Saturday was a bright day and luckily the overnight rain washed away the snow so back to green at our peak district cottages.  Cleaner came up to turn round cottage needed for the day’s guests who arrived about 5pm.  Chris spent some more time laying carpet in Sheepfold and I spent a lot of time on emails and phone calls.  In the evening one of the cleaners came over with a problem with her laptop for Chris to sort out.  Sunday was another sunny but cold day and we couldn’t tell if the white dusting on the ground was snow or hard frost.  Despite that we thought it was good opportunity to go for a walk as we haven’t had a proper break for two weeks.  After getting the paper and doing the recycling we loaded up the car and set off for Rowsley to park at the Peak Village outlet.  From here we walked through Rowsley and past the Caudwells Mill and then took a number of footpaths up to Stanton in Peak.  We had to cross a number of lanes and at one corner I suddenly found myself on an icy patch and rather than risk falling over I got got down on my knees and crawled to a safer spot.  The ground was very hard in places especially where the sun hadn’t reached.  On the walk up we got some lovely views along the Wye Valley towards Haddon Hall and Bakewell.  We also could make out Youlgreave, Over Haddon and Bolehill Farm!  At Stanton we headed to the Moor and found the Nine Ladies Circle, a bronze age circle of stones depicted to be nine ladies turned to stone for dancing on a Sunday!  There were quite a few walkers in the area but we found a quiet but sunny spot for lunch.  After lunch we started the slow descent back to Rowsley passing through the hamlet of Stanton Woodhouse. On the descent we got some lovely views along the Derwent Valley and could make out Riber Castle at Matlock in the distance.  We also saw one of the Peak Rail trains making its way along the valley and could even (through the trees) make out Chatsworth in the distance.  Not often you get to see so much in a short walk!  Back in Rowsley we stopped at the mill so I could stock up on my porridge oats then I had a quick look around the outlet centre.  One thing that was still evident was the amount of snow still piled up in the car park!  Home via Chatsworth Farm Shop and after dealing with some emails and phone calls Chris made up the WI programme for me from the details I had typed in. Photos of walk to follow.