by 
Some moments are whispered to you by the universe. They don’t shout. They don’t demand your attention. They just sit there, quietly waiting for you to notice. And this one? This was one of those moments.
The Strawberry Moon of 2025 was no ordinary full moon. It would be the closest and brightest of its kind until 2046. That kind of timing—that kind of alignment—isn’t just science. It’s poetry.
So I packed light. Just me, my boots, and my Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. No heavy gear. No drone. No DSLR. Just faith in the trail and trust in the tech that fits in my hand.
And where better to witness this rare lunar spectacle than Stanton Moor? A place I’ve returned to time and time again. A landscape that holds both history and mystery in its quiet stones and whispering trees.
“Don’t wait for perfect. Wait for light. Show up, stay still, and the magic finds you.”
~ Papa Bear ~
A Golden Hour Walk from Cork Stone to Nine Ladies and a Celestial Surprise You’ll Remember Until 2046
📍 Location: Stanton Moor, Derbyshire, UK
🗌 Route: Circular loop via Cork Stone, Nine Ladies Stone Circle, Trig Point
📱 Gear Used: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra only
🎬 Bonus Content: YouTube film from last summer solstice at Nine Ladies Stone Circle
Cork Stone and the Warm-Up Trail
My journey started near the Cork Stone, that peculiar gritstone sentinel rising out of the earth like a monument from another age. Rusty iron rungs are embedded into its side, daring the bold to climb—but this evening, I let the sun be the one to ascend.
The path from there winds through heather-carpeted open moorland, dotted with silver birch and the occasional curious rabbit darting across the trail. The ground beneath is sandy and soft, giving that satisfying crunch underfoot. Each breath you take is filled with that unmistakable scent of summer grass and moorland pine.
The light started to change. That golden hour glow began creeping in, casting everything in a soft fire. The kind of light that makes every tree look like a painting and every stone like it’s holding a secret.
And so, I walked.
No rush. No destination beyond presence itself.
The Heart of the Moor: Nine Ladies Stone Circle
Soon enough, the path cradled me into the grove where the Nine Ladies Stone Circle waits.
This is no Stonehenge. It doesn’t need to be. It’s intimate. Human. Humble. Nine weathered stones standing silently in a ring, embraced by silver birch and moss-covered earth. Legend says they were once dancers, turned to stone for their defiance. Whether truth or tale, the place buzzes with an ancient electricity.
I stepped gently between them. Placed a hand on one stone. Closed my eyes. Let the birdsong fade behind my thoughts.
There’s something grounding here. Something older than worry. Older than us.
I took out the S23 Ultra, snapped a few shots, and then just stood still. The kind of stillness that resets your soul. The kind of stillness that speaks volumes.
“Some moments don’t just pass. They echo.”
~ Papa Bear ~
Golden Hour Magic: A Shot That Stopped Me Cold
As the path rose slightly toward the western ridge, the sun began to lower—the sky blooming into tangerine and rose. Golden hour was in full glory, and it felt like the moor was glowing from within.
Now, normally I’d reach for the DSLR. Set up a shot. Dial in the settings. But tonight, something in me said, “Keep it simple. Keep it real.”
So I pulled out the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, zoomed in gently, and took a shot of the sun dipping low over the distant hills.
And when I checked the photo… I literally said aloud: “What the actual hell?”
There it was. Two enormous black sunspots, clear as day, stamped on the surface of the sun like scars from the forge of the cosmos. Captured with a smartphone. No filters. No fancy glass. Just good light, good timing, and a little bit of luck.
It was one of those moments that reminds you: the universe rewards you for showing up.
“Not all wonders roar. Some just rise quietly and light the world.”
~ Papa Bear ~
The Final Climb: Trig Point and the Moon's Debut
With the sun now a memory, I continued on to the trig point. From here, the view opens up into a panorama of the Derbyshire hills, stretched out like ancient wrinkles on the land.
And then the wait began.
I wasn’t alone. A few others had gathered—tripods set, jackets zipped. But nobody spoke much. The kind of silence that only happens when everyone understands the moment.
Then it happened.
“The earth doesn’t shout. It whispers. And if you’re lucky, you catch it mid-song.”
~ Papa Bear ~
The Strawberry Moon rose.
Big. Bold. Blushing pink. Like a warm ember rising from the horizon. It was lower than usual, heavier in presence, as if the sky itself was laboring to lift it.
I lifted the S23 again, took a few quiet shots. But mostly—I just watched. Because some things aren’t meant to be captured. They’re meant to be experienced. Fully. With heart wide open.
As the Summer Solstice Is Just Around the Corner…
And speaking of timeless experiences…
With the summer solstice just behind the corner, I invite you to step into the light with me.
Head over to my YouTube channel – Papa Bear Explores and watch my short film from last year’s solstice, filmed at golden hour at Nine Ladies Stone Circle.
It’s a gentle, cinematic walk through a place that feels like it remembers everything. Stones. Shadows. Solstice fire.
No words. No noise. Just the turning of the earth, and the light that marks the longest day.
Final Thoughts: When the Sky Surprises You
This night gave me more than I hoped for. A moon I won’t see again for two decades. A stone circle that felt like an old friend. And a photo of the sun that blew my mind wide open.
And all of it? Captured on a phone.
Sometimes we get caught up in gear, in perfect conditions, in planning. But the truth? Show up with curiosity, stay present, and nature will meet you halfway.
“The world doesn’t need another perfect picture. It needs more real moments.
Raw, sacred, and unfiltered.”
~ Papa Bear ~
Thank you for coming along.
Until next time: Chase the light. Trust the trail. And let the sky surprise you.
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