CASTLETON. England.

Castleton is a honeypot village in the high peak district of Derbyshire, England. The village lies within the peak district at the western end of Hope Valley on the Peakshole water, a tributary of the river Noe. Castleton attracts a lot of tourists and their are many pubs, tea shops and guest houses to supply their needs. Castleton is very popular with walkers. There are four caves where you can go down ( guided ) they are Peak Cavern, Blue John Cavern, Speedwell Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern. Speedwell you go through the cave in a boat.

 

 

 

 

 

PEVERILL CASTLE.

 

is a ruined early medieval castle overlooking the village of Castleton in the English county of Derbyshire. It was founded some time between the Norman Conquest of 1066 and its first recorded mention in the Doomsdat survey of 1086 by William Peverill, who held lands in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire as a tenant - in - chief of the king. The castle provides views across the Hope Valley and Cave Dale. William Peverill the younger inherited his fathers estates and in 1155 King Henry II confiscated them. In 1223 the castle returned to the crown. In the 13th century there were periods of building work at the castle and by 1300 its final form had been established. The site is cared for by English Heritage. Peverill Castle is protected as a scheduled monument and grade I listed building. Looking at the photos you can see why a castle was built there in the first place, you can see miles in all directions.

 

 

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Entrance to bell tower.

 

ST EDMUNDS CHURCH.

 

has its beginnings in Norman times, provides a haven of peace and tranquillity in this busy tourist town of Castleton. Originally built as a garrison chapel for the soldiers in Peverill castle, it has a magnificent Norman Chancel Arch. Over nearly a thousand years it has witnessed much history and been added to and changed according to the tastes of the time. The church has an unusual ceiling and some nice stained glass.

 

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CASTLETON PRIMARY SCHOOL.

 

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PEAKSHOLE WATER.

 

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WINNATS PASS.

 

is in the High Peak area of Derbyshire, England. It lies to the west of the village of Castleton, in the National Trusts High Peak Estate. The road winds through a cleft, surrounded by towering Limestone Pinnacles. The permanent closure of the main A625 road at Mam Tor in 1979 due to subsidence has resulted in Winnats Pass being heavily used by road traffic.

 

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What is left of the A625 main road.

 

MAM TOR.

 

is a 1,696 foot high hill near Castleton in the High Peak of Derbyshire, England. Its name means Mother Hill, so called because frequent landslips on its eastern face have resulted in a multitude of mini - hills beneath it. These landslips, which are caused by unstable lower layers of shale, also gives the hill its alternative name of Shivering Mountain. In 1979 the continual battle to maintain the A625 road on the crumbling eastern side of the hill was lost when a landslide completely destroyed the road. The road is now officially closed as a through route.

 

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BIRDS (feathered kind part two ).

 

BLACK CAPPED LORY. (Lorius Lory )

 

is a parrot found in New Guinea and adjacent smaller islands. It is colourful and relatively robust. The Black Capped Lory inhabits the primary forest and forest edges in most lowland areas but not monsoon forest or coconut plantations. It is usually found in pairs and occasionally in groups of 10 or more. There diet includes pollen, nectar, flowers, fruit and insects.

 



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KOOKABURRA.

 

are terrestrial tree Kingfishers native to Australia and New Guinea, which grow to between 11 - 17 inches in length. The Kookaburra`s loud call sounds like echoing human laughter. They are found in habitats ranging from humid forest to arid savanna, as well as in suburban areas with tall trees. Kookaburra`s are carnivorous and are known to eat the young of other birds, mice, snakes, insects and small reptiles.

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PEACOCKS.

 

are forest birds that nest on the ground but roost in trees. They are terrestial feeders. All species of peafowl are believed to be polygamous. They are omnivorous and eat most plant parts, flower petals, seed heads, insects and other arthropods, reptiles and amphibians.

 

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RED LEGGED SERIEMA. (Cariama Cristata ).

