 

I had a nice little dentist appointment in the morning to measure me for false teeth, but as soon as I returned we headed off. Ian had arranged a detour to Kiveton Park Steels. They were allowing us to use their weigh bridge to check our weight. Legally, for insurance purposes, Dame Shirley is allowed to be 3500kg fully laden. We came in at just over 3400. Perfect.

We arrived at the site around 3.30pm, and were soon all set up on Pitch 41, a nice little number close to the toilets and the entrance to the dog walk. Sadly, also right by a small children’s playground. You win some you lose some.

Pitch 41

All set up

Monty was confused. He was confused when we arrived. Confused when I walked him down to reception to get the gate fob. Confused when Ian was setting up the awning. Confused when people and dogs were walking past and milling around. But he didn’t bark or lurch for anyone, and eventually settled down securely fastened to his stake.

Monty at the stake

Note the small play area in the trees behind. 

Carsington Water is a lovely, quiet, peaceful site with just the one toilet block. There also appeared to be no children around. Perfect! We relaxed for a while in the sun outside, sun being the default weather for the UK in these balmy times, before deciding to stroll down to the reservoir. Monty was a bit confused but came willingly. At the shop on the way out, Ian purchased an ice cream but refused to let me have any. Nasty Man. The reservoir is only a short walk away and we did a little circular route spotting birds and butterflies. Geese, oystercatchers, and a little yellow one. Monty was so good we let him off the lead.

Carsington Water in the sun

We returned to the camp site and decided to walk around the dog walk as you see on the map above. It’s a lovely long route through the trees with views over the lake, as we are up on a hill. The views were so lovely that I wasn’t looking where I was going and tripped over a tree root. I stumbled and tried to save myself by putting my hand in a tree as I hurtled down the slope. I could only manage a glancing blow which spun me around and threw me backwards, at full pelt, into a mix of holly and brambles! ‘Are you OK?’ Yelled a concerned (and he was) Ian, while trying to wrangle Monty. And I was OK, I just wasn’t able to extract myself as my head was lower than my feet and there was no purchase to heave myself up. Somehow Ian managed to leaver me out and we assessed the damage. The tree had bashed my hand leaving it grazed and bleeding, and the small of my back, and the backs of my arms and legs were covered in tiny barbs from the brambles. Otherwise I was unscathed, the brambles saved my life and a few barbs are a small price to pay. Back at dame Shirley, Ian grabbed his Swiss army tweezers and began picking them all out. The whole episode reminded me of the famous Brer Rabbit episode. I am sure we will laugh about it in years to come. 

Thankfully, the fish and chip van arrived soon after and Ian hotfooted it over. He was first in a queue that grew enormous over the next hour or so. It seems everyone wanted fish and chip Friday. We ate them outside from the paper as fish and chips should be eaten.

Fish and chip Friday 

As we were eating it became apparent that children had arrived. They have small scooters and all sorts of rubbish. They love the play area. But luckily they are only two and were hungry and tired and soon to bed. We will see what the next few days bring on that score.

The temperature began to fall, and even though I had brought out my blankie and Ian his lovely powder blue sweatshirt that I thought he had bought for me, we were beginning to get cold. We decided to retire inside and watch the football/athletics. Through the window we could see the sun setting through the trees over the lake. I went out to take a photo but it dosen’t do it justice.

Sunset by Dame Shirley

Ian took a confused Monty out for a last trespass before we left him in the living area, closed the door on his confused face,  and retired to bed.

Musings

Butterfly’s are lovely

Never say you don’t want an ice cream then expect a bite

Fish and chips outside in paper are the best

Manchester United are very poor

If you fall, it’s better to fall into a soft bed of vegetation