Tis the last day of 2012 and we are well fed, well fuelled and ready for 2013! Had a great break away in stunning Derbyshire and a brilliant Christmas wake up with a traditional hike to the top of Win Hill, with stunning views across to Mam Tor and below to the Derwent Valley and the Ladybower Reservoir – it never fails to take our breath away (both literally and in terms of its dramatic force).  Led by the full to burst Derwent River we went on to have a wonderful  family Boxing day walk at Chatsworth Park, where we covered a miniscule section of the 1,000 acre park designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown in the 1760’s. The English Landscape Architect with huge influence during that time introduced a new wave of design – a ‘gardenless’ form of landscape gardening which swept away almost all the remnants of previous formally patterned styles. A much needed ‘blow away the cobwebs’ fill of fresh air’ was had by all – with adults taking in the immense beauty of the vast park which frames the incredible Chatsworth House, imagining canoeing down the powerful rapids of the Derwent and spotting Dejeuner sur l’Herbe surrounded by sheep (large scale red sculpture by Allen Jones – part of the wide ranging contemporary sculpture situated in the gardens of the house). The kids, of course were totally oblivious to everything– except playing chase, tumbling down the hills, falling head first in the boggy bits and playing peek-a-boo in between the grand old trees – as it should be and a real antidote to the four hour plus drive back south to our South Downs Haven. Wishing you many wonderful walks in 2013 and glorious gardens too…