27^th September 2020

 

Dear All,

The Derbyshire weather was very kind to us, we had sunshine for 5.5 days out of 6 and just one damp morning. We were staying in the Card House at Hopton Hall estate. Evidently the lord of the manor had the house built to entertain his wealthy friends to card schools – I don’t know why we have never thought of that! There was a swimming pool, a large garden, 30 acres of grass and trees and a collection of vintage cars.

 

Hopton Hall

 

We were a stones throw from Carsington Water and spent a little time there and at Repton on the way up.

We managed one or two walks every day, some of which had challenging climbs for us fen dwelling flat landers!

On Saturday we started at Nether Padley and took in Grindleford followed by a difficult walk to Curbar and Froggatt Edges which are spectacular. The difficult part came from getting the wrong path and having to traverse a mile of bogs.

 

 

Young River Derwent at Grindleford

 

 

Curbar Edge

 

On Sunday it was Birchover and the Nine Ladies stone circle followed by a tour of Wirksworth and Bolehill – a sentimental journey for Kate.

 

 

The Nine Ladies, Birchover

 

Monday was Bakewell market – we were not allowed into the livestock section but sampled Bakewell Pudding of course then on to Monsall Head and Cresswell Dale which involved a couple of steep climbs.

 

Monsall Head

 

 

Litton Mill

When we were in Derbyshire with U3A in 2013 we encountered spectacular snow and were unable to get to the top of Stanage Edge. David who was with us on this trip has been keen to conquer that ever since so we managed that on Tuesday followed by an even more exacting climb up to Mam Tor from Castleton.

 

 

David at Stanage Edge

 

 

Stanage Edge Mill Stones

 

 

Mam Tor

We finally had a wet morning on Wednesday and visited Arkwright’s Mill at Cromford, followed by a damp walk up Cromford canal then lunch in The New Bath Hotel at Matlock Bath where Kate worked as a cleaned when in the 6^th form – another sentimental journey as she had not been back for 55 years. After this we explored Matlock Bath and Matlock.

 

 

Cromford Mill

 

Kate at the New Bath Hotel

 

On our last day David was keen to see the Wirksworth Quarries so we walked along the Monsall trail and took in Black Rocks and Barrell Edge as well as the Gang Nature Reserve which used to be the Dovegang lead mine drained by Vermuyden before he tackled the Fens.

 

 

Middleton Engine House

 

 

Wirksworth Middle Peak Quarry

As Friday was designated as cricket pitch winter maintenance day we rose early and were back in Over by 9.36am only to find work was postponed as it was too wet!

With love

Mike & Kate