We had stayed in Buxton before, but only for three nights in 2022 when Alison ran the Baslow Boot Bash. This year we booked for a full week in semi detached bungalow in the Silverlands area 50 yards from the Buxton FC football stadium. We left after 10.00 am on Friday 21st June and arrived at Hardwick Hall at 12.45 pm. We bought lunch from the cafe and sat outside before exploring inside the Hall. Later we sat outside on a bench looking across the lawn to the building.
We left Hardwick at 3.45pm and arrived at our destination just before 5pm. We unpacked and watched some of the Euros football. A beautiful day around 23C with a nice fresh breeze.
Saturday 22nd June
Alison left early to run down to the start of Buxton parkrun that takes in three laps of Pavilion Gardens. I had a quiet morning before we left just before 11am and we then walked down to the cafe at the same Gardens for a bacon roll. Walking through the old Victorian Retail Arcade, we noticed there was an old piano in an annex that invited visitors to play. I was glad Alison finally decided to play a couple of tunes ("Memory" was great). First time without music and despite the sticking keys, it all sounded fine.
We had already bought our ticket and map for the Buxton Garden Trail where a number of gardens had opened for the weekend and started off on a tour.
The best thing about garden numbers 31 to 34 was the French Horn player inside the enclosed Botanical Garden playing Adele's Someone Like You. Quite exceptional.. Then on to gardens 12 to 16. Here is a photo of the pond in the first of these.
Number 14 was just the garden of the Lee Wood Hotel, but we were invited to sit at a table outside for tea and biscuits. With a nice view down to the cricket match taking place below.
We were there nearly an hour before starting off again to gardens 12 and 13.
Our favourite was no 12 at Punchbowl Park, a small bungalow but with a stunning backdrop of a steep hillside.
Working our way back, we stopped off at Buxton Cricket Club and sat on a bench next to the boundary.
We arrived back at 5.30, so quite a long day. There was some rain very early in the morning but the rest of the day was mainly sunny and fresh at 20C.
Sunday 23rd June
A quiet morning, a walk for a Sunday paper and provisions, then a walk down to Pavilion Gardens to set up our chairs and lunch opposite the bandstand where we had been promised some live music. At just after 2pm a jazz quartet started their recital. We had thought it was to be a brass band but no. Keyboards, bass, flute/ saxophone and a vocalist: Jules M Scott. She can be found on Facebook. Basin Street Jazz and Blues.
We had a perfect place to sit, at the top of a bank just on the edge of the paved area.
Alison sister arrived just before 4pm and we had huge ice cream cornets. I walked back to the house leaving the ladies to chat. Watched England beat the USA comfortably in the World T20. The weather had been cloudy and cool first thing but warmed up in the sun later at 22C.
Monday 24th June
I had always wanted to see the Derwent and Ladybower Reservoirs as Dad and Margaret were frequent visitors. A longer journey than expected a s road was closed. We parked at the Upper Derwent Visitor Centre at Fairhomes, found a map and set off down the Derwent Dam trail.
This was only a short route so we extended it by heading up the Derwent Reservoir.
On the way back we stopped a few times to look at the dam.
We stayed for a couple of hours before heading into Bakewell. Easily found a space in the car park despite being just after 2pm. Found our favourite place (the Gallery Cafe) that actually had a table free outside in the shade. Alison then went off to do some shopping (Bakewell was pretty busy) and I sat on a bench by the river and chatted to another old boy and watched the antics of the geese and ducks.
we arrived back at the bungalow at 5pm, in time for a World T20 game. and Euros football. It had been mainly cloudy in the morning but sunny in the afternoon and 23C.
Tuesday 25th June
Alison was off early for one of her long treks. I walked down to Pavilion Gardens and sat on a few benches on my way round.
I found my way to the very end of the gardens and eventually found Temple Road which I guessed would take me to Grin Low and Buxton Country Park. There they were at the top of the hill. I had tea and biscuits in the cafe of the visitor centre (good indoor and outdoor seating).
I studied the map of the walks, but they were all though the woods, and all seemed to have sharp climb. No good without my pole. So I wandered around at low level.
I left at 12.30pm, the walk back to Pavilion Gardens so much quicker downhill and knowing the route. I passed Roseleigh, the bed and breakfast where we stayed a couple of years ago.
Then to the Pump Room/ Visitor Centre where I looked at where patrons used to sit in the natural baths.
I found a nice bookmark in the shop and then made my way back just before 2pm. a bright day with some sun and a quite warm 23C.
Wednesday 26th June
A day at Haddon Hall with our 2 for 1 ticket voucher. We had been before, but it's amazing how much you can find that's new. Especially in the chapel.
I like the Long Gallery.
The wonderful gardens were even better than I can remember, lots of roses in bloom.
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We found a nice secluded bench for a rest before tea and cake in the cafe. It had been the warmest day, all sunny and 26C.
In the evening we met Alison's family in Pavilion Gardens before heading for dinner at Pizza Express. And afterwards at a quiet bar. We had a great time.
Thursday 27th June
Our last day and one of our favourite walks. We parked at Hassop Station (now just a cafe and shop) to walk down the Monsal Trail, the old railway line. Great for me, at least, as all on the level.
We eventually arrived at the tunnel which is half a mile long.
And into the dark.
On the other end is the brilliant viaduct with great views below.
Here we turned round and headed back for lunch in the cafe. A very nice chicken pesto and salad on ciabatta. We were back mid afternoon, time to pack for the journey home. A lovely warm day again at 24C.
Friday 28th June
We left at 9.20am and were back at 12.45pm. Three hours twenty five was OK given a delay in Ashbourne. I packed the car in drizzle, the first rain for days. Lovely and sunny when we arrived home.
