Dale Abbey - Return to Ockbrook Wood
w/e 28 April 2019
All of this week's pictures were
taken with a Kodak DX6490
We are often drawn to the same locations during the various seasons
of the year and in the spring, bluebell woods are high on the
list of places to visit. This year the wood of choice is seen
here behind the semi-detached church/farmhouse at Dale Abbey
as we made a return visit to Ockbrook Wood repeating a similar
walk made in May 2014 (link).
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Passing through the gate to Vergers Farm the first thing to capture
our attention was an old tree stump that at first glance looked
like a small rockery. I believe the correct term though is a
stumpery.
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We had a choice at the rear of the farmhouse to follow the path
up the hill to the left into Hermit's Wood or to continue straight
ahead through a gate and round another track to Ockbrook Wood.
Our choice this time was Ockbrook Wood.
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In the wood there are two main paths. One follows the northern
boundary at the foot of the escarpment whilst the other (above)
ascends the hillside on the left leaving the wood at the top
to cross the fields to Ockbrook village. We stuck to the lower
path but another family in the wood with a dog that was enjoying
scampering among the bluebells climbed (literally) the hillside.
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The children were obviously familiar with the wood and made straight
for a rope swing on one of the trees. Having seen videos on such
TV shows as "You've Been Framed" where such escapades
have come to grief I decided not to try myself but such is the
exuberance of youth!
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We followed the path as far as the gate out of the wood, the
path beyond leading past Columbine Farm and on to Dunshill on
the main Ilkeston to Derby road.
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Turning back the hillside, now on our right, was covered with
bluebells.
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Ockbrook Wood is not large by any means but there must be thousands
if not millions of the flowers.
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And of course there has to be the obligatory close up on some
of the bluebells.
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We retraced our steps back into the village at Dale Abbey and
like the obligatory bluebell picture, there was also the chance
to photograph the remains of the east window arch that is such
a renowned feature of the village and can be seen from here behind
the white cottage.
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