Light at the End of Every Tunnel

Last weekend we went walking among our favourite hills in the Derbyshire Peak District.  And walked the old railway track that has now been turned into a cycle path since many of the country’s railway tracks were sadly ripped up when Dr Beeching Axed many lines across the country in the 60’s. ( I am hoping when you click these photo’s they will enlarge this time for a better view  as it didn’t work previously)

You can see why I love the Peak District with its hills and valleys. A Little like life nothing is ever smooth for we all of us at times have obstacles to climb and overcome.

And like any road map, we are free to choose which road to travel. We can often get side tracked and detour for a time as we come off the beaten track. Some may well get lost for a time too.. But the road is always there just waiting for us to follow the correct signs to lead us to our intended destinations..

We set off and parked our car at Hassop. This used to be a Train Station. Now it is a bike hire place for the trail along with it being a book store and Café. 

Setting off on foot  (I do not ride a bike), we made our way to the first Tunnel..

 

The Derbyshire Dales are made up of lots of Rocky Hills

When you think that when the railways were built, these tunnels and tracks were hacked out by hand,  unlike todays tunnels which are calved out with giant machinery.

When I was a child we would walk among the limestone outcrops of rock along a Dale near my home called Coombes Dale..  And for those wishing to see more about the walk I would often do as a child, there is a wonderful 10 minute video on this Link you may like which also includes some local history We would be fascinated to see fossils of fish within the rocks..

As I walked the Monsal Trail I found a plaque  confirming that at one time the Dales had been at the bottom of the ocean.

Like us the Earth is evolving. We Humans think we know so much and yet we know so very little about our Blue Dot that is suspended in Space..  All of us are constantly changing..  As we grow we seldom see those changes ourselves.. It isn’t until we look back we see how far we have travelled and come along our own individual pathways in life that we see Change is constant.

Today we talk constantly about Climate change.. And yes we are contributing to those changes with our Carbon footprints.. But our climate is always changing and was changing well before we had cars and aeroplanes..  Sometimes we are just too close to notice that we are now in the midst of yet another large change. Leading to Mass Migrations and Political upheavals.  Yet this too is opening our heart centres and more of us are growing in awareness through compassion and empathy. And are choosing too alternative lifestyles as those that are waking up seek to slow down and get off the tread-mill of life.

Sometimes we have to go through our Dark Tunnels before we emerge back into the Light.

Speaking of Mills if you look at the Map you will see many on the trail. The Mills below are  Here is a view of Cressbrook Mills which have been now made into flats.

But I am getting ahead of myself on the trail. Because as you come out of the Headstock Tunnel which is 490 Metres Long. The View is stunning. You are stood upon a wonderfully built viaduct that bridges the valley below.. I didn’t take this picture this walk but have included one of the Viaduct from another source from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsal_Trail The photo below.

The Above View is as you emerge from Headstock Tunnel from the viaduct. The River Wye is below.. When I was at school our houses were all named after local Rivers and Dales  .. I was in the house of Monsal, the others were Derwent, Wye and  Lathkill. All wonderful places to visit.

This above photo is also an older one I took some years ago of the trail showing how popular the trail is with bikers.

Continuing along the walk you are flanked either side with wonderful views

You then approach the second tunnel which is called Cressbrook Tunnel

This tunnel is shorter than the first one, And I took this as we neared the opening at the other end.  No matter how dark the tunnel may get in life .We are never alone.. As these Orbs testify.. Can you see them in the above photo?

Life can be a series of Light and Dark paths, learning to find our balance as we ride through life and keeping to the paths which lead us into greener pastures can sometimes be tricky.. But it is all about finding our balance.. And learning to go with the flow..

Know there is always Light at the end of every tunnel..

And no tunnel is without an end if we keep moving in unity towards the light..  

I hope you enjoyed the Monsal Trail and for those interested in seeing how these Tunnels were reopened after being closed for such a long time the link below shows detail pictures how the tunnels were made safe and made into a cycle path..

Have a Wonderful week.. I have another busy week planned with my Granddaughter and a date with the Allotments..  For those wanting to keep up with my Gardening exploits you can visit my Gardening Blog HERE.

http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/tunnels/monsal.html