Monday 7th April – day 163
We have decided to stay on in Derbyshire until Wednesday as we are having such a lovely time here, and there is still such a lot to see. So today we are off to pack a lot in! We take the scenic
route along the back roads between Hope and Ashbourne. We first stopped at lovely Lathkill Dale, not too dissimilar from Dove Dale, but of course with its own charms. Unfortunately we needed to move on if we were going to make all the visits that we had planned, so, with thoughts 
of returning to the Peak District for long weekends once we are back in the saddle, we set off for Tissington, the capital of the well dressing region. We were a month too early to enjoy the well dressing, that happens on Ascension Day – 1st May this year we were informed - but we had a bracing walk down its deserted streets (I think everyone had run in doors to escape the icy blast!
Finally we drove down to Ashbourne for a wander round. It was a pity that we arrived there after 5.30pm as there was a wonderful street full of beautiful antique shops which I am sure that we would have enjoyed a wander round had they been open!!
Tuesday 8th April – day 164
There were plans this morning to walk round Kinder Scout (home of the mass trespass) but as it had snowed again in the night, and the clouds were still low and looking dangerously like rain, we decided that it would not be worth putting the boots on, so… we had a lazy start instead! We still had to go to Buxton to have the TV checked, pick up my prescription and our souvenir – a gorgeous “Arts and Crafts” ladies chair that I had spotted on our first visit. The drive back over
the dark peak was as atmospheric as remembered and we arrived in Buxton in the sunshine, what weird and changeable weather we are having these days.
We were successful only in part in our business, the success - the reason we could not tune the TV in to digital reception was because there isn’t any – not the fault of our TV! We were not so
lucky with the ladies chair though, our prevarication was someone else’s purchase, boo hoo!
Well we may not have a chair, but we were able to enjoy a wander round the park, and take in the rest of Buxton’s delights before driving up to Glossop, and back to Hope down Snake Pass.
Wednesday 9th April – day 165
We are leaving the lovely Hope Valley today, and already with thoughts of returning to get better acquainted with this beautiful county. We are making the journey up through Sheffield, the M1, Leeds and out the other side, not looking forward to being in the middle of all that business!
Fortunately the journey was not too congested and we made it to Hartwith in Nidderdale, where we are staying for the next 12 nights, in glorious evening light. We had the warmest (and longest) welcome of our journey so far, I think that we are going to enjoy it here!
Thursday 10th April – day 166
Woke to a beautiful bright morning, plans to walk from Malham up to the tarn seem not to have to be postponed due to rain this time! We took the scenic route passing through a truly glorious landscape, we are loving these stone glorious stone walls, patch worked over the hill sides and
old heavy set houses, it is much more invigorating (to my eye at least) than the flat and chocolate box prettiness of further south! We parked up at the Dales centre, packed ALL our wet weather gear just in case(!) and set off at an almost brisk pace, but not so quick that we didn’t have a chance to gaze inside the houses, and check out the good beer hostelries (for 
afterwards) as we weaved our way through Malham. The first popular tourist spot was the Cove, once a tumbling waterfall, but now sheer wall of white limestone popular with climbers, and nesting peregrine falcons! There was a wide and easy path trodden on by the masses, then 398 steps up to the top of the Cove (carefully built by our friends the National Truss). We 
picnicked at the top, amidst great white water shaped rocks, and sat looking over to Malham before setting off along this wild stony moor land that is this southern section of the Pennine 
Way (our first foray along this national trail). Our final destination was the tarn where there was a nature reserve, but we made very slow progress as we kept spotting unfamiliar birds. We later identified that we had seen: Lapwing, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Wheatears. We sat awhile by the tarn, quite alone except for the birds, and enjoyed their singing and particularly the aerobatic displays of the Lapwings, before taking a circuitous route back over the strange blue grey terrain to a pint of Lancaster bomber and a pint of Wainrights.
Friday 11th April – day 167
Good job that we took the opportunity to walk yesterday as today it is back to the old familiar theme… rain. We decide to explore Harrogate and neighbouring Knaresborough as it is so inclement.
Harrogate may have been delightful, but its charms were lost underneath a torrential downpour, so there was little wandering around, expect a couple of indoor antique markets, and a very long sit in Betty’s Tearoom – a must for all visitors!
After an interesting but circuitous route Sherpa Mint got us to Knaresborough. By now the rain
had stopped, and a watery sun gave this little town a glow that had been missing in Harrogate, so we parked up and went for a jolly good wander round this interesting old town. Along our route, 
we passed an ancient castle in lovely grounds, a house in the rock, several sets of steep back steps to get to another part of town, a chequered house, a couple of establishments hiring 
colourful boat, cobbled streets, two bridges a viaduct and a quintessentially pre 1930’s train station, (still in its original livery) all within a mile radius of the castle. Can you tell that we enjoyed ourselves there! And all visited in time to get back to the car for the Archers to find out if the Jury has made their verdict- but alas we will have to wait until Monday!
