Peak District

Spent the day in the Peak District today doing more driving than walking because we really wanted to cover some country.  First stop was Buxton where we went to the visitors centre to get a map and some information.  That all worked out well and confirmed what we had researched last night.  Buxton has lots of interesting old buildings and a long history, it has natural springs and many royals visited here to fix their ailments.  Many buildings are getting renovated or have recently been renovated.  Drove through the Peak Forest to Castleton over Winnats Pass, beautiful road, nice and wide with a deep gorge down to the town.

Then called into Edale (where we had to move the sheep out of the car park) then through Bamford past the Ladybower Reservoir to the Derwent Valley Dam wall.  Had a walk from the carpark to the top of the wall then down along the bottom and up to the other side.

Off to Glossop along Snake Road, we soon found out why it’s called Snake Road, wound its way up over Snake Pass to Glossop.  Once again a very good wide road with no dramatics from a certain passenger today.

From Glossop we went down to Hayfield, if my memory serves me correctly it is where Mums Dad was born.  The family lived here for many years, Mums Grandfather is buried here (we tried looking in the church yard cemetery for his grave before I realised such an upstanding citizen would probably be interred under the altar in the church!!).  At 14 years of age Mum's Dad got an offer too good to refuse; he changed his name and jumped a ship to Australia.  We had lunch here and drank to the memory of all the remaining rogues in Hayfield.

We turned for home with the intention of stopping at Sherwood Forest and having a long walk through the woods, of course the visitors centre was closed (in a place where the sun sets at 10pm), we parked illegally (they didn’t catch us this time!)and took a photo, drove through the forest and got home just on beer time!!

Winnats Pass

A peak in the Peak District

Almost threw the satnav out the window!! (well....Pam nearly threw the satnav out the window)

Derwent Valley Dam wall

The Derwent River

Walk along the river

Thousands of ducks come here to get fed by the tourists (who are sold seed at the visitors centre)

Some more Peak District hills along Snake Road

Snake Road Pass

There is a sheep feeding on the hill, not sure how they hang on....we were expecting a lambslide.......

I'm sure my Great Grandfather spent many hours here....

Or maybe here??

Even the lady beetles need a drink

Not even allowed to park a horse here!

The Peak District have an annual Well Dressing Festival.  All the towns in the district make pictures from natural products to decorate wells in the town.  It started many years ago to thank the wells for supplying water to the people.  These were displayed at Hayfield.  The displays last about a week before the weather deteriorates them and all the towns participate between June and September.

Thanks to the satnav - an aerial view of Hayfield.

That's all folks!!