Let loose on a stile

At last. The guidance is that most of us can now drive a distance to enjoy the countryside, albeit also while also advised to follow social distancing rules.  That's ok.  I'm happy not to make others feel uncomfortable.

In the joy of being let loose, the youngsters don't even mind the profusion of nettles, which seem to have gone a bit prolifically mad in our human absence.

Peak strolling

Walking down to the river bridge from Alstonefield... in the Staffordshire Peak District

As old as it gets in Alstonefield

Alstonefield may be a remote village, away in the hills of the Peak District, but it also has some of the oldest monuments in the county.  The ancient church and churchyard, which is over 1000 years old, is fairly littered with Saxon stone fragments.
Even the base of this Saxon carving that you see here is probably Saxon (with its characteristic knotwork) itself, being most likely a former wayside cross.

Walking Alstonefield

This late burst of summer has brought some glorious days that make you want to be outdoors.  Enjoying a walk on the hills over Alstonefield is a solution...

Vigorous dragon-slaying

The George at Alstonefield is a fabulous pub, right in the middle of an unspoilt village in the Peak District - so it attracts lots of walkers.

Unsurprisingly, its pub-sign features the most famous George of them all, Saint George, slaying the dragon. It's a vigorous, stylish piece of painting, especially for a pub-sign, but, sadly, I couldn't get information about the artist.

It's Saint George's Day tomorrow (April 23rd).

Wakes day

For me, Alstonefield is the quintessential Staffordshire Peak District village. It's pretty but not prettifield, and while it has enough car parks to satisfy the hordes of ramblers, there is no other concession to commercialism. It's a living and working village that is not just the preserve of the rich, and it still manages to be perfect.

Today, it was the village's annual 'wakes' and sports day - with the egg & spoon race the most important of all... True to its image, there were just villagers there, and the event was small but perfect.