Looking across the deer park to Chatsworth House. 
Did we make the right decision to come this way?
Walking along the ridge above Chatworth Park.Walk stats: Distance:11.9 miles; Climb:1297'.
Time:5 hours 3 minutes; On the move walking average:2.8 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:2.4 m.p.h.
Group:Martyn, Roger, Celia, Richard and Jenny.
This walk was a little longer than we expected, in fact nearly three miles longer. The weather was good and for most of the time much warmer than any of the forecasts that we had heard. We completed the shorter circuit first that ended up at the Edensor church where Richard found the gravestone of J.F. Kennedy's sister Kathleen. For the second week running we were fortunate to find picnic tables for lunch. This time we could look across the the River Derwent to a herd of deer grazing on the opposite hillside. Today we were fortunate to see both Red deer and Fallow deer, but the animal of the day was a Brown Hare racing across the Deer park and for once getting very close to us before changing direction.
Even though Chatsworth House was closed this was a very popular area with groups of walkers like swarming ants all over the park. Not a place to come for a quiet walk in the country beautiful as it is!
Despite this minor irritation, overall this was an enjoyable ramble around the Duke of Devonshire's deer park.
Birds seen or heard today included:Nuthatch, Mallard, Robin, Coot, Canada goose, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Blue tit, Great tit, Jackdaw, Tufted duck, Housesparrow, Carrion crow and Raven.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at Wilkes Head in Leek, where the Hartington Bitter tasted wonderful. Thankfully I remembered to bring my carryout container and could enjoy another pint when I got home. It tasted even better, having warmed up a little.
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