Saturday 12th April – day 168
We woke to sunshine and blue skies for our drive down to Malmesbury for Val and Rob’s wedding party.
It rained in spurts during the journey, but we arrived and left Cotswold Outdoor People in fine sunshine, both in outside and in our moods! My wonderfully comfortable Meindl boots had really started to let the water in since the New Year and we hoped they replace them, but were not too hopeful as we had no proof of purchase. But the Manager could not have been more helpful, after explaining that I had not conditioned the boots properly after washing (!?!) so the leather had deteriorated and shrunk away from the soles hence the leakage, he promptly gave me a shiny new pair, joy, well it will be once I have broken them in!
We popped in on Margaret on the way through as it was her birthday, to find that all the family were there so we all sang happy birthday and ate cake, then we headed off for Malmesbury. Next stop was to catch up with Graham after his American trip, he looked very well and excited at the thought of taking a six month road trip with his new partner once they have bought a hotel on wheels (as only the Americans can do!)
We arrived at Anne and Andy’s by 6pm, just enough time for a cuppa and wash before we were
back out to St Mary’s Hall for a Ceidligh and a Hog roast. There was little time for dancing as there were too many people to catch up with, but I think that we managed to speak to everyone. The evening ended with whisky at A&As – joy!
Sunday 13th April – day 169
Another lovely morning, particularly as we woke to the smell of sausages and bacon wafting up the stairs – wonderful hosts Anne and Andy, make you feel properly looked after; we may need another excuse to return!!
We were a little late to be really useful in the clearing up at St Mary’s Hall, especially as there were probably over 20 there already all fighting for a go on the hoover – oops – dyson!!
So we headed off to see Fred and Sarah, who, I am glad to say, looked really well. It was lovely to catch up with them, if too briefly, for we were then on to Jem and Sally’s for lunch.
Again it was lovely to spend time with them as well as Sue and Al. Jem served up a superb belly pork and lentil casserole, yum, but we won’t need to eat until tomorrow!
We were back on the road by 3.45pm and after a long, but easy journey we were back in Hartwith by 8.45pm.
We have decided to stay on in Derbyshire until Wednesday as we are having such a lovely time here, and there is still such a lot to see. So today we are off to pack a lot in! We take the scenic
route along the back roads between Hope and Ashbourne. We first stopped at lovely Lathkill Dale, not too dissimilar from Dove Dale, but of course with its own charms. Unfortunately we needed to move on if we were going to make all the visits that we had planned, so, with thoughts of returning to the Peak District for long weekends once we are back in the saddle, we set off for Tissington, the capital of the well dressing region. We were a month too early to enjoy the well dressing, that happens on Ascension Day – 1st May this year we were informed - but we had a bracing walk down its deserted streets (I think everyone had run in doors to escape the icy blast!Finally we drove down to Ashbourne for a wander round. It was a pity that we arrived there after 5.30pm as there was a wonderful street full of beautiful antique shops which I am sure that we would have enjoyed a wander round had they been open!!Tuesday 8th April – day 164
There were plans this morning to walk round Kinder Scout (home of the mass trespass) but as it had snowed again in the night, and the clouds were still low and looking dangerously like rain, we decided that it would not be worth putting the boots on, so… we had a lazy start instead! We still had to go to Buxton to have the TV checked, pick up my prescription and our souvenir – a gorgeous “Arts and Crafts” ladies chair that I had spotted on our first visit. The drive back over
the dark peak was as atmospheric as remembered and we arrived in Buxton in the sunshine, what weird and changeable weather we are having these days.We were successful only in part in our business, the success - the reason we could not tune the TV in to digital reception was because there isn’t any – not the fault of our TV! We were not so
lucky with the ladies chair though, our prevarication was someone else’s purchase, boo hoo!Well we may not have a chair, but we were able to enjoy a wander round the park, and take in the rest of Buxton’s delights before driving up to Glossop, and back to Hope down Snake Pass.
Wednesday 9th April – day 165
We are leaving the lovely Hope Valley today, and already with thoughts of returning to get better acquainted with this beautiful county. We are making the journey up through Sheffield, the M1, Leeds and out the other side, not looking forward to being in the middle of all that business!
