Sheep and shadows

Drove up to Chatsworth this morning (after a detour back home when Chris realised he didn't have the key to his house in Sheffield, where we were planning to stay the night).

A long day surveying trees followed, including the discovery of a whole heap of ancient gnarled oaks and chestnuts in a wonderful wooded area, carpeted with wood sorrel, mosses and ferns, that wasn't supposed to have any veterans. This delayed us considerably and we didn't finish till well after eight. As we got back to the car the low sun was casting long shadows across the valley, where the sheep were grazing peacefully.

We had an excellent meal in a local hostelry, and were very glad we'd chosen to sit inside, as there was the most ferocious thunderstorm and torrential rain while we were eating. I then had the scariest drive of recent years,over the Peak District to Sheffield, in the dark, with continuous steady rain on partially flooded roads with treacherous bends. I have to say I was very glad to arrive safely at Chris's house!