It was on Friday 7th July that we set off for our weeks holiday in Derbyshire. The day was sunny and warm when we arrived at Hardwick Hall. We bought lunch at the café and sat at one of the tables outside. We looked at the ruins of the old building on our way to the new Hall. Note the clear blue sky.
We rarely spend much time inside a stately home, but this time there was so much to see. I loved the stone transoms and mullions that framed the windows. Replicating those of the old hall as the photo below.
Leaving at 3pm, we were soon at Pinecroft in Bakewell, the same bungalow at which we stayed four years ago.
After unpacking, we walked across the road to the event village for Alison to register for tomorrow's Peak District Ultra Challenge.
Saturday 8th July
Alison left very early for her 7am start time. The course was 50K so I did not expect her until after 5pm. I walked into the town for supplies from the Co-op and was out again at 11am to explore around Bakewell. First the gardens.
Then up the hill to the church.
And further on to the museum.
On the way back it had started to drizzle, but then eased off. Back just after 1pm for a quiet afternoon with Wimbledon, the third test against Australia and later, England Under 21's winning the Euros.
Apparently the temperature had stayed close to 20C overnight but sleeping had been fine. There was rain off and on in the late afternoon (Alison had seen none for her too warm event) and a thunderstorm in the evening. A muggy 23C.
Sunday 9th July
This was the day for our visit to Alison's sister in Marple. All her family were there. I had not seen my nephew and niece for a long time. We sat outside in the warm sun and later had a wonderful lunch. I went with Alison's sister to look at some open gardens and then met up with the others at Marple cricket club.
Another bright and sunny day (a fresher 18C) but with another thunderstorm at 5pm before we left.
Monday 10th July
It turned out to be my longest walk for a very long time. Eight and a half miles in all from Hassop Station along the Monsal Trail to past the Cressbrook Tunnel, and back.
Alison could see part of her Saturday route below the viaduct.
Back at Hassop Station for a late but very nice lunch, toasted split bagels and salad. Smoked salmon for Alison and Pastrami and Cheese for me. The weather had been bright and cloudy at 18C with just some very light drizzle on the way back. It did rain again later.
Tuesday 11th July
I don't know why we decided to walk to Haddon Hall. There did seem to be a path but we ended up on the pavement next to the road most of the way. We had a reviving cup of tea outside when we arrived.
There is so much to see inside. Below is the chapel.
And the great hall where there was a talk about the history.
It was light drizzle outside but it just cleared as we were waiting to go round the gardens.
We had a late lunch in the upstairs café, quite lucky as there was very heavy rain outside. Fortunately it cleared before we left to catch the bus back to Bakewell. A sunny end to the day, fresh again at 20C.
Wednesday 12 July
A day in Buxton with Alison's sister and her husband. Unseasonably cool at first, making our way to Pavilion Gardens.
We had tea before Alison and our brother in law went off for a talk by historian Tom Holland (part of the Buxton Festival) at the Buxton Opera House. I stayed inside with Alison's sister, talking about books at the Waterstones display and then around the "Art in the Octagon".
There were so many High Peak Artists showing their work. We were lucky as they were only there on three days.
I found some pen and ink pictures by Howard Levitt that I liked. While Alison's sister was looking at hand made jewellery and other things, I saw a huge cloth poster for "A Hard Day's Night ". I ended up talking to the textile artist Tracy Coverley about it and her other work.
I was also very interested in The Octagon building that looked as if it had been recently restored as it was superb inside. It was originally built in 1875, four years after the gardens opened. It closed in 2015 due to problems with the roof but has recently re-opened.
However, there seems to be one mystery. On one of the steel pillars is a plaque that I guess was there when it opened. It tells us this was Buxton Music Hall but I cannot find anything on the internet that this was the original name. Note the stage at the end. The following photo is from a few years after it opened.
We all met up and found a table for lunch at The Café at the Green Pavilion. A wander around the park, and past Roseleigh where we stayed four years ago. Then back for a cup of tea at Pavilion Gardens. It had been quite a long day, only arriving back at 5.30pm. We seem to have been inside for those showers and it had become warmer in the afternoon. But only 17C in mid July!
Thursday 13th July
I usually have a rest day on holiday, but the non stop activities this week meant I stayed in the bungalow in the morning, writing up this diary, while Alison went out for a trek around the hills. Back at lunchtime, we walked into the centre and found a nice café for lunch. We sat outside for fancy tea in classy pots and teacakes.
A walk around the shops and courtyards, a couple of purchases, a sit by the river and an ice cream to finish the afternoon.
Friday 14th July
The forecast was for heavy rain all the way home from late morning and into the late afternoon. So we rose at 6.30am and were off by 7.45am. However it started to rain just after we reached the M1. Only heavy on a couple of occasions and generally not too bad at all. We were home by 10.30am so a good journey back. The very heavy rain did not arrive until well past lunchtime. Good for the gardens.
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