David G Johnson's photos

Another view of the Cottages at Ravensdale - this one from May 2018 showing the full street from end to end and the only vehicle that I have ever seen down there - an old 'MG' Also illustrating the towering rocky outcrop valley in which the street is sited. Believed to be built from 1823 and used by lead miners and their families.

Another view of the tiny street of 'Ravensdale' cottages.. where time has stood still. The figure in the picture was attending to his pedal cycle.. I hasten to add..it had electric motor power to help with the hills.. a wise move.

Appearing from out of the thickly wooded valley of 'Ravensdale'.. all alone .. is this street of a few old lead miners cottages. It is like stepping back in time.. surrounded by rocky outcrop hills - some of the houses are now available as holiday rentals.

Along 'Cressbrook dale' we see ahead - the prominent 'Gibbet rock' ...so named because many years ago - criminals were placed and held captive in a 'Gibbet' a type of cage suspended from the rock. The poor captives were placed inside the cage either dead - or died later - and remained there..as a deterrent to all who pass by. On some mapping the rock is shown as 'Peters stone'.

A stroll along three 'Derbyshire dales'.... From the vicinity of the village of 'Litton' we drop down 'Tansley dale' .. turning to the right at the end... we come to the pleasant stream side walk along 'Ravensdale' ..pictured here.. to continue south takes walkers to the most lovely and well known.. 'Monsal dale... Dj.

Sir Isaac Newton - 25th. December 1642 - 20th. March 1727.. Mathematician / Astronomer / Theologian / author and physicist is widely recognised as one of the most influential scientists of all time was born in this house. World renowned Astrophysicist 'Neil deGrasse Tyson' who took over from the late - Carl Sagan's brilliant 'Cosmos' series was asked who he regarded as the greatest influence to science..and he replied without hesitation ..... 'Isaac Newton' Within the house are also photographs of 'Albert Einstein' - Sir Patrick Moore' and 'Steven Hawking' too ...who all made a visit here.

Pictured between the towers of the Derwent dam is this well known memorial to the Sheepdog ''Tip'' The inscription reads. . ''In commemoration of the devotion of 'TIP' The Sheepdog which stayed by the body of her dead Master.. Mr Joseph Tagg'.. on the 'Howden Moors for fifteen weeks.. from 12th.December 1953 to 27th.March 1954,

A low water scene from the Derwent dams .. Derbyshire.

A wooded path.. deep in the Amber valley near Ashover Derbyshire... suddenly we come across two trees... so the fence splits... around them...

An English country house in 'Kedleston, Derbyshire' .. the Curzon family have owned the estate since at least 1297 and the present house - was commissioned by 'Sir Nathaniel Curzon' in 1759.

Although called the 'Marble hall' the enormous Corinthian columns that dominate the room, are in fact.. 'Veined alabaster..' from a local quarry. The columns were originally round and smoothed - and were not fluted until a decade after they had been installed - the cost must have been phenomenal - just on the whim of Lord Curzon's preferences .. and required incredible skill by the masons. The picture in picture.. shows the astounding amount of detail and skilled work to the friezes that goes relatively unseen. Also a close up of the 'fluting' that was later carried out to every column.

Pictured in the town of Buxton - Derbyshire... the real friendly guy pointing - told me ''He's getting married later - and he owns all these cars'' I replied..... ''He must have a bob or two then'' Then along with several white Rolls Royce.. out of shot.. they moved on to the venue.

The painters of the church clock probably took their dinner break in the local pub... very erratic spacing of the minute segments do vary from one figure to the other... and added together..... total 63.