Couldnt sleep again last night . It was 25 degrees at 11 pm . In a house I probably would have opened the windows . In a bungalow not a good idea . I even thought of going out and sleeping in Gabby . It might have been cooler in her with her skylights open. Sion did not sleep well either - the mention of Ashover Rock last night set him off . The last things anyone should do is mention a plan to a sheep or a mammoth . They get ideas .He had his plan and it involved rock and pocket money but no walking.
Me not sleeping - of course I slept . I dont know what Jen moans about . She does not have to wear all this wool that I wear every day. In this weather it makes me very hot . I heard Glenn and Jen talking about Ashover Rock last night . I tab hanged and it sounded good to me . I like rock . I like it because it has words written through the middle . It doesnt matter how much I eat of it I can still see the words
I swear overnight I heard money rattling too. Sion has a purse where he keeps his cents ready to use in Europe. A supply he has failed to use this year . He also has a supply of our money to take out with him so that if we wont buy him cakes he can buy his own.
We got up at silly oclock with the sun streaming through the windows . It was 24.5 degrees at 5.30 . Phew I was going to be hot on my walk this morning . Even hotter walking up to Ashover Rock . After a quick gulp of tea off I set for my morning constitutional with the words of Sion ringing in my ears . Hurry up back he told me . I want to go and buy some Ashover Rocks . I think he is going to be disappointed today on both counts as there is neither rock up there nor does it rock . I think he is expecting some kind of rock concert where he can purchase all sorts of things . He will surely
I walked quickly down to the main A61 and was shocked at how much traffic was on the road even at this time of the morning . By the time I arrived on the A61 it was almost back to normal. Cars , Lorries and anything that moved sailed past me . Over the last few weeks there have been long periods of silence punctuated by the sound of a few cars . Today it was reversed . The sound of cars continually driving by was punctuated by seconds of birdsong and silence . Hated it . I have got used to the peace and solitude .
The plan today was to get out early - quick cup of coffee , hit the road and head for the rock known as Ashover Rock . A gritstone block that stands high up isolated in a area covered in heather. It overlooks the village of Ashover and is famous .
rock I tried to explain no rock and he laughed . He said he really knew that and he was just kidding . He then proceeded to tell us all about the Rock . As we drove we could hear the little voice in the back . Do you know we are climbing 299m above sea levle and if its a nice day we will see Lincoln Cathedral -Well the rock does sit on a protected heathland at 299m above sea level which has the right to ramble applied to it. . As a result there are excellent panoramic views of the surrounding countryside - on a really clear day and it is possible to see Lincoln Cathedral but we would need a telescope. I had not got the heart to tell Sion that he needed to buy a telescope with his money.
We parked at the small car park at the bottom and Sion of course had to carry on talking as he does. Where is the rock stall? Surely it must be here somewhere He looked everywhere for it , peeking round corners until we suggested it was time to climb .
Climb , climb he mumbled . If I dont do walking then I certainly dont do climbing We were going to the top of the peak where we could see the rock . it stands amongst the heather which has been trimmed back to encourage critters as Sion would call them . Slow worms and hares. Grass snakes all love this habitat amongst the whinberry bushes . There were a few walkers out early taking advantage of the cooler part of the morning . Even a mountain biker was riding the paths .
