Country diary: In these stones lie clues to the past

Cressbrook Dale, Derbyshire: One drystone slab bears remnants of marine life from 300m years agoThe hill called Hay Cop at this national nature reserve commands spectacular views southwards across Derbyshire. So I forgive myself for not initially noticing the two limestone slabs standing upright in a dismantled wall.This drystone structure is being rebuilt and these two columns, 1.2 metres high, perhaps 35cm apart, have been left to serve presumably as the stile through which walkers will pass. The stones were probably first cut when there was no such thing as engine noise here and the loudest human sounds were the clank of hammer on metal as a thick L-shaped iron bar was driven into the heart of one rock as a gate hinge. Continue reading...