Visit 1 - Marsh Farm

Ranger: Andy McGraw
Shift: Sunday B
Weather: Cold & Sunny, snow and ice on the ground

Marsh Farm briefing centre is situated near Tittesworth Reservoir close to Leek. It covers the South Western region of the National Park including The Roaches and Warslow Moors. Snow overnight made the roads a bit treacherous (more later ...) in Longnor but had virtually gone when dropping down to lower levels at Marsh Farm. So much for the start of spring! However the wintry conditions and blue skies did make for some wonderful views and great photos.

My first official visit involved meeting up with my mentor to collect my log book and discuss the training course before going out and about. We quickly ran through the stuff I should know over tea (but no biscuits, very disappointing!!). We then went off to practice a bit of Winter driving :) over Axe Edge and down to Derbyshire Bridge in the Goyt Valley. Great fun. A word of warning: don't leave any valuables in your car around these remote places as break-ins a pretty common and another car had been broken into over night.

Plenty of people were out enjoying the weather down in the Goyt Valley sledging and even skiing!

*WildlifeWatch*
1 Snipe, 2 buzzards