Fortunately the journey was not too congested and we made it to Hartwith in Nidderdale, where we are staying for the next 12 nights, in glorious evening light. We had the warmest (and longest) welcome of our journey so far, I think that we are going to enjoy it here!Thursday 10th April – day 166
Woke to a beautiful bright morning, plans to walk from Malham up to the tarn seem not to have to be postponed due to rain this time! We took the scenic route passing through a truly glorious landscape, we are loving these stone glorious stone walls, patch worked over the hill sides and
old heavy set houses, it is much more invigorating (to my eye at least) than the flat and chocolate box prettiness of further south! We parked up at the Dales centre, packed ALL our wet weather gear just in case(!) and set off at an almost brisk pace, but not so quick that we didn’t have a chance to gaze inside the houses, and check out the good beer hostelries (for afterwards) as we weaved our way through Malham. The first popular tourist spot was the Cove, once a tumbling waterfall, but now sheer wall of white limestone popular with climbers, and nesting peregrine falcons! There was a wide and easy path trodden on by the masses, then 398 steps up to the top of the Cove (carefully built by our friends the National Truss). We picnicked at the top, amidst great white water shaped rocks, and sat looking over to Malham before setting off along this wild stony moor land that is this southern section of the Pennine Way (our first foray along this national trail). Our final destination was the tarn where there was a nature reserve, but we made very slow progress as we kept spotting unfamiliar birds. We later identified that we had seen: Lapwing, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Wheatears. We sat awhile by the tarn, quite alone except for the birds, and enjoyed their singing and particularly the aerobatic displays of the Lapwings, before taking a circuitous route back over the strange blue grey terrain to a pint of Lancaster bomber and a pint of Wainrights.Friday 11th April – day 167
Good job that we took the opportunity to walk yesterday as today it is back to the old familiar theme… rain. We decide to explore Harrogate and neighbouring Knaresborough as it is so inclement.
Harrogate may have been delightful, but its charms were lost underneath a torrential downpour, so there was little wandering around, expect a couple of indoor antique markets, and a very long sit in Betty’s Tearoom – a must for all visitors!After an interesting but circuitous route Sherpa Mint got us to Knaresborough. By now the rain
had stopped, and a watery sun gave this little town a glow that had been missing in Harrogate, so we parked up and went for a jolly good wander round this interesting old town. Along our route, we passed an ancient castle in lovely grounds, a house in the rock, several sets of steep back steps to get to another part of town, a chequered house, a couple of establishments hiring colourful boat, cobbled streets, two bridges a viaduct and a quintessentially pre 1930’s train station, (still in its original livery) all within a mile radius of the castle. Can you tell that we enjoyed ourselves there! And all visited in time to get back to the car for the Archers to find out if the Jury has made their verdict- but alas we will have to wait until Monday!Saturday 12th April – day 168
We woke to sunshine and blue skies for our drive down to Malmesbury for Val and Rob’s wedding party.
It rained in spurts during the journey, but we arrived and left Cotswold Outdoor People in fine sunshine, both in outside and in our moods! My wonderfully comfortable Meindl boots had really started to let the water in since the New Year and we hoped they replace them, but were not too hopeful as we had no proof of purchase. But the Manager could not have been more helpful, after explaining that I had not conditioned the boots properly after washing (!?!) so the leather had deteriorated and shrunk away from the soles hence the leakage, he promptly gave me a shiny new pair, joy, well it will be once I have broken them in!We popped in on Margaret on the way through as it was her birthday, to find that all the family were there so we all sang happy birthday and ate cake, then we headed off for Malmesbury. Next stop was to catch up with Graham after his American trip, he looked very well and excited at the thought of taking a six month road trip with his new partner once they have bought a hotel on wheels (as only the Americans can do!)
We arrived at Anne and Andy’s by 6pm, just enough time for a cuppa and wash before we were
back out to St Mary’s Hall for a Ceidligh and a Hog roast. There was little time for dancing as there were too many people to catch up with, but I think that we managed to speak to everyone. The evening ended with whisky at A&As – joy!Sunday 13th April – day 169
Another lovely morning, particularly as we woke to the smell of sausages and bacon wafting up the stairs – wonderful hosts Anne and Andy, make you feel properly looked after; we may need another excuse to return!!
We were a little late to be really useful in the clearing up at St Mary’s Hall, especially as there were probably over 20 there already all fighting for a go on the hoover – oops – dyson!!
So we headed off to see Fred and Sarah, who, I am glad to say, looked really well. It was lovely to catch up with them, if too briefly, for we were then on to Jem and Sally’s for lunch.
Again it was lovely to spend time with them as well as Sue and Al. Jem served up a superb belly pork and lentil casserole, yum, but we won’t need to eat until tomorrow!We were back on the road by 3.45pm and after a long, but easy journey we were back in Hartwith by 8.45pm.
No comments:
Post a Comment