 

is a mostly predatory terrestrial bird. The Red Legged Seriema inhabits grasslands from Brazil south of the Amazon to Uruguay and northern Argentina. It is 30 to 36 inches long and weighs about 1.5kg with a fairly long neck, tail and legs. Although it prefers grasslands it will inhabit lush meadows near rivers. It typically walks on the ground and can easily run faster than a human. This species nests on the ground or in a bush or tree up to 3 metres above the ground, in the latter case the adults jump up into the nest rather than fly.

 

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RINGED TEAL. (Callonetta Leucophrys ).

 

is a small duck of south American forests. The Ringed Teal breeds in north - west Argentina and Paraguay, also occurring in Bolivia, Brazil and Uruguay. Their habitats include tropical, swampy forests and marshy clearings in well wooded lowlands, as well as secluded pools and small streams.

 

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SWAINSONS LORIKEET.

 

is the most well known subspecies of rainbow Lorikeets. These colourful parrots live in Australia, from Cape York peninsula down the east coast and Tasmania. There is an isolated population in Perth, western Australia. It is about 11.8 inches in length. They reach sexual maturity at around 1 year of age. Both species are identical in appearance. They are abundant in the wild, found in all sorts of wooded and rain forest areas from the coast and inland. They live in noisy groups of 10 - 20 birds to thousands. They nest in tree hollows, favouring eucalyptus trees.

 

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WHITE STORK. ( Ciconia Ciconia ).

 

is a large bird and measures on average 39 - 45 inch from beak tip to end of tail, with a wingspan of 61 - 85 inches. They breed in Europe ( north to Finland ), north western Africa, south western Asia, and southern Africa. It is a carnivore, it eats a wide range of animal prey including fish, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and small birds. It takes most of its food from the ground, among low vegetation and from shallow water. They build a stick nest, which may be used for several years. Each year the female lays one clutch of four eggs, which hatch 33 - 34 days after being laid. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and both feed their young.

 

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YELLOW CROWNED BISHOP. ( Euplectes Afer ).

 

is native to Africa, south of the Sahara. It prefers habitats such as grasslands. It eats insects, grain and seeds. It lives in flocks with both male and females. Nesting is from November - May, peaking from December - March. Nests are built amongst standing stems of grasses or sedges or shrubs. The female will lay from two to four white eggs. Egg incubation is done solely by females and lasts 12 - 14 days.

 

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ZEBRA FINCH ( Taenio Pygia Guttata ).

 

is the most common finch of central Australia. It can also be found in Indonesia and east Timor. Zebra Finches inhabit a wide range of grasslands and forests, usually close to water. Wild birds are adaptable and varied in their nesting habits, with nests being found in cavities, scrub, low trees, bushes, on the ground, in termite hills, rabbit burrows, nests of other birds and in cracks, crevices and ledges of human structures.

 

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BIRDS. (feathered kind---part one).

BLACK SWAN. (Cygnus Atratus )

is a large water bird, a species of swan which breeds mainly in the south-east and south west regions of Australia. They are monogamous breeders that share incubation duties and cygnet rearing between the sexes. Black swans are popular birds in zoological gardens and bird collections. Cobs (males) are slightly larger than Pens (females) with a longer straighter bill.

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EURASIAN JAY. ( Garrulus Glandarius ).

is a species of bird occurring over a vast region from western Europe and north-west Africa to the Indian subcontinent and further to the eastern seaboard of Asia and down into south-east Asia. Its about the size of a Jackdaw, it inhabits mixed woodland, particularly with Oaks and is an habitual acorn hoarder. It nests in trees or large shrubs laying usually 4 - 6 eggs that hatch after 16 - 19 days. Both sexes feed their young.

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JAVA SPARROW ( Lonchura Oryzivora ).

is a small Passerine bird. It is a very popular cage bird. The Java Sparrow is a very gregarious bird which feeds mainly on grain and other seeds. It frequents open grassland and cultivation, and was formerly a pest in Rice fields. The nest is constructed in a tree or building and up to eight eggs are laid.

