In the Peak

Had a few days off at the end of April / early May and took ourselves off to the Peak District - last time we were there was in the middle of the Foot and Mouth outbreak in 2001 so there were lots of places then that we couldn't go.

Based ourselves in Bakewell - where Martin was blown away by the number and size of the fish in the river - and I was rather taken by a coot crossing the river by footbridge.

Got some 'history' in - Bolsover Castle (an English Heritage property) with its links to the Cavendish family, and the painted walls and ceilings of its 'Little Castle':

And walked the Monsal Trail - a pleasant enough 8.5 miles in the sunshine, and the railway tunnels were interesting, although Martin did note we could have done it in no time at all on bikes!

Then it was back to Hardwick Hall ('more glass than wall') - some 12 years to the day after our last visit in 2001.

Fascinating property, built by the phenomenon that was 'Bess of Hardwick', who from relatively modest beginnings rose to be the second richest woman in England (after Queen Elizabeth I) whose descendents became Dukes of Devonshire and Newcastle.

The house itself is full of symbolic plasterwork, a renowned textile collection, and a real sense of the Tudor era.


Finally, on our way home, we visited Lyme Park (the location for Pemberley in the BBC's adaptation of Pride and Prejudice).  Must admit the house wasn't as memorable as some, but the lake took me right back to Mr Darcy's wet shirt moment!