Stapleford Hill &
The Hemlock Stone
w/e 09 March
2003
The Grand
Old Duke of York, so goes the rhyme, marched 10,000 men up to
the top of a hill and then back down again. I don't know why
he did that but following his example I resolved to ascend Stapleford
Hill. My reason was to sample the reputedly good views from the
top.
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Half way up
I passed the Hemlock Stone - a 30 foot high sandstone pillar
that according to legend was thrown here by a giant.
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Continuing
past the Hemlock Stone I was faced with a choice of paths and
tracks through the trees and all of them led to the top. The
sunlight highlighting the bark on the trees created an eerie
landscape.
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Nearing the
summit it was clear that Gav, Stu, Matt and Andy (among others)
had got there before me and had left their marks to prove it
on the triangulation point. How very sad!
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Fortunately the summit post
had escaped their attention and it remained standing unscathed.
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And so to the
view. I read somewhere that there was a good view of the turrets
at Wollaton Hall from here and even though, with difficulty,
it can be made out through the branches of the trees, when the
leaves appear there will be no chance whatsoever. Looking in
the opposite direction to Wollaton, this is probably the best
of the views - over Swancar Farm, Trowell and Ilkeston to Crich
and Derbyshire beyond. And now I understand the Grand Old Duke.
When you've reached the top, the only way is down!
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