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LITTLE EGRET ( Egretta Garzetta ).

is a small white Heron. The adult little Egret is 55 - 65cm long with an 88 - 106cm wingspan and weighs 350 - 550 grams. Its plumage is all white. Its breeding distribution is in wetlands in warm temperate to tropical parts of Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. The little Egret nests in colonies, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs or in a reed bed or bamboo grove. Three to five eggs are incubated by both adults for 21 - 25 days to hatching. Both sexes defend their small breeding territory.

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MACAWS.

are long tailed, colourful new world Parrots. Macaws are native to central America ( especially Mexico ), south America and formerly the Caribbean. Most species are associated with rain forests, but some prefer woodland. Sometimes Macaws are hybridised for the pet trade. Macaws eat a variety of foods including seeds, nuts, fruits, palm fruits, leaves, flowers and stems.

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MASKED LAPWING ( Vanellus Miles ).

is a large, common and conspicuous bird native to Australia, particularly the northern and eastern parts of the continent, and New Zealand. It spends most of its time on the ground searching for food such as insects and worms. Masked Lapwings are most common around the edges of wetlands and in other moist, open environments. They can also be found on beaches and coastlines. They are shy and harmless in summer and autumn but are best known for their bold nesting habits, being quite prepared to make a nest on almost any stretch of open ground, including suburban parks and gardens and flat rooftops. The nesting pair defends their territory against all intruders. 

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NORTHERN BALD IBIS ( Geronticus Eremita ).

is a migratory bird found in barren, semi desert or rocky habitats, often close to running water. This 28 - 31inch glossy black Ibis is non-wading, has an unfeathered red face and a long curved red bill. It breeds colonially on coastal or mountain cliff ledges, where it lays two to three eggs in a stick nest. It feeds on lizards, insects and other small animals. This bird is now considered critically endangered. There are believed to be about 500 wild birds remaining in southern Morocco and fewer than 10 in Syria.

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QUAIL ( Coturnix Coturnix ).

is a small bird in the Pheasant family. It is widespread and is found in parts of Europe. It is a small, round bird essentially streaked brown with a white eyestripe and the male a white chin. This is a terrestrial species feeding on seeds and insects on the ground. It is notoriously difficult to see, keeping hidden in crops and reluctant to fly, preferring to creep away into cover. Upon attaining an age of 6 - 8 weeks this Quail breeds on open arable farmland and grassland across most of Europe and Asia, it lays 6 - 12 eggs in a ground nest. The eggs take from 16 - 18 days to hatch.

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PEAK DISTRICT-----Revisited.

The Peak District is an upland area in England, most of which lies in Northern Derbyshire and this is the area I took these photos. Has we where driving along a lovely view would appear around the next bend, sometimes we could stop to take photos, but a lot off the time we where unable to stop. These pictures do not need any introduction, they speak for themselves. I will say that the Peak District is a very beautiful place........Enjoy.

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CASTLE RISING CASTLE.

Castle Rising is a village in the county of Norfolk, England. It is best known for its castle which dominates the village. It is some 8 kilometres north - east of the town of King`s Lynn. Castle Rising`s Castle is a ruined Medieval fortification. It was built soon after 1138 by William D`Aubigny II, it was inherited by Williams descendants before passing into the hands of the De Montait family in 1243. The Montaits later sold the castle to Queen Isabella, who lived there after her fall from power in 1330, Isabella extended the castle buildings and enjoyed a regal lifestyle, after her death it was granted to Edward, the Black Prince, to form part of the Duchy of Cornwall. During the 15th century the castle fell into disrepair and by the middle of the 16th century it was derelict. Henry VIII sold the property to Thomas Howard, the Duke of Norfolk and most of the castle buildings were demolished. It was not until the 19th century, when Mary and Fulke Greville Howard inherited the property, that the castle was renovated and restored. In 1958 the castle passed into the custody of the state, which carried out further stabilisation work. In 1998 English Heritage passed the management of the site back to its currant owner, Baron Howard of Rising, who continues to operate the castle as a tourist attraction.

Earthworks of the inner bailey, with the remaining 14th century brick wall and 12th century gatehouse ( left ) and the stone bridge ( centre